“No more let sins and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground. He comes to make His blessing flow, far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove, the glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love, and wonders of His love, and wonders, and wonders of His love.” “Joy to the World” Isaac Watts
A few years ago I had taken the “Old Testament Survey” course at the Keswick Institute of Biblical Studies (KIBS ). For my final exam I had to write an essay based on the last two verse’s of “Joy to the World”. They are not sung very often but they are very significant to the hymn. For the next few Freedom Fighters I am going to share with you what I wrote in that essay. If you have any thoughts or disagreements I would like to hear them.”Here is part two, starting with Cain’s lineage….
Cain builds a city and names it after his son Enoch. No glory to God. I guess we no longer need the Creator to provide shelter. Jabal, Cain’s grandson became the father of those who may have been the first traders or entrepreneurs as they raise live stock. Don’t pray for provisions just buy it, huh?! Jubal’s brother was the father of all who played the flute and harp. If God has been dismissed thus far, who made a joyful noise unto to the Lord? Tubal-Cain forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. If I think hard enough there were a great many empires that used tools made from the same metals. Expect those tools weren’t used for farming. And what of the justification of Lamech? He decides that if God avenges seven times for Cain then Lamech decides he gets seventy seven.
But what of Abel? God was pleased with him. His offering was the best he could give. After what his parents have done to a perfect world, God might have been able to redeem His creation with Abel. But it isn’t until Seth that we find a remnant of God’s creation. It isn’t until Enosh that “men began to call on the name of the Lord.” But time goes by and the seeds of wickedness that were scattered after the fall begin to produce the thorns that infest the ground. Out of this avalanche of sin comes, from man, a heart that knows no good.
The creation no longer acknowledges it’s Creator and the world has become perverse and violent. The sons of God mingle with the daughters of men and the whole of creation is a “Devils Playground.” So the Lord said “I will destroy whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” (Gen 6:7) But out of the lineage of Seth comes a man who pleases God. His name is Noah. God tells Noah to build an ark because He is going to flood the earth. God tells Noah to take a remnant of the creation and bring it on the ark. It rains and the world is nothing but water. The waters recede and the sons of Noah go off and repopulate the world. His son, Shem, fathers the lineage that produces Abram.
God sees Abram as a turning point for a new humanity. A new, dare I say, Adam. And with Abram we have this command that is obeyed, “Now the Lord said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation.”(Gen 12:1) Doesn’t that sound something like this, “Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4: 19-20)
Despite Sodom and Gomorrah, Gods plan with His new “Adam” goes forward. With the binding of Isaac we have a ratified covenant. Isaac brings us Jacob and out of the tribe of Jacob we have Joseph. Joseph saves the nation of Egypt and unknowingly preserves a remnant of Gods people by bringing all of his family into a land of leeks, garlic and cucumbers. Four hundred years go by and a people groan. -- Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a contributor to Freedom Fighter
DIGGING DEEPER: Proverbs 6; Genesis 16-17; Matthew 5:27-48DIG THIS QUOTE: “You cannot give place to the world, to your passions or your laziness. Words are not enough to claim the kingdom of God. It takes strength and courage and violence. You must violently resist the tides of the world. Violently give up all that holds you back from God. Violently turn will over to God to do His will alone.”
“The Seeking Heart” Fenelon
DETERMINED DIGGING (Memorize): Week #1 -- Level 1: Deuteronomy 7:9
Level 2: Joshua 1:6-9
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