Iron Sharpening Iron, the Honed Sword in The Hand of the LORD

Let’s continue with our study of Proverbs 27 and the idea of iron sharpening iron. Summarizing our understanding of the idea – it is God’s Holy Spirit through and in us refining our inner man, then called out into action, become the finest of swords in the Hand of the LORD, to be wielded by Him in bringing about His purposes in the earth as it is in heaven. We know this as never for our glory, neither for fame, personal gain or elevation, but rather always for/as the Glory of the LORD in the earth. Amen!

Today additionally let’s look at those called out and thereby exposing themselves as the tares: those awakening to the work of opposing and denying the LORD at His coming out.

Again I must here warn the reader: do not expect to fully understand this unless you have been studying along and have read the previous posts (see Matthew 25 posted below). Feel free to read but refrain from commenting with your critiques telling what you believe or have been taught to the contrary.

Psalms 19
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2 Day unto day uttering speech, and night unto night showing knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his [own] errors? cleanse you me from secret faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 19 begins by telling of the LORD’s handiwork in the firmament, and this being His Glory seen in the heavens. As we have seen in our recent studies, the firmament is the LORD dividing the waters and the division is what is called Heaven. The waters above are the pure words of God and those below are those corrupted in the earth. We’ve seen this described in Genesis 1 as the LORD’s work in creating the new earth after man has made it become without form, and void. We have seen the term “without form, and void,” translated from the three times used Hebrew phrase tohuw bohuw, elsewhere translated and contextually telling us this is the earth once man’s language and control has become totally confused, and empty (without any form of truth or reality, and void of any value to advance humanity in an upward direction).

We know the waters are what carries the counsel; God’s advice and ways as the waters of life, man’s being the death of humanity (traded for the morsel gained by those men deceiving the world into chaos).

Here now stand we at the brink of self-destruction and all humanity seemingly without an answer – other than those offered by those destroying it: the same false saviors, who have offered solution which exacerbate the troubles, proposing more of the same – the only gain is theirs personally as the world burns in their fires (crisis created to force degenerate change – now seen to have no hope of changing anything for the better – as they couldn’t care less about the macro consequences on society).

The Psalm tells of this “error” being what the LORD’s creation handiwork corrects, and it goes on to describe those refusing to receive the correction as being part of the great “transgression.” The Hebrew word translated “error” is shgiy’ah, and is only used this one time. The word it is derived from is the very enlightening word shagah, meaning to stray away, mislead, or mistake, and to be enraptured by these wanderings. (See yesterday’s post and the definition of the name Epaphroditus.)

The word translated “transgression” is pesha’, meaning to revolt. It also is from a more definitive word, pasha’, meaning to break away from just authority, by apostasy and through quarreling (from and with the authority).

This brings us to Matthew 25 and the LORD telling of those who miss the bridegroom, who we are told of in Psalms 19. It is he who is defined by the traits we are told of there, “…as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.” When Matthew speaks of those neglecting their lamps it is referring to being so caught up in their own deceptions that they refused to even try to understand – yet they vigorously rebelled against what/who they refused to know. This is speaking to those ruling over God’s children as if lords (as they now all look at the other guy and point at how someone else is so much worse than they are – they have their reward).

Here we must look again at Proverbs 27 and the passages that reads: ” 15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. 16 Whosoever hides her hides the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrays itself [and the remedy (exposing her) is in his power to boldly call her out]. 17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. 18 Whoso keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waits on his master shall be honored.”

The passage tells of these virgins, defined as contentious women (arguing and revolting), and of calling them out to the remedy (for their error). The Hebrew word there translated “ointment” (remedy) is shemen, meaning oil, as in the richness (pressed from the fruit).

Matthew 25
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go you out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, LORD, LORD, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Truly I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his LORD’s money.
19 After a long time the LORD of those servants cometh, and reckoned with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, LORD, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His LORD said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your LORD.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, LORD, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His LORD said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your LORD.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, LORD, I knew you that you art an hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that is your.
26 His LORD answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which has ten talents.
29 For unto every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has.
30 And cast you the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in:
36 Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, LORD, when saw we you hungry, and fed you? or thirsty, and gave you drink?
38 When saw we you a stranger, and took you in? or naked, and clothed you?
39 Or when saw we you sick, or in prison, and came unto you?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and you took me not in: naked, and you clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, LORD, when saw we you hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto you?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For truly I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Psalms 55:21 speaks of words (of the rebels who have broken the covenant) being softer than oil, yet as drawn swords (See Proverbs 5:1 – 5 & Revelation 13:10 & 11). It goes on to tell us to cast all our burdens upon the LORD, and He shall sustain us. It continues with defining the two groups; the first as the righteous who shall never be moved (as stars fixed in the heavens), and the other as bloody and deceitful men who the LORD shall bring down (from the places they have elevated themselves – wandering false stars of deception). This is what Peter was referencing when he tells us, in 1 Peter 5:5, that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. He goes on to tell us to humble ourselves and God will raise us up in due time. He then says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you,” as he paraphrases Psalms 55:22.

Psalms 55
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
9 Destroy, O LORD, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was you, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into h*ll: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abides of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He has put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he has broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But you, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.

1 Peter 5
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.
5 Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein you stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, salutes you; and so does Marcus my son.
14 Greet you one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.