How does an invisible Living Creator make himself known to the beings he created? It is a great question. Instead of taking a micro-look at the answer this time we should take a broader global view to determine the answer. I usually suggest we take the view from 30,000 feet, from cruising altitude. But instead, I propose we take the view from 238,900 miles, or the view from the moon. By looking at the earth from this distance we can gain some insight into what we see happening today. It may even change our perspective a bit regarding world politics. We see that Yahweh makes himself known to us in a few different ways; through the heavens, through people, and through a geographical place. This is what we want to explore from our perch on the moon.
If you were the Creator that lived further away than the moon and had to make yourself known to your creation that lives on earth for six thousand years, how would you do it? This is a lot to meditate on. Your first man, Adam relinquished his rule to another and you will no longer have a free flowing open line of communication with your created beings. How will you tell the creatures of earth who you are? How will you tell the creatures of earth who they are? How will you, looking at the small blue ball known as earth, describe the plans you have for them so that they will understand? You could write some of your plans in the constellations, so that when they look up they will be reminded of those things, but there will need to be more for them to see. How will you reveal yourself so that these humans will want to come to know you? How will you draw them into a relationship with you? If you have to reveal yourself to these beings on earth that live in a time when there is no electronic technology or communications satellites, you would have to find a person to connect with. Then that person will have to tell the story to other humans.
We see that there has been a line of people from Adam who connected with the Creator early on. Enoch was one of those people and he wrote 365 books for us to learn from. Noah brought those books on the ark and taught his sons. Shem carried on the knowledge and started a school in Salem, or as we know it today, Jerusalem. Abraham walked with Yahweh as a friend. He taught his son Isaac and Isaac taught Jacob. Jacob taught his sons and through this group of people the whole earth would hear about their Elohim. Today, Israel (Jacob) is the story regardless of who lives in the land called Israel. Whether the people who live there are Jews by birth or not. Whether the people who live there converted to Judaism recently or many generations ago, Israel (Jacob) is the story.
This is the narrative that announces that there is a Creator, regardless of whether the people live for him or not. For better or worse the one group who is heard of all over the world are the Israelites, those we call Jews. It seemed that Yahweh picked these people to make himself known. It doesn’t matter if they know him or reject him because by their very existence they remind people of the Creator. It doesn’t matter that they have behaved poorly, they make known Yahweh and His nature.
Let’s look at something Moses said. This verse has some alterations from the Masoretic text, but the Septuagint helps us to understand its depth.
Psalm 90:9 (AMP) For all our days [out here in this wilderness, says Moses] pass away in Your wrath; we spend our years as a tale that is told [for we adults know we are doomed to die soon, without reaching Canaan].
Psalm 90:9 (KJV) For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
This verse is a Psalm of Moses. Moses seems to be saying they are a tale, a story. But the Septuagint reads a little differently.
Psalm 90:9 For all our days are gone, and we have passed away in thy wrath: our years have spun out their tale as a spider. Sept Marsh
What does a spider have to do with a story? Spiders have a long history of myths and legends regarding creation and cosmology stories. Since the time of ancient Egypt spiders have held a place of mystery and intrigue as weavers of destiny and spinners of of stories. Moses, having left Egypt by this time, understood that the spider as a weaver of tales. Babylon also had it’s share of spider stories as did the Africans, Greeks, and Romans; all allegorical in nature with a moral lesson attached. A Jewish tradition believes that David hid in a cave, while a large spider spun a web near the entrance which caused King Saul’s men to assume David would not have been in that cave as the web was not disturbed.
Psalm 90:8G5087You put G3588 G458our lawlessness G1473 G1726before G1473you; G3588 G165our eon G1473 G1519in G5462the illumination G3588 G4383of your face. G1473
9G3754For G3956all G3588 G2250our days G1473 G1587failed; G2532even G1722in G3588 G3709your anger G1473 G1587we failed .G3588 G2094Our years G1473 G5616are as G689.2of a spider G3191meditating.
3191LSJ Gloss: μελετάω to care for, attend to
Dodson: μελετάω I devise, plan I devise, plan; practice, exercise myself in, study, ponder.
Strong's: μελετάω to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind
Derivation: from a presumed derivative of G3199; KJV Usage: imagine, (pre-)meditate.
Derivation: from a presumed derivative of G3199; KJV Usage: imagine, (pre-)meditate.
Thayer:
1) to care for, attend to carefully, practise
2) to meditate i.e. to devise, contrive
2a) used of the Greeks of the meditative pondering and the practice of orators and rhetoricians
2) to meditate i.e. to devise, contrive
2a) used of the Greeks of the meditative pondering and the practice of orators and rhetoricians
μελετάω meletaō mel-et-ah'-o From a presumed derivative of G3199; to take care of, that is, (by implication) revolve in the mind KJV Usage: imagine, (pre-) meditate.
Our years are as of a spider planning or a spider devising, or contriving. Like a mind revolves in meditation, so does the story being woven and spun. When we stop and think for a moment, we understand that a spider plans and devises a web, it is like weaving a story. We spin a yarn, we spin a web. Yahweh weaves a tale, like a spider’s web, symmetrical and strong. Israel is the story. Israel is the way the world would come to know Yahweh. In their obedience they prospered and in their disobedience they were burdened by the satan. All of which show the rest of the world how to live.
Moses says that Yahweh put their lawlessness before Him, their age in the illumination of His face. All of Israel’s days failed. They failed, and their years are like a spider meditating, waiting, spinning, revolving thoughts. Waiting, waiting, waiting. They are the story of a people waiting for a savior. The story of a people who hoped in the promises of their God, Yahweh. But they failed Him. Now they wait. At this point in time, this is the story being told to the whole world.
Joshua ben Sirach says that a tale out of time is like music in mourning. How does music mourn? It sounds sad, out of tune, not quite in rhythm.
Sirach 22:6 (DRV) A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time.
Telling a tale out of time is the idea of telling a story at a bad time, like a sad song, no one listens to a dirge on a happy occasion. A tale out of time is unlike stripes and instruction of wisdom, as learning wisdom is never out of time. It is always acceptable to be instructed in wisdom. For Israel, all their stripes and instructions in wisdom are public knowledge. Everything they do is public knowledge before the world so that we see and know about Yahweh. A tale built like a spiders web. There is no hiding their story.
Moses knew Yahweh and then taught the people about Yahweh and His ways. He described all the words and ordinances of Yahweh to the people. Israel became the story that would tell the world who Yahweh is. They certainly didn’t sign up for this. They probably would never have wanted to be the people group that the whole world would look at, despise, and hate. While every sin and human frailty that they had would be scrutinized under a microscope by people all over the planet. No one would sign up for that, but that is what they got, all because their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, had a personal relationship with Yahweh. One man at a time sharing Yahweh. The story of Jacob/Israel is one everyone on earth has heard of.
Exodus 24:3G1525[entered G1161And G*Moses] G2532and G1334described G3588to the G2992people G3956all G3588the G4487words G3588 G2316of God, G2532and G3588the G1345ordinances. G611[answered G1161And G3956all G35883the G2992people G5456voice G1520in one], G3004saying, G3956All G3588the G3056words G3739which G2980the lord spoke, G2962 G4160we will do, G2532and G191we will hearken.
4G2532And G1125Moses wrote down G* G3956all G3588the G4487words G2962of the lord. G3719[rising early G1161And G*Moses] G4404in the morning G3618built G2379an altar G5259by G3588the G3735mountain, G2532and with G1427twelve G3037stones G1519for G3588the G1427twelve G5443tribes G3588 G*of Israel
1334 LSJ Gloss: διηγέομαι to set out in detail, describe in full
Dodson: διηγέομαι I relate in full, describe I relate in full, describe, narrate.
Strong's: διηγέομαι to relate fully Derivation: from G1223 and G2233; KJV Usage: declare, shew, tell.
Thayer:
1) to lead or carry a narration through to the end
2) set forth, recount, relate in full, describe
2) set forth, recount, relate in full, describe
διηγέομαι diēgeomai dee-ayg-eh'-om-ahee From G1223 and G2233; to relate fully KJV Usage: declare, shew, tell.
Moses carried a narration through to the end. Then he wrote it down, so that they could see it again and again. Israel became the story, the rituals were not the story, the ordinances were not the story, Israel connecting with Yahweh became the story. Following the words of Yahweh showed the world Yahweh, through Israel. David did the same thing.
Psalm 9:10G1519To G3588the G5056director; G5228for G3588the G2931.1private things G3588of the G5207son; G5568a psalm G3588to G*David.
1G1843I shall make acknowledgment G1473to you, G2962O lord, G1722with G3650[entire G2588heart G1473my]. G1334I shall describe G3956all G3588 G2297your wonders. G1473
Was David perfect? No. Did David do stupid things? Yes. But we learn a lot of important things about our Creator from David. We see repentance, we see forgiveness, we see mercy, grace, and favor. We see the story of a shepherd boy who became king. David says that he will describe all of Yahweh’s wonders. We can see how this plan of Yahweh’s, to single out the heirs of Abraham to be the ones that tell the story of our Living God to the whole world, is ingenious. The spiders tale grows, and the web widens.
1G3588The G3772heavens G1334describe G1391the glory G2316of God, G4162[the making G1161and G54956of his hands G1473 G312announces G3588the G47333firmament].
2G2250Day G3588to G2250day G2044bubbles up G4487a saying; G2532and G3571night unto G3571night G312announces G1108knowledge.
3G3756There are no G1510.2.6 G2981speeches G3761nor G3056words G3739which G3780[are not G191heard G3588 G5456their voices]. G1473
4G1519Into G3956all G3588the G1093earth G1831went forth G3588 G5353their knell; G1473 G2532and G1519unto G3588the G4009ends G3588of the G3611inhabitable world G3588 G4487their words. G1473 G1722[in G3588the G2246sun G5087He put G3588 G4638his tent]. G1473
David is telling us of another way that Yahweh is making himself known, he wrote his plans in the heavens. I know a lot of people would argue that they don’t know the story in the heavens. This happens to be the failure of the keepers of this knowledge, as they did not communicate or describe or carry the narration of the heavens to the end. The information is available if one wishes to hunt it down.
Day unto day the heavens announce and describe the glory of God and the knowledge of God. There are no speeches or words from their voices which are not heard. Notice the word knell, it is by definition the sound of a bell rung solemnly for a death or funeral. Or a bell rung as an announcement or a warning at the end of something. We can hear the closing bell. The words of the heavens go out to all the inhabitable earth. The heavens cause curiosity as to the Creator.
Another way that Yahweh makes himself known to us humans is through a specific place known as Zion. Every time we hear of something Israel related, people think of the God of the Jews. They know the reason that the Jews want Jerusalem for their holy city, and people recognize that the Jews want to build a temple. That piece of land is so well known, everyone know’s it’s story.
Psalm 48:12G2944Encircle G*Zion, G2532and G4033.2take hold of G1473her! G1334Describe G1722concerning G3588 G4444her towers!G1473
There are many philosophies concerning the Zion of today but every time we talk about Zion we acknowledge the God of Zion, Yahweh. The tales that tell of the future, about the Messiah splitting the mountain, are known. Every time the world hears about something happening in Israel, the world holds it’s breath. It hardly matters if we believe the people in Israel are real Jews, converted Jews, or not Jews at all. The place, the land, is what describes Yahweh. There is a story attached to that land. There are stories about other countries, but those stories are about the history of the peoples, not Yahweh. But now we have another twist to our tales and stories regarding our knowledge of our Creator. Jesus.
Luke 8:38G1189[beseeched 1And G1473him G3588the G435man G575from G37395whom G1831came forth G3588the G1140demons] G1510.1to be G4862with G1473him .G630[released G1161But G1473him G3588 G*Jesus], G3004saying,
39G5290Return G1519unto G3588 G3624your house, G1473 G2532and G1334describe G3745as much as G4160[did G1473for you G3588 G2316God]! G2532And G565he went forth G2596through G3650the whole G3588 G4172city G2784proclaiming G3745as much as G4160[did G1473for him G3588 G*Jesus]
Jesus says to the man, go to your house and describe what God did for you. In other words, go tell your story; and what a story that must have been. As Jesus went around healing others, those that he healed told their story to the frustration of the Pharisees. Jesus changed the dynamic of Israel being the central focus of the story to Jesus himself being the story, while individuals have their own individual story about Jesus. By the time of the first century we still have a group of Israelites that are now called Jews; whether behaving good or bad is not the point, they are making such a commotion regarding Jesus that they are announcing the Savior. My, my, what a web is being spun. The rejection of Jesus by the Jews only caused others to question and become curious. The Jews are not the central point of the story any longer, but they still have a part to play in this tale.
Paul became a disciple after he repented in Damascus. He realized that he had misunderstood the new chapter in the story where the Savior came to earth. Instead of trying to erase the story of the Savior, he became the biggest promoter of the Savior.
Acts 9:26G3854[3having arrived G11611And G3588 G*2Saul] G1722inG*Jerusalem, G3985attempted G2853to join G3588the G3101disciples; G2532and G3956all G5399were afraid of G1473him, G3361not G4100believing G3754that G1510.2.3he is G3101a disciple.
27G*But Barnabas, G1161 G1949having taken G1473him, G71brought him G4314to G3588the G652apostles, G2532and G1334he described G1473to them G4459how G1722in G3588the G3598way G1492he saw G3588the G2962Lord, G2532and G3754that G2980he spoke G1473to him, G2532and G4459how G1722in G*Damascus G3955he spoke openly G1722in G3588the G3686name G3588 G*of Jesus
Barnabas had to describe to the Christians at Jerusalem that Paul was alright, that he had received Jesus as Lord. The disciples heard all about Paul, but were still a bit afraid. Paul’s story was spreading all over Jerusalem. Meanwhile the Jews were still spinning tales that were legalistic and faulty. Good or bad, either way they were causing such a ruckus that people were still hearing about Jesus. We however, are not to heed fables, especially regarding Jacob’s heirs, as Paul tells us.
1 Tim 1:4G3366nor G4337take heed G3454to fables, G2532and G1076[genealogies G562unlimited], G3748which G2214[inquiries G3930make for] G3123rather G2228than G3622the administration G2316of God, G3588the one G1722in G4102belief
3454LSJ Gloss: μῦθος anything, delivered by word of mouth, word, speech
Dodson: μῦθος an idle tale, fable an idle tale, fable, fanciful story.
Strong's: μῦθος a tale, i.e. fiction ("myth")
Derivation: perhaps from the same as G3453 (through the idea of tuition);
Derivation: perhaps from the same as G3453 (through the idea of tuition);
KJV Usage: fable.
Thayer:
1) a speech, word, saying
2) a narrative, story
2a) a true narrative
2b) a fiction, a fable
2b1) an invention, a falsehood
2) a narrative, story
2a) a true narrative
2b) a fiction, a fable
2b1) an invention, a falsehood
μῦθος muthos moo'-thos Perhaps from the same as G3453 (through the idea of tuition); a tale, that is, fiction (“myth”) KJV Usage: fable.
We should not heed myths or fiction regarding Israel. Endless genealogies do not prove importance. Endless genealogies are simply a way for someone to attempt to make themselves more important than they are.
1 Tim 4:7G3588But the G1161 G952profane G2532and G1126old wives G3454fables G3868refuse! G1128But exercise G1161 G4572yourself G4314to G2150piety!
Paul also says that the Jews themselves made up fables regarding commandments while turning away from the truth. That is another way that Jesus is made known. We have the saying, “oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive” (Marmion, by Sir Walter Scott)
Titus 1:14G3361not G4337giving heed G*to Jewish G3454fables, G2532and G1785commandments G444of men, G654turning away from G3588the G225truth
No matter what the Jews do, good or bad, Jesus is looked at. If they make up fables and turn away from the truth, the world looks at them, sees their errors or questions their words, then looks at Jesus. Luke wrote us a narrative compiled from eyewitnesses and assistants in consecutive order.
Luke 1:1G1895Seeing that G4183many G2021attempted G392to arrange G1335a narrative G4012concerning G3588the G4135[having a full assurance G1722among G14734us G4229things],
2G2531as G3860was delivered up G1473to us G3588by the ones G575from G746the beginning G845[eyewitnesses G25323and G5257assistants G1096having been] G3588of the G3056word,
3G1380it seemed good G2504that I also, G3877having followed closely G509from the beginning G3956in all things G199exactly, G2517[in order G1473write to you], G1125 G2903most excellent G*Theophilus,
4G2443that G1921you should realize G4012concerning G3739[of which G2727you were instructed G3056matters G3588the G803certainty].
1335 Dodson: διήγησις a narrative.
Thayer:
1) a narration, narrative
Luke, the Greek Doctor, wrote us a narration, a declaration from the people who were with Jesus and witnessed miracles, signs, and wonders. Luke made known Yahweh by his recital of Jesus’ life on the the earth.
We all know Jesus spoke in parables. Parables are comparative stories, sometimes fictitious tales with a moral. David foretold that Jesus would become a parable. He is a parable, not a fictitious one, but a comparison or a juxtaposition between the prince of this world and himself.
Psalm 69:11G2532And G5087I put on G3588 G1742[for my garment G1473 G4526sackcloth], G2532and G1096I became G1473to them G1519as a G3850parable.
3850 LSJ Gloss: παραβολή juxta-position, comparison
Dodson: παραβολή a parable, comparison (a) a comparison, (b) a parable, often of those uttered by our Lord, (c) a proverb, an adage.
Strong's: παραβολή a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
Derivation: from G3846; KJV Usage: comparison, figure, parable, proverb.
Derivation: from G3846; KJV Usage: comparison, figure, parable, proverb.
Thayer:
1) a placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition, as of ships in battle
2) metaph.
2a) a comparing, comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude
2b) an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated
2c) a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed
2d) a parable: an earthly story with a heavenly meaning
3) a pithy and instructive saying, involving some likeness or comparison and having preceptive or admonitory force
3a) an aphorism, a maxim
4) a proverb
5) an act by which one exposes himself or his possessions to danger, a venture, a risk
2) metaph.
2a) a comparing, comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude
2b) an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated
2c) a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed
2d) a parable: an earthly story with a heavenly meaning
3) a pithy and instructive saying, involving some likeness or comparison and having preceptive or admonitory force
3a) an aphorism, a maxim
4) a proverb
5) an act by which one exposes himself or his possessions to danger, a venture, a risk
παραβολή parabolē par-ab-ol-ay' From G3846; a similitude (“parable”), that is, (symbolically) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apoth gm or adage KJV Usage: comparison, figure, parable, proverb.
The comparison of Jesus the redeemer, and satan the accuser, is a narrative that the world has also heard about. Jesus is now the story. While Israel is still the old story and an ongoing story, Jesus came as a new story. The Christians tell the story to the whole world. Good or bad, it doesn’t matter, the Christians are now announcing Jesus to the world. It would be nice if we could all be a great shining example of Jesus’ love, but we all know that we fail, fall, sin, and sometimes behave badly. From the moon, looking toward the earth, the story continues with Jesus as the lead revealer of the Father.
Another foretelling of Jesus, from Asaph, is that Jesus would speak parables and riddles.
Psalm 78:2G455I will open G1722[in G3850parables G3588 G4750my mouth]; G1473 G5350I will utter G4265.1riddles G575from G746the beginning;
Asaph says of himself, and ultimately Jesus, that he would speak riddles from the beginning. Now the riddle of the yeast, is that it will spread throughout all the flour it is put in. Isn’t that how the story of Jacob’s heirs and Jesus has spread as well? Like yeast, the story of the Jews spread and became widely known in the ancient world. Like yeast, changing the flour, the story of Jesus spread and changed peoples’ hearts.
Matthew 13:33G243Another G3850parable G2980he spoke G1473to them, G3664[is likened G1510.2.3 G3588The G932kingdom G3588of the G3772heavens] G2219to yeast, G3739which G2983having taken, G1135a woman G1470hides G1519in G224[of flour G4568seahs G5140three], G2193until G3739of which time G2220[is leavened G3650 the entire amount].
34G3778All these things G3956 G2980Jesus spoke G3588 G* G1722in G3850parables G3588to the G3793multitudes, G2532and G5565without the help of G3850parables G3756he did not G2980speak G1473to them.
35G3704So that G4137should be fulfilled G3588the thing G4483having been spoken G1223through G3588the G4396prophet, G3004saying, G455I shall open G1722in G3850parables G3588 G4750my mouth; G1473 G2044I will bellow G2928things being hidden G575from G2602the founding G2889of the world.
LSJ Gloss:ἐρεύγομαιto spit
Dodson: ἐρεύγομαι I utter, declare(lit: I belch forth, hence) I utter, declare.
Strong’s: ἐρεύγομαι to belch, i.e. (figuratively) to speak out
Derivation: of uncertain affinity; KJV Usage: utter.
Thayer:
1) to spit or spew out
2) to be emptied, discharge itself, used of streams
2a) to empty, discharge, cast forth, used of rivers and waters
3) to pour forth words, to speak out, utter
ἐρεύγομαι ereugomai er-yoog'-om-ahee Of uncertain affinity; to belch, that is, (figuratively) to speak out KJV Usage: utter.
Some people have understood yeast to be sin, and the story of sin and evil spreads as well, it is the satan’s tale that he tries to spin but we know the story of Love always wins over evil.
The story is like leaven, it keeps spreading. From our deck chairs on the moon, this looks like a perfectly wonderful way to make salvation known. We tell the story of Jesus’ birth (albeit on the wrong day/month) once per year. We tell the story of Jesus’ death once per year. We tell the story of the birth of the church once per year. We are reminded regularly of Jesus. When some nations take a holiday to remember Jesus’ birth or death, the other nations know that there is a holy day, and who the holy day is about. Our web keeps on growing.
Matthew relates Psalm 78, that Jesus will bellow or spew forth things that have been hidden form the beginning. We know so much more about the Father since Jesus came because, as Jesus himself states, he came to make known the Father. If one is curious, one can read what Jesus said. If one has questions, one can “google” the answers. We know the Father loves us because Jesus told us so.
From the moon it looks like the stir Jesus caused in Jerusalem among the Jews would keep the story going like the story of the heavens. If we wanted our story to spread we would want to cause a stir among those who were telling our story to the world. Jesus gave us the perfect announcement of the Father. Now our spider web is growing and far more intricate than when we started. This changes our perspective and our politics regarding Israel. It doesn’t matter which way we align ourselves. Yahweh is thought of no matter who lives in Israel, who fights against Israel, or who wants to broker a deal. Every day the Palestinians help tell the story of the Jews and of Jesus. And as we most certainly know, the louder the adversity becomes in Israel the more people want to know why there is so much contention among those people. Paul explains this similar concept in his letter to the Philippians.
Philippians 1:12-30 (AMP) Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).
Why? Because everyone had heard of Paul/Saul persecuting the church, but then converting to follow Jesus. They also heard how the Jews tried to get rid of him via false accusations. Now that Paul was in prison he was writing letters that we still read today. All of the nonsense Paul was living through was being told and Jesus was being made known. Imagine how much people learned about Yahweh’s forgiveness of humans through Paul.
Philippians 1:13 So much is this a fact that throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest [here] my imprisonment has become generally known to be in Christ [that I am a prisoner in His service and for Him].
The imperial Roman guards all heard of Paul. So now the Romans are becoming aware of Jesus simply because Paul is in prison. They know that the Jews want to kill Paul and they must have wondered why.
Philippians 1:14 And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God [acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences].
People gained confidence in the Lord and told their story because people heard of Paul’s story. Imagine it this way. You go to a church and someone prays for you and you receive healing. You don’t say anything to those around you who don’t go to church for fear they will mock and ridicule you, claiming it to be a psychosomatic healing. Then one day someone says that they went to church and received a healing. While the naysayers may try to explain away the other person’s healing, you stand up and say that you had the same experience. There is less fear when we are among others speaking the same things. Strength in numbers. That is what was happening in Paul’s time. People heard about Paul and felt safe to say that they received Christ as their Lord and Savior as well. Now here is the interesting part.
Philippians 1:15 Some, it is true, [actually] preach Christ (the Messiah) [for no better reason than] out of envy and rivalry (party spirit), but others are doing so out of a loyal spirit and goodwill.
People herald Christ out of envy or strife, meaning they are condemning, shaming, mocking, or generally speaking hatefully regarding Christ. Some people are speaking about Christ with kindness, love, and satisfaction as to the new relationship they have with Christ. It is almost as if the ones who are mocking Christ and His church are trying to shut down and shut out those who are announcing this good news, but instead they are keeping the narrative going. The spiders tale keeps right on growing, more intricacies and more visibility for the world.
Philippians 1:16 The latter [proclaim Christ] out of love, because they recognize and know that I am [providentially] put here for the defense of the good news (the Gospel).
17 But the former preach Christ out of a party spirit, insincerely [out of no pure motive, but thinking to annoy me], supposing they are making my bondage more bitter and my chains more galling.
Truly, the insincere people are trying to harm Paul more than he has been harmed already. Yet it is not working for them. These people are announcing the story every time they try to attack Paul. We see the same thing in the political arena. We see people who get so emotionally wound up and are triggered by anyone who disagrees, they continue to prove to the rest of the world that they are emotionally unstable and cannot be taken seriously. They keep the narrative of liberal insanity playing over and over without even recognizing it.
Philippians 1:18 But what does it matter, so long as either way, whether in pretense [for personal ends] or in all honesty [for the furtherance of the Truth], Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I [now] rejoice, yes, and I shall rejoice [hereafter] also.
Paul understood that no matter how Christ was being preached, the narrative was continuing, the spiders tale was still being woven and spun. He rejoiced that either way it would further the gospel, the good news. This should be our attitude as well, no matter now negatively people speak regarding the church, the Redeemer, or the narrative we follow, the story is still being told. People are still hearing. This tale has been kept alive for thousands of years simply because we have adversaries.
We can see from our seat on the moon that our understanding of who Israel (Jacob’s heirs) is, genealogically speaking, means little. Endless genealogies and fables. We can see from our lunar chair that what they were meant to do was to announce Yahweh to the world, no matter how they lived. We can also see that their narrative is not about their own personal successes or failures, but about a people who live an exposed life for all the world to see. We can see from the heavens just how silly it is that our adversary has attempted to snuff out this theater production by attacking it’s actors. The script is unwritten and the performers simply live life there by making known the protagonists, Jesus and Yahweh; and the antagonist, the satan. This spiders tale is simply the way a Living God makes Himself known to the creatures he created. The yarn is still being spun; the parable continues and the view from the moon is brilliant.
