Sustaining the Leadership

Reading:   Joshua 1

It is always interesting when a change of the guard occurs and invariably there are those who do not agree with the choice of new leaders.  I have been witness to good members who leave the church because of conflict with a leader and it always astounds me.  How can anyone allow the actions of man to sway them from a testimony that should be based on spiritual communion with God?  My testimony is based on personal revelation and the absolute burning reality of what I know to be the hand of God personally directing me.  No man can take that from me but me.  I cannot deny what I have seen and felt. I may sin and err in the shell of my humanity but I simply cannot fathom turning my back on the reality of God and what he has done for me in my life.

Anyway, back to the changing of the guard...Moses died and Jacob received the overwhelming nudge from God that he was to be the new spiritual leader of Israel.  He was exceedingly concerned as to the the reception he might receive but was greatly surprised...

JOSHUA 1:16-18

16    And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. 

17    According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. 

18    Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage. 

Understanding the choices of men and women in regard to positions of leadership in the church cannot be done through temporal discussion, debate, or contemplation.  Spiritual leaders are chosen through spiritual directive.  Revelation is given to the leader who presides over a given body in regard to the spiritual leaders of his flock.  A bishop over the ward, stake president over the stake, etc., etc., up to the prophet.  As I said before, there will always be those who question and undermine those chosen but ultimately they were chosen by God and we cannot begin to understand His motives.

In contemplating these verses and the spiritual selection of our leaders, I came across a conference talk from Gene R. Cook, Seek Out Your Spiritual Leader (1978 April General Conference), that is spot on as to the decisions made within our church.  Here are some snippets...

A few years ago I took a person who was not yet a member of the Church to a meeting to hear one of the General Authorities speak. I had told him previously that this was one of the Lord's anointed. After the meeting the man responded, "Well, he is nothing but a man." I suppose that he expected to see an angel, a demonstration of the gift of tongues, or something like that as a physical evidence of the General Authority's divine call.


I have often wondered how many of us might have been deceived had we been in the very presence of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the meridian of time. The great majority saw Jesus as nothing more than a man. The few with spiritual discernment knew who he really was. If one is to make judgments with only his natural senses, he will never perceive the truth of the spiritual world...


...Sometime ago another man asked, "Do the General Authorities really know what is going on in the outlying areas? I am sure that they do not know of these detailed problems with which we are faced." Another good sister said, "If the bishop knew what I know about the difficulties in the Relief Society, I know he would act differently. It's too bad he doesn't consult more with us and obtain all of our opinions about how to run the ward." Another said, "I don't go to my branch president for direction because he sees things differently than I do. Our personalities are too different. We just don't seem to be on the same wavelength."


May I suggest, my brothers and sisters, that the General Authorities, your stake president, bishop, and priesthood quorum leaders do know what is going on with respect to the governing principles, the matters that really count, and that the rest will be resolved in their due time. This is the Lord's church. It is directed by him through a definite priesthood power line of revelation. We believe in a God of miracles, and he does not cease to work spiritual miracles through his priesthood leaders.


We recognize that in any presidency or bishopric the president or bishop may obtain counsel from his counselors, and perhaps from some others, before he, by inspiration, makes the decision. However, we do not in the Church subscribe to a participative-management type of direction, wherein the opinions of all are gathered in, weighed and measured, a consensus drawn, and then a decision made according to the majority. There may be some few exceptions to that statement, but generally speaking that type of approach is representative of the way the world manages its affairs. Many other churches are in the same category because they have nothing better. All the world can do is to dispute an issue, share an opinion, exchange an experience, and then try to draw the best conclusion from the given amount of facts available on the subject.


In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the leaders at all levels of administration rely on revelation from God to direct their particular stewardships. There are many people, too many, who seek out the wrong individuals for counsel, too many who would rather give counsel than receive it. Remember that others might share with you their experience, or broaden your understanding on a given issue, but if you are desirous of receiving revelation pertaining to your particular stewardship, it must come from the Lord. It may come directly through an interchange with him on your part or as revelation to you through your immediate priesthood leader.


...Remember that at times your local priesthood leader may truly see things differently than you do. Disagreements seem to come over details and methods for performing given tasks, but almost never are based in differences over gospel principles. Your leader has a right to function with his own unique personality and in his own realm of experience, and it may be in detail somewhat different in practice from the exact way you would perform. Nevertheless, counsel from a priesthood leader in the proper spirit is of the Lord and binding.


We live in trying times. When we receive counsel from our leaders that is difficult to comprehend, may we say in our hearts, "Father, I believe what I have been told. And when it is the right time, and I have paid the proper price to know, let me understand why."


...Remember, last of all, we do not desire blind obedience in the Church. We desire that every individual may know for himself that the counsel he receives from his leaders comes from the Lord. He has the right and the great privilege to know for himself of the Lord that he has been counseled aright. If he will be patient and wait upon the Lord, he will find that his priesthood leaders truly do counsel in righteousness, thus enabling him to walk upon safe ground.

I pray that each of us might be more humble and desirous of receiving and obeying counsel. May each of us seek not to counsel the Lord, but seek counsel from his hand and from his inspired priesthood leaders, as it is the same. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

"The leaders at all levels of administration rely on revelation from God to direct their particular stewardships."  That says it all. 

I have questioned choices and reactions to situations that I have seen my leaders make and it is hard!  Angela and I have struggled greatly with some of the decisions that have been made in our ward, by our bishop and other respective leaders, and we simply cannot understand and have often felt ignored and even shunned.  Our reaction has been disgust, frustration, and anger, yet we stay, we pray and ultimately rely on the Lord, one another, our children, and our family to see us through.  We do not have the whole picture and if we have to suffer so that others aren't wholly lost, so be it...we are strong.  We are part of a stewardship that is administered and directed by God and we shall survive!

~Kipling

A Farewell to Moses

Reading:   Deuteronomy 34

Moses moves on to his reserved place of honor in the everlasting kingdom of God.  He truly was a prophet among prophets and accomplished a great deal of work in a relatively small amount of time...

DEUTERONOMY 34:10

10    And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 

The absolute best way to describe Moses and what he accomplished is poignantly stated in the last few words of verse 10, "the Lord knew [Moses] face to face."  Seriously, what else needs to be said?

Moving on then...the prophecy stands that there was not another prophet in Israel like Moses, but does that mean there were no other great prophets - men who had as much success as him?  Absolutely not!  Here I will leave the explanation to Elder LeGrand Richards...

We read in the Book of Mormon that when Lehi was in the desert, he told his son Joseph that the Lord had promised Joseph who was sold into Egypt that in the latter days He would raise up a prophet from his loins like unto Moses. (See 2 Ne. 3:6-9.) And we are told in holy writ that there was no prophet in Israel like unto Moses because he walked and talked with God. (See Deut. 34:10.) This is the kind of prophet that, three thousand years before Joseph Smith was born, the Lord promised Joseph of Egypt He would raise up through his loins. He said his name should be Joseph, and his father's name should be Joseph; and he said: "Unto him will I give power to bring forth my word." (2 Ne. 3:11, 15.) 

The Prophet Joseph Smith brought us the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and many other writings. As far as our records show, he has given us more revealed truth than any prophet who has ever lived upon the face of the earth. And the Lord said: "And not to the bringing forth my word only, ... but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them." (2 Ne. 3:11.) What did he mean by that? That in the midst of these hundreds of churches of men-the result of men's interpretations of the scriptures because they can't agree, and these churches keep multiplying-that the Lord would give to this new prophet the ability to comprehend the scriptures that had already been sent forth among them. 

Then he adds that he shall "bring my people unto salvation." (2 Ne. 3:15.) Why? Because he would receive the holy priesthood, the power to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. Then he adds, "And I will make him great in mine eyes." (2 Ne. 3:8.) Whatever the world may think of the Prophet Joseph Smith, there is the statement of the Lord that he would be great in His eyes. 

~ Call of the Prophets (1981 April General Conference) 

To be great in someone's eyes is to achieve respect beyond reproach.  I do not believe that such a level of esteem can be reached without personal interaction and knowledge of an individual.  It is certain that both Moses and Joseph Smith had such a relationship with God, others as well (Adam, Abraham, Samuel, the brother of Jared, and Gordon B. Hinckley, to name just a few) the important thing to note is that the relationships were personal and exceedingly intimate in nature.  I cannot see any other way of achieving such greatness in the eyes of another - faults are there and recognized but overshadowed in greatness.

Few men have reached that level of respect from me; my father tops that list and is accompanied by my grandfather, a Priest's Quorom advisor from my youth, my stake President in Alaska, and a friend of mine that has passed away.  There are several men that I respect and would do anything for, but those who are "great in my eyes," have done so much more for me than is easy to express or make known, that their positions of esteem in my eyes are simply immovable.  They are men who have certainly erred in life and yet they are such prime examples of righteousness and grit that I cannot fathom any instance that would diminish their stature to me.

Is my list done, absolutely not!  There are individuals in my life that are well on their way to achieving that level of esteem in my eyes; brothers, my children, close friends (though most have strayed - I hold on to hope that they will return), and even myself (I have a lot of work to do).

Knowing that many souls can still achieve greatness in my eyes it is easy to believe that many can still achieve likewise in the eyes of God.  His respect of persons did not end with Moses, Joseph Smith, or even our prophet today (Thomas S. Monson).  Many more can achieve!  Many more will achieve!  We all have the capability, despite our faults, to effect greatness in the eyes of our fellow men and in the eyes of God.  Accept the atonement, set goals, do what is right, and move forward with an eye single to the glory of God - done!

~Kipling

Proving and Strife

Reading:   Deuteronomy 33

Here comes another reference to the Urim and Thummim and, interestingly enough, it is used in connection with a person and office whereas it was typically used to define the actual interpreters or, on occasion, a place (see Lights and Perfections).  

DEUTERONOMY 33:8

8    And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; 

Understanding that the Urim and Thummim can also be interpreted as "Lights and Perfections," we can then see that Moses, in his blessing to the house of Levi, extolled these virtues on the office of high priest to Israel.  Moses then went on to clarify that the office he spoke of, thy holy one, was that very same position that the people questioned at Massah - requiring proof.  

The phrase, "at the waters of Meribah" directs Israel, specifically the Levites, to recall the instance at Massah where Moses brought forth water from a stone (Number 20:7-13).  These terms, Massah and Meribah, are often used in conjunction with one another and have come to note (or possibly always meant), "Proving and strife." 

The office of high priest dealt with great strife and intense proving at Massah (see Water from Stone); and Moses wanted to make a point of referring to this instance as he bestowed the blessing of light and perfection upon it.  Moses had not been perfect in his action at Massah and had not proved the light of God in his bringing forth the water from stone because he did so with somewhat of an attitude and with unwarranted frustration and a lack of acknowledgement toward God.  Moses learned his lesson at Massah and prayed the Levites would understand the proving and strife that took place there for him, the people, and also the holy office of high priest.

By attributing "light and perfection" to the office of high priest, Moses blessed those who were called and those who would be called, as direct interpreters of God's voice, His light, and His perfection in all things.  

~Kipling

Pick Your Literal Poison

Reading:   Deuteronomy 32

I have mentioned, once or twice, the importance of having a worthwhile occupation (not a job per say but the driving force of who you are).  Some people find their days, thoughts, etc., occupied by a particular television show (MASH, Friends, Star Trek, Survivor, Beauty & the Beast,... whatever).  Others are enamored by a particular sports team or being green.  Some are, in fact, wrapped up in their chosen field of study and find little time for anything else. Fishing, reading, lifting weights, cooking, running, I could go on...all of these can become intoxications that pull an individual from spiritual growth and ultimately cause a sense of zealousness that is blinding.

DEUTERONOMY 32:33

33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. 

To drink from whatever it is that gets you up in the morning - your reason for life - means you live life in a way that revolves around that thing and all else is subsequent and subject to the dictates of your chosen "wine." This is the pitfall of idol worship and the Lord will have His vengeance!

DEUTERONOMY 32:39

39    See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 

It is not bad to have passion for something but it becomes bad when that thing becomes life and the one overriding cause for your very existence.

Don't drink the poison!

~Kipling

Good Courage Defined

Reading:   Deuteronomy 31

Is there a type or degree of courage that might be considered bad?  I mean, other than a complete lack of courage are there avenues of courage on opposite sides of the scale - good and bad. 

DEUTERONOMY 31:6

6    Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 

"Good" courage as opposed to "bad" courage must be directly related to the purpose of the undertaking.  Let me explain; evil contributions aside, characters such as Cain, Napoleon, Al Capone, Hitler, Stalin, etc., are men of great courage but decidedly of the bad kind.  These infamous men had to embody great amounts of courage to step where they stepped and do the things which they accomplished.  This could be construed as pure sociopathic arrogance as opposed to courage but, by definition, their deeds are in fact acts of great courage, "the ability to do something that frightens one."  There is no way that Cain could have murdered his brother and tried to hide the deed from God without overcoming a heap of fear with courage - bad courage. 

In terms of us; we are each tempted regularly with choices that illicit fear, I, for instance, on occasion, have an intense desire to physically pummel arrogant men that cross my path.  I choose not to lash out physically because I fear the repercussions and the stigma that may effect those I love.  However, if I were to overcome that fear and act, could it be described as an act of courage, by definition we have to agree that it could - fear was overcome.  This is courage of a bad sort and an easier type of courage to act upon.

Good courage, as noted in the scripture, is of a higher type - overcoming fear of man to act in a celestial manner.  To ignore the whisperings of man and attend church or go on a mission, obeying the word of wisdom, refraining from desires that everyone else seems to freely partake, to rise above the crowd and be different - good courage!

Thomas S. Monson said...

It is this sweet assurance [The Lord will not fail us] that can guide you and me-in our time, in our day, in our lives. Of course, we will face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage, not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, but also as a determination to live decently. A moral coward is one who is afraid to do what he thinks is right because others will disapprove or laugh. Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well.  

-The Call for Courage (2004 April General Conference, Priesthood session)

Do you have a willingness to "...die manfully."  I have overcome many fears in my life and, on several occasions, have done so with bad courage; but, I am faithful and intensely believe that my fear of God far outweighs my concern of man and therefore I lean more often on my good courage.  I pray my resolve, in that regard, remains steadfast.  I am determined to live decently and act consistently with good courage.

~Kipling

The Decision Makers

Reading:   Deuteronomy 30

The message of agency is hammered and pounded and beat upon constantly with repetitive force and an ever-growing fervor but do we actually listen?

DEUTERONOMY 30:15, 19

15    See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 

19    I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 

"Choose life, that thou and thy seed may live!"
This refrain does not echo in the existence of individualism but in the generations of, "...thy seed."  Your choices, your actions, your ripple of movement in the sea of existence may cause a tsunami of regret in generations to come - don't be that guy!

In his talk, A Loving, Communicating God (1992 October General Conference), Marion D. Hanks said...

Our Heavenly Father desires that all mankind be led by the light, but that blessing will not be imposed upon anyone. Christ stands at the door and knocks; those who wish to have him enter and sup with them must hear his voice and "open the door." (Rev. 3:20.) Thus two great principles on which the gospel is centered, love and agency, are plainly taught. Each of us is here to learn to love and give and hearken to the Spirit and choose to do the will of the Father. God wants his offspring and heirs to become all that we can be, to qualify for our inheritance. But we must choose; we are the decision makers, and he will not relieve that responsibility...

We must choose...
We are the decision makers...
May your choices echo life and good in the coming eternity!

~Kipling

...200 Days and counting...take that you naysayers!

Blinded, Drunk, and Thirsty

Reading:   Deuteronomy 29

In discussing the deadly sorrows to be gained in idol worship, I found it intensely interesting that there is a voice given to he that is found to be of that caustic root (an idol worshipper).  Verse nineteen gives an ignorant voice to such a fool...

DEUTERONOMY 29:18-19

18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; 

19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: 

This blinded idol worshipper sees not a curse but a blessing and finds cause to be at peace in his comfortable ignorance.  He believes in the fairy tale truths and fanciful enticements of whichever idol has beguiled him and walks upright in the imaginations of his heart, never seeing the reality of his path.  He truly is a poisonous root that leads others to drink from the intoxicating well of falsehoods that he believes are quenching his ever-growing thirst.

In reference to the many biblical warnings against idol worship, Matthew Henry stated...

O that presumptuous sinners would read it and tremble! For it is not a bug-bear to frighten children and fools, but a real declaration of the wrath of God against the ungodliness and the unrighteousness of men...

I agree
Matthew Henry
I agree!

I agree 
Whole-heartedly, yes
I agree!

I agree
And refuse not to see...
I agree!

I agree

To the nth degree I decree, 

I agree!

~Kipling

None Assurance of Life

Reading:   Deuteronomy 28

By the end of this chapter, filled with doom, gloom, darkness, mayhem, and some scenarios of utter pain for all those that choose to ignore the word of God, even those on the path of righteousness can't help but feel the clarion call of despair.  Let me illustrate by providing the highlights of the list of what-shall-be...keep in mind that the list is only for those who choose the road well traveled (the pleasure seekers, as it were)...

If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of The Lord thy God...

DEUTERONOMY 28:22, 28-33, 66

22 The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. 

28 The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: 

29    And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee. 

30 Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. 

31 Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them. 

32 Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand. 

33 The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway: 

And the coup de gras...

66 And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: 

There are sixty-eight verses in this chapter.  The first fourteen are the good things for the righteous and the next fifty-four are the not-so-good, okay, downright bleak, things that are in store for the unrighteous (I only listed eight of those, 15%).   Verse sixty-six is the best of the nasty stuff - life hanging in doubt, fear of day and night, and the ever-popular "none assurance of life" bit that hits right at home, EEK!

You best check yourself before you hang-in-doubt yourself!

~Kipling

Value of Esteem

Reading:   Deuteronomy 27

What does it mean, literally, to honor thy mother and father...I can tell you for certain what it does not mean...

DEUTERONOMY 27:16

16 Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen. 

"Setteth light" means to speak lowly, disgrace, or esteem lightly and that is decidedly not honoring ones parents.

So how do you quantify esteem?  I did some searching (surprise surprise) and discovered there are three types of esteem; low, over, and healthy (just right).  It is no good to have low esteem for oneself or ones parents because you question worth, ability, and all aspects of being.  To attribute unrealistic worth and success beyond that which is actually achieved is to show arrogance and over-esteem for oneself or parents - also a way of "setting light." But to understand faults and yet still find worth and love for oneself or ones parents is to have healthy esteem.

Here is a link to a self-esteem article that I greatly enjoyed...Self-Esteem Check

~Kipling

Lincoln: A Devout Believer

Reading:   Deuteronomy 26

In an attempt to stimulate my mind and jumpstart my topic, I chose a phrase from the scriptures I had selected and did a search.  The phrase was, "an holy people."  The search yielded the Old Testament verse which produced the phrase to begin with, a lesson from the Old Testament study manual, and seven conference talks.  After a brief perusal of the titles, my eye was drawn to a talk by Mark E. Peterson, The Savor of Men (October General Conference, 1976).  I believe, without a doubt, that I was directed to this talk by the whisperings of the still small voice.

There are days that I am spent and overly frustrated with my chaotic schedule and life and contemplate the necessity for this blog and yearn to quit, then quiet moments of inspiration happen, like this one, that testify to me the need to continue.  I am truly thankful that I have endeavored to climb this mountain, to read scripture daily and write my thoughts daily.  I believe, with every fiber of my living soul, that it will touch someone, someday, and direct them to the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am a child of God and He truly has, sent me here...if only for this one blog, this one day, so be it - I am grateful!

Let me first share the scriptures that seemed so dull and lifeless.  I admit that I am overly fatigued and there is little that could stimulate my mind in this state but still, the scriptures just didn't speak to me.  With frustration, and in a stupor of thought as to what I should write, I found myself questioning the Old Testament and its value compared to other scripture.  let me tell you - I was wrong!  The words of Mark E. Peterson peppered with quotes from Abraham Lincoln, have reenergized me...and originate in the very verses I so ignorantly yawned at...

DEUTERONOMY 26:18-19

18    And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; 

19    And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken. 

Here is a link to Mark E. Peterson's conference address, The Savor of Men (you can actually watch the recorded address if you scroll to the bottom of the page and select "Watch"). I wanted to paste the entire message to my blog but it is too big so you will have to read, or watch, it by following the link.

Here is a taste:

I would like to talk with you about Abraham Lincoln, man of God. 

President Lincoln was one of the great men of all time, and the reason for his greatness was his willingness to acknowledge and obey the Lord.  

He believed in God; he lived near to God; he prayed most earnestly and knew for a fact that he was guided by divine inspiration in his important work.    

Lincoln wan a devout believer in the Bible and read it often. At one time he said: 

"I decided a long time ago that it was less difficult to believe that the Bible was what it claimed to be than to disbelieve it. It is a good book for us to obey." (John Wesley Hill, Abraham Lincoln-Man of God, New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1927, 4th ed., p. 126.)  

Lincoln guided the destinies of the United States during the Civil War period by using the Bible and applying its principles. He exercised faith, and prayer, and deep humility, and out of it all he learned this great fact, as he himself expressed it:  

"I have had so many evidences of His [God's] direction, so many instances when I have been controlled by some other power than my own will, that I cannot doubt that this power comes from above. ... I am satisfied that, when the Almighty wants me to do, or not to do, a particular thing, he finds a way of letting me know it." (Ibid., p. 124.)  

Lincoln was convinced that, by and large, God controls the affairs of nations, and that when nations serve the Lord he blesses them; but when they do not, he withdraws his blessings. 

Said he:  

"It is the duty of Nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that 'those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.'" (Ibid., p. 390-91.) 

With this in mind he also declared that nations, like individuals, are subject to punishments and chastisements at the hand of God. 

He believed that the Civil War was one of the punishments God brought upon America because it tolerated slavery. He knew that slavery was wrong, and that the nation could not endure half slave and half free, and therefore took the necessary steps to free the slaves.

One day he declared: "If we do not do right, God will let us go our own way to ruin; and ... if we do right, He will lead us safely out of this wilderness, crown our arms with victory and restore our dissevered Union." (Ibid. p. 129.) 

And then, thrillingly, he said: "I know I am right, because I know that liberty is right, for Christ teaches it, and Christ is God." (Ibid., p. 285-86; italics added.) 

Again Lincoln said: "I seem to know that Providence has protected and will protect us against any fatal defeat. All we have to do is to trust the Almighty, and keep on obeying His orders and executing His will." (Ibid., p. 126.) 

"That the Almighty ... directly intervenes in human affairs, is one of the plainest statements in the Bible," the great Civil War leader declared. (Ibid., p. 124)...

Admit it - you are hooked.  Now click on the link and read the rest - then watch it!  Needless-to-say, I will be reading the Old Testament with a renewed vigor.  As Lincoln said, "It is a good book for us to obey."

~Kipling

The Loosed Shoe

Reading:   Deuteronomy 25

It was customary among the Israelites that if a man were to die without a child to carry on his name, the brother of the man would take his wife as his own and the first child would be named after the brother who had died.  Now, in that rare case (maybe it wasn't rare), where a man refused the wife of his deceased brother, a charge would be filed by the widow and the brother would face the elders...

DEUTERONOMY 25:9-10

9 Then shall his brother's wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother's house. 

10 And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed. 

Wow, this is a serious piece of doctrinal debate in the jewish community and though it is not something commonly practiced, the ritual of "Halizah" does still occur.  I read several articles, including a lengthy explanation from Wikipedia, about different ways in which the ceremony is performed and it is all fascinating stuff.

In the modern era the ritual is deemed more a formality to release the widow from her brother-in-law then what it was originally designed to achieve - a means to disgrace the brother-in-law for the selfish unwillingness to carry on the name of the deceased.

I don't know, it's an interesting discussion but the finer points and details that are debated in relation to such a simple guideline seems extreme and doctrinal overkill.  The bickering amongst the leading scholars of Rabbinical law over "The house of him that hath his shoe loosed," is a grand waste of intellect and the individual right of personal revelation.  Why does the voice of God have to be relegated to scripture when there are modern prophets capable and actively receiving revelation today.  If I have a question or concern I could bring it to my spiritual leaders or I could study, ponder, and pray for the direction and revelation needed to progress.

Why get hung up on the riddle of a shoe?

~Kipling  

Responsibility of Marriage

Reading:   Deuteronomy 24

There are a number of great topical verses in this chapter which made it difficult to choose one as a centerpiece for today's blog; so, as yesterday's was such a masterfully executed failure, I have selected two.

The first requires little explanation though it is powerful...

DEUTERONOMY 24:16

16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. 

There is no getting around that verse, loophole-wise, it is sound and sage, without need for interpretation.

That which ye commit so shall ye be tried for - Ye and none other!

The second verse really made me smile because it enforces the need for love and a nurturing of love at its most vulnerable stage...

DEUTERONOMY 24:5

5 When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. 

The emphasis that Mathew Henry put on this particular verse is too good to paraphrase and a tragic error if I don't share it...

Here is, provision made for the preservation and confirmation of love between new-married people.  This fitly follows upon the laws concerning divorce, which would be prevented if their affection to each other were well settled at first. If the husband were much abroad from his wife the first year, his love to her would be in danger of cooling, and of being drawn aside to others whom he would meet with abroad; therefore his service to his country in war, embassies, or other public business that would call him from home, shall be dispensed with, that he may cheer up the wife that he has taken. Note, It is of great consequence that love be kept up between husband and wife, and that every thing be very carefully avoided which might make them strange one to another, especially at first; for in that relation, where there is not the love that should be, there is an inlet ready to abundance of guilt and grief. One of the duties of that relation is to cheer up one another under the cares and crosses that happen, as helpers of each other’s joy; for a cheerful heart does good like a medicine.

I'm going to make a plaque out of that last little bit.  I find it incredibly insightful and a fitting reminder to all couples...

The RESPONSIBILITY of MARRIAGE

To cheer up one another under the cares and crosses that happen,

As helpers of each others joy.

~Kipling

Eunuchs and Bastards

Reading:   Deuteronomy 23

EEK!

This just sounds terrible and makes me hurt...

DEUTERONOMY 23:1

1 He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord. 

I'm sorry but I barely found the gumption to get past this verse and cannot, in all honesty, even began to explain the remainder of the chapter as I simply cannot recall its context.  Yes, this first verse bothered me tremendously and would not allow a furtherance of thought on any other topic.  Even in research, I found pause when encountering, in several articles, words such as "eunuch" and "bastard,"  debate over what "congregation" meant in relation to eunuchs and bastards and other discussions that simply do not warrant examination.

Therefore, in regards to smashed stones, severed privy members, eunuchs, bastards and the lot - I pass.  You tell me...

~Kipling 

To Mix is Not to Match

Reading:   Deuteronomy 22

Chapter twenty-two is another repetition of Mosaic law pertaining to the diversity of type.  I did not touch on this subject before so I shall attempt to do so on this second glance.  The original point of law is found in Leviticus 19:19...

19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. 

DEUTERONOMY 22:9-11

9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled. 

10 Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. 

11 Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together. 

So what I am hearing is...if any man is found in a planted field of both potatoes and corn working a plow that is tethered to a team comprised of an ox and an ass together, the man, of course, clothed with articles of both cotton and wool and of a feminine type, well that man is way, way, way out of bounds and worthy of immediate stoning - pebbling even (though to mingle stone and pebble is not advised in the anti-diversity climate of the Israelites).

Levity aside, why so stringent on seemingly trivial things?  The answer may be as rudimentary as setting up a basic pattern of kind - teach the childlike, freed slaves, to stay within type in all that they do and the very thought of mingling with heathen men or women might become abhorrent to them.  Or, the answer may lie in a more complex scheme that involves detrimental side effects of each pairing; a loss of produce when mingling seeds, possible plaques induced by the mingling of beasts, and the possibility of an allergen assault caused by the friction of garment type.

Ultimately, the reality lies with God and we, as I'm sure the Israelites learned to do, must have faith in His plan and His direction.  We do not see the big picture and its ridiculous to attempt to do so.  

Whatever will be will be,
The future (and past) is not ours to see.
Let it be!  Let it be,      
Salvage that which you can and do see!

~Kipling

Leave Not the Hanged, Hanging

Reading:   Deuteronomy 21

I find it fascinating that the Israelites were given a sort of etiquette in regards to the hanging of evil-doers.  Keep in mind that hanging was not used as the tool of execution but as a reminder, post execution.  The primary method was, of course, the ever-popular stoning; but, for extra heinous crimes (blasphemy, etc.), the judges would require the citizens to hang the body of the executed as a reminder to all...

DEUTERONOMY 21:22-23

22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: 

23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. 

Go ahead and leave the body exemplar hanging about whilst eyes can see but when the night falleth remove the accursed from the sight of God and man.  The mortal punishment has been fulfilled and what God does with the tainted soul is not of our concern.  Furthermore, The Lord blessed and delivered unto the Israelites a most precious inheritance in the gift of the promised land and it would have been a most egregious affront to defile that land with the open presence and display of an accursed body any longer than was necessary.

There is also some significant symbolism regarding the crucifixion of Jesus but I'm not going to try and tackle that today...sorry.

~Kipling