Dr H Reflections

Ordinary people ∙∙

Ordinary people ∙∙

If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this? – Esther 4:14

Esther 3:1-6

1 Sometime later, King Ahasuerus promoted Haman over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful official in the empire.

2 All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.

3 Then, the palace officials at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?”

4 They spoke to him day after day, but still, he refused to comply with the order. So they spoke to Haman about this to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct since Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.

5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage.

6 He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire.

Anti-Semitism describes hostility or discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group. The term was introduced in 1879 by Wilhelm Marr to label the anti-Jewish activities occurring in central Europe at that time. Despite its common usage today, the term is somewhat inaccurate, as it suggests prejudice against all Semitic peoples. Arabs, who are also Semites, are not typically the focus of anti-Semitism (Encyclopedia Britannica).

Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer in the French artillery, faced wrongful accusations of espionage and treason in 1894. This led to his unjust demotion and imprisonment on Devil’s Island. Known as the Dreyfus Affair, this incident became one of the most polarizing political scandals in modern French history, reverberating throughout Europe. An international campaign eventually cleared Dreyfus’s name, exposing the widespread anti-Semitism of the era and resulting in his release and reinstatement in the French military.

Anti-Semitism is a long-standing issue, with Jews facing prejudice and persecution for over 4,000 years. This was evident even in ancient Persia, now Iran. The Book of Esther, written around 450 BC, recounts events during the reign of King Xerxes, referred to as Ahasuerus in the text. After the southern kingdom of Judah was conquered by Babylon and its people taken into captivity, Babylon itself fell to Persia. Persian rulers allowed many subjugated populations, including Jews, to return to their homelands. While some Jews returned to Judah, many chose to stay in Persia.

Esther and her cousin Mordecai were among those who chose to stay in the Persian kingdom, where they eventually felt secure and comfortable. In a surprising turn of events, Esther took part in a beauty contest, which she won, earning her the title of “Miss Persia.” This victory led her to marry King Ahasuerus and become the queen of Persia. Initially, Esther found her new environment daunting, but she gradually adapted and felt more at ease. Her Jewish background did not significantly impact King Ahasuerus, who was captivated by her beauty, much like how modern actresses such as Natalie Portman, Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), or Madeleine Stowe captivate audiences today.

The Book of Esther is unique in the Bible, as it is the only book that does not mention the name of God. Nevertheless, God was constantly working behind the scenes, orchestrating events and setting the stage for future developments. He had a special mission for Esther, which she could only fulfill because she had become queen.

For Mordecai and Esther, it was the “good old days.” Life seemed idyllic, but this was not to last. A sinister plot was brewing in Persia. Haman, a wicked man, was secretly planning to exterminate all the Jews in the kingdom. He cunningly devised a scheme that appeared impossible to escape, intending to destroy God’s Chosen People.

God often uses ordinary people and everyday events to achieve His eternal purposes. Esther and Mordecai were ordinary individuals with extraordinary faith and trust in God. They placed their lives entirely in His hands, relying on Him for the outcome. They risked everything to save both the Jewish people and themselves.

As the story unfolds, God remains unseen but not inactive. He is the invisible artist weaving the tapestry of events together. God is at work fulfilling His eternal plan and His promises of redemption for His Chosen People. “Providence is God’s attention concentrated everywhere. His care is microscopic as well as telescopic” (Strong). “Kings may issue their unalterable decrees, but God overrules and accomplishes His purposes” (Wiersbe).

REFLECT & PRAY

God is omnipresent and actively actively working out His eternal plan. Our challenge is to discern where He is at work and respond with faith.

Father, encourage me to rise to the occasion and faithfully carry out the tasks You have entrusted to me with integrity and perseverance.

INSIGHT

The Father allows the evil villain to arise, knowing his end from the beginning. The Father sees what remains hidden from others. There would be no surprises for anyone except, of course, for Haman. God’s invisible and powerful Hand of Providence worked through a faithful woman and man. Despite overwhelming odds and far outside their comfort zones, Mordecai and Esther rose to the occasion. When everything was on the line, they chose to trust God with the outcome. This was their moment to shine, their defining moment in history.

Mordecai discovered the plot and needed to inform Esther. Though he couldn’t approach her directly, he could communicate his distress and mourning subtly.

Esther 4:1 When Mordecai learned about all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on burlap and ashes, and went out into the city, crying with a loud and bitter wail.

Esther’s servants observed his public display and reported it to her. She then dispatched one of her attendants to investigate what was troubling Mordecai. The attendant returned with the shocking truth and Mordecai’s even more startling request.

Mordecai urges Esther to risk her life by approaching the king without an invitation. If the king did not extend his golden scepter to her, she would be executed (Esther 4:11). He solemnly warns her that remaining silent would not save her; anti-Semitism would infiltrate the palace, endangering her because of her Jewish identity. However, God was faithful and had her back.

Esther 4:13-14

13 Mordecai sent this message to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace, you will escape when all other Jews are killed.”

14 “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”

Imagine having someone to spur you on with such encouragement. Fear must have surged through Esther’s heart, given the immense risks involved. Though it was a time of prosperity and normalcy in the palace, she ventured far beyond her comfort zone.

What didn’t she do? Esther didn’t vent on social media or engage in public outbursts. It’s important to remember that if Satan can’t make us do the wrong thing, he’ll try to make us do the right thing in the wrong way. So, what did Esther do? She called for a prayer meeting.

Esther 4:16 Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.

Wow! Esther was not only in the right place at the right time, but she also had the right mindset and responded in faith immediately. If only we could all emulate her example.

Haman’s wicked decree was in effect, offering a reward for every Jew killed. His sinister plan to annihilate the Jewish people was set, and the trap was about to be sprung. The Jews faced imminent destruction, and the stakes were incredibly high. Haman had even constructed a special gallows to hang Mordecai, the object of his intense hatred for anything Jewish.

Would the Father prevail? Would His people be spared?

Esther courageously approached King Ahasuerus. The king extended his scepter and welcomed her. Esther trusted that God had her back and had devised His own plan. She invited King Ahasuerus and Haman to a banquet. Oblivious to the impending danger, Haman believed he was to be honored. He had no idea that Esther was Jewish or that Mordecai was her cousin.

Esther revealed Haman’s evil scheme and destructive intentions. The king, outraged, ordered Haman to be hanged immediately on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. What a stunning reversal! The Jewish people were spared. Unfortunately, anti-Semitism did not end with Haman; it persists to this day. Mordecai was promoted and became one of the king’s servants.

The Father’s unseen and eternal plan was executed. Yet, in real-time, He heard the heartfelt prayers of His people and answered them. They had prayed for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Who knew? The Father knew!

The Father is always at work. He continually invites you to be a part of His plan. The choice is yours. Perhaps you have also come into His kingdom for such a time as this.

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Tearing down fortresses ∙

Tearing down fortresses ∙

If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you! – Jeremiah 15:19

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds (fortresses) of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

Our present is not only shaped but frequently dominated by our history. We often find ourselves confined by our past. Reflecting on our past, we recall numerous disappointments, failures, poor choices, and their repercussions. These memories, along with subconscious wounds and traumas to our souls, can be acknowledged and dealt with.

So, what should we do? Our trials and frustrations can serve as the building blocks and a foundation for a better present and a more fulfilling future.

Life is a journey, and we must make the best of it. “Your journey will be much lighter and easier if you don’t carry your past with you (Anonymous).”

“The past cannot be changed, forgotten, edited, and or erased. It can only be accepted” (Anonymous).

“Every pain gives a lesson, and every lesson changes a person” (Anonymous).

“Forget the mistake. Remember the lesson” (Anonymous).

“The past is meant to teach you, and the hard times are meant to strengthen you” (Anonymous).

“Never be a prisoner of your past. It was just a lesson, not a life sentence” (Anonymous).

Contemporary counseling and psychology provide extensive guidance on creating life strategies to overcome past issues by learning to “take out the garbage.”

The Scriptures are replete with wise counsel from the Father on how to achieve this. The true enemy is not seen but invisible. Our struggle is not physical but spiritual. The Father has equipped us with supernatural weapons for this battle.

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

We must separate what is essential from what is superficial, trivial, and superfluous. Our goal is to focus on the wheat and eliminate the chaff.

Jeremiah 15:19 If you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin” (Mother Theresa).

Father, I acknowledge that I have accepted many lies and falsehoods. Strengthen and encourage me to recognize and identify my false, erroneous basic life beliefs and exchange them for the Truth of the Word of God.

INSIGHT

Paul advocates waging a spiritual battle with the Father’s mighty weapons to identify and knock down strongholds, fortresses of human reasoning, and false beliefs.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds (fortresses) of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

In ancient times, physical fortresses were commonly constructed from stones and bricks. Similarly, spiritual strongholds are built from spiritual “bricks,” which are often called basic life beliefs. Basic life beliefs are what we believe, whether true or false, which shape how we live our lives.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is.

As we transform our basic life beliefs, our thoughts and actions follow.

But where do these basic life beliefs originate? They are often absorbed rather than taught during our early childhood. These beliefs are typically shaped by our society, family, or the influences of our social environment. The mastermind and strategist behind this programming is the enemy of our souls. Consequently, much of what we believe is erroneous. Sadly, much of our personal belief system is based on lies.

The Father has given us an extraordinary process to eliminate the lies we believe. This starts with identifying these false beliefs and the triggering events that led us to accept them. This revelation often comes through prayer, reading the Scriptures, or the wise counsel of spiritual advisors.

Once a lie is identified, we find a corresponding truth in God’s Word to replace it. By an act of the will, we exchange the lies we hold for the truths of God’s Word. We discard the false beliefs and replace them with the Truth. It’s like removing a false “brick” implanted by the enemy and replacing it with a biblically-based brick from the Word of God.

For example, if we believe the lie that we are unlovable and unacceptable, we search the Scriptures for the truth to counteract this false belief. Here are two scriptures related to being loved and accepted.

Ephesians 1:6 He has made us accepted in the beloved. (KJV)

Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.

Like it or not, the enemy has declared war on the children of the King. We are in a battle, and it takes place in our minds. The Father has endowed us with all the power necessary to fight this war effectively. His power takes captive and demolishes strongholds and fortresses. These strongholds are anything we depend on for security, self-worth, or survival.

The Greek term translated as “strongholds”or “fortresses”is ochuroma. Ochuroma is found only in 2 Corinthians 10:4. Outside of the New Testament, it is used in both a literal and figurative way. Military strongholds provided the imagery used in Cynic and Stoic philosophers, and in particular by Seneca, a contemporary of Paul. Ochuroma was used to describe the fortification of the soul with reasonable arguments to render it impregnable under the attack of adverse circumstances (Kruse). These “mental walls” fortify people against the invasion of the Truth and, ultimately, the knowledge of God (Wiersbe).

The enemy uses lies, false information, and speculations to contradict the truth of God’s Word, implanting his false belief system in our hearts. It is our responsibility to identify and remove these false basic life beliefs (bible.org/seriespage/lesson-8-tearing-down-walls-2-corinthians-101-18).

The weapons provided by the Father enable us to “put an end to the strength of the enemy” or “tear down defenses that are difficult to destroy” (UBS).

2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Just as we exchange our sin for God’s righteousness, we also replace our false beliefs with the Truth. By learning and internalizing the Scriptures, we consciously replace our false beliefs with His Truth.

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Expire or retire ∙

Expire or retire ∙

I wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God. – Joshua 14:8

Numbers 14:17-24

17 Please, Lord, prove that your power is as great as you have claimed. For you said,

18 “The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected – even children in the third and fourth generations.”

19 In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.

20 Then the LORD said, I will pardon them as you have requested.

21 But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the LORD’s glory,

22 not one of these people will ever enter that land. . ..

24 But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.

Baby boomers have redefined retirement. Catherine Collinson states, “Baby boomers have rewritten the rules in every stage of life, and retirement is no different. They see retirement as more of a transition from full-time work.”

A fresh retirement model has emerged. Instead of working 40-60-hour weeks, boomers choose to stay active and involved on their own terms. With careful thought and planning, people are discovering ways to lead lives that keep them engaged and focused, fostering continuous growth and value.

George Burns humorously captured this sentiment: “Retire? Never! I’m going to stay in show business until I’m the only one left.”

The Father does not make promises that He does not keep. He solemnly vowed to free the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt and lead them to a prosperous land, one flowing with milk and honey.

Exodus 3:8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey.

Yet, the Father never promised an easy journey.

With His mighty hand, He liberated the nation using ten devastating plagues and the miracle of the Red Sea. He parted the waters for Israel and destroyed Egypt’s armies. He brought them to Kadesh-Barnea, just a stone’s throw from the Promised Land.

A committee of twelve spies, one from each tribe, was chosen to secretly scout the land. Were the Father’s promises true? Was the land as He had described?

Indeed, it was true, but there was a catch. The land was filled with fortified cities, large armies, and, worst of all, giants – the descendants of Anak. We are well-acquainted with one of them, Goliath, who lived and died 400 years later during David’s time.

Two reports emerged. The majority delivered an evil report. Ten spies acknowledged the land’s splendor but emphasized the fear in their hearts, focusing on the obstacles. To them, the facts were clear: the fortifications were too formidable, and the armies too powerful.

Their exact words were, “We became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33).

Instead of growing in their faith, they gave in to fear.

However, Joshua and Caleb stood apart with a different spirit and delivered a good report, highlighting the Father’s promise.

Numbers 14:6-9

6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb . . ..

7 spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.”

8 “If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us– a land which flows with milk and honey.”

9 “Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”

Take a moment to reflect. Though their enemies were formidable, they were ultimately vulnerable because the Father, the Lord God Almighty, had stripped away their protection. He had made them defenseless.

We often forget that the kingdom of God operates as a theocracy, not a democracy. The will of the majority holds no sway with the King of eternity. The so-called “adults in the room” sided with the majority’s fearful report. The Father’s response was direct and severe: If you’re too afraid to enter the land, then you will perish in the wilderness. Problem solved.

After 40 years of wandering, the entire generation over 20 years old at the journey’s start had died, with Joshua and Caleb being the notable exceptions.

REFLECT & PRAY

Every day, the choice to follow the Lord presents itself to us, in greater or lesser degrees. Caleb shows us that ordinary individuals can possess extraordinary conviction and courage. Instead of succumbing to fear, he grew strong in faith.

Father, I acknowledge my human weaknesses. I am inclined to stray and turn away from the God I love. Yet, You have bent my heart towards You. Inspire me to follow You wholeheartedly with complete devotion.

INSIGHT

Caleb, steadfast and loyal to the Father, exemplified boldness and courage. Much like a Navy Seal, quitting was never an option for him; victory was his only path, with no plan B.

He embraced the Father’s promises and remained unwavering in his belief despite the long and challenging years spent in the wilderness. Caleb had intended to claim Canaan forty-five years ago, and his resolve had not wavered. Nothing had changed.

Joshua 14:7-12

10 “Now, as you can see, the LORD has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise – even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today, I am eighty-five years old.

11 I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then.

12 So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me.

The Father told him, “My servant Caleb because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully” (Numbers 14:24). Caleb was a profile in courage. He became mighty in war and put foreign armies to flight (Hebrews 11:34).

The Father doesn’t offer a cushy retirement plan. He prefers that we persevere actively until the end and expire on our feet rather than settle into a life of comfort.

If Caleb had a tombstone, it would read, “He followed the LORD wholeheartedly.” What would yours say?

“When we choose to ‘wholly follow’ the Lord, He will move heaven and earth, if necessary, to fulfill His good promises to us” (Stanley).

“Vision without action is merely a dream.

Action without vision just passes the time.

Vision with action can change the world” (Joel A. Barker).

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To an unknown God ∙∙

To an unknown God ∙∙

God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” – Exodus 3:14

Acts 17:23-31

23 As I was walking along, I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: “To an Unknown God.” This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.

24 He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples,

25 and human hands can’t serve his needs – for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

27 His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him – though he is not far from any one of us.

30 God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.

31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.

Would it be too far-fetched to propose that, throughout history and across various cultures, irrespective of their geographic location, most people have held some notion of God? Individuals everywhere have pondered the question, “Who or What is God?” When we refer to God, we are somewhat constrained by the English language, which uses a single word, “God,” to represent both the abstract idea of God and the person of God.

The predominant Western understanding of God is known as theism. Theism posits that there is a God who created and sustains the universe, possessing unlimited knowledge (omniscience), power (omnipotence), presence (omnipresence), and moral perfection (International Encyclopedia of Psychology).

It is crucial to distinguish the things that differ, separating the wheat from the chaff. Is there a distinction between the concept of God and the living God depicted in the Scriptures? Absolutely.

When God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai, Moses inquired about God’s name. Moses believed in the concept of God, but he also believed in a personal God. He understood that the living, personal God was present at Sinai, revealing Himself to him.

Moses was not a pagan. As a member of the Nation of Israel, he spoke with the God of his ancestors. The truth about the living and true God had been handed down through generations via oral tradition and a few written records. These accounts detailed the accurate history of the people who lived them: men like Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Jacob. However, these stories had yet to be compiled and written in Hebrew. That was a yet future project still on the Father’s drawing board. At the right moment, Moses would be assigned to gather and document these narratives in a book that would eventually be named Genesis.

Driven by curiosity and caught up in the moment, Moses found himself in direct contact with the God of his fathers. He was coming to terms with the living, personal God. Heretofore, He was known as “He-Who-Has-No-Name” (The Ten Commandments) or simply “The Unknown God.” Moses needed to know God’s name because the people would eventually ask him. How would Moses answer them? God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM. Tell them that I AM [Yahweh] sent you.”

Persons have names; abstract concepts of God do not. The Father God revealed in the Scriptures is not merely a force, idea, or higher power. He is a personal being who can be known, loved, and experienced through a personal relationship.

Exodus 3:13-14

13 Then Moses said to God, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”

14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”

Moses came to know the name of the personal God: I AM [Yahweh]. Through Moses’ writings, the name Yahweh has been preserved and passed down through the millennia to all who believe and seek a personal relationship with Him.

In contrast, those who hold only an abstract concept of God are not concerned about names. After all, why would they be? They are dealing with an idea, not a person.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Nothing twists and deforms the soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God” (A.W. Tozer)

Father, thank You for being more than an idea, a man-made concept. Thank You for recognizing and forgiving my ignorance and seeking me out.

INSIGHT

The ancient Greeks were renowned for their extensive pantheon of gods, with names that remain familiar in Western culture today: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Hades. However, their understanding of divinity was significantly flawed. They worshipped numerous gods, but what if they overlooked one? To ensure they didn’t offend any deity they were unaware of, the Athenians constructed an altar dedicated “To an Unknown God.”

When Paul addressed the Athenians, he used this altar as a point of connection. It provided a shared reference and common ground, allowing him to introduce the true and living Father God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Paul adeptly used their concept of an unknown deity as a bridge to explain the personal God, seizing the opportunity to convey his faith.

Acts 17:23-27

23 I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.

24 He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth . . .

25 and human hands can’t serve his needs – for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

27 His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him – though he is not far from any one of us.

“On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, there are the tremendous frescoes by Michelangelo. Among them is the magnificent picture of the creation of man. God is reaching out His finger, and man, just having been created, reaches out to God as well. But their fingers do not touch. This is a true Christian insight” (Francis A. Schaeffer).

The Father God of Scripture is personal yet infinite, close at hand yet distant. Being a person, He thinks and feels and seeks to enter into a personal relationship with sentient creatures made in His image. Anyone can have a personal relationship with the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul sought to know Him.

Philippians 3:10 That I may know Him.

“A literal rendering of to know Christ is liable to be misunderstood as merely ‘knowing about Christ.’ Accordingly, in some languages, it may be preferable to translate this phrase as ‘to experience Christ,’ or even as ‘to be associated with Christ’” (UBS).

Knowing Christ isn’t about mastering theoretical or theological knowledge; it’s about developing such deep intimacy with Him that we become as united with Him as we are with our loved ones on earth, sharing in His experiences just as we share in theirs. (Barclay).

Believing in God is good. But it is not good enough for eternity!

Knowing about Him is not enough. He created us to know Him, and He seeks us out.

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Retrogression∙∙

Retrogression ∙∙

We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard so that we do not drift away from it. – Hebrews 2:1

Hebrews 5:11-14

11 You have become dull of hearing.

12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.

14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who, through training, have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Planetary motion refers to the way planets move in the sky relative to the stars. Typically, planets travel from west to east against the starry backdrop, a movement known as prograde motion. This is the regular, forward motion we observe most of the time.

However, there are periods when this movement appears to reverse direction, and the planets seem to move from east to west. This phenomenon is called retrograde motion. Despite how it looks, retrograde motion is not an actual change in the planet’s orbit. Instead, it is an optical illusion caused by the relative positions and movements of Earth and the other planets as they orbit the Sun.

Think of it like two cars on a racetrack. If a faster car overtakes a slower one, from the perspective of the faster car’s driver, the slower car might seem to move backward, even though both vehicles are moving forward. Similarly, when Earth, which is closer to the Sun and moves faster, overtakes an outer planet, that planet appears to move backward in the sky.

The term retrograde implies moving backward, reversing direction, or declining. It signifies retrogression instead of progression and relates to the concept of entropy from the second law of thermodynamics. Entropy describes a tendency toward disorder, degradation, or the universe’s gradual decline toward chaos and decay (James R. Newman).

In our imperfect world, it’s easy to lose momentum and forward progress, leading us to slow down, halt, or even regress.

Sadly, many of the children of the King feel they are not where they should be in their spiritual journey with the Father. Confronting this reality can be a harsh wake-up call. This was precisely the situation for the messianic believers, the Jews for Jesus, addressed in the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 5:11-12

11 You are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.

As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and grow in the Word, we learn to incorporate it into our daily lives. By doing so, we exercise our “spiritual senses” and cultivate spiritual discernment. A hallmark of spiritual immaturity is the lack of discernment. Just as a baby will indiscriminately put anything into its mouth, an immature believer may listen to any preacher without discerning their adherence to Scripture.

Our physical bodies rely on senses to function, and similarly, our inner “spiritual being” has “spiritual senses.” For instance, the Psalmist invites us to “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalms 34:8). Jesus also highlights this when He says, “Blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear” (Matthew 13:16). As we nourish ourselves with the Word of God and put it into practice, our “spiritual senses” are exercised and grow stronger and sharper. Paul referred to this process as training ourselves for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

Being able to discern between good and evil is crucial for Christian maturity. The Israelites during Moses’ time lacked this discernment, which caused them to miss out on their promised inheritance. Similarly, the recipients of this letter were at risk of repeating that mistake. In the Christian life, standing still is not an option: we either move forward and receive God’s blessings or fall back and wander aimlessly (Wiersbe)

“I once heard a preacher say, ‘Most Christians are ‘betweeners.’

‘What do you mean by that?’ I asked.

‘They are between Egypt and Canaan – out of the place of danger but not yet into the place of rest and rich inheritance,’ he replied. ‘They are between Good Friday and Easter Sunday – saved by the blood but not yet enjoying the newness of resurrection life.’

Are you a ‘betweener’?” (Wiersbe)

REFLECT & PRAY

In our fallen world, drifting and spiritual atrophy are natural tendencies. We must make a conscious effort to counteract this decline.

Father, how often have I become complacent and strayed from the core of Your truth? Encourage me to renew my dedication, not just to recover what I have lost, but to surpass it and grow even closer to You.

INSIGHT

Hebrews 5:11 You have become dull of hearing.

The Greek term for “dull” is nothros, which conveys a sense of being sluggish, lazy, or negligent. It is often associated with culpable negligence (O’Brien). The Greek word for “hearing” is akoais, indicating the ability to listen with understanding and take appropriate action.

Understanding Greek verb tenses can shed light on this passage. The Greek verb translated as “become” is gegonte (from ginomai – to become). This verb is in the perfect tense, which in Greek signifies an action that happened in the past with ongoing effects in the present. Essentially, there was a time when they could hear and fully understand, but they have since grown dull in their hearing and now still are. They retrogressed.

Acknowledging this backward movement is crucial. A fitting metaphor is the atrophy of a muscle. When a muscle is regularly used, it stays strong. However, if a limb is immobilized in a cast because of a fracture, the muscle weakens and shrinks over time. Similarly, their spiritual sensitivity has diminished due to neglect, and they must recognize this regression to move forward again.

This issue goes beyond mere mental laziness; it is a form of spiritual resistance. There is no enthusiasm or yearning for the spiritual sustenance that the Scriptures provide. Instead, there is apathy and an overwhelming dullness. Their sluggish attitude is evident in their hesitance or perhaps their incapacity to listen, recall, or teach. They are now unwilling to put in the effort required to strengthen their spiritual muscles. They no longer wish to study the Word of God, meditate on it, memorize it, or apply it to their lives.

Their regression has led to a decline in understanding and the ability to teach, which is both ironic and tragic. They do not lack intelligence, but they can no longer employ it to grasp the deeper, more substantial aspects of the Word of God because they have become lethargic and obtuse.

However, there is good news. Spiritual degeneration is not permanent. People can choose to stop their downward spiral. The basic principles of the Word of God can be relearned and put into practice. A renewed commitment is essential to restoring our grasp of these basic principles and advancing to deeper understanding.

How do we get here from there? We choose to no longer remain in a state of dullness. We decide to awaken from our spiritual slumber and reclaim our vitality, developing a renewed hunger and thirst for the pure teachings of the Word of God as we renew our commitment to spiritual growth and maturity.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-02-2

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