Year: 2017

To seven, or even to eight

Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth. – Ecclesiastes 11:2 NKJV

Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. – Ecclesiastes 11:2 ESV

But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. – Ecclesiastes 11:2 NLT

Interesting, right? I thought that for a verse about dividing out portions, it might be a good time to divide a verse out in multiple translations for a discussion. 

I believe that looking at some commentaries on this unfamiliar phrase “to seven, or even to eight” should shed some light.

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) To seven, and also to eight.—Quite similar forms of expression occur in Job 5:19; Proverbs 30:21; Amos 1:3; Micah 5:4. The numbers seven and eight are used indefinitely in the advice to multiply our modes of exertion, ignorant as we are which may miscarry.

So let’s look at the verses referenced:

From six disasters he will rescue you; even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil. – Job 5:19 NLT

There are three things that make the earth tremble— no, four it cannot endure: – Proverbs 30:21 NLT

Thus says the Lord : “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. – Amos 1:3 ESV

And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; – Micah 5:5 ESV

SIDE NOTE: Pretty cool that in Micah the scripture is alluding to shepherds and princes, saviors and lords, huh?

And I found it odd that a verse that immediately came to mind in this same train of thought that Ellicott is mentioning was not included, so I’ll add it here.

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,  a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. – Proverbs 6:16‭-‬19 ESV

And Benson has a great commentary on this — even though his language might be a barrier for us to easily read and understand because of his old English style. (But doesn’t this illustrate one of our points this morning as we compare translations, I think?)

Benson Commentary

Ecclesiastes 11:2. Give a portion to seven — A part of thy estate or provisions. He alludes to the ancient custom, whereby the master of the feast distributed several parts to each guest, and withal sent portions to the poor. And also to eight — To as many as thou art able. For thou knowest not what evil shall be, &c. — Great calamities may come, whereby thou mayest be brought to poverty, and so disabled from doing good. And moreover thou mayest possibly hereafter need the charity of others, which thou wilt have good reason to expect, through the powerful providence of God disposing men’s hearts to pity and help thee, if thou hast been kind and merciful to others; whereas, on the contrary, they can expect no mercy from God or men, who have showed no mercy to others.

So Benson essentially reveals to us that this phrase of speech “to seven, or even to eight” alludes to distributing 6 parts to those close to us (personal intimate relations like family and guests & those whom we owe loyalty, allegiance,  or obligation), another part (7) to the poor and needy, and an “extra good measure” to all those we are able to help. We see that this is in His commentary about a merciful yet pragmatic approach of handling our resources. 

As Christians,  as believers,  as followers of Christ, we can participate in this certain practice of sevens – we can divide out our time, our days, our wealth, and have a certain allotment and allocation and pouring out into others in these 15% (7 equal parts) certain guidelines/guardrails when we feel convicted that our lives are not for ourselves but are meant to pour out into others and strive to leave this place better after we are gone. We can also prepare for that uncertainty of the eights – not knowing what lies ahead for us, but helping others as much as we can, willing with that “extra portion” to all who we are able to help,  that is done not or if obligation or ritual, but as a hospitable and loving way of life — and in doing so,  if evil befalls us, we might find someone in turn that will show mercy to us as well. This eighth portion isn’t a formula, it is uncertain like the wind or like smoke that we cannot grasp in our hands or control with our strength or our minds – but it is a flow that we can align ourselves in and participate in willingly and generously, led by the very Holy Spirit that orchestrates all things for the good of those called according to His purpose. 

Preparing for Success

​If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. – Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hoofs bronze; you shall beat in pieces many peoples; and shall devote their gain to the Lord , their wealth to the Lord of the whole earth. – Micah 4:13 ESV
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.  Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  – Hebrews 6:1‭-‬12 ESV
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. – Acts 17:11 ESV

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:3‭-‬21 ESV

True Story

True story.

*The names and specifics have been changed to protect all of us.*
Setting: 

I’m newly on fire for God a few years ago and called into a peculiar life of evangelism and discipleship that I didn’t even yet understand. I have my Bible in hand and I’m walking in a downtown area in blue jeans and tshirt, right amongst the crowds of people, bars, and clubs on a busy Friday night.
The story unfolds….
I walk up to a finely dressed and respectable looking gentleman,  and I ask one question, “Do you know Jesus?”
Being well prepared (in his own mind) with the proper response that he elected should free him from this situation — he replies, “Yes, I do. We attend _______________. Thank you very much.” And he begins to walk away.
But with complete sincerity, I reply,  “Thank goodness! I’m just now starting to find out about Him. Please,  can you tell me more about him?”
To which a white look came across his face and a stupor came to his eyes that I was completely not prepared for. And he stared at me with mouth opened in silence,  not knowing whether to flee or to fight,  I believe. He stammered a bit,  wondering what he might say to get away…
So in an effort to help him,  I assured him that I didn’t expect that he know everything that I needed to understand, but that “maybe we could talk about what I have learned so far and you could help me put….”
And he simply turned his back on me and walked away. 
He walked away…
Walked sway from a hungry young believer who just wanted to know more about Christ, and yes, who was going about his own evangelism in quite a peculiar and uncomfortable way. *Don’t be too hard on him quite yet, though.*
It wasn’t easy for me to put myself out there, asking in this way — revealing to self proclaimed “Christians” a clear and present opportunity to share the gospel and to draw close to the LORD together. I really was hungry for more of this Jesus, and not the dead,  carefully timed and orchestrated theology,  but I wanted to hear testimonies,  I wanted to know if it was real – if it was any different than Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and so many lis and confusion the world sells us in pretty little holidays and getting cards. 
But because it wasn’t comfortably confined within the compartmentalized walls of a Sunday morning religious ceremony, no one would even discuss the topic with me. And I was interested in the Truth on the street,  what was really happening in people’s lives – not what was wrapped up in the pretty paper of church clothes and prepared words like another holiday getting card. I wanted the Truth! 
I even reached out to area churches and ministers at the time that didn’t know me from Adam, and who probably thought me crazy for my questions about this upside down kingdom that Jesus seemed to be revealing in His Word.
In fact, this was true, time after time — I was avoided like a man with leprosy because I was asking uncomfortable questions — because I wasn’t remaining within the confines of the entrenched practices and customs and traditions — 
But,  do you know — out of everyone that I approached — the ones who actually responded and sat down with me and talked with me about God — can you guess who it might have been? Maybe a pastor? Maybe a grandpa elder in the church? No, not them.
It was two homeless men near the soup kitchen. One of which I have seen battle his way for over three years with addiction and issues that at first I don’t know if he even wanted to be free from — but who today is focused, renewed, delivered, and 90 days clean — sharing the good news online regularly with others by sharing his Bible studies live. 
I say this because what would you say if I walked up to you and asked you about Jesus? Would you ramble off some story you’ve heard about Easter? Or is He close and personal to you so that you can share a testimony of what He IS DOING in your life right now? Would there be excitement or fear in that question being posed to you? 
I encourage you, if you call yourself a Christian, to ask yourself – how am I living out the call to share the Good News and to make disciples? What is God doing today in you and through you? And if you find yourself pale and bloodless,  not sure if you should flee or fight,  don’t do either of those — fall dead at the foot of the cross, give your life over to Him,  and say, “Send me, LORD, I will go” and hold on for the ride of your life! 

​Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. – Ecclesiastes 9:18 ESV

Warfare is necessary when sufficient preparations have not been taken to maintain peace. But even when we prepare ourselves, the influence of sin in this fallen world will not allow us this life completely free from battle — unless in fact, we are the unresisting sinner participating willingly in the destruction. 

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” – Matthew 10:34 ESV

So in the end, wisdom is greater — even greater than war, even greater than peace.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:11‭-‬13 ESV

Who you are isn’t defined by how you are treated by others. 

In the world, in the workplace, in our relationships — these days we can be treated as if we are evil when we stand firm for what is right. Refuse to participate in fraudulent or deceitful or unfair activities that your coworkers choose because they are seemingly profitable for the moment — and you might quickly be branded as the problem in the room. Offer suggestions that might lead to improvements and you might be branded as over bearing or a know it all purely because of people’s resistance to change and their unwillingness to consider something new unless it can be spun as being “their idea” and not your own. But do not give up hope. Don’t seek the honor or approval of men, but fear God and do what is right – God in heaven sees everything and all things that are hidden will be brought to light.

​And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless! – Ecclesiastes 8:14 NLT

When people curse you and hate you for doing what is right, when they try to undermine you and spread lies about you and damage your reputation in am effort to lift themselves up by pushing others down, forgive them and pray for them. There may have been a time that you did the same yourself. Don’t deny them the very love and forgiveness you seek for yourself – it may be your example of undeserved love in return for their evil towards you that makes them consider the cross and repent.

What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. – Isaiah 5:20 NLT