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The Language of Ashdod

22 Friday Apr 2016

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In Nehemiah 13, the Lord’s felt compelled to return to Jerusalem, removing himself from the direct service of the king to address problems that arose in the ancient city. Previously, Nehemiah was in Jerusalem for a period of 12 years to encourage and spur on the people of Israel who came back from Babylonian captivity (by this time 2, maybe 3 generations were in place in Jerusalem). Yet, as is the case with each generation, there were people who were not only loyal to the Lord, but there also were people whose loyalty only went as deep at the leader leading them. With Nehemiah gone, the workers of Satan had begun to not only sow seeds of corruption of the pure ways of the Lord, but also to educate the children (via the parents) to speak a language.

“In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people” (Nehemiah 13:23-24, ESV)

Nehemiah was dismayed at this.

What is meant by that which we read? It means that corruption of God’s religion found a home in those where no home should have been given. In other words, that which was to reside in the heart (godly righteousness) was a spiritual teaching that came only from God. The people, however, struggling with spiritual laziness (as is even the case today), did not offer the resistance necessary to thwart the effort by Satan and his servants. The language spoken was a matter of education (cf. Jeremiah 50:6-7). The people residing in Jerusalem spoke a confused language, not confusing to understand, but a confusion of loyalty.

It is a lot like that today. There are many parents who struggle with finding a balance in raising children in an evil world and inculcating them (giving them a vaccination) against those teachers of a false religion, that which stands opposed to the Lord’s way.

How often does one hear a lament from parents concerning some being too religious? The language of Ashdod has begun to set in. In other words, there are some parents who want to be loyal to the Lord, but they want their children to enjoy life and the things associated with youth without being too religious, lest their friends turn away from them and the children begin to say that Christianity was crammed down my throat.

Can you relate? To some degree you probably can. Parents in the days of Nehemiah could, and because they could not find a balance, their children spoke a language that was confusing and corrupting.

What is the solution to such difficult matters? The answer is as simple as understanding what it is that one values most. As a parent (grandparent or new), that value you place on something, anything, will be which is taught to those who are paying attention. As you are, children are also very observant. RT

 

One’s Own Counsel

11 Friday Dec 2015

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A teacher comes into the classroom and sees one of her student’s discouragement on his face. She knows he has been struggling in keeping up with classroom work, but to this point he has sought no help from her or any of the other teachers. She comes in and walks over to the student and sits down beside him and begins to speak. She learns from him that he hates school, others make fun of him, life at home is miserable and that he can’t do anything right. She tries to encourage him, letting him know that she is available if he wants to talk. He is reassured, but she reads his face and sees that he is not interested in sharing his problem with her. Finally, at this point, she becomes a little more plain-spoken and says, “You can’t hardly improve your grades in school with the effort you put forth. You have not come to me seeking any kind of help; instead, you have tried to go it alone. When I did offer you some help, you ran away. You did not want to address the difficulties that you have placed yourself in. With such a counsel that you give yourself there is no chance for you to improve your grades or your life like you want! If you want a difference in your life to begin, start with where you are at and resolve to persevere through the hard times that will surely come. If you want it bad enough, then you will do what it takes to get to the point you want to be.”

Teachers need to take their own counsel as they offer counsel to the youth.

A preacher looks at the congregation and sees exactly this among many of the members. Lest the preacher be excused, he needs to take his own counsel also.  RT

The Pain and Teaching

19 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by in Affliction/Persecution, Jesus, Teaching

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                I cannot imagine that there is a single person of good sense who thinks the idea of affliction being experienced is a good thing—yet that is exactly what the Holy Spirit said! “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71, NKJV). As you reflect on the sentiment of the Holy Spirit, reflect on the latter part of the verse. The key to understanding is in learning what needs to find a place in the heart. Earlier in the largest of the Psalms, David wrote, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You” (119:11)! Paul says something similar when he wrote to the church in Colossae, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

We all struggle with doing what is right; we understand there is such a thing as right and wrong, but the overpowering pull of that which is wrong seems to pull us against our will in its direction. It only seems this way; in fact, it is this way because in our weakness we give in. It’s not that the pull is (was) so strong that we could not resist, it’s that we did not resist. The difference is notable. Thus, when the psalmist said that it was good to suffer affliction it was not because of the pain and aggravations that it brought, but because of the teaching it brought. Who of us has not already experienced such things? I have.