What Just Happened?

Reading:   2 Kings13

This is one of those chapters that goes something like this:

Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah -lightning bolt- blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ....

In-other-words, a lot of droning, snooze-worthy, genealogical, can't recall, blandness but smack dab in the middle -BAM- there is a bit of magical wonder that leaves you confused, "...What just happened?"  This chapter was a terrific example of such an occurrence.  In the middle of the, uh, I honestly can't remember and don't care to reread, bland stuff, hidden like a cleverly laid trap, are these two verses...

2 KINGS 13:20-21

20 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. 

21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet. 

Seriously...the chapter went from a mundane list of kings, successors, their acts of blah blah blah then those two incredible verses and right back into another chain of who cares (okay, I'm being harsh.  I do care and I'm sure I will find meaning and noteworthy sustenance in these other verses on another day but today they just wore me down).

Elisha died!? Really...why was this not a bigger event? And why was it smothered in a chapter of mud?  Oh, and thought I might mention, yeah, a dead guy was hidden in the grave and he came back to life when he touched Elisha's bones - thought you might like to know.  UNBELIEVABLE?!!  I think the death of Elisha and the incidental brought-back-to-life bit are two pretty awesome events and it is sad that they are buried.

Also, with all the fiction out there about the searches for the Holy Grail, Solomon's Temple, Ark of the Covenant, etc. I am overwhelmingly aghast that there has been no search for the bones of Elisha (here proven to revive the dead).  I may just add, no, I am adding, Elisha's Bones to my list of book ideas.

~Kipling

Jehoash the Ill-Advised

Reading:   2 Kings 12

The tale of King Jehoash (aka Joash) is somewhat short, especially considering the great pomp and circumstance surrounding his birth (2 Kings 11).  In his forty years as king, Jehoash did manage to repair the much dilapidated temple of Solomon and taught the priests therein an important lesson in humility.  He was an honest God-fearing man and king, well, that is while Jehoiada, his aged advisor, teacher, tutor, prophet and councillor, was alive, then, not-so-much...

2 KINGS 12:2

2 And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 

After reading chapter 12 of 2 Kings, it is easy to deem the works of Jehoash good, and they were, but, the rest of the story is revealed in 2 Chronicles 24.  It seems that after the death of Jehoiada, the good king lost his way and began listening to the advise of the not-so-wise kind; even to the point where he ordered the stoning of a prophet who spoke for The Lord (a prophet who was also the son of Jehoiada)...

2 CHRONICLES 24:21-22

21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord. 

22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it. 

Shortly thereafter, Jehoash was conspired against and murdered by his own servants.  So, yes, Jehoash did do "...that which was right in the sight of The Lord all his days..." but the second part of the verse must be understood.  Jehoash only did that which was right while "...Jehoiada the priest instructed him."  When Jehoash lost his prophetic councillor he also lost his way and his salvation - forty-six years of righteousness, one act of wickedness, done!

~Kipling

God Save the King

Reading:   2 Kings 11

Although "God Save the King" has been used in verse prior to this (5 times in fact), it jumped out at me today and demanded my attention...

2 KINGS 11:12

12 And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

I was confident I would find something interesting about "God save the king" on the interweb and I must say, I wasn't disappointed. I discovered some outright unruly displeasure for the phrase in regards to its usage in the King James Version of the bible...crazy, right?  Anyway, there were also some impressive articles refuting the ignorant, self-aggrandizing, buffoons.  The article I found most akin to my beliefs, and well written to boot, was God Save the King, by Will Kinney.  Here are some highlights from the article...

A modern version proponent recently wrote... [that] the King James Version translators used a dynamic equivalence method in which they inserted God's name where it is not in the original. This is in the phrases "God save the king" and "God save king [king's name]" in 1 Samuel 10:24; 2 Samuel 16:16; 1 Kings 1:25,1 Kings 1:34, 1 Kings 1:39, 2 Kings 11:12; and 2 Chronicles 23:11. 

This person then goes on to say that the King James translation of "God save the king" is "DEPLORABLE" because 1. a literal, word-for-word translation method was not used 2.the translators used colloquialism and idiom 3.they deceive the reader into thinking that these words are in the original 4.they take God's name in vain. 

I am often amazed at the criticisms against the King James Bible that the modern version proponents bring up. They don't usually discover these things for themselves but copy and paste them from some anti-KJV site, like those of Doug Kutilek or James White.

They profess a great love for God's words, yet if you ask them where we common Christians can get a copy of the infallible words of God, they soon reveal that the only "infallible bible" they have exists solely in their minds and imaginations. They don't believe any translation can be the infallible words of God nor do they have any "Hebrew and Greek texts" that completely represent the originals. Their mystical bible is made up of their own personal opinions and preferences, and of course, their "bible" differs from the "bible" the next scholar has dreamed up for himself. Each man becomes his own final authority... 

"The word, “God (אלהים)” is not in the Hebrew, which says, “live (subjunctive) the king.” The subjunctive mood expresses a wish. The translators understood this passage as the invocation of the providential preservation of the life of the king. Thus “God” was added  

to convey the meaning of the utterance. If not to God, who else would God-fearing Hebrews address this plea to? To an impersonal "fate"? Such would be a Pagan attitude. Whereas contemporary English speakers might say, "Long live the king" without necessarily having God in mind, the preservation of life and God were intrinsically linked in the mind of a God-fearing Hebrew." 

Realize that the King James Bible and all these other versions are English translations, written to English speaking persons (the target audience) expressing what this Hebrew phrase means in English. We do not have kings here in America, but those God fearing nations that had or continue to have kings or queens to this day still say 'God save the king' or 'God save the queen'. 

The fact is directly implied and recognized that it is God who gives and preserves the life of the king, as well as everyone else on this planet.

Bravo, Mr. Kinney!  Not exactly where I thought today's blog would go...I thought I would find a nice story, poem, or lyrical verse to share and instead discovered a debate.  That's okay, much more interesting and I always love a good scrape!

~Kipling

A Great Sacrifice to Baal

Reading:  2 Kings 10

Before we destroy poor old Baal, let's get a handle on who exactly he was and why he had so many worshippers.  The Encyclopaedia Brittanca explains the erstwhile deity as such...

Baal, god worshiped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites, who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most important gods in the pantheon. As a Semitic common nounbaal (Hebrew baʿal) meant “owner” or “lord,” although it could be used more generally; for example, a baal of wings was a winged creature, and, in the plural, baalim of arrows indicated archers. Yet such fluidity in the use of the term baal did not prevent it from being attached to a god of distinct character. As such, Baal designated the universal god of fertility, and in that capacity his title was Prince, Lord of the Earth. He was also called the Lord of Rain and Dew, the two forms of moisture that were indispensable for fertile soil in Canaan. In Ugaritic and Old Testament Hebrew, Baal’s epithet as the storm god was He Who Rides on the Clouds. In Phoenician he was called Baal Shamen, Lord of the Heavens.

So there we have the basic bio of Baal and from it we can gain an understanding of why so many people chose to worship him (fertility and all).  Of course there is the tiny matter of, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3). ...

2 KINGS 10:18-19

18 And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much. 

19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal. 

Sneaky, sneaky, Mr.Jehu!  So he gathered together all of the Baal worshippers; all the prophets, priests, servants, disciples, "...All their wives, and all their children, and all their sheep, and all their cattle, and all their cats and dogs. All of them..." Okay, maybe not all that other stuff but I had to give a nod to Vulcan from the classic film, Baron Munchausen.  Anyway, they were all gathered together in the house of Baal and to ensure a complete tactical success Jehu went as far as to threaten his own men with their lives if the allowed anyone to escape... 

2 KINGS 10:24-25, 28

24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him. 

25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal. 

28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. 

Well done, right?  Uhh...well, umm, yeah, good job Jehu but uh, why did he continue to worship other idols (v.29).  Concerning don't you think?  Oh well, let's not find fault in one so brazen as to accomplish such a heavy task for The Lord.  He did destroy the house of Ahab and he did destroy Baal out of Israel and he did gain a promise from God that his seed would reign for four generations but how much more could it have been if he were but righteous till the end...

~Kipling

Treachery of Hazael

Reading:   2 Kings 8-9

It's one thing to premeditate a murder but to premeditate a murder, get called out from a man of God who has seen your future action, and then commit the murder anyway - quite on another level of wrong!  Yet here, in chapter eight, we are witness to such an occurrence.

The king of Syria was sick and, curious as to what the future held, he sent his right hand man, Hazael, to inquire of the Israelite prophet (after so many encounters with Elisha, I'm sure the king had much respect for the man).  Hazael went forth as requested but, in the dark chambers of his heart, planned to slay the king upon his return...

2 KINGS 8:10, 14-15

10 And Elisha said unto him, Go, say unto him, Thou mayest certainly recover: howbeit the Lord hath shewed me that he shall surely die. 

14 So he departed from Elisha, and came to his master; who said to him, What said Elisha to thee? And he answered, He told me that thou shouldest surely recover. 

15 And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead. 

Now let me add some additional spiritual shackles to good 'ol Hazael.  I'm sure you noticd there are a few missing verses (11-13), I wanted to let the actual murder happen in verse so that you could see how conniving and deceitful Mr. Hazael ("I'm in a mist, I'm in a mist," a little nod to Watership Down) was when confronted.  Elisha prophesied that the king would recover but also stated that "...he [would] surely die."  Hazael, no doubt, was a bit shocked by this statement and wondered if Elisha might know of his murderous intent.   Elisha then started to weep, having seen the truth in Hazael's reaction (v.11).  This is where Hazael had to be quick on his toes in order to mask his surprise...

2 KINGS 8:12-13

12 And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.  

13 And Hazael said, But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing? And Elisha answered, The Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. 

Hazael asked, with dramatic concern, why the prophet was distressed and was probably not prepared for Elisha's lurid response.  Back pedaling, Hazael sputtered a retort, "What, why? Am I a dog...why would I do such a thing?"  But Elisha stuck it to him, "...Thou shalt be king, that's why!"

At that point, Hazael had no more reason to continue the ruse and responded by shrugging his shoulders, maybe even pointed a finger at Elisha and winked as if to acknowledge his prophetic prowess, then, with a smirk on his face and excitement in his heart (after all, a man of God just told him he would be king), he simply departed.

Hazael was so full of himself and so locked on his endgame (the crown) that he couldn't see the spiritual noose tightening around his neck and though I'm sure he gave some credence to the man of God, he went ahead with his plan and cared not who knew (even God).

Wo be unto the foolish who mock God!  Benjamin Franklin said,

Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools,
that don't have brains enough to be honest.

Amen, brother Benji!!

~Kipling

Choice - Stripped Down by Lepers

Reading:   2 Kings 7:3-20

The way is not always clearly marked but there are some choices that make themselves known by a default of end result.  If the options equal a similar situation to that of the status quo or one of a less desirable result, then the best option is that which affects humanity in the least obtrusive manner; however, if there is an option that might elevate the situation, no matter how minuscule the possibility, that choice is, and must be, the best option!

In this chapter the Samarians are suffering from an intense famine.  There is no food anywhere and the poor, diseased, and sickly, have few options...

2 KINGS 7:3-4

3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? 

 4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die. 

The lepers had three options:

1)   Stay and die (no one brought food into the gate as everyone was suffering)
2)   Go into the city and die (no food inside to beg for either)
3)   Approach the enemy (they will either be killed or shown mercy)

Option three was the absolute best.  Yes, the probability rested with the enemy most likely killing the men but at least their suffering would not be drawn out, "...we shall but die."  Spoken as if it were a foregone conclusion but a quicker, more merciful, end to their miserable condition.  There was no choice, they had to act as they did and, as luck would have it, the odds paid dividends - quite high dividends!  The Samarian army had been spooked and left all there tents, provisions, and jewels where they stood, unguarded.  The lepers became wealthy men and ultimately ended the famine within the city by proclaiming the desertion of the enemy...Elisha's prophecy fulfilled (see yesterday's blog).

There is a "choice" quote (pun intended) I like from Michael J. Fox,

I have no choice about whether or not I have Parkinson's. I have nothing but choices about how I react to it. In those choices, there's freedom to do a lot of things in areas that I wouldn't have otherwise found myself in.

There are always going to be new and exciting issues, events, roadblocks, and problems and, more often than not, there will be little you can do directly but there will always be freedom in how you react and how others perceive your reaction - and it trickles down from there!

~Kipling

Windows in Heaven

Reading:   2 Kings 7:1-2

I only managed a couple of verses and reread them several times because my eyes refused to stay open.  Anyway, a couple of verses can be sufficient and amply feeds the soul with much more spiritual sustenance then an ignorant dosage of nothing.

Although the verses were a prophesy from Elisha of things to come on the following day, there was still a phrase that tickled my mind, "...if the Lord would make windows in heaven."

2 KINGS 7:2

2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. 

I'm not going to spend time on the meaning of the verse as it wholly pertains to the realization of Elisha's prophecy; but, in regards to the "windows in heaven," I discovered a very applicable General Conference talk by James E. Faust entitled, Opening The Windows of Heaven (October 1998).  The talk is primarily concerned with the importance of tithing and how the windows in heaven will be opened to those who commit themselves to providing that which is God's portion.  I don't think it too far fetched to stretch this promise back to the days of Elisha and, on the flip side, see how the opposite might occur.  What I mean rests with the decided lack of faith and tithes being observed by the Samarian people and the subsequent famine which plagued them as a result.

Basically, the man hoped that there were windows in heaven so that the miracle of sustaining provisions might come to pass.  The windows were there and the miracle did come true but I am saying, if the Samarians were faithfully giving The Lord his due portion, the windows would have already been opened and the famine never realized.

Here is a cool little anecdote from Faust's talk...

 Sister Yaeko Seki experienced part of this precious promise. She writes: 

 "My family and I were spending a day at the Japan Alps National Park . . . . I was pregnant with our fourth child and was feeling rather tired, so I lay down under the trees. . . . I began thinking about our financial problems. My heart became overwhelmed, and I burst into tears. 'Lord, we are full-tithe payers. We have sacrificed so much. When will the windows of heaven open unto us and our burdens be lightened?' 

 "I prayed with all my heart. Then I turned to watch my husband and children playing and laughing together. . . . Suddenly, the Spirit testified to me that my blessings were abundant and that my family was the greatest blessing Heavenly Father could give me." ("The Windows of Heaven," Tambuli, Mar. 1992, 17) 

Had to slip that story in because it definitely makes a point about blessings and their many guises.  Look around and see the whole picture don't equate all blessings with financial or physical results.  Pay your tithing and the windows, which are already there, will be opened and blessings abundant.

~Kipling

They That Be With Us

Reading:   2 Kings 6

The unseen veil between mortality and the spirit world is always an exciting subject.  I have had occasion in my life where that visual barrier has been somewhat lifted and, as a result, my faith in God and the reality of a "bigger picture" has been cemented.  My book, Bouncer, deals with a lifting of the mortal veil and, although it is a fictional story, I can't help but embrace the reality of guardian angels and even spirits of a darker nature.  They do exist.  We cannot see them but they are there and as real as the sunrise.

Because of my experiences and personal belief, I found great excitement in this chapter and a rising of the neck hairs, if you will.  A war between Israel and Syria loomed and Elisha interceded a bit with some advice to the king of Israel.  This advice allowed the Israelites some ability to evade the grand army of Syria and therefore frustrated the king of Syria.  The king figured out Elisha's role and decided to squelch his advice by surrounding his dwellings with his vast army.  This maneuver greatly concerned the servants of Elisha as it appeared they would be overcome and destroyed; but Elisha had no worries whatever...

2 KINGS 6:15-17

15    And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 

16    And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 

17    And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 

Did you feel it, the raising of the neck hairs?  Intense right?  The veil, the mortal blindness, was lifted from the young man and he could see the spiritual armies of God vastly outnumbering the army of Syria.  I am certain an army of warriors and countless chariots of fire are there for us as well.  Gordon B. Hinckley, a modern day prophet, testified of this truth also...

This Church, I submit, is far more than a social organization where we gather together to enjoy one another’s company. It is more than Sunday School and Relief Society and priesthood meeting. It is more than sacrament meeting, more even than temple service. It is the kingdom of God in the earth. It behooves us to act in a manner befitting membership in that kingdom. 

You men who hold the priesthood have such a tremendous responsibility. You must avoid the sultry siren voice of the world. You must rise above it. You must stand in the stature of the priesthood of God. You must eschew evil in all of its forms and take on the nature of goodness and decency, letting the light, the divine light, shine through your actions. 

There is no way that a home can be a place of refuge and peace if the man who resides there is not an understanding and helpful husband and father. The strength to be gained from our homes will make us better able to face the world, more acceptable to the society in which we move, more valuable to those who employ us—better men.

I know many such men. It is evident that they love their wives and their children. They are proud of them. And the marvelous thing is, they are tremendously successful in their chosen professions. They are magnified and honored and respected. 

And to you women. I spoke at length to the women of the Relief Society a week ago. That talk represented my heartfelt views concerning you. You too can take on the luster of Christ. You too can be strong and encouraging and beautiful and helpful. 

I remind all of us that we are Latter-day Saints. We have made covenants with our Heavenly Father, sacred and binding. Those covenants, if we keep them, will make us better fathers and mothers, better sons and daughters. 

I believe that others will rally around us if we will do so. We can stand for truth and goodness, and we will not stand alone. Moreover, we shall have the unseen forces of heaven to assist us. 

~An Ensign to the Nations, A Light to the World (General Conference, October 2003)

There it is.  A prophet of God councils us that "...we shall have the unseen forces of heaven to assist us."  Why then do we fear?  The armies of God are there for us if we but allow faith to work its power within our frightened, mortal, minds.

~Kipling

 

Transit Cum Onere

Reading:   2 Kings 5

Transit cum onere—It passes with this incumbrance

Today, as yesterday was quite lengthy, shall be short.  To seek wealth of any type, through deceit of any kind, shall not pass without burden.

Here, Elisha cured a wealthy man (Naaman) of leprosy.  Naaman offered a reward for the miracle and Elisha refused.  Naaman swore his allegiance to the God of Israel and humbly departed.  Now Elisha, like his mentor, Elijah, was never concerned with wealth or the needs of the future.  He cared only for the work of The Lord and had complete faith that The Lord would provide.  Elisha's servant, however, did not see a future in this way of thinking, despite all the miracles he had been a witness to.  So the servant, Gehazi, chased after Naaman and requested money and clothing under false pretenses.  Naaman willingly provided the desired items, pleased to assist, then continued on his way.  Gehazi hid up the treasures and retuned to his master.  Elisha immediately questioned him...

2 KINGS 5:26-27

26    And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 

27    The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. 

BOOM!  Walked out white as snow - Gehazi passed with his incumbrance...

~Kipling

Shunammite Lessons on Faith

Reading:   2 Kings 4

I wrote an extensive blog on this chapter.  I edited paragraphs time and again, rethought ideas over and over, and despite numerous rereads, I just couldn't find closure in what I was trying to convey.  So, I'm scratching it all and approaching my thoughts anew...

Faith is the first principle of power.  I have discussed this point often and believe it is my own personal mantra (of sorts), despite my somewhat lack of said faith.  I have no doubt in the power of the priesthood and have felt that power course through me in times of blessings.  I recently gave a blessing to a distraught individual who had just lost a parent and during that blessing there was no doubt that the deceased parent was in that room and speaking words of comfort through me.  That experience, and many many more, have given me a testimony, and a high level of faith, in regards to priesthood blessings.  Yet, other aspects of my life are greatly lacking in faith and need attention.

This chapter shed some light on the scale of faith; what beliefs are possible as opposed to those that are of a lesser strength.  The Shunammite woman (here on referred to as SW) was a very faithful woman who listened to the promptings of God and the true whisperings of her heart.  She acted on personal revelation and did not question why - just did...

2 KINGS 4:8-10

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. 

SW was a faithful, righteous woman, who did things as directed by the spirit - unselfishly - without question.  She had complete faith in this aspect of spirituality and yet, in other areas of faith, she was quite lacking.  Elisha wanted to bless SW for her kindness but, being the unselfish kind, she wanted for nothing and, though she appreciated his willingness to help, she respectfully declined.  After some discovery, Elisha came to understand that SW had no children and her husband was elderly.  He then knew how to bless her and discussed it with her.  Here is where an area of faith-lacking was exposed...

2 KINGS 4:16

16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 

SW knew who Elisha was, even called him "...thou man of God," but still could not fathom such a miracle - she lacked the faith.  Still, it happened, she conceived and raised a child.  Now the tale could end there but it goes on and magnifies the scale of faith quite poignantly.  SW experienced an absolute change in the level of her faith.  She experienced a miracle and her level of faith in regards to miracles became as complete as her faith in regard to spiritual promptings and personal revelation.

Fast forward several years...her son, much older, sustained a head injury and died in SW's arms.  Here, now, we see the result of her increased, absolute, faith.  SW immediately laid her son on the bed she had prepared for Elisha and then sought the prophet of God with great haste.  She found him and, showing her increased faith, asked him for his assistance.

Elisha restored life to the child, hours, if not days, after his death occurred.  Upon the recovery of the boy, Elisha called in his servant...

2 KINGS 4:36-37

36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 

37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out. 

What level of faith would prompt someone to believe that death was not the complete end - the utmost and SW had that faith!  I particularly like the end, "...took up her son, and went out." She accepted the miracle in stride and continued on.  She had no doubt that such a miracle was possible and was not overly astonished when it did occur.

Ultimately, the point here is to emphasize the idea that faith is not a singular spiritual entity.  There are many chambers of faith and each chamber needs focused attention.  I have faith in God and absolutely believe that He speaks through me when I'm giving a blessing.  My level faith in the practice of fasting, church attendance, personal prayer, these areas all need more focus in my life.  

I believe I am a faithful man but is my faith complete, no.  Several chambers in the heart if my faith need work and ever will!

I'm much happier with the blog now...quite pleased that I trashed the first, despite the labor.

~Kipling

An Indignant Sacrifice

Reading:   2 Kings 3

From the exalted rise of Elijah in a chariot of fire to the King of the Moabites brutal burning sacrifice of his eldest son.  Quite a gruesome self-preserving subject for the day of my 20th Anniversary, but I love my sweetheart none-the-less!

2 KINGS 3:26-27

26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not. 

27 Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land. 

The Moabite king made an attempt to flee from a losing battle and, after a halting failure, he tried...

To obtain the favour of Chemosh his god, which, being a devil, delighted in blood and murder, and the destruction of mankind. The dearer any thing was to them the more acceptable those idolaters thought it must needs be if offered in sacrifice to their gods, and therefore burnt their children in the fire to their honour.   

~Matthew Henry

The ploy, though disgusting and insanely morbid, worked to the King's advantage because the combined armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom "...departed from him, and returned to their own land."  This is crazy!  Not only did the king murder his most beloved child but he also showed "...great indignation against Israel."  He was losing the battle, badly, and did not appear to have a chance at survival, especially after his failed attempt at escape, so, in a last ditch effort, he thumbed his nose at his attackers and then threw the proverbial Hail Mary pass to his morbid God, Chemosh, by sacrificing his son - and it worked!

I find this hard to understand because I would be more apt to destroy the king after such a grotesque display verses allowing him to live - different times?  Anyway, because I am at a loss for why the Israelites allowed this man to live, I decided to get a better grip on their reasoning.  The only logical explanation, as the Israelites were certainly not righteous and did not seek counsel from Elisha, can only be attributed to a sense of fear.  The king slaughtered his own child and it riled the Moabites into a frenzied state - an "indignant" willingness to fight on until death.  This may have been a completely chaotic scene that simply frightened the armies of Israel and diminished their desire to continue forth in a campaign they had already won.  That has to be the explanation?  Any better ideas...

~Kipling

Much Pomp and Show

Reading:   2 Kings 2

The mighty Elijah mounted so on high,

That second man who leap'd the ditch where all

The rest of mankind fall,

And went not downwards to the sky!

With much of pomp and show

(As conquering kings in triumph go)

Did he to heaven approach,

And wondrous was his way, and wondrous was his coach.

This is an excellent stanza from The Ecstacy, a poem from Abraham Cowley (c.1656).  It is a perfect introduction to the translation of Elijah.  There is a lot that can be said, and certainly discussed, about Elijah, his purpose, his translation and his ultimate visitation to Joseph Smith; however, I'm going to leave that discussion for when I read Malachi and his prophesies concerning Elijah.

Here is the verse of translation...

2 KINGS 2:11

11    And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 

There truly was "...much of pomp and show," and how perfect is it that such a humble guy, little, hairy, without much possessions (in fact nothing but a coat), should exit this earth in such magnificent glory.  Those who bore witness could not deny the wondrous event and the glory most obviously crowned upon Elijah's head.

~Kipling

Men of God

Reading:   2 Kings 1

Okay the summer is over and, although I did not write a consistent blog, I assure you that I did read my scriptures daily and made notes and comments so that I could catch up on the blog.  To that end, I will be posting current blogs and dropping in others as I write them.

This chapter holds the best Elijah story, if not the best "prophet" tale, written in the Bible.  Up to this point, Elijah had done a number of things as directed by God and made quite a stir among the nobility, especially Ahab (King of Israel).  Here, Ahaziah (King of Israel after the death of Ahab), was concerned about his future and sent forth men to seek out an answer from prophets of Baal-zeebub. Elijah intercepted these messengers and straight up told them that Ahaziah would not recover but surely die.  This news was obviously not pleasing to Ahaziah and he therefore sent men forth to find Elijah and bring him forth for questioning.

2 KINGS 1:9-15

9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. 

10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 

11 Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly. 

12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 

13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. 

14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. 

15 And the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king. 

With the power of God, Elijah destroyed 102 soldiers and barely lifted a finger!  He was a little "hairy" old man, who sat on a hill wearing nothing but "...a girdle of leather about his loins (v.8)," and yet he dispensed the power of God with supreme ability. BOOM, fifty-one dead, BOOM, another fifty-one dead, who's next...?  I love it!!

So to relate this incredible tale...anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I somewhat pride myself on my outward appearance.  I'm not a real approachable guy because of my somewhat imposing look; likewise, I tend to allow people their initial assessment of what kind of guy I am without any attempt to sway their opinion with my incredibly warm personality, uh, anyway, the reason I bring this up...I have rarely come across men whom I have felt inferior to, on a strength or power scale, because I look for, and always seem to find, a weakness in even the largest of men - a focal point by which I could expose/attack if the occassion arose.  Now I realize that most people probably don't go about finding physical weakness in their fellow men but it is an initial assessment that I always make (we'll leave it to the shrinks to decipher why).  Anyway, here's the thing, those few men that I have felt an immediate sense of inferior power to have typically, if not always, been smaller men.  In some cases they have even been quite old and feeble but their power was very palpable.  I'm not talking about power in respect to persons (like a mafia boss etc., men who can point a finger and have things happen).  I'm talking about individual power that radiates from a person.  The kind of power that can only come from a relationship with God.  A level of faith that breaks the barrier of mortality and transcends the physical constraints of the natural man.

When reading of Elijah and his incredible obedience and faith and the subsequent power he exuded despite his mortal frame, I cannot help equate this man of God with similar men I have met.  I have shaken  the hand of the tiny, feeble, unimposing figure, of President Spencer W. Kimball, and, even as a young boy, that experience is prevalant in my mind because of the power that man of God radiated.

I have felt the same power in the company of other men and have experienced an undeniable strength tangible in the words expressed from several general authorities as they speak from the pulpit of General Conference.   Elijah is not alone in his faith, obedience, and immense power.  There are men, alive today, with these same incredible attributes - these are they that I would and will follow into the darkest pits of Hell - complete Men of God!

~Kipling

Would That I had Died for Thee

Reading:   2 Samuel 16-18

It's been awhile since I have come across verses that are all at once poetic, tragic, and extremely emotional.  Here, in chapter 18, I have been captured by a string of verse that accomplishes all of the above and more...

This is the story of Amnon, Absalom, and their father, King David.  Though they were brothers, Amnon and Absalom were from different mothers and Amnon desired Absalom's sister, Tamar.  Unsure of how to wrangle his half-sister, Amnon listened to some bad advice and set up a ruse of illness.  He then asked King David to send Tamar to wait on him and the King made it happen.  Once alone, Amnon professed his love and despite Tamar's pleadings, he forced himself on her then threw her out in disgust when he had finished (brutal).

Absalom was so vexed by the deed that he eventually found a way to kill Amnon and then fled to avoid the wrath of King David.  Five years later, King David and Absalom were reconciled and all seemed well until Absalom desired the throne and gathered an army to take it.  King David escaped with the best and brightest of his soldiers and hid out while Absalom took possession of the palace.

Now it is important to note that Absalom felt empowered by God and listened closely to the council of his priests, doing all that they directed and accomplishing much as they predicted.  But, there came an impasse when his two most esteemed councilors disagreed on the next step.  One suggested an assault with his overwhelming numbers and the other disagreed, reminding Absalom that his father was a great warrior and his men were very seasoned soldiers and would not roll over in defeat.  Absalom agreed with the second and decided to wait, unaware that his councilor was a double-agent in league with King David.

King David, after hearing of Absalom's plan from the double-agent, gave explicit orders for his men to go and destroy the army but to leave Absalom alone, captured but unharmed.  His men did as ordered and destroyed the army but Absalom, by some great act of karma, hung himself by the neck in a tree, quite accidentally.  The men of King David left him helpless in the tree and reported that Absalom was secured to their captain.  The captain, understanding that Absalom was no good and had to perish, killed the man despite the order from King David and then sent runners to report the news to King David (the second messenger was named Cushi).

Here is where the great poetic and heart-wrenching tragedy occurred...

2 SAMUEL 18:31-33

31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. 

32 And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. 

33  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! 

Cushi's poetic reply is one for the ages, "...the enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is."  He could have simply said, "Yeah, sorry, he's dead too." But he emphasized that Absalom was trying to do the king harm and he died along with all that had chosen that path.  He softened the blow but still delivered the news that he knew would dishearten the king.

King David's reaction is so intense that I reread it several times and really felt a welling of emotion build up as I thought of how he must have felt.  His own child tried to dethrone him, to kill him, and yet David absolutely loved him.  I could totally visualize the king slowly moving to his chamber in a stupor of complete and utter mental exhaustion, overcome with remorse and at a loss for how this moment had come to be.  His boy was dead, "...would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

Shakespeare might have taken some pointers from this story, especially the tragic end...Awesome!

On a spiritual note, it is always a difficult thing to deal with loved ones that have gone astray and even more so when they are your own children.  In regard to this concern, I have found a very positive and applicable quote from Orson F. Whitney...

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared-and he never taught more comforting doctrine-that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father's heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God.

~In Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110

"Hold on, trust on, till you see the Salvation of God."  I love it - beautifully said!

~Kipling

No Respite from the Storm

Reading:   Ensign, November 1987

In search of a quote that has been haunting me since pioneer trek, I came across this article in the Ensign that really put a wrench to my brain and gave me a little chastisement for my recent whininess.  Here is a snippet from the article but the whole thing is chalk full of good quotes...

A Champion of Youth
Ensign, November 1987, p. 28

It is not difficult to understand why the great God of heaven has reserved these special spirits for the final work of the kingdom prior to his millennial reign.... This generation will face trials and troubles that will exceed those of their pioneer forebears. Our generation has had periods of some respite from the foe. The future generation will have little or none....This is a chosen generation.... I believe today's [Church youth] will lead the youth of the world through the most trying time in history. 

~Vaughn J. Featherstone

Why did this article move me so? Let me explain...I have recently been down on myself, frustrated that life has not gone the way I had envisioned it would.  The goals and dreams of my youth and young adulthood not quite bearing the fruit I had hoped for.  I am now in my 40's and finding myself looking back instead of forward, often distraught by my lack of personal achievement, "I had so much potential" echoes in my head more than it should. 

My sweet wife grieves when I find myself locked in this melancholy because she feels I resent her in some way, as if I blame her for blocking my possibilities by grounding me to life: marriage, children, work, etc.  I do not blame her or resent her because I am well aware that without her my allegiance to God and righteousness would have fallen decades ago.  The ultimate goal of celestial, eternal, glory is still within my reach solely because of her and who she has molded me to be as a man, husband, and especially as a father.

The father part of who I am is the key.  The Vaughn J. Featherstone article enlightened me to this point because I am one of the youth he was talking to - the article was written in 1987.  He was speaking to me when he said, "The future generation will have little or none [respite from the foe]."  He was speaking to me when he said, "I believe today's [Church youth] will lead the youth of the world through the most trying time in history."

I can testify that there is no respite from the enticements of Satan!  Pornography is everywhere, alcohol, drugs, and all forms of addiction are readily available.  Every spiritual experience we have is immediately assaulted by the realities of life and the wieght of evil that surrounds us!  It doesn't stop!!  Our only recourse is to seek out those spiritual moments as often as possible and shield our drowning marriages and children with whatever means we can find available.  The serpent of lies is not going to stop and we must not wallow for the slightest of moments or we shall surely be overcome and lost - our children with us!!  

I look around and see close friends and family wander from the light as it is so easy to do and a prospect most desireable.  I have done nothing to stop their drift or attempt to open their eyes?  I watch stunned and saddened and praying I can hold to my own shaky ground; but the worst part, the tragedy, is watching their children, without fail, follow them.

Reading this article has opened my eyes to what I have accomplished as one of those youth.  My children are looking to Angela and I.  They are watching and somehow, though tenious at times, we have maintained some hold to that dream of God, our unseen faith, a belief and a set of morals that is ridiculously heavy and burdensome at times; yet we keep walking, we keep pushing our handcart through this storm of reality and gulp in those moments of spiritual boost when we find them.  Our children are strong.  They are faithful.  They are following our path and adding to our strength as they grow.  They must be the cause and reason for my existence, if nothing else, and it must be enough or I too shall falter, stumble, fall and get lost.  I pray I do not and that my wife holds me up and keeps me moving when I studder in my footsteps.  

This storm of reality is a tempest most powerful and there will not be a respite from its constant pounding and thrashing of our souls.  Understand that to be true and accept that you cannot stop moving, searching for those spiritual boosts, and you will succeed; but more than that, when you arrive in Zion and fall gloriously into the arms of your redeemer, you will turn and notice behind you those sweet young spirits, your children, following in your footsteps, reaching for you as they too find Glory and respite in the arms of their Saviour - Believe it!

~Kipling

Here is a link to the article, A Champion of Youth

Deep Sleep Intercedance

Reading:   1 Samuel 26

I love all the sneakiness that occurs in scriptures especially when it involves God causing a deep sleep upon unsuspecting souls.  Twice David snuck into the tent of Saul, while Saul slumbered amidst his army, and took evidence of his attendance; the first time it was a portion of Saul's skirt (1 Sam. 24) and on the second visit, David took Saul's spear and water jug.  Both times the opportunity to slay Saul was presented and both times David refused, though it would have been in his best interest to do so.  David relied on his hope and faith that Saul would come to his senses and quit his unhealthy desire for David's demise.

1 SAMUEL 26:12

12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

There is no other way to do it - an intercedance from God had to occur.  Let me break it down.  Saul was the King and he wanted David dead.  He was consumed by his desire to slay David and could not overcome the need.  Whenever Saul was informed of David's whereabouts he would swiftly gather his vast army together and press on, with dogged determination,  to kill the lad.  The whole army mustered together in search of one soul!  Now remember, David was the glorified slayer of Goliath, a well known servant of Saul, and the best friend of Jonathan, Saul's son.  It is certain that every man in Saul's army knew who David was and what he looked like, yet the guy slipped right passed hundreds, if not thousands, of Saul's men and stood above him.  There is no doubt that The Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon the men - he had too!

I was sure there were several incidents, throughout the scriptures, where The Lord caused a deep sleep to envelop a person or persons in order to facilitate His work, but I could only find a few.  The most significant of these other moments occurred in the Book of Mormon when Alma lead the Nephites away from the churlish rule of the Lamanites...

MOSIAH 24:18-19

18    Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night-time gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the night-time were they gathering their flocks together. 

19    And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep. 

20    And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness. 

I was surprised that there weren't more deep slumber moments but, though they may not be written, they most definitely occurred.  Teancum had to have a little help, right?  How many rulers did he kill with a javelin as they slept in their beds, in their tents, surrounded by their armies.  Sound familiar...it happened!

~Kipling

Churlish

Reading:   1 Samuel 25

I read this chapter yesterday.  I typically write my blogs about the scriptures I read on the previous day so that I might ruminate for a time prior to my contemplative address...that being said; it was my birthday and an all-round good day with good spirited fun and celebration.  Needless-to-say, as I read my scriptures (just prior to my curry meatloaf birthday dinner), I came across the word "churlish" and I could not quit laughing...

1 SAMUEL 25:3

3 Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

Okay, so a little background, there is a 3-minute skit by Kay & Peele called Substitute Teacher where the temporary teacher mispronounces several names and words.  Near the end of the skit, the teacher describes one of the students as "churlish" and I, along with everyone in my family and I'm sure the vast majority of the 28-million+ individuals who have seen the skit, thought the word was another mispronunciation of say childish, surly, or something of that ilk.  I read the verse and immediately discovered that I had been wrong in my assumption and that "churlish" was indeed an actual word.  was a real word.  I laughed and then shared the verse with everyone in the house - they laughed as well.  For the remainder of the evening I continuously referred to all as churlish.

It was hard to concentrate after the grand discovery but it was a significant chapter in that David ends up with a new wife, Abigail, after her "churlish" husband, Nabal, dies (he of course defied David and suffered the wrath of God with an early demise).

CHURLISH:  Boorish, Rude, Mean, Difficult to work with

There you have it - and still funny!

Happy Independence Day!!

~Kipling

To Desire a King

Reading:   1 Samuel 5-8

The people desired a king.  Samuel knew that such a desire would only bring wickedness to the people but he could not sway their united call.  Samuel's sons (like Eli's before him), were wicked and the people were therefore fearful that they would not be lead righteously when Samuel passed, he was quite old.   Samuel listened to their concerns for an annointed king and then brought their plea unto God...

1 SAMUEL 8:7

7    And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 

Isn't that interesting?  God went on to explain the bleak future of the people should they commence with their appetite for a king and Samuel relayed the prophesy (v. 10-18).  Still, despite the warning, all desired a ruler and The Lord said, "Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king (v. 22)."

Reading through this chapter, I could not help but remember the same scenario happening with the Jaredites (Ether Chapter 8).  As Jared and his brother neared the end of their lives the people desired a king, and though the brothers refused to annoint one, they allowed the people their fervent need and a king was crowned.  Two generations ruled in honor and righteousness, but as was prophesied, the people eventually fell into captivity, war, and all manner of wickedness (see Cain - Gift of Secret Oaths).

The same is surely to happen with the Israelites as they move to a more secular leadership.  It is a subtle rejection of God that may not manifest itself in one or two generations but will eventually remove God completely from the house of rule...wait, is that happening today as well?  Has God been slowly pushed out of politics and our governing body...yes!  Where do we go from here?

~Kipling

Goliath has the Ark

Reading:   1 Samuel 4

The Philistines (the ancestors of Mr. Goliath) waged a mighty war on the Israelites and killed 45,000 plus!  At one point during the battle, the Israelites called upon the Ark of the Covenant to bolster their resolve and rally the troops.  the Ark did give the Philistines much cause for concern as they knew of its power, but unfortunately the priests accompanying the Ark where Eli's two wicked sons and therefore the Ark did nothing.  Tens of thousands of Israelites died, including the two evil priests, and the Ark was captured by the Philistines.

One Israelite escaped the slaughter and returned home to inform Eli of the terrible news, "We lost the war.  The Ark was stolen from us.  Oh, and both of your sons are dead."  As you can imagine, the news had a mortifying effect on Eli and, being a heavy man, blind, and ninety-eight, he fell from his seat and broke his neck.

One of the sons had a pregnant wife who went into labor upon hearing the news of her husband's death, she of course died as well, but the child was born.  A woman (possibly a nurse) who stood by and bewailed the death of the mother, took the newborn child...

1 SAMUEL 4:21-22

21 And she named the child I-chabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. 

22 And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken. 

She named the child Ichabod which translates, "Where is the Glory."  The child lost his mother, father, uncle, and grandfather, all on or around the day of his birth.  The Ark of the Covenant was also lost around the same time.  The glory of the child's birth was definitely lost.

The death of Eli and his wicked sons fulfilled the prophesy of Samuel and was proof that Samuel was indeed a true prophet of God.

~Kipling

Don't Let Your Words Fall to the Ground

1 Samuel 3

The first few times I read today's verse, and I'm sure every perusal of the verse prior to today, I understood it in the wrong context.  The verse...

1 SAMUEL 3:19

19    And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. 

Grammatically, it is important to read the verse slowly or the mind tends (maybe just my mind) to assign the last clause of the sentence to Samuel as he is the subject, the one who grew.  I always read the verse as Samuel listening to the words of God and holding them so true and relevant that he never allowed any to slip from his thoughts, but in fact, the last clause is actually a subtext of how the Lord was with Samuel and how He aided Samuel in spiritual growth.  

Here is a more defined reading,  "...the Lord was with him [Samuel], and [the Lord] let none of his [Samuel's] words fall to the ground."

There is a higher meaning when understanding the verse in its proper context because it exemplifies the importance of Samuel - whatever he was inspired to prophesy on or about, it would come true.  The Lord would not let any of Samuel's words, "fall to the ground" or pass without fulfillment.  That is an impressive note, don't you think?  Samuel is therefore someone not to be taken lightly or trifled with, he has the ear of The Lord!

~Kipling

Fear: A Moral Stimulant

Reading:   1 Samuel 2

First, a side note on the neglected husband Elkanah, whose wife, Hannah, desired children and grieved because she had none.  Well, she gave birth to Samuel (yes the namesake of our current biblical reading) then three sons and two daughters after him - thought you'd like to know?

Eli, the chief judge/priest of the time, was growing old and discovered his two sons were committing heinous acts against their holy priesthood office.  He approached them and told them that he knew of their crimes but did not reprimand them in any way?  Saying only...

1 SAMUEL 2:25

25    If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord would slay them.

It's clear that Eli felt helpless to intercede for his boys because they had sinned against God, not man; still, would it hurt to scare the daylights out of them - toss a little fire and brimstone their direction?  He was too soft and they did not fear his words or show concern for their future.  Sometimes the only solution is fear - when nothing else seems to work - fear may suffice...

JUDE 1:22-23

22    And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Pull them out of the fire with fear!  When the mind is dull and without moral stimulant, slap some fear into the mind and reality may kickstart the repentance process - BELIEVE IT!

~Kipling

A Father's Day Note: Dear Elkanah...

Reading:   1 Samuel 1

Here we have the plight of all husband's, laid bare in a single verse...

1 SAMUEL 1:8

8    Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? 

Hannah had not been able to conceive and was very distraught even to the point where she quit eating.  Poor Elkanah just wanted her to be happy and enjoy what she did have, namely him.  This plight, as I have called it, is a familiar one in that all men feel neglected by their wives when it comes to their place in relation to that of their children - even the unborn ones, as Elkanah suffered.

I'm not going to offer up any sage advice in regards to this because I have none to offer.  I simply wanted to point out that I, you, we, are not the first to feel this way.  We stand in a long line of neglected fathers: Famous, Infamous, Prize winners from (Nobel to Oscar), Olympians, Medal of Honor recipients, Geniuses, Leaders of men, Sexiest man alive honorees, Composers, that guy down the street, and the guy next door, all have felt this sting of neglect.

We many, we neglected many, need find comfort in the camaraderie of our fellow members of this banded group of men...Here's to you, Elkanah, and all the rest of us, our day is upon us, Father's Day, and on the morrow we shall reap in the benefit of our title and be neglected no more!

Stand up and be proud
Ye Father's of men!

~Kipling

The Ripple Effect of Ruth

Reading:   The Book of Ruth

It's so interesting to see the culmination and grandeur that occurs from the simplest of choices, okay maybe not the simplest of choices because I'm sure it was a very difficult choice, but still, a choice is made and centuries later an event occurs that -BOOM- changes the world...

Ruth was the daughter in-law of Naomi and when her husband died (Naomi's son) she was given leave to return to her people, the Moabites.  Ruth decided not to leave the widowed Naomi, who had lost her husband and both her sons, despite Naomi's fervent request that she do so.  This was the choice I referred to above...Ruth chose to stay with Naomi and willingly accompanied her back to Bethlehem despite being a stranger in the midst of the Israelites.  With much advice from Naomi, Ruth eventually married a wise man named Boaz and she soon gave birth to a son...

RUTH 4:17

17    And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 

Here we are given the name of Ruth's son and then immediately given a foretelling of his seed, Jesse and then the son of Jesse, David.  Why is this significant?  I will let Aileen H. Clyde tell you (as I learned it from her as well)...

In a culture hostile to the leadership of women, these women-Naomi and Ruth-lived to bring about an end the scripture's writer carefully emphasizes: Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David, through whose lines, which are carefully detailed for us in the first chapter of Matthew, came Jesus who is called Christ. Would you ever have expected the small book of Ruth to foretell such a great event? 

 Ruth confidently met hardships not uncommon in our time-the death of a loved one, loneliness in a new place, and the need to work hard for her bread. Her small efforts, linked significantly to a later great event, tell me that each of us can take seriously the importance of our daily lives and decisions as we choose to follow God. 

~Confidence Through Conversion, 1992 October General Conference, General Women's Meeting

I truly enjoy little nuggets of knowledge and this is definitely one of those nuggets to tuck way in the knowledge closet.  Ruth made a choice and that choice has affected all mankind through the eventual birth of our Savior and the global reach of Christianity!

~Kipling

The Arithmetic of Heaven

Reading:   Judges 20-21

In a nutshell, the dispersal of the raped and murdered concubine that was divided and sent forth in twelve pieces, brought about the brutal conflict between the Benjamites, who refused to give up those men who had committed the crime, and all the rest of Israel.  The number of counted dead were 83,000 and I'm sure, at minimum, that number could be doubled for actual dead.  In fact, I would not be surprised if the number of dead surpassed 250,000!

At the beginning of these last five chapters of Judges (17-21), it was made clear that the people had no king and therefore did as they thought best (see The Bitter Harvest of Ethical Relativism).  The culmination of these chapters, and the book of Judges, ends with the same note - in fact it is the very last verse...

JUDGES 21:25

25    In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. 

I'm not going to delve too far into this subject again, as I'm sure your mind is still pudding from my last attempt at coherence, but I wanted to point out how fascinating it is that these are the bookend verses...without a leader the people did what was right in their eyes.  I quoted Neal A. Maxwell in the previous post on this subject and I'm going to quote him again, albeit from a different conference address...

Why do we resist and resent life's developmental and obedience tests? By declaring, "I will walk in my own way and do that which is right in my own eyes," we reject the curriculum of the mortal school in which we are irrevocably enrolled. (See Judg. 21:25; D&C 1:16.) There is only one exit gate leading unto eternal life. Unhappily, only a few find it-but not because God is exclusionary, but because they exclude God from their lives. Even God cannot bring to pass a reconciliation involving only one party. 

Why do some think adultery and similar sins are permissible as long as anything else they do is commendable? The Lord's focus is not on the one thing we do which is good, but, instead, on the one or more things we still lack in order to have eternal life. (See Mark 10:21; 2 Pet. 1:9.) To compose a symphony, to win a battle, or to save a company-each can be a commendable and worthy entry in the book of life, but these do not fully compensate for breaking the seventh commandment. In the arithmetic of heaven, several commendables do not cancel out one inexcusable! The clear command from Jesus is to deny ourselves immorality and "to take up [the] cross daily," not to indulge ourselves and to take up the cross occasionally! (Luke 9:23; see also 3 Ne. 12:30.) The Old Testament advises, "He that ruleth" himself is better "than he that taketh a city." (Prov. 16:32.)  

~Answer Me, 1988 October General Conference

I love this talk and have quoted from it before (see Ritual Prodigalism) but the important thing to squeeze from Maxwell's remarks is the simple truth that walking in our own way and doing that which is right in our own eyes can only lead us away from the path of eternal life (and could easily lead to the death of 250,000 people).

Don't be that guy...

~Kipling

Divided into Twelve Pieces

Reading:   Judges 19

A kind of - no not kind of - a very, brutal event happens in this chapter.  Something hard to fathom and even harder to accept in the context of scripture.  A man seeks after one of his wives, a concubine, and after a successful sojourn to the house of the woman's father, and several nights of pleasant discussion and merriment, he gathers up the stray concubine and heads back home.  Along the way he is met by a kind man who offers his home as a refuge for the night and all seems well until a horde of men surround the house...

JUDGES 19:23-24

23 And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly. 

24 Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing. 

So, thank the heavens above, the men are not sufficed by the terms and the maiden daughter is not thrown out to them (who offers up their own daughter anyway - very disturbing) but the concubine does not fair as well and is tossed to the proverbial wolves.  The riotous men utterly abuse and destroy the poor woman then leave.  The brutalized concubine tremulously makes it to the door of the house and then drops dead - her hand on the threshold.  Brutal, I know, anyway the man comes out and places the ravished body on his donkey and returns home unmolested by the mob.  Safely home, the man goes a bit gangsta...

JUDGES 19:29-30

29 And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel. 

30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds. 

Okay, so, despite the seemingly carefree manner by which he tossed the woman to the mob in order to safe his own skin, it does seem as though he had some remorse - and a healthy does of anger towards the brutes that committed the a heinous crime.  The part I truly find precisely placed and extremely well said, is the end...

...consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds. 

It's a tough situation to swallow and definitely takes some intense consideration.  The advice portion is a good tool because there is quite a discussion that can be had in the understanding of this tale.  Finally, to speak your mind - express those concerns that bind the thoughts and allow the truth to sink in and speak to you.

I will follow this advice (especially for the given scriptures) and will use it as a template for other scriptural concerns; consider, listen, speak...accept the truth.  I will return to this blog when an understanding is reached as to the disturbing purpose of this chapter and will then comment.  Until then...

~Kipling