David vs. Henry

Originally published Friday, August 05, 2011

David vs. Henry

At the Reformation, the Western Church became divided between those who continued to accept Papal authority and the various Protestant churches that repudiated it.  The Church of England was among the churches that broke with Rome. The catalyst for this decision was the refusal of the Pope to annul the marriage of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.

Henry VIII became king of England in 1509. In 1502, his older brother, Arthur, had died. Their father Henry VII decided that Henry should marry Arthur's widow, Catherine of Aragon.  Henry and others thought this was prohibited by Leviticus 18 and 20. But the Pope gave permission, and after Henry VIII's coronation, he married Catherine. By 1514, they had born no child, so Henry asked the Pope for an annulment. However, the Pope refused to annul the marriage.  A daughter, Mary, was born in 1516.  But, by the middle 1520s, Henry still had no son. He began to think God was judging him.

Henry started to look for a way to end his marriage to Catherine. (He was already in love with Anne Boleyn.) He employed teams of scholars to find good biblical reasons why his marriage to Catherine should end.   One of the ideas the scholars had was that the King should be the supreme head of the Church in England and not the Pope.

In 1533 Thomas Cranmer – one the scholars instrumental in developing the idea of the King being the head of the church - was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. That same year Parliament passed an Act that prevented English people from appealing to the Pope for a legal or church decision.  This Act was passed partly to stop Catherine of Aragon appealing against her divorce. In May, the marriage was annulled by Archbishop Cranmer. The King had already married Anne Boleyn, who was pregnant at the time.  She was crowned Queen at the end of May.  In 1534, Parliament passed the Act of Supremacy, which declared that the King was the supreme head of the Church of England.  Thus, the Church of England – the Anglican Church – was born out of adultery.

Imagine if David would have done as Henry V111.  To make legal his involvement with Bathsheba he would fire or kill the prophet and priest unless they went his way.  King David would establish that he would be the head of the established religious order.   Therefore, his relationship with Bathsheba and subsequent killing of Uriah would be justified under the new religious regime.

Thankfully, David admitted his wrongdoing and repented.   In Psalms 32 David described how it felt to come clean with the Lord,

Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psalms 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Psalms 32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

Psalms 32:4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

And, the fact that it was a Psalm made David's repentance public.  Ellen White says,

"Thus in a sacred song to be sung in the public assemblies of his people, in the presence of the court—priests and judges, princes and men of war—and which would preserve to the latest generation the knowledge of his fall, the king of Israel recounted his sin, his repentance, and his hope of pardon through the mercy of God."—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 725.

Though David had initially tried to cover up his sin to the point of murder, once he was convicted, he sought to prevent others from falling into the same pit. He loathed the defilement caused by sin and longed for purity that only God could provide.  David recognized how far-reaching the loss of respect would be and how devastating now his influence for evil was among his people, especially among his sons. This acknowledgment broke his heart, and as his songs portray, he realized that his only hope was to cling to God and humbly accept the judgments that followed from God's loving but thoroughly just hand.  David should be an example to us

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Raul Diaz about.me/raul.diaz

Commentary: Samson versus Joseph

This Commentary was previously published to deal with the issue of temperance.  I believe it is very appropriate for this weeks lesson.  

Samson versus Joseph

This week's lesson is about "self-control."  The term used in the Greek for this aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is Egkrateia (ἐγκράτεια), which means:  Continence, temperance, the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions especially his sensual appetites.  Our lesson uses the term used by many Bible translations which call it, self-control.  But, self-control in this context is a misnomer.  "Self" control cannot be produced by "self" as long as the law of our nature (bent to self) is at war with the law written in our minds. Only the indwelling of the Holy Spirit from Christ can accomplish the resolution of that war.  So, instead of Self-control, it should be called: Spirit–control.  It is God who does the mastering of our carnal desires, passions, and sensual appetites.  We have two examples from our lesson: one which allowed God to control his carnal desires, passions, and sensual appetites and the other which did not. 

The first one is Joseph.  Betrayed by his family and sold into slavery, Joseph had reasons to doubt the love and care (even the existence) of the God that he learned about since childhood. That's not, however, what he did.  Let's read how he handled a temptation in Genesis 39: 7 – 9,

Genesis 39: 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

Genesis 39:  8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

Genesis 39:  9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Joseph revealed that he had allowed the Holy Spirit to control his carnal passions and desires.  We know the rest of the story.  Joseph remained faithful to God and went to prison for it.  He chose humiliation and imprisonment rather than give in to temptation.  Now, let us look at a contrast. 

In Judges 13-16, the Bible gives us the story of Samson.  If we read the texts, keeping in mind the idea of temperance, we would discover there, plenty of powerful lessons that we can learn from Samson's example. How tragic that someone with so many gifts and so much promise could get so easily sidetracked.  God had great plans for Samson.  We read about them in Judges 13,

Judges 13:24-25 (King James Version)

24And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.

25And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

The lesson asks, "Considering what we know about Samson, what important message, and warning, do we find in those two texts?"  The following Ellen White quote sheds light on this subject,

"The divine promise to Manoah was in due time fulfilled in the birth of a son, to whom the name of Samson was given. As the boy grew up, it became evident that he possessed extraordinary physical strength. This strength was not, however, as Samson and his parents well knew, dependent upon his well-knit sinews, but upon his condition as a Nazarite, of which his unshorn hair was a symbol. Had Samson obeyed the divine commands as faithfully as his parents had done, his would have been a nobler and happier destiny. But the association with idolaters corrupted him. The town of Zorah being near the country of the Philistines, Samson came to mingle with them on friendly terms. Thus, in his youth intimacies sprang up, the influence of which darkened his whole life. A young woman dwelling in the Philistine town of Timnath engaged Samson's affections, and he determined to make her his wife. To his God-fearing parents, who endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, his only answer was, "She pleaseth me well." The parents, at last, yielded to his wishes, and the marriage took place."—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 562.

Despite his great promise, Samson allowed his passions and lusts to overcome everything good. Who hasn't struggled with the reality of this conflict? The great controversy isn't just a symbol; it depicts the battle between Christ and Satan that is waged, not simply as some cosmic conflict in the heavens but in every human being, as well. Though Christ paved the way for all people to share in His victory, the battle for our hearts and flesh is being fought, indeed, in our hearts and our flesh. Christ won it all for us, and because of His victory we can choose to claim His victory as ours all the time.  By the choices we make, we are deciding for one side or another in the great controversy.  The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our hearts and renews our mind if we let Him.  Samson and Joseph display how both sides – accepting and not accepting – works. 

"Samson in his peril had the same source of strength as had Joseph. He could choose the right or the wrong as he pleased. But instead of taking hold of the strength of God, he permitted the wild passions of his nature to have full sway. The reasoning powers were perverted; the morals corrupted. God had called Samson to a position of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness; but he must first learn to govern by first learning to obey the laws of God. Joseph was a free moral agent. Good and evil were before him. He could choose the path of purity, holiness, and honor, or the path of immorality and degradation. He chose the right way, and God approved.  Under similar temptations which he had brought upon himself, Samson gave loose rein to passion. The path which he entered upon he found to end in shame, disaster, and death. What a contrast to the history of Joseph!"--Ellen G. White, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1007.

Whether we end up like Samson or Joseph is our choice.  There is a warning to heed.  Following Samson lead does not mean you can repent in the end as Samson did.  Many will not have that opportunity.  Let us not harden our hearts.  Let us respond to God's loving call, now and continually.

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Raul Diaz about.me/raul.diaz

Insight: The Cosmic Conflict Over God's Character

The Cosmic Conflict Over God's Character

In Matthew 25: 14 – 30, we find the Parable of the talents.  We read that two of the servants improved on what the Master gave them.  But, the last servant hid the talent and did not improve on it.  This man based his action on what he thought of the Master,

Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

We could imply that the other two servants thought the opposite of their master.  Ellen White seems to tell us that Eve had a similar problem,

The tempter intimated that the divine warning was not to be actually fulfilled; it was designed merely to intimidate them. . . .  {CC 15.5} 

            Such has been Satan's work from the days of Adam to the present, and he has pursued it with great success. He tempts men to distrust God's love and to doubt His wisdom. He is constantly seeking to excite a spirit of irreverent curiosity, a restless, inquisitive desire to penetrate the secrets of divine wisdom and power. In their efforts to search out what God has been pleased to withhold, multitudes overlook the truths which He has revealed, and which are essential to salvation. . . .  {CC 15.6}

Eve really believed the words of Satan, but her belief did not save her from the penalty of sin. She disbelieved the words of God, and this was what led to her fall. In the judgment men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth.  {CC 15.7}

Eve doubted God's integrity; thus, judged God's character incorrectly.  Her thought of God provoked her downfall.  She now needed to restore her trust In God. 

Did you notice that Ellen White says that Eve's experience applies to all men?  What lie are men choosing to believe that leads them away from trusting God? We read from Ellen White,

In the opening of the great controversy, Satan had declared that the law of God could not be obeyed, that justice was inconsistent with mercy, and that, should the law be broken, it would be impossible for the sinner to be pardoned. Every sin must meet its punishment, urged Satan; and if God should remit the punishment of sin, He would not be a God of truth and justice. When men broke the law of God, and defied His will, Satan exulted. It was proved, he declared, that the law could not be obeyed; man could not be forgiven. Because he, after his rebellion, had been banished from heaven, Satan claimed that the human race must be forever shut out from God's favor. God could not be just, he urged, and yet show mercy to the sinner. {DA 761.4}

Our lesson has made it clear throughout the quarterly that this is what our denomination believes: Sin must be punished.  And, it is God who must punish it.  Is it not disturbing that we think of God what Satan says of Him? 

If this is what we believe, then we believe that something must be done to avoid the punishment.  God needs appeasement.  The previous statement states the core belief of every pagan religion; hence, the practice of sacrifices.  Only "the smell the blood" would appease the angry god.  Christians have adopted this understanding of God.  Christians understand that "Christ died to reconcile the Father unto us."  You will find no such thought anywhere in the Bible.  The Bible is very clear,

2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

We read in John 3: 16 that God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son – the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World to away its Sin (Revelation 13: 8, John 1: 29). It was the Father Who wanted – and still wants - reconciliation.  We read from Romans,

Romans 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

In Christ, while we still saw God as the enemy, we were reconciled to God and not God to us.  Christ says in John 14,

John 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

John 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Many read the story of Jesus and realize that their concept of God differs from Jesus.  Jesus Himself tells us that He and the Father are One.  Jesus is a perfect representation of His Father.  Any concept of God that differs from Jesus is wrong.  Ellen White says,

There stood in the world One who was a perfect representative of the Father, One whose character and practices refuted Satan's misrepresentation of God. Satan had charged upon God the attributes He himself possessed. Now in Christ he saw God revealed in His true character—a compassionate, merciful Father, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to Him in repentance, and have eternal life. (1 SM, p. 254).

A good surgeon cuts into the body of its ill patient (thus inflicting pain), not to punish her for having a harmful health condition, but to get rid of what is ailing the heart.  God intervenes in our life, not to punish us, but to get rid of the Sin, which will kill us otherwise.  Those whom He loves, He chastens.  "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:11).  "…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning"(Psalm 30:5).

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Raul Diaz

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Raul Diaz about.me/raul.diaz

"Arming" for Victory

"Arming" for Victory

Let us start by reading Ephesians 6:13,

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, take up the whole armor of God,  that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

What is Victory in Biblical terms?  Victory is the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist.  Who is our enemy? Some may say the Devil, and they are right.  Some may say death, and they are right also.  However, when Christ spoke about overcoming He mentioned the world.  Jesus told His disciples,

John 16: 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

What does Jesus mean here by the world?  How do we overcome it?  In a few verses above the verse quoted Christ gives us a hint,

John 16: 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 16: 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

John 16: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Christ said to the disciples that when the Holy Spirit comes He will reprove the world of Sin, among other things.  Why Sin?  Because, the world – those who live in it – do not believe in Him.  Why does the world do not believe in Christ?  When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus He said that the condemnation of the world was "that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).  So, the world is condemned because they have chosen not to believe in the "Light of the world."  The choice of not believing was the problem of Israel while in the wilderness.  Paul says in Hebrews that they did not enter the rest – of Christ – because of their unbelief (Hebrews 3:19; 4:6).  It was still a problem among Jews in Jesus' day (Matthew 13:58; Mark 6:6).  So, as we see the word chosen for their condition is unbelief. 

Unbelief is used for two Greek terms: one of them meaning no faith, and the other one apathy.  But apathy is a compound word: a + pathy.   Pathy comes from pathos.  Pathos comes from peithos, of which the root word is pistis or faith.  Paul uses apathy to refer to the Israelites in the wilderness.  Now Paul refers to the apathy – lack of feeling or concern because of not believing – of the Israelites to warn the people of his day that they too could fall into the same trap (Hebrews 4:11).   Unbelief is an ongoing battle going on in our hearts and minds.  Ellen White also warns us about it.  Ellen White says,

"In every soul two powers are struggling earnestly for the victory. Unbelief marshals its forces, led by Satan, to cut us off from the Source of our strength. Faith marshals its forces, led by Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Hour by hour, in the sight of the heavenly universe, the conflict goes forward. This is a hand-to-hand fight, and the great question is, Which shall obtain the mastery? This question each must decide for himself. In this warfare all must take a part, fighting on one side or the other. From the conflict there is no release. . . We are urged to prepare for this conflict. 'Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.' The warning is repeated, 'Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.'" -Ellen G. White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 328.

So, the implication is that those who put on the armor will overcome the wiles of the devil, of which one of the greatest weapons is unbelief.   We read in1 John 5: 4 - 5,

1 John 5: 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5: 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

So, to put on the armor then is to be born of God, because they are the ones who overcome the world.  And, they do so by faith – by hearing and believing the word of God.  So, there is no need for unbelief to be part of our lives.  Christ has given us His victory.-- 

Raul Diaz about.me/raul.diaz