Life Learning Series

At the dawning of the New Age, as recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, we were told to submit our self to a certain measure of anguish. The purpose of this submission was; to lead us to a place of renewed quickening in the LORD. At that time, we had drifted far from the principles that are in the law of Moses. This was during the time of the excesses of the Caesars, and other officials of the world, among those that followed the Roman pattern of civilization.

In this very brisk fashion, a certain spokesman for the Lord Jesus Christ gave us insight as to the environment of that day.

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

(Revelation 17:1-6)That time in history required intense quickening of the servants of the LORD God; especially, those ones that walked in the way of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. A certain servant of the LORD described that need for quickening.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-eight –

Point of view: this is a very important aspect of the assessment of the LORD’S actions, as in labeling them as being the cause of unnecessary collateral damage. This is also the logic that is applied to our assessment of when something is damaged. In the present day, we tend to see things from a present perspective, and shade them with modern hues of applicability, civility, and varying seriousness of moral disdain. Wherefore a great number of us try to apply modern rules to past events. Let us consider the hazard of doing that too freely. Let us look to Scripture, to evaluate this practice, as applied against some of the events that are deemed as being unacceptable to modern civilizations–of course, varying among the philosophies of the various cultures of the world.

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There are certain rules of avoidance that have been set in society, in general. Among those rules is the concept of incest. Today, as through most of our legal systems, we totally condemn a situation such as this one.

Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.

And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.

(Genesis 19:32-35)Today, there are few cultures that would consider this to be appropriate. Could this be because; there are few societies that would ever truly face the daughters’ crisis. (At this point, please walk in the daughters’ logical framework.)

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-seven –

When we are under servitude (for instance, as being an employee), we need to be open to new opportunities that are a unique part of the life and capabilities of the ones we serve. This is true, at all levels of servitude. In the life of the nation of Israel, there was a time of intense opportunity for learning, as in the following joint venture which was after the one with king Nebuchadnezzar. This is the beginning of the joint ventures to . . .

Implement Variety

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In the cooperation between

Israel and the Medes and Persians

To give Israel a greater breadth of management skills for sharing philosophical collateral, the LORD started moving the people to a directed supervisory role. The role was managed by a different type of civilization than Israel had known before. The period of greatest intensity in that non-divine management, as allowing Israel to be the supervisor, was during this time, here.

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

(Daniel 6:6-9)This decree was of great significance because; if it was had been designed so as to be automatically activated, it would have terminated the venture at that point. Fortunately, it was such a decree that still required permission before it could be activated. The decree of Darius was of the same sort as a notable serving of judgment of the New Age, as from the plate of Pilate. In that serving, an associate of the nation of Israel, Jesus, was presented to the people for their review, with a designated opinion about the character of the man. The fashion of the presentation was also accusatory, as Daniel’s was.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-six –

There are other kinds of joint ventures that we need to explore. These kinds of joint ventures involve the philosophical sharing of directions in life. The people of Israel were brought into this type of joint venture by a lifestyle modification known as, captivity. During this time, they were able to share their philosophical (theological) principles with other nations. Also, the people of Israel were able to share in the philosophical principles and practices of those other nations.

A significant part of the sharing of philosophical collateral is this: to show that, the way of the LORD can withstand any interaction that tries to disrupt it. Before we dive into that study, consider this event that boldly highlights the resilience of the way of the LORD.

And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD.And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon’s house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.

But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. And when the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us: for his hand is sore upon us, and upon Dagon our god. They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? And they answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about unto Gath.

And they carried the ark of the God of Israel about thither.

(1 Samuel 5:1-8) 

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Philosophical Collateral: From the Outside

Scripture gives us a clear view of certain ones of Israel’s joint ventures; though, not of all of them. We have searched among those clear views, to find one that is heavily mental. At this time, the one that we want to explore is one in which the influences came from outside of Israel. The venture that we will review occurred during the time of Daniel’s spanned ministration for Israel, as done before several of the kings of the other nations. This span of time is in the Old Testament period of Israel’s captivity. We will begin here.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-five –

Surely, the world will take notice of any successful civilization; especially, when that civilization extends itself into the world as a nation. Israel was destined to perform that kind of extension. Ideally, in that extension, Israel would reach a time when, they could interact peaceably with the world. Some of the preparatory work for that time was done by king David; however, the main portion of it was ordained for the time of David’s son, Solomon. Here is that ordination.

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Samuel 7:12-16)The time of king Solomon was the period when this type of joint venture rose to prominence: international cooperation for world enhancement. That type of venture for Israel was expressed in several connections between king Solomon and the wider world. Here, we will explore that atmosphere.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-four –

In a prior joint venture of Israel–between Joseph and Pharaoh, king of Egypt–the interaction of Israel was extended, in a fashion that was outside of the control of the congregation of Israel. In that sense, that venture serves as one kind of model for modern international relationships. We will explore more of those types of ventures, to provide additional insight about; lessening collateral damage through faithfulness to the way of the LORD. To do that, we have included some of the joint ventures that were ordained for Israel, so as to provide for Israel’s progressive immersion into the world, at large.

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Joint Venture: Joshua and the stale bread

In the modern day, several nations have geographical places known as, territories. These territories are disconnected areas–either remote ones, or, places that are in the same locality, but, they are not a part of the main geographical space of the family of the founders of the nation. They are included as territories because; they are places for which the founders and their descendants bear responsibility. Originally, it seemed that Israel would have a limited ability to partake of this nation-strengthening exercise of, responsibility and accountability.

There was some opportunity for establishing territories; but, that was only available for remote ones. In the early time of the development of the nation; this, here, was Israel’s limitation, as pertained to remote lands.

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.

(Deuteronomy 20:10-15)By exercise of that commandment, a remote territory would allow Israel to exercise its authority; even though, Israel did not have a significant immediate responsibility for its well-being, or accountability for any damage that might be done to it. However, for near places, Israel was not allowed to exercise authority over, have direct responsibility for, or be accountable to, territories of that sort. Israel had the following there was also this limitation, as pertained to the opportunity for either responsibility, or accountability, for territories.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-three –

Almost all things are under some kind of pressure, and, therefore, almost all things need some form of relief. If pressure is not spread out, it will cause an explosion: that is also true of the pressure of societal pruning. In fact; in most cases, the rapid release of pressure is what leads to collateral damage. This is seen, most clearly, in unilateral, rapid invocation of warfare. In such warfare, there is not significant regard for negotiation and diplomacy. Too often, the author of the unilateral conflict simply wants to achieve their objective, at whatever cost. Scripture describes that kind of attitude.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

(James 4:1-5)Surely, there will be strivings among groups of people–this is the nature of group assessment of the need for increased property. Even among the chosen people of God; consideration of the fact of war was an early insertion into the forward mission of the children of Israel, as coming out of Egypt. We see that, here.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-two –

In external joint ventures–those that are fashioned with other philosophical communities, there is a great risk of loss of identity. When that loss of identity occurs in a servant of the LORD, the result is a separation from the way of the LORD. This will lead one into events that do not promote the righteous development of the group to which one belongs, as in the way of the LORD. The Old Testament is full of events of that sort. Here is one of those events, as involved a formerly settled relationship of the Jews with other people of the land in which they were rebuilding Jerusalem.

Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.

Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

(Nehemiah 6:1-9)In all such events, there was a measure of collateral damage. That is also true for any similar events of the modern day. The greater part of the collateral damage is in the group of those individuals or organizations that are riding the coat tails of some other persons or groups. In the church, this is a multi-leveled graft; with the first level being, an attachment to societal principles. In various events of the Old Testament life of the children of Jacob, Israel provides lessons in the progression of such grafting. In the following lesson, a portion of Israel’s religious community formed a societal graft with a certain king.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty-one –

Spanned degradation is how the children of Israel moved away from the principles of the LORD–as spanned across stretched out time. Spanned degradation is not a revolutionary happening; rather, it is evolutionary. Over time, there is less and less desire to counteract the increasing damage to civility in the society. We, who serve the LORD, need to take notice of the progression of degradation; from its beginning, even, to now, and onward in time.

Consider this: when the full weight of the spanned degradation that we have experienced comes to us, it will not matter if the wait is for several millennia, or if it is only for a fraction of a second; the damage that it will cause to the soul is still incomprehensible, and absolutely real. Also, as we linger in our dilemma, it becomes more and more difficult to see the way to recovery. Moreover; even when we see the way, it is even more difficult to submit our self to the remedy. The remedy is this: joining with others that have recovered from a similar degradation.

In the case where; the one to which we join, in our attempt to place a bridle on degradation, is also an entity that has previously assisted in recovery for others; this is not a servant-master relationship. Both parties in the relationship are servants of the LORD. Wherefore both sides of the connection receive its blessing from the LORD>Here is a hint of how that proceeded in the call to the other nations, as for them to accept assistance from the God of Israel, as connected to the victory that has been achieved by Israel, as in the LORD’S redemption of the mixed multitude. This is a portion of king Solomon’s petition to God, at the dedication of the House of God, in Israel.

Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake; (For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house; Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name. (1 Kings 8:41-43)We need to prepare our soul for the joining with–as Solomon presented to the LORD–a stranger. Here is a paradox for those who resist submission: to the portion of service to God: there is a part of the soul of separation that must be destroyed, to prepare a site for the joining. Scripture tells of the beginning of the death of that certain part of your soul, which you might have thought, you would have forever. It is a necessary death; for, the LORD cannot abide sin in His presence. As the apostle Paul wrote:

 

– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Twenty –

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Both sides of a spiritual graft need to be readied for the contact. This is so because; each side of the contact will have its own unique behavioral seismology. Yes, it is true that, the LORD has interventions that will smooth over behavioral rough edges. To describe this type of smoothing, the word, balm, is used in Scripture. For instance . . .

When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? 

(Jeremiah 8:18-22)Primarily, the reconciliation of the potential joining spot, at which, formerly rough edges are ordained to meet, occurs in an action that comes to us in the obvious power of God–as opposed to being shielded in the mystery of the omnipotence of the LORD. Though, paradoxically; it is a disruption that often appears to be, solely of human manufacture. Therefore; sometimes, we ignore the quiet smoothing that comes from interaction by the hidden things of God. We must not ignore them. We must not give the glory to man.

 

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– Explore Collateral Damage and the Heart of God: Part Nineteen –