June 2nd, 2002
Dear Friends,
And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah. And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thine heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.
What a passage! The Lord led us here by the word, “fine linen,” bussos. “Fine linen” is that which the Rich Man in our parable “customarily put on” (LITV). Just as with the “purple,” in reality the Rich Man does not enjoy the covering of Christ and His righteousness. However, he appears “beautiful outward” (Mt. 23:27), and beautiful is the way he views his spiritual condition – as having been adorned with the “ornaments, and…jewels” (Is. 61:10) of the Bride and the Bridegroom. Thus with terms commonly associated with salvation (such as “gold,” “purple,” “sight,” etc.), it is important that we make the distinction between reality (the regenerated child of God being “clean and white”) and perceived reality (the unsaved sinner trusting in something other than God’s sovereignty alone for his righteousness - Jn. 9:39-41; Gal. 5:3, 4). Depending on the subject to whom these terms apply, in other words, the intended meaning of the Bible may be quite different. In fact, because of this, these terms often serve as common denominators in a mix of descriptive terms applying to directly opposed spiritual entities. The term “virgins” in both “foolish virgins” and “wise virgins” is such an example. Another would be “serpent,” in both the “brass serpent” and “fiery serpent.” Yet another would be “servant” in “faithful and wise servant” and “evil servant.” Interestingly enough, let us note that for the child of God, “justification” and especially “sanctification” are actually only perceived realities on this side of eternity while the flesh remains an integral part of the person – but the difference being that the one perceiving the saved individual as being “just” and “sanctified” is God Himself. Please remember that this is the exact opposite of Lk. 16:15: “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Here, God sees the Pharisees for what they actually are - “full of extortion and excess”; but the Pharisees perceive themselves to be “just,” and put themselves forth to men as the “just.” Again, the opposite is true for you if you are born from above: God perceives you as being perfect, even though you are not, in and of yourselves. Is this not a blessing?
The Hebrew word, bowtsets, rendered “Bozez,” was the root word for “fine linen.” This word “Bozez” was set in stark contrast to “Seneh” in 1 Samuel 14:4. However, as discussed above, we began by investigating the common denominator equally applied to both “Bozez” and “Seneh”: “sharp rock.” “Sharp,” we noticed, was a word also rendered “tooth,” “ivory,” “crag” and “forefront.” The logical question at this point was: what does “fine linen” have to do with a “sharp (tooth/ivory/crag/forefront)” “rock”? Thankfully, God gave us many clues in His perfect word, and the first one was found in Job 13:14: “Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?” Clearly, God is here spiritually equating “flesh” with “life,” and “teeth” (our word for “sharp”) with “hand.” Before we become too comfortable with quick conclusions – that “hands” identify with the will - it must be noted that the word “hand” in the above Job reference is a word rendered as “hand” 128 times in the OT. There is another word rendered “hand” 1359 times (this section was not discussed on the Lord’s Day). Which of the two connotes “will”? Is there a difference? If the verses in which the respective words appear do not help, we must attempt, in such cases, to find a NT counterpart to the word/phrase/concept in question. The simplest answer would be found in the instance of a direct NT quotation of an OT verse containing either of the two main words for “hand,” and it would be hoped that the NT reference is clear enough for one to make the determination as to which of the OT words for “hand” implied “will.” No direct quotations were found, in this case. However, one interesting fact surfaced: there is only one major Greek word for “hand” as used in the NT. One word is used in all the verses. The best that could be done was to note those verses similar in content and context to some of the OT verses where “hand” appeared. Through this approach, it was determined that actually the other word – rendered as “hand” 1359 times in the OT – was comparable to the common word in the NT (compare, e.g., Deut. 5:15 with Acts 7:25). In other words, our Job 13 reference did not make transparent the meaning of that word “hand.” Not yet, anyway.
We then proceeded to Prov. 25:19: “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.” Clearly, God was identifying [man/tooth/foot] together, and [unfaithful/broken/out of joint]. (This is yet another short section not discussed on the Lord’s Day) Here, the Hebrew word for “foot,” unlike “hand,” is the major word, with no other major alternates. However, is this the case for the NT? Indeed, it is. All the words having to do with “foot” in the NT are from one primary word, pous. The second point of interest is that in the reference above, God teaches that He uses the word “foot” as a figure for “man.” It is true that the expression “unfaithful man” is one Hebrew word that means, “treacherous.” It is also true that it is rendered “transgressor” ten times; and one of its related words has everything to do with garments or apparel (#899, beged), implying a covering, or in view of its root “treacherous,” that of “concealment.” Perhaps this is not sufficient for some students to be convinced that “sharp” has to do with “man.” Let us then remember that we are looking at one Hebrew word, “sharp,” and this word is being compared in the Bible to both “hand” and “foot.” Although the clear intent of God in comparing this word to “hand” was not readily apparent (due to the fact that there were two major words for “hand”), the “foot” to which it was being compared was the major Hebrew word for “foot.” This made safe our application of what we already understood about “foot” to our word “sharp.” Finally, the fact that in the NT there is only one primary word each for “hand” and “foot” is very crucial. This means that in NT passages where both “foot” and “hand” appear, they may be safely understood to have similar spiritual implications, and this also to our Hebrew word, “sharp.” Is there such a NT passage? Absolutely.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit…If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? … And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you…Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13, 15, 16, 19-21, 27-30
“Hands” and “feet” have to do with men, and in particular, men as characterized by their hearts. Thus Prov. 30:14, which reads, “There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men,” could be understood, in light of 1 Cor. 12, to mean: There is a body, whose hands and feet (the members) are as swords…. Of course, God has in view here the generation/body of those who are under the Old Covenant (note vv. 12 and 13). This understanding of “sharp,” or “teeth,” was affirmed by Song 4:2, where the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, describes His Eternal Bride thus: “Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep…which came up from the washing; whereof everyone beareth twins, and none is barren among them.” The “teeth,” clearly, are here compared to a “flock of sheep,” or the “members of the body” (1 Cor. 12:22). Which “body”? - the body that is the “rock,” of course. Remember that at the onset we noted that “sharp rock” is a common denominator phrase applied to both Bozez and Seneh? Indeed, there are two sets of generations who are “members of the body,” or “the flock of the Rock” discussed in the Bible, are there not?
This covers the most challenging aspects of the study given on the Lord’s Day. I would encourage each person to review his/her personal notes, and Lord willing, also anticipate the message being available on the web.
Let us beg the Lord for His mercy; that He would be pleased to continue giving us the crumbs off His table.
In Him,
Zin Yi
* For those able to attend, we will be, Lord willing, meeting at 10:15 this Lord’s Day (the 9th) for a review of word study methods.
Dear Friends,
We are currently planning a tract distribution trip to Rochester, NY, on the 14th and 15th of June. A Promise Keepers event is coming to Rochester (the Blue Cross Arena), and by God’s mercy, we hope to share the true Gospel with many who will be in town to hear what they believe to be the truth.
Good Message Foundation’s new tract, “Has God Saved You?” will be used, which provides the SSG’s contact information, and the Death of the Church issue also addressed. Currently, we are in the process of awaiting the permission of the Promise Keepers event coordinator, that we may do all things without blame. If this seems obtuse to some, please note the following passage:
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” 1 Pet. 2:12-18
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. 1 Cor. 9:19, 10:33
A per tract cost for printing has been negotiated with Kinkos, which includes the folding. Kinkos is able to have a large volume of tracts ready in 48 hours time, which seems suitable for our needs. Although we do not know what God has in mind, this seems to be the way to proceed. We will start with 15,000 tracts. This is so to lock in the lowest price possible for the initial run. Good Message Foundation is willing to assist in this effort financially, but it is my personal desire that we at SSG raise more than $400, and this by Wednesday, the 12th. Even if some of you cannot make the trip, it nonetheless would be wonderful for us to have a good supply of a tract which, as far as we can tell, is faithful to His Word. Please pray about this effort, and may the Lord’s perfect will, so resplendent and glorious, be done.
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel…. Eph. 6:19
In Him,
Zin Yi
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