Vol. 8-24 – 06-11-2023 – Blind and/or Two Faced
Blind
Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. –Micah 7:8
The term, Minor Prophets, does not give a good indication of these books. They are termed minor, not because of less important teaching, but because they are short books. However, their instructions, history, and applications are essential. Thus, they are included in the Canon of the O.T.
I know what it is to experience blindness. I have been blind in my left eye since birth. I know of several people that have experienced blindness or near blindness after once being able to see. It is much more difficult for them. While they once experienced reasonable vision and now have failed sight, I have never experienced a difference in my eye.
It is also amazing to me the abilities that people have when they have disabilities. Some, like me, drive. That ought to scare you, but it is not difficult, and I drive much better than some of the nitwits on the road. Oh, well.
Micah occupies just over 8 pages in my Bible. If you have one of those recently published Bibles that use 9.5-point fonts (or less), your Bible is thinner than mine. I find it difficult to buy a Bible in the version I want, with margins that I can write in. Also, cross references. I guess I ask too much from the Bible publishers. I have worn out about a dozen Bibles over the years. It looks like I am not going to be able to get one with large enough type fonts to read, and cross-references to consult, without a magnifying glass.
If you have not figured it out, I use the ESV as my teaching Bible. Also, as my worship Bible. That is what is used in the church. For about 30 years I used the NASV, but the new ones available no longer cater to those who are blind in one eye and need a larger print for the other. And margins that accommodate my notes.
You are probably ready to offer me cheese with that whine.
I connected with a man who was talented with his hands. The problem was that he was losing his vision. (Later he lost his ability to function in memory.) I would take him to our Bible Institute where I taught several courses. He was a great learner. I gave him copies of my teaching notes in 14 pt. type. He appreciated them because he could read them.
Did you know there are more blind people than we know about? God knows them. Things get darker and darker for them. It is not a problem with their sight. It is a problem of spiritual blindness. God chases them with the spiritual sight He desires them to have. They often reject His “interference.”
Notice what Micah writes next: I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. he will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon His vindication (Micah 7:9).
Physical blindness is rarely cured. I have a dear friend that lives across the street from me. He has had retina separations in both eyes. I met him prior to those events. Then following that eye crisis, I took him to doctor appointments and for exams. He is a talented computer engineer. Can you imagine holding a magnifying glass up to your already large computer screen and laboriously reading the screen?
Two-Faced
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries and keeps wrath for His enemies. –Nahum 1:2
That sounds like it is straight from the notes of the preacher who preaches fire and brimstone.
Did you ever vote for someone who campaigned with promises you liked? Then they turned around and became unpredictable. Seems unfair. Does it not? What happened to fairness? Integrity? The list of character traits that appeared on the voter-wide mailout? Why are they not correct?
And what is up with the judges? They are supposed to be unbiased. Consistent. Constitutional. Yet, they become just an extension of the political party to which they belong. So much for fairness.
Did you notice in the short verse from Nahum that God is angry? Jealous. Avenging. Is described as filled with wrath. Why?
He is holy. Tell me one politician you would describe as holy. In our courts, the person found guilty of breaking the laws that the politicians set, and pass, receive little punishment unless they are of the “wrong” political persuasion. That is not the way the justice system is supposed to work.
God expects lawbreakers to be held accountable. In His covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, and the New Covenant) people were expected to obey. Indeed, if a person broke the covenant, the covenant stipulated exactly what that person could expect. There were also expectations for nations.
Did you ever get angry because you had to punish someone, perhaps your own child? You did not want to punish, but you had no choice, for you had already stipulated the outcome should they break the rules. I suspect that my mom really did not want to punish her wayward son. But she went to the hardware store each week to replenish her supply of yardsticks. (She had broken what she had in the last week.) She may not have wanted to punish me, and I would agree with that observation. She was not so much angry with me; she was angry about what she had to do.
If you peeked ahead in Nahum (it is another short book), you probably discovered 1:7. The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him,
Did you know that God’s justice is perhaps one of the greatest expressions of His love? Imagine living in a world without standards, rules, or laws. And on top of that, no punishment for violations. No bail. Free lawyers. Early release. How would you react to that? Criminals getting their way? Wait . . .
There is coming a day when, according to the Word of God, the books will be opened. Those who have rejected the salvation gifted from God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, will face the punishment they have chosen.
While people in our world may experience two-faced leaders and judges, God is not like that. Indeed, He informs; no one can cry “unfair.”
Life Application
One blindness that is curable is spiritual blindness. God can and does lift the spiritual blinders from us and feeds His light into the dark places behind those eyes. How? By calling upon Him.
Christ is keenly aware of every need of those created, thus, He attends to bring one’s spiritual blindness into light. He calls for our confession and offers His forgiveness. His Word consistently pursues us to make sure that we are aware of His compassion, love, mercy, and grace.
God is also committed to justice. That opened the door to the greatest gift one can ever receive. Salvation through belief in Christ. Christ died for our sin, offering that one who turns to Him will not be cast out. Further, He above all is one who can be trusted in what He says. Once one turns to Him there are no two-faced responses from people who would want to change the rules.
You can trust Christ to be the person He says He is. Is that true of others in our sphere of life?
