Month: September 2016

Continuing from yesterday’s post: Wisdom 5
1 Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labors. 2 When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for. 3 And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach: 4 We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor: 5 How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints! 6 Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness has not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us. 7 We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction: yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the way of the LORD, we have not known it.

8 What has pride profited us? or what good has riches with our vaunting brought us? 9 All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post that hasted by; 10 And as a ship that passes over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of the keel in the waves; 11 Or as when a bird has flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light air being beaten with the stroke of her wings and parted with the violent noise and motion of them, is passed through, and therein afterwards no sign where she went is to be found; 12 Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parts the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a man cannot know where it went through: 13 Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to show; but were consumed in our own wickedness.

14 For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passes away as the remembrance of a guest that tarries but a day.

15 But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the LORD, and the care of them is with the most High. 16 Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the LORD’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.

17 He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. 18 He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. 19 He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. 20 His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.

21 Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark. 22 And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them.

23 Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.

Wisdom 6
1 Hear therefore, O you kings, and understand; learn, you that be judges of the ends of the earth. 2 Give ear, you that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. 3 For power is given you of the LORD, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels. 4 Because, being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God; 5 Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places. 6 For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented. 7 For he which is LORD over all shall fear no man’s person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he has made the small and great, and cares for all alike. 8 But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.

9 Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall away. 10 For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer. 11 Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and you shall be instructed.

12 Wisdom is glorious, and never fades away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.

13 She prevents them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them. 14 Whoso seeks her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors. 15 To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watches for her shall quickly be without care. 16 For she goes about seeking such as are worthy of her, shows herself favorably unto them in the ways, and meets them in every thought. 17 For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; 18 And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption; 19 And incorruption makes us near unto God: 20 Therefore the desire of wisdom brings to a kingdom.

21 If your delight be then in thrones and scepters, O you kings of the people, honor wisdom, that you may reign for evermore. 22 As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth. 23 Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom. 24 But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people. 25 Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.

Wisdom 7
1 I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth, 2 And in my mother’s womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleep. 3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do. 4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares. 5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth. 6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.

7 Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her before scepters and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. 9 Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her. 10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goes out.

11 All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands. 12 And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goes before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them.

13 I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches. 14 For she is a treasure unto men that never fails: which they that use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning.

15 God has granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things that are given me: because it is he that leads unto wisdom, and directs the wise. 16 For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship. 17 For he has given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements: 18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons: 19 The circuits of years, and the positions of stars: 20 The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasoning of men: the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots: 21 And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.

22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold, subtle, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted [restrained], ready to do good, 23 Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtle, spirits.

24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passes and goes through all things by reason of her pureness. 25 For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her. 26 For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness. 27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she makes all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she makes them friends of God, and prophets.

28 For God loves none but him that dwells with wisdom. 29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it. 30 For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.

Wisdom 8
1 Wisdom reaches from one end to another mightily: and sweetly does she order all things.

2 I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty. 3 In that she is conversant with God, she magnifies her nobility: yea, the LORD of all things himself loved her. 4 For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.

5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that works all things? 6 And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she? 7 And if a man love righteousness her labors are virtues: for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life. 8 If a man desire much experience, she knows things of old, and conjectures aright what is to come: she knows the subtleties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foresees signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.

9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counselor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief. 10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honor with the elders, though I be young. 11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men. 12 When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.

13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me. 14 I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me. 15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war. 16 After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation has no bitterness; and to live with her has no sorrow, but mirth and joy.

17 Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality; 18 And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.

19 For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit. 20 Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled. 21 Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the LORD, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,

Wisdom 9
1 O God of my fathers, and LORD of mercy, who have made all things with your word, 2 And ordained man through your wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which you have made, 3 And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart: 4 Give me wisdom, that sits by your throne; and reject me not from among your children: 5 For I your servant and son of your handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.

6 For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if your wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.

7 You have chosen me to be a king of your people, and a judge of your sons and daughters: 8 You have commanded me to build a temple upon your holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein you dwells, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which you have prepared from the beginning. 9 And wisdom was with you: which knows your works, and was present when you made the world, and knew what was acceptable in your sight, and right in your commandments. 10 O send her out of your holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory, that being present she may labor with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto you. 11 For she knows and understands all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power. 12 So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge your people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father’s seat.

13 For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the LORD is? 14 For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. 15 For the corruptible body presses down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weighs down the mind that muses upon many things. 16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labor do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who has searched out? 17 And your counsel who has known, except you give wisdom, and send your Holy Spirit from above? 18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto you, and were saved through wisdom.

Today a few words about one of the greatest distortions in the modern church saying, salvation is by faith and grace alone apart from works means we aren’t supposed to have or seek to do works. Here it is in other words of truth, faith is the statement of intentions based on what is believed, and what proves faith is the result that comes as we work out our faith. The LORD tells us over and over that a man will be judged based upon his works.

Matthew 25 tells of the judgment based on works and of those that have used the talents given them and filled their lamps with the oil of His wisdom. To them the LORD says, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Here is the rest of the story:

He says to them, What did you do with what I have endowed you with? Did you pour your oil onto the sick anointing them with My wisdom? Did you impart what I have given you to release those imprisoned by the corrupted teaching of an unjust and evil world? Did you clothe them with My ways of justice, and peace to all men of good will (righteousness)?

And these will say, “No LORD, because my preachers told me all I had to do is have faith and I would receive earthly riches just as they had.”

And He asks, what about your works?

The deceived answer, “We voted for men who took from other men to give to us and others who also refused to make any effort to pursue those things by working.”

And He says, what about clothing the poor in spirit, and visiting those imprisoned in darkness, and healing disease by my ways of peace?

And these evil men will say, “We healed them by voting for those who allowed them to kill their children, and forced them to buy insurance that would pay for it. We set them free by voting for those who removed Your standard of morality and allowing them to commit every evil act, and we condemned those who didn’t agree with us. We cloth them and fed them by voting for those who made laws taking from the working people what they earned and giving it to us and others who refused to work.”

And He says to them, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

And they say again to him, “But our preachers told us it was OK and we wouldn’t be judged for our works.”

And the LORD says to them, they aren’t My preachers. My preachers make sure it is perfectly understood, no man is saved by his own good works. Good works merely elevate those doing them to be given more to work with. Even the evil ones have faith, so a man is not saved by faith alone. All men have been taught and founded on a teaching so it isn’t by the grace only. It is by faith in the one the Father sends with His teaching, and this is the grace of God that saves us. Acts upon these are what produce works validating the truth of what we believe and that we are doing God’s will.

John 6
27 Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what dost you work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, Truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, LORD, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

In the past we have briefly discussed the Septuagint, which is the original Greek translation and compilation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and includes what is called the Apocrypha. Apocrypha means things kept apart in secret. They are also books excluded from the Protestant Bible. They remain in the Catholic Bible, but their reliance on traditions of their denomination over the Scripture, along with the exclusion from most Bibles, has resulted in the books being unknown to most people.

I am hereafter posting portions of the book of Wisdom from the Septuagint. The posting will have more meaning for those who study along, as they will see and understand it in the context of our discussion.

Wisdom 1
1 Love righteousness, you that be judges of the earth: think of the LORD with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him. 2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and shows himself unto such as do not distrust him. 3 For froward [twisted and perverse] thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproves the unwise.

4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. 5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.

6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer [slanderer] of his words: for God is witness of his reins [perception], and a true beholder of his heart [reasoning], and a hearer of his tongue [the true meaning of his words]. 7 For the Spirit of the LORD fills the world: and that which contains all things has knowledge of the voice.

8 Therefore he that speaks unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punishes, pass by him. 9 For inquisition [investigations] shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the LORD for the manifestation of his wicked deeds. 10 For the ear of jealousy hears all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid.

11 Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for naught: and the mouth that belies [is false] slays [deadens] the soul.

12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands. 13 For God made not death: neither has he pleasure in the destruction of the living. 14 For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth: 15 (For righteousness is immortal:) 16 But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to naught, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.

Wisdom 2
1 For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright, Our life is short and tedious [long, dull and boring], and in the death of a man there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave. 2 For we are born at all adventure [hazard]: and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart: 3 Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air, 4 And our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof.

5 For our time is a very shadow that passes away; and after our end there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again.

6 Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth. 7 Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no flower of the spring pass by us: 8 Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered: 9 Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness [the fullness of excess]: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this.

10 Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.

11 Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth.

12 Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraids us with our offending the law, and objects to our infamy the transgressing of our education. 13 He professes to have the knowledge of God: and he calls himself the child of the LORD. 14 He was made to reprove our thoughts. 15 He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men’s, his ways are of another fashion. 16 We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstains from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounces the end of the just to be blessed, and makes his boast that God is his Father.

17 Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him. 18 For if the just man be the Son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. 19 Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. 20 Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected.

21 Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness has blinded them. 22 As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.

23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. 24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.

Wisdom 3
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6 As gold in the furnace has he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.

7 And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their LORD shall reign for ever. 9 They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he has care for his elect. 10 But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the LORD.

11 For whoso despise wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labors unfruitful, and their works unprofitable: 12 Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:

13 Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which has not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.

14 And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands has wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the LORD more acceptable to his mind. 15 For glorious is the fruit of good labors: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away.

16 As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out. 17 For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honor.

18 Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial. 19 For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.

Wisdom 4
1 Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men. 2 When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it wears a crown, and triumphs for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.

3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from b^st^rd [reprobate] slips, nor lay any fast [firm] foundation. 4 For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing not last, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out. 5 The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing. 6 For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial. 7 But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

8 For honorable age is not that which stands in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. 9 But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.

10 He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. 11 Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12 For the bewitching [manipulative words] of naughtiness does obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence [lust and strong desire] does undermine the simple mind. 13 He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14 For his soul pleased the LORD: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. 15 This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he has respect unto his chosen.

16 Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous. 17 For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel has decreed of him, and to what end the LORD has set him in safety. 18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcass, and a reproach among the dead for evermore. 19 For he shall rend [tear] them, and cast them down headlong, that they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial shall perish. 20 And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.

Today a few words about one of the greatest distortions in the modern church saying, salvation is by faith and grace alone apart from works means we aren’t supposed to have or seek to do works. Here it is in other words of truth, faith is the statement of intentions based on what is believed, and what proves faith is the result that comes as we work out our faith. The LORD tells us over and over that a man will be judged based upon his works.

Matthew 25 tells of the judgment based on works and of those that have used the talents given them and filled their lamps with the oil of His wisdom. To them the LORD says, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Here is the rest of the story:

He says to them, What did you do with what I have endowed you with? Did you pour your oil onto the sick anointing them with My wisdom? Did you impart what I have given you to release those imprisoned by the corrupted teaching of an unjust and evil world? Did you clothe them with My ways of justice, and peace to all men of good will (righteousness)?

And these will say, “No LORD, because my preachers told me all I had to do is have faith and I would receive earthly riches just as they had.”

And He asks, what about your works?

The deceived answer, “We voted for men who took from other men to give to us and others who also refused to make any effort to pursue those things by working.”

And He says, what about clothing the poor in spirit, and visiting those imprisoned in darkness, and healing disease by my ways of peace?

And these evil men will say, “We healed them by voting for those who allowed them to kill their children, and forced them to buy insurance that would pay for it. We set them free by voting for those who removed Your standard of morality and allowing them to commit every evil act, and we condemned those who didn’t agree with us. We cloth them and fed them by voting for those who made laws taking from the working people what they earned and giving it to us and others who refused to work.”

And He says to them, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

And they say again to him, “But our preachers told us it was OK and we wouldn’t be judged for our works.”

And the LORD says to them, they aren’t My preachers. My preachers make sure it is perfectly understood, no man is saved by his own good works. Good works merely elevate those doing them to be given more to work with. Even the evil ones have faith, so a man is not saved by faith alone. All men have been taught and founded on a teaching so it isn’t by the grace only. It is by faith in the one the Father sends with His teaching, and this is the grace of God that saves us. Acts upon these are what produce works validating the truth of what we believe and that we are doing God’s will.

John 6
27 Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him has God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
30 They said therefore unto him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what dost you work?
31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Truly, Truly, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and gives life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, LORD, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not.
37 All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which sees the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

In the past we have briefly discussed the Septuagint, which is the original Greek translation and compilation of the Hebrew Scriptures, and includes what is called the Apocrypha. Apocrypha means things kept apart in secret. They are also books excluded from the Protestant Bible. They remain in the Catholic Bible, but their reliance on traditions of their denomination over the Scripture, along with the exclusion from most Bibles, has resulted in the books being unknown to most people.

I am hereafter posting portions of the book of Wisdom from the Septuagint. The posting will have more meaning for those who study along, as they will see and understand it in the context of our discussion.

Wisdom 1
1 Love righteousness, you that be judges of the earth: think of the LORD with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him. 2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and shows himself unto such as do not distrust him. 3 For froward [twisted and perverse] thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproves the unwise.

4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin. 5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.

6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer [slanderer] of his words: for God is witness of his reins [perception], and a true beholder of his heart [reasoning], and a hearer of his tongue [the true meaning of his words]. 7 For the Spirit of the LORD fills the world: and that which contains all things has knowledge of the voice.

8 Therefore he that speaks unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punishes, pass by him. 9 For inquisition [investigations] shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the LORD for the manifestation of his wicked deeds. 10 For the ear of jealousy hears all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid.

11 Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for naught: and the mouth that belies [is false] slays [deadens] the soul.

12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands. 13 For God made not death: neither has he pleasure in the destruction of the living. 14 For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth: 15 (For righteousness is immortal:) 16 But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to naught, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.

Wisdom 2
1 For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright, Our life is short and tedious [long, dull and boring], and in the death of a man there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave. 2 For we are born at all adventure [hazard]: and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart: 3 Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air, 4 And our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof.

5 For our time is a very shadow that passes away; and after our end there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again.

6 Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth. 7 Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no flower of the spring pass by us: 8 Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered: 9 Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness [the fullness of excess]: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this.

10 Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.

11 Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth.

12 Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraids us with our offending the law, and objects to our infamy the transgressing of our education. 13 He professes to have the knowledge of God: and he calls himself the child of the LORD. 14 He was made to reprove our thoughts. 15 He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men’s, his ways are of another fashion. 16 We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstains from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounces the end of the just to be blessed, and makes his boast that God is his Father.

17 Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him. 18 For if the just man be the Son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. 19 Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. 20 Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected.

21 Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness has blinded them. 22 As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.

23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. 24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.

Wisdom 3
1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6 As gold in the furnace has he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.

7 And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their LORD shall reign for ever. 9 They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he has care for his elect. 10 But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the LORD.

11 For whoso despise wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labors unfruitful, and their works unprofitable: 12 Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:

13 Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which has not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.

14 And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands has wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the LORD more acceptable to his mind. 15 For glorious is the fruit of good labors: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away.

16 As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out. 17 For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honor.

18 Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial. 19 For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.

Wisdom 4
1 Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men. 2 When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it wears a crown, and triumphs for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.

3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from b^st^rd [reprobate] slips, nor lay any fast [firm] foundation. 4 For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing not last, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out. 5 The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing. 6 For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial. 7 But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

8 For honorable age is not that which stands in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. 9 But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age.

10 He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. 11 Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12 For the bewitching [manipulative words] of naughtiness does obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence [lust and strong desire] does undermine the simple mind. 13 He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14 For his soul pleased the LORD: therefore hasted He to take him away from among the wicked. 15 This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he has respect unto his chosen.

16 Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous. 17 For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel has decreed of him, and to what end the LORD has set him in safety. 18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcass, and a reproach among the dead for evermore. 19 For he shall rend [tear] them, and cast them down headlong, that they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial shall perish. 20 And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.

Today a look at the Hebrew word translated “enough,” in the context of our ongoing conversation regarding the deep things the LORD protects and reserves for His use in ending controversy. We have recently looked at the word as it is twice used in Proverbs 30:15 & 16, and there gives us the best understanding of its meaning being, content or satisfied, as in achieving happiness. I use the word “happiness” in the same way the founders meant it in our Declaration of Independence when they wrote that among our God given rights, that governments are instituted to secure, are, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The word is hown: Strong’s #1952: hown (pronounced hone) from the same as 1951 in the sense of 202; wealth; by implication, enough:–enough, + for nought, riches, substance, wealth.

Here is the passage from Proverbs 30 where in the word is translated “It is enough:”
15 The horse-leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that says not, It is enough.

Verse 15 tells us the subject is never being “satisfied” using a different Hebrew word, saba’, meaning to be filled to satisfaction. We see in the definition of the word hown it means riches, substance (things), and wealth. In seeing it also translated “enough” (only these two times) we see/understand the meaning being conveyed is of achieving a point of contentment. It is similar to the meaning we see in the Hebrew word shalam (the “salem” in Jerusalem).

Strong’s #7999: shalam (pronounced shaw-lam’) a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications).

The fuller meaning of hown is found in the words it references in its definition above.

Strong’s #1951: huwn (pronounced hoon) a primitive root; properly, to be naught, i.e. (figuratively) to be (causatively, act) light:–be ready.

Strong’s #202: ‘own (pronounced one) probably from the same as 205 (in the sense of effort, but successful); ability, power, (figuratively) wealth:–force, goods, might, strength, substance.

In these words we see the meaning as being both readied and filled through an effort. In this we see it meaning both the “pursuit of happiness,” and attaining it. Shalam is the security in both the pursuit and once achieving. This is the way of peace and security found in this being generally afforded to all without exception, and is what the US Constitution means when it uses he term “general welfare.”

The perverted meaning of “general welfare” is as license to violate the security of one person’s peace and security (taking from them what they have achieved through effort), in order to provide for the welfare of someone else – in exchange for votes. This redistribution is without objective standard and lacking regard for actual necessity (need), and again the only standard is to create dependence that produces a vote: (secured by selecting representatives who promise to satisfy an insatiable call to, Give, give; rather than being secured and satisfied through effort and achievement, and under a government that provides an environment where all are equally secured in peace to enjoying the fruits of their labor).

The truth is – our country’s founding principles are a direct result of understanding all the above as the kingdom of heaven – the way to the most perfect form of government in which man can live in peace.

I have many times explained this from the perspective of what our Declaration of Independence means when it tells of the state we are “entitled” to live in, “under the laws of nature and nature’s God.”

There can be no peace in a society such as ours where demagogues, on one end of the spectrum, stir up grievance and encourage people to define themselves as victims in order to justify victimizing some other group the demagogue has defined as demons; while on the other end of the spectrum are the elites pillaging the national treasury and receiving favors in exchange for enriching and financing the same demagogues’ rise to become tyrants over the masses they have stirred and agitated. This is a system based on the opposite of peace and security, and is the antithesis of the kingdom of God.

These are the principalities and powers, the spiritually wicked in highest seats of power, in a totally corrupt world that must be overcome. The kingdom of heaven, on earth as it is in heaven, is the “end” the LORD has promised and knows is our “expected end.”

Now, back to Proverbs 30 and what it says: “15 The horse-leach has two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: 16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that says not, It is enough.”

The two daughters attached to the mouth of the horse, are the two leaches I mentioned above, both sucking the life out of the horse (achievers and producers) doing the work and carrying the burden, and will continue to drain the life until the host is dead. And they, as it is with all leaches, will never let go on their own; they must be forcefully removed and fire or the heat from it is what will cause them to release their grip.

How many times have you read in God’s word of peace and our being exhorted to preach and pursue it? Have you read of the false preaching of peace that is actually a harbinger of coming destruction?

1 Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, “Peace and safety;” then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Ezekiel 7:25 tells of those claiming peace and instead comes destruction. They are the religious and civil rulers, who have defiled the holy places, governing over God’s people. The last verse of the chapter tells of their own ways being what are brought upon them. It is telling of those who are never satisfied and this insatiable lust for more power and more things is what eventually destroys them.

Ezekiel 7
1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Also, you son of man, thus says the LORD God unto the land of Israel; An end, the end is come upon the four corners of the land.
3 Now is the end come upon you, and I will send mine anger upon you, and will judge you according to your ways, and will recompense upon you all your abominations.
4 And mine eye shall not spare you, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense your ways upon you, and your abominations shall be in the midst of you: and you shall know that I am the LORD.
5 Thus says the LORD God; An evil, an only evil, behold, is come.
6 An end is come, the end is come: it watches for you; behold, it is come.
7 The morning is come unto you, O you that dwells in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.
8 Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon you, and accomplish mine anger upon you: and I will judge you according to your ways, and will recompense you for all your abominations.
9 And mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense you according to your ways and your abominations that are in the midst of you; and you shall know that I am the LORD that strikes.
10 Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning (an encircling crown) is gone forth; the rod has blossomed, pride has budded.
11 Violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them.
12 The time is come, the day has arrived: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
13 For the seller shall not return to that which is sold, although they were yet alive: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof, which shall not return; neither shall any strengthen himself in the iniquity of his life.
14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goes to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.
15 The sword is without, and the pestilence and the famine within: he that is in the field shall die with the sword; and he that is in the city, famine and pestilence shall devour him.
16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.
17 All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water.
18 They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.
19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling-block of their iniquity.
20 As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
21 And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.
22 My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.
23 Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
24 Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled.
25 Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.
26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumor shall be upon rumor; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
27 The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be clothed with desolation, and the hands of the people of the land shall be troubled: I will do unto them after their way, and according to their deserts will I judge them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

When verse 10 above say, “Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod has blossomed, pride has budded.” it is referring to Aaron’s rod that budded as an example for us to understand. It is referring to Numbers 17:8 where we are told of the LORD stopping the murmuring (from the Hebrew words luwn & teluwnah) in the camp. The words literally mean to stop or to stray, and in context meaning they are being obstinate and complaining about the way Moses and Aaron were leading. The LORD commands all the leaders to set their rods before the testimony in the tabernacle of witness, and whose ever rod budded would be who the LORD had chosen. Aaron’s rod not only budded but also blossomed and brought forth fruit. The LORD then commanded they keep the rod as a token against the rebels. This again is telling of life that shoots from what appears as if dead, and it being as validation.

Ezekiel is telling of this being the day come, as the crowning of the one God affirms. It then tells of it from the perspective of seeing (apocalypse) the pride in the rebels.

2 Timothy 2
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that labors must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say; and the LORD give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the LORD that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The LORD knows them that are his. And, let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the LORD out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they produce strife.
24 And the servant of the LORD must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Hymenaeus is from Hymen the Greek god of weddings. It was said he attended all weddings and if he didn’t the marriage would be unsuccessful. In mythology he presided over weddings and there was a wedding song the Greeks sung called the Hymenaios.

Philetus is a false friend or someone who pretends friendship – as in those asking questions that will produce strife.

Daniel 6
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.