Wise Eyes

Two young boys, brothers, walked up to the banks of a river while on a camping trip. Surveying the wide river they both imagined themselves playing in the water. Just as the younger brother kicked off his shoes and started for the water, the older warned, “You’d better not go in; remember what dad said.”

Hesitating, the younger brother replied: “It looks pretty good to me. I don’t see a problem.”

With another reminder from the older brother, they stopped and spent their time skipping rocks on the water.

What stopped them from going in?

They were the ones at the river. They had firsthand knowledge. They could see no dangers. Yet, they hesitated. They stopped. They listened to the voice of their father echoing in their ears.

We are often like the young boys. We might approach life like a wide inviting river. We want to kick off our shoes and wade in without a care in the world. Our eyes are open. We see no dangers.

We stand at the side of life's river. We can see that everything is safe. But our heavenly Father has warned us.

The boys could not see the dangers their father knew to exist. The same is true of us. We often cannot see the dangers that our heavenly Father knows to exist.

Fear stopped the boys, fear of their father. There was an element of scared fear, but they were not simply afraid. They knew their father and held him in high esteem. There was trust and respect and an understanding of potential consequences for disobedience. Fear. Respect. Honor.

Reverence and awe are not merely worship words. They are descriptive of our view of God every day and in all circumstances. Reverence and awe for God and His word will direct our feet to safety and steer us away from evil.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

--Proverbs 3:7

Do you have wise eyes?

Mark Stinnett

February 23, 2025

What King David Saw in the Law

Some Christians have reasoned that the Old Testament contains the law for Israel and the Jews; the New Testament is law for Christians. As a result the Old Testament is not given high regard, and in many churches seldom studied.

Is that all the Bible is, an ancient law code with an update for Christians?
I think NOT!

The Apostle Paul said that the earlier writings were written for our instruction. Yet the Old Testament is still largely ignored by many Christians. Let me show you something that King David saw that just might change the way you look at the Law of Moses.

The Book of Psalms is sometimes described as Israel’s song book. The songs range from praises to prayer-cries for deliverance. They deal with physical discomfort, distress in many forms, depression, abandonment, and many other human issues. Over and over the Psalmists encourage humble faithfulness to the God who created, who knows, who provides, who delivers, who shepherds, who saves, who also destroys....

The Book of Psalms is not a law book; nor is it the Christian's ’go to’ book for doctrine. Not surprisingly, of the 150 psalms, only a few refer to the Law of Moses. However, one psalm is completely devoted to the Law. For that reason it stands out as quite unique.

Perhaps better known for its length, 176 verses, Psalm 119 is more important for its attention to the Law. In this psalm King David (the assumed author) saw something quite amazing in the Law.

In general, law is considered to be burdensome and restrictive, and that includes the Law of Moses. Law is composed of rules; it can be difficult to read and it is impossible to follow perfectly. Even so, the kings of ancient Israel were instructed to make a personal hand-written copy of the Law of Moses, the first five books of the Old Testament, and read and meditate on the Law daily.

Psalm 119 records what David saw in the Law. Yes, he saw the rules and ordinances, but in them he found refreshment, joy, freedom, peace, and deliverance. He recognized that God had not saddled His people with arbitrary rules. God had actually revealed His divine character within the Law of Moses.

King David saw the heart of God in the Law. He saw love and mercy and holiness and justice.

God's desire was to have fellowship with his chosen people. However, there was such a difference between Him, deity, and his people, humanity, that he needed to communicate to them how they could draw near to Him in fellowship.

Who is this God that opened Himself to the scrutiny of his created beings? 
Who is this God that revealed his thoughts to mankind? 
Who is this God that directed His people with instruction that would move them into a fellowship relationship with their Creator?

What King David saw in the Law? God himself!

When you pick up your Bible and read the Law, the historical narratives, the poetry, the prophets; as well as the parables and the doctrine and instruction of the New Testament...do you see only rules and restraints? 
Look closer...!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett

Do You Know God's Mind?

The creation narrative in the Bible might seem impersonal, even for believers...then again...

God actually spoke to His created beings.

And God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so.
--Genesis 1:28-30

In this blog I am not as concerned with the content of what was spoken, but rather the fact that God spoke to man. Not only does his speech demonstrate intelligence and purpose as well as authority and power (see last week's blog, "He Has Spoken!"), His spoken word is personal.

By comparison, I have built a few things out of wood in my lifetime. Yet, I have never spoken to the things I've made. They are mere objects, impersonal; inanimate objects created for my purposes.

Again, the Creator spoke to His created beings which He made in His own image.

The Old Testament prophet Amos wrote something meaningful about what God has spoken.

For behold, He who forms mountains and creates the wind
And declares to man what are His thoughts,
He who makes dawn into darkness
And treads on the high places of the earth,
The LORD God of hosts is His name. 
--Amos 4:13

The Bible does not 'contain' God's word, it IS God's word; his thoughts written for created man.

Why do you speak to people?
Why do you reveal your thoughts to others?

God has revealed his thoughts to mankind. In dong so He has revealed Himself to us. God is not silent; He has not hidden Himself. He has opened His heart while reaching out to man.

We must remember that the Scriptures are not just any words. The source of these words is our Creator. We can know the mind of God.

To this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit,
And who trembles at my word.
--Isaiah 66:2

Mark Stinnett

He Has Spoken!

The creation narrative in the Bible gives us answers, but also makes us curious. As with the magician's sleight of hand, we might find ourselves asking, "How did God do that?"

Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
--Genesis 1:3

God made no wild movements to wield a powerful external force; no flourishing movement of a magical wand drawing from other-worldly powers; no electrical discharge erupting from outstretched hands.

Read it again.

Stop...think...

The Creator spoke.

God spoke understandably and rationally: Intelligence and purpose.
God spoke, and it came about by His spoken word: Authority and power.

I may be curious about things that I cannot grasp, but I cannot help but stand in awe of what has been revealed as true.

The 29th Psalm follows below. Give careful attention to the 'voice' of God.

Give unto the Lord,
    O you mighty ones,
    Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
    Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
    The God of glory thunders;
    The LORD is over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
    The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars,
    Yes, the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon*.
He makes them also skip like a calf,
    Lebanon and Sirion** like a young wild ox.
The voice of the LORD divides the flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
    The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.***
The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth,
    And strips the forests bare;
    And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”
The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood,
    And the LORD sits as King forever.
The LORD will give strength to His people;
    The LORD will bless His people with peace.

How extensive is the LORD's authority?

How great is His power? 

What does He accomplish with His voice?

It is only in the final verse that attention is directed toward God's people. 

How do you think He will 'give strength' to His people?

How will He 'bless' His people?

God IS, and He has spoken!

By His voice He created.
By His voice...

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett

*Lebanon: A region north of Israel, well-known for cedar trees.

** Lebanon and Sirion: Refers to the mountains of Lebanon; and Mount Hermon, another name for Sirion, both north of Israel. The meaning is that God gives life to these mountains.

*** Kadesh: A wilderness region south of Israel toward Egypt.

Not Knowing God

Have you ever had a 'friend' boast about knowing you, but then they said something that was not descriptive of you at all?

How did that make you feel?
Not a true friend...right?

They know you, at least to some degree, but they do not really 'know' you. You might say that they just know about you.

Many people claim to know God. Yet, they say things about God that do not accurately portray God as He is described in Scripture. Or, they do things that stand in contrast of His divine character of love and holiness. It is not that you are being judgmental, you just recognize that they really do not know God.
The ancient Israelites were once in a similar situation...and God became angry, very angry.

They cry out to Me, "My God, we of Israel know You!"
--Hosea 8:2 (NASB95)

The problem with their claim; actions speak louder than words. They knew something 'about' God and His instruction in the Law of Moses. So, they offered sacrifices to God. But, would you believe that they also worshiped other gods!?

The Book of Hosea was a prophetic warning to the people of Israel. God was about to take action against his own people, the chosen nation of Israel. God was ready for them to 'return to Egypt,' that is, become captives again to a foreign power.

So, how is it that they knew 'about' God, but they did not 'know' God?

Hosea answers:

The people love to offer sacrifices to me, feasting on the meat, but I do not accept their sacrifices. I will hold my people accountable for their sins, and I will punish them. They will return to Egypt. Israel has forgotten its Maker and built great palaces....
--Hosea 8:13–14 (NLT)

The core problem: They had forgotten their Maker. It was not that they had forgotten the 'facts' about God. Rather, they no longer regarded God as Creator. They had lost their awe and reverence for God. They were thinking along the lines of "God AND...." In other words, they were happy to offer sacrifices in worship to the God of their forefathers. Yet, they also decided to place others things (gods) on an equal plane as God their Creator; God AND other gods. Yet, the Creator is God alone!

Known, but not known!

"In the beginning God...created...."

With God as the focal point man finds meaning only in the context of God as his Creator. In your life, do you really 'know' God?

To find meaning and understanding in life you must begin with God. However, to truly know God, you must also bow to Him, and Him only, as your Creator.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett

You Are Here!

Before the GPS and smart phones we used road maps. (Kids, road maps were large illustrations of land areas printed on paper and neatly folded so they would easily fit in a car's glove box. Refolding a map could be entertaining or quite maddening.) As I drove, my trusty navigator, my wife, would scan the map for highway numbers or street names that I called out. She would announce, "I've got it; we are right here," and she would point to a location on the map that matched our current location.

Nowadays our smart phones have built-in GPS systems that point to a position on an electronic map. (Bonus: You can choose the accent of the navigator's voice.) The result is the same. A marker displays your current position; a kind of "You are here!" pointer.

Walking into a large multi-level, multi-winged mall for the first time you might stop at a large display of the mall posted near the entrance. There is usually a bold marker with an arrow pointing to your current position on the illustrated display: "You are here."

We often need a point of reference in order to find our way. Maps of various kinds allow us to step back and view ourselves in relation to the things around us. They help to provide meaning and navigation in our current surroundings. Without the "You are here" pointers we would be better described as explorers or wanderers (other ways of saying that we might be lost).

Let me show you the bold "You are here" pointer in life. It is found in the very first verse of the Bible:

"In the beginning . . . God . . . ."

The phrase 'in the beginning' gives us a point of reference in time. It is the first point of reference with mankind as the object. The biblical creation narrative goes on to tell of the beginning of mankind, and while mankind is central to the story line, he is not really the focal point. The focal point is God.

We need to be able to find ourselves within 'our surroundings.' We need to be able to step back and view ourselves in the context of God, not the other way around. Only then will we find meaning. Only then will we be able to confidently navigate life.

God himself is the point of reference from which everything in life is to be understood. If you start your thinking in the wrong place, you are bound to end up in...

Oh wait! Look around.

Our society (world) today is largely the product of those who have started their thinking with man. It is as if the 'you are here' pointer points to man!

Start with man and try to understand the universe.
Start with man and try to understand man's presence in the universe.
Start with man and try to understand man's purpose.
Start with man and try to understand God, religion, faith.
Start with man and try to understand...anything!

In the beginning...God.
You are HERE!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett

Fear, Fear, Fear of the Lord

Incredible sights and sounds accompanied the giving of the Ten Commandments as the nation of Israel stood at the foot of Mount Sinai:

And all the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.”
--Exodus 20:18-19

The people were afraid of God; scared!

That was fear, but not ‘Fear of the Lord.’

People loved Jesus. Yet, the Jewish leaders were often angry with Jesus. He did not fit their definition of Messiah. They wanted to get rid of Jesus. The longer he remained, the more threatening he became. Their anger turned to anxiety.

“And the scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him [Jesus] that very hour, and they feared the people; for they understood that He spoke this parable against them.”
--Luke 20:19

Not long after, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The chief priests and Pharisees convened a meeting:

“What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
--John 11:47-48

The Jewish leaders were afraid of Jesus; anxiety!

That was fear, but not ‘Fear of the Lord.’

Moses had been called by God to lead Israel out of Egyptian slavery. He had gone to investigate the bush that burned but did not burn up. He spoke with God and was sent as God's mouthpiece and God’s hand before Pharaoh. He parted the Red Sea, led Israel to Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments.

Then, almost as an impulse Moses made a child-like request of God: “Show me your glory!” God agreed. The next day God descended on Mount Sinai in a cloud. Having instructed Moses where to stand beforehand, God passed by Moses. He covered Moses with his hand but allowed him to see his back as he passed by. Moses saw the glory of God, but that was not all; God proclaimed:

“The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
--Exodus 34:6-7

God did not simply reveal himself to Moses in a way that could be perceived by human sight and sound, he spoke. He revealed his divine character in words that reflected all that he had already shown about himself.

“And Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship.”

That was fear; yes, 'Fear of the Lord.'

The fear of the Lord is not seen in those who cower in fear before God; it is not seen in those who are full of fearful anxiety or anger toward God. Moses stood before God in confidence, but bowed low in humility and worshiped.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

--Mark Stinnett

How Do I Begin Wisdom?

I don’t know how the title question strikes your mind, but I wonder how important a question it is to Christians today. For many, life’s biggest concern is not about making wise decisions, but survival; simply getting from today to tomorrow without making a mess of things. Others are trying to climb the ladder of success, reach for the stars, achieve goals or check something off their bucket list. Still others are mostly focused on self-indulgence; satisfying their urges for food, entertainment, sex, money, etc.

I would like to think that Christians are really interested in wisdom. I hope you are, but where do you start? First, let me ask:

• What is your definition of wisdom?
• What is the meaning of discernment?

Think of someone you would regard as wise. How did he/she become wise? Where did he/she begin? Where do you start to find or obtain or attain discernment?

The answers are not found by joining a secret society. They are not discovered atop a high mountain in a remote foreign country. They will not be found deep within a hidden cavern, in the depths or the sea, beyond the stars, or in your heart. Yet, the answers seem rather elusive. Can you accept God’s answer?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

We should not think that fear is a synonym with afraid. Yet, respect is far too weak to fully describe the fear of the Lord. Two other words are accurately descriptive: reverence and awe.

Fear (afraid) and respect are found within reverence and awe, but there is more. There is also the realization of the stark difference between deity and humanity. Reverence and awe demand recognition of the power, authority, dominion, honor, perfection, holiness, purity, kindness, and expansive love of deity.

At the "beginning of wisdom" a person must come to some level of knowledge and understanding of God. Knowledge is not the academic kind found in theology books; it is not a list of facts about God. Nor is knowledge to be confused with biblical doctrine. Facts, doctrine and theology are all fine, but true knowledge of God can only be obtained in a relationship with God.

We understand the importance of relationship in marriage. A man knows his wife; a wife knows her husband. Yet their knowledge of each other is not based on a list of facts, a well-organized resume or information gathered online. Their knowledge is based on their relationship and daily interaction with each other. It is no different with God.

Be careful! Read your Bible all you want but you will still lack true wisdom and understanding (discernment). You must not put your Bible aside, but you must come to know your Creator through a relationship that is based on making a proper response to his instruction.

Knowledge of the Holy One requires an intimate relationship with God in which you interact with Him by listening to His word, by the devoted practice of His instruction and by prayer.

If you are a Christian, you already know that you should value wisdom and understanding?
Do you?

You might want to begin on your knees in humble prayer; then rise to follow.

Mark Stinnett

Invaluable Thoughts

Have you ever read Homer, as in The Iliad or The Odyssey? What is their value?

Perhaps ancient epic poems are not your interest.

Did you get that? . . . Interest.

Some folks are 'interested' in Homer's writings, most are not.
Some folks love to read Shakespeare, most do not.
Some folks enjoy modern literature.
Some folks prefer the newspaper or online gossip.

For some folks, the Bible is not much different. Or you might say that some people are interested in the Bible; others are not. It is all just a matter of taste. Pickles, corn on the cob, fried chicken...taste. The Bible...just a matter of taste.

Enough said?

May be not...

What did Homer claim about his writings? What about Shakespeare and others? What was their purpose in writing? The value of their writings?

Some writings are intended to help, influence, change, or direct people. Some writings merely document personal experiences. Others are for simple enjoyment.

God expressed his thoughts with intent and expectation. He was not merely recording ideas and events that would be added to a narrowly defined category of interest. Think about this claim...

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
--2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Creator of mankind has the intention that His creation will possess a certain quality of character that involves doing good things. His expectation defines the purpose of a Christian and His word equips us to carry out his expectation.

Do we understand? Do we believe? 
The thoughts of God which He has revealed are able to equip us to do the very thing that God created us to do.

Yet...*sigh*...It seems unlikely that such an old writing is still relevant today. After all, things change over time, and things have really changed since ancient times. But wait...

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
--Hebrews 4:12

From a purely human point of view the Bible is old and outdated. It stands as one volume among a vast library of literature, ancient and modern. Yet, it holds a unique position because it is living and active...still today. It changes lives...still today. It gives the ability to discern things in life without a college degree and endless research.

Do we recognize what has been given to us?
How does that affect your view of God?

God has not given mankind the 'silent treatment' but has revealed His mind! And his thoughts are invaluable!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett

Promises

Have you ever seen a TV drama in which a brave parent, policeman, or concerned adult makes a promise to a child:
     "I will not let anyone hurt you; I promise."
     "We will find the people who did this; I promise."
     "I will return before springtime; I promise."

I know, it's television, but I cringe every time I hear it: "I promise."

Can anyone make promises like that?

'TV Land' is not reality. In the real world promises are sometimes kept and sometimes not. It can be difficult to keep our promises to be on time or attend a child's activity. LIFE happens and we sometimes unintentionally break a promise.

When people make bold promises like the 'TV promises,' they seem more like fantasy, not reality. Yet, God made some astounding promises, and they are no fantasy.

Just think back to ancient Israel in the Old Testament and God's warnings against idolatry. Those warnings included His promised action against Israel if they persisted in their idolatry. In His warnings God actually promised Israel three chances to turn back and make things right. Ultimately, if they would not turn from idolatry he warned that he would give them over to a foreign power as captives: another promise. (Read His promises in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 4.)

By the time of Daniel God's promises of warning were history. God's people had been idolatrous and had been taken from their homeland by the king of Babylon...according to promise. They would remain in captivity for 70 years, yet another promise.

The 9th chapter of the book of Daniel is a beautiful prayer in which Daniel recognized the failure of his people because of their idolatry. A reading of the text makes it clear that Daniel had an intimate knowledge of God's instruction and His promises in the Law of Moses. Not only did he understand that the Babylonian captivity was a promise that God had kept, he also recognized that there was a solution based on promise.

O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open Your eyes and see our despair. See how your city--the city that bears Your name [Jerusalem]--lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.
--Daniel 9:18 (New Living Translation)

How did Daniel know to appeal to God's mercy? How did he know to appeal for forgiveness and restoration? Long before that time God had already promised that he would listen to such a plea.

God had not only warned the Israelites with promised discipline; He had openly shared with them the way to repair their broken relationship with Him. His solution was nothing less than promised acceptance and return to their land if they would return to him.

Many people merely see God as a rule maker. Yet the Bible is full of promises. Yes, there are strong promises of warning for those who turn away from Him. However, there are wonderful promises of salvation, acceptance and hope for those who respond to God in faith and humility. And God's promises are truly out of this world!

May we stand in AWE of our God who has given us promises; our God who does not lie!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

Mark Stinnett

Hate Evil?

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; 
Pride and arrogance and the evil way, 
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
                                                     --Proverbs 8:13

Tolerance! is the order of the day. In fact, our society tolerates just about anything, anyone, and any thought . . . except intolerance!!!

Most people assume that the soul of a person and the actions of a person are a 'single package' when it comes to acceptance. If you accept me, you must therefore accept what I do. If you do not accept what I do, you must not accept me.

Jesus stood out like a sore thumb and showed the right way.

When the Jewish leaders dragged a woman in front of Jesus and accused her of adultery, they demanded that he judge her according to the Law of Moses. Jesus made the most remarkable stand. He condemned the Jews for their arrogant judgment because they were also sinners. He then told the woman that he would not stand in judgment of her; but there is one thing more. Jesus instructed the woman to go her way “and sin no more.” He accepted the woman, but did not tolerate her sin!
(Read the entire encounter in John 8:1-11.)

He condemned those who judged.
He refused to judge.
He accepted the sinner.
He did not tolerate sin.

God does not tolerate sin.

Isn't that the beauty of the sacrifice of Jesus?
It expresses God’s love for the souls of men and, at the same time, his intolerance for sin. (If he tolerated sin, then why the sacrifice?!)

God hates evil.
Do you stand in awe of God?
Do you fear the Lord?
Do you hate evil?