I was once accused once of having wisdom but not love; I had nothing (most of these accusations come from church people I might add). So, they quoted 1 Corinthians 13: 2 for me stating “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
In fact, the people I have had the most brush with a religious/ moralist people not really liberal people. They see one way to solve a problem and think its the only way to follow. I have to say that knowledge builds on wisdom and understanding and most times from suffering. This is why people who suffer are looked down. (Ecclesiastes So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.). To get knowledge one may not have to suffer but to get understanding one has to suffer (Daniel 4: 34) “And at the end of the [a]time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most-High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:” He became a four-footed beast to get understanding and thus knowledge. This is why a 1st class graduate uses his knowledge to work for someone with business sense (understanding).
I’m giving out free knowledge, wisdom from Gods word people may crouch on it and I’d still be called a Fool. So, I know knowledge puffs up, love builds up ( 1 Corinthian 8: 1) we also know that knowledge makes a man brutish. “Jeremiah 51:17-18″. Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.” It’s harder to question, a man that has suffered much this is why with all Jobs friends only one could question and he did so righteously wisely by God. [Job 5:12-14] craftiness is a form of knowledge, and it is built out of wisdom (sometimes positive or negative). James 3: 13-18 [Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.]. Job reinstates it again in Job 16: 11 [ and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.]. as knowledge has 2 sides the knowledge of good and evil. [Genesis 2:9], [ Genesis 3:22
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”]. But understanding humbles man because it comes with suffering. One may steal knowledge but not understanding for understanding is built on principle of God. so, the scripture where God says my people perish for a lack of knowledge [Isaiah 5: 13, Hosea 4: 6] is built on understanding Gods wisdom.
I once had a friend previously who had an uncanny ability to know what would happen to, she became grievous in high school. I understood what made her this way it was the knowledge that she knew what people would do to her. Indeed, it became a burden of wisdom. This is why some people know when they would depart the world and it weighs them down with sorrow as Jesus did before he died. Matthew 26:36-46 [36 Then Jesus *came with them to a place called [a]Gethsemane, and *told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”]. If Jesus who is God made flesh can be grieved and distressed, he was troubled in spirit due to betrayal he knew was coming to him (fore knowledge) [John 13:21], he was angered and distressed -i.e. grieving about the hardness of human heart [Mark 3: 5]. Then, we do have a high priest who empathizes with our weaknesses. And indeed, his love is greater than his wisdom that’s why he forgives the underserved. So yes, Godly love is greater than wisdom. I guess Ecclesiastes 1:18 says it all about wisdom [For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.]. So, I’d say as Job said in Job 13: 1 [ “My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.”] and in understanding there is a proper time and procedure for every matter even if one weighed down by misery.
The greater wisdom is in God and his word, and it is built out love; so brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” meekness is humility this is why true wisdom is humble [ James 3: 13] If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
My Favorite Bible Character
In my free time, I’d like to engage and ask people who their favorite bible character is? Most African women would say Deborah, some frequently said Esther. When I asked African men I’d hear Joseph mostly, some few cases Daniel, Moses and other Abraham because of his blessing and some SOLOMON.
I had a few non-African friends say Esther. People often say why do you ask this question, and I say nothing just out of curiosity. But for me, it was intriguing as Deborah was a judge and a warrior to save her people. As every Old Testament character is a shadow type of Jesus; it was more like people who relied on their strength or God’s to win battles. Addedly, she was judge (a righteous one). It’s funny that most African women would not rely on beauty to save them. Also, we war in prayer, so it’s no surprise actually this was most people choice.
Burdens that Bind – excerpts from 1st kings 13
There is a song I hear when I was working for a company in Lagos. It echoed from a person with a deformity but had a unique ability to play the trumpet and flute.
He used the trumpet to play a Christian song “what a friend we have in Jesus; all our sins and grief to bear…precious savior still our refuge take it to the lord in prayer”, have we a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows bear…all because we do not carry everything to the lord in prayer.
As we see the life of Rehoboam and Jeroboam today. God had previously told Solomon he would tear down his kingdom after his passing. In this chapter, we see the fulfillment of this and view this story from when Israel consisted of 12 tribes and Rehoboam went to Shechem for all Israel to make him king of Israel. However, when Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this Nebat heard of this, he returned to Israel. Rehoboam on the other hand, had to consult “the elderly” on removing the burdens placed on the poor. Rehoboam did not hearken to his young friends. This caused the Israelites to disperse under his leadership except Judah.
“What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance with the son of Jesse – to your tent o Israel. Look to your own house. So, Rehoboam reigned over the city of Judah. Rehoboam sent Adoram who was his taskmaster over to forced labor and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. Hence, Rehoboam turned to mount his chariot to flee Jerusalem.
LESSONS
When a leader in a household, nation subjects its citizen to forced labor and calamity strikes guess who flees first? such was the case with Rehoboam.
Jesus says in Matthew 23:4-5
New King James Version
4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.
Rehoboams decision split Israel and Judah into two nations *as God told Solomon that upon his death his empire would split*. Due to this, Rehoboam assembled horses from Judah & the tribe of Benjamin to fight against the house of Israel, so he’d restore his father’s kingdom. But the lord sent prophets to Rehoboam that he should not go up to fight against his people.
However, Jeroboam now the king of Israel feared that Rehoboam would draw the people back to God.
A seemingly harsh decision would lead people astray to serve other gods for help. Due to the heavy yoke Rehoboam wanted to place on all of Yisrael, leading people to search for solution from any other means (in search for a new ruler or king).
when sufferings of people increase, when heavy burdens are bound on others that we ourselves cannot carry. we create a leadership that splits and irrevocably causes idolatry. (Whether burdens, yokes, laws as with Moses and the calf) once humans can’t keep it, carry it causes a divide. This is why Jesus as a leader carried a heavier cross than the church and says take of my yoke upon you and learn for me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Mattthew 11:29). Jesus went through anguish, sweating blood and died for our soul. we couldn’t fulfil the law as when heavy yokes are placed on man; the scriptures say the law caused man to sin more Romans 5:20. However, Jesus teaches us to learn from him through humility so we can rest on him. Jesus took on our yokes (laws, burden we couldn’t fulfil) so we can find rest in him.
Take out.
In any given nation where subjugation leads to slavery. As with Solomon who says there is a time when someone lords over another to their own hurt Ecclesiastes 8:9. And Jesus says those who must lead must serve Mark 10:43. we create a division as rehoboam did Israel and Judah.
Daniels Dream – Daniel 4
Peace be multiplied to us as we begin this book review. Dominion to Yahua whose kingdom is from everlasting to everlasting.
In this chapter, Daniel saw Nebuchadnezzars kingdom chopped off into iron and bronze not clay this time. Daniel 4: 15.
Brass as you know typifies bronze and the iron period the happenings of chapter 4 would take place. In this time frame it stated that the mind of Nebuchadnezzar would change from a man’s mind to that of a beast over a 7-time period.
Hence, the most notable change in the time frame of Nebuchadnezzar will be during Brass – Iron interchange. In the figure described by Daniel, after the time of the brass, the iron mixed with clay (grass – amid the fields) represents a time frame of 7 period of which the heart of his (Nebuchadnezzar empire) will change from a man’s heart to that of a beast, Ushering the beast system.
This illustration of the first ruler where his thought his strength brought him victory’s – fixed with the bronze and iron age of his kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar, initial kingdom was Gods kingdom at the time, until he boasted against God that he built Babylon (time period of the sand (grass) + iron + bronze) then in Daniel 4: 31, we see Gods kingdom removed from him and his heart change. Also, boastful speaking is associated with the anti-Christ (so the beast he became during this period).
In this period, Daniel goes on to say it his empire (Clay and Iron) will be driven from among men and his dwelling will be made with the beast of the field. His empire would be made to eat the grass like an ox and 7 periods would Passover until he realizes that the most high rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
Rules, kingdom, will are all present in Matthew 6:10-15, Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, and thy WILL be done. In Nebuchadnezzars prayer we see a similar ” I lift up my eyes (willingly) to the heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the most high, and I praise and honor him who lives forever, for your dominion oh Lord is an everlasting dominion, and your kingdom endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4: 34.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 4:34-37 NIV – At the end of that time, I, – Bible Gateway
How the Kingdom of God would come
Luke 17, Gods physical kingdom and his coming kingdom: A time of Noah likewise that of Lots.
Luke 17 begins with manners of ways the last days characteristics may be: Offence, it tells us how to deal with them. By forgiving because Christ has forgiven us. Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything, you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
We are unworthy servants who choose to do Gods duty because we thank God, we can do what he told us to do so the kingdom of God will come nigh unto you. This began the pharisees question on when the kingdom of Yahua should come.
20 and Jesus answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
The days of Noah typified in Luke 17:26-27, depicts a day of great flooding that would destroy the earth. Although, God had promised that he would not destroy the earth again, however the days of Noah was known with the water element and flooding to destroy the earth. The scriptures go on to say why the DAYS OF THE SON OF MAN would be likened to that of Noah it says, and I quote:
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Luke 17:26-28 KJV – And as it was in the days of Noe, so – Bible Gateway
So, we have a before Christ time frame and an after Christ time frame. Typically, this Generation is the Generation of Christ, the Generation of Salvation through Christ Jesus; and he further illustrates it with the 10 lepers where only the foreigner rejoices after 9 were saved. It is the time of the Gentiles, that would see the flooding where they would eat, drink had many wives and be given in marriage…
The bible then goes on to say in the next verse that the time of lot and Noah are alike except in the time of lot more things would happen like eating, drinking, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built.
They key difference is in Noah’s days i.e., the days of the son of man they married and had many wives however in the days of lot i.e., the days when the son of man is revealed they were more who bought sold more and built in these times. While it seems plausible that these are my ramblings but there is a definite distinction between the days of the son of man (Where he dwells in us) and the days when the son of man is revealed (His 2nd coming).
His first coming reveals the happenings in the times of the son of man (Gentiles); Noah while the time of lots was a time where Gold and goods where traded. Typifying the difference in times. This two time show the sequence of salvation: baptism with water and the word and baptism with fire (the holyspirit). A similar view with 1 kings 18: 38
The fire consumed the sacrifice, the wood (the cross), stone (Jesus, the church (the stone the builders rejected), (living stone)), and dust (dust we come and return – flesh) and it licked up the water in the bench – I Kings 18:33-38
1 Kings 18 KJV – And it came to pass after many days, – Bible Gateway
We see water is first poured before fire consumed the sacrifice and it rained. Similarly, Noah’s period came first with rain -new beginning for creation (Days when the Church is revealed, the body of Christ) and the Lots (Abrahamic) when Gods people got out (Abraham, lot as in the Church) before fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all will be when the sun of man is revealed.
Matthew 24:24, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 8. The Church in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3:1-9) | Bible.org