8 July 2016 - My Perspective of the Day

My understanding of predestination from scripture tells me that I did not choose when, where, or into what circumstances, I would be born. Therefore, I cannot apologize for being a Southern American white male.

However, the other side of predestination is this: every person born has the same objective: Become conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

The day I became self-aware (some call this the age of accountability) of my need for a Savior I became responsible for every decision I made from that moment. I choose to hate; I choose to love. I choose to be violent; I choose to be peaceful. I cannot justify my actions based on anyone else’s actions because I am not accountable for them, only for myself.

My upbringing occurred during the ‘60s in Birmingham, Alabama. My father was a police officer under Bull Conner. He regularly wore riot gear, and was part of the police force that engaged in scandalous acts toward the civil rights protestors of that day. I don’t know to what extent he was involved, if at all, in any of the unlawful violence toward some of the demonstrators. I was only nine when he died. We didn’t ever talk about those things before then, or if we did, I didn’t fully understand them.

My father was shot by a black man (I use “black” because it seems to be the current vernacular, i.e. “Black Lives Matter”) while trying to retrieve the stolen property of a business he was sworn to protect. For those who know me, you may not have even known the race of the man who shot my father. I never bring it up because to me it is irrelevant. My father is dead, and that’s all that I knew at the end of the day.

I admit I am prejudiced; not racially, but on behalf of the police who serve us regardless of skin color. I always lean toward the officer in any situation, because I know what happens every morning when he or she leaves for work, and the heavy sigh of relief of their spouse when they return home safely each evening. They live every day with the thought that today could be their last.

I’ve seen many statistics thrown about these days. One that is glaringly absent is the number of assaults against police officers. The latest data that I could find was from 2013. Over 28,000 police officers were assaulted that year; 461 people were killed by police that same year. Less than 1% of individuals who injured police officers died as a result of their actions. That seems like a lot of restraint to me.

Until you hear the complete story of a particular incident you cannot make a judgment. Even if there is video of the actual event (in the current case, there is not) you do not have the whole story. Until you have approached a car with unknown subjects, not knowing if they will be friendly, respectful, and compliant, or combative or noncompliant, you have to assume the worst case scenario for your own safety.

The other issue is the injustice of our legal system. If your side loses the court case it is always unjust. But, until we have a better system in place it is the only way to resolve these issues. Violence against police is not the answer regardless of the circumstances. If the officer involved did something wrong he will have to answer for that. Until we know the whole story we cannot become judge and jury.

As with any segment of people that you can measure, there are some people serving as police officers that are bad people. With the vetting that occurs, and the endless training they receive, I believe it to be a small number. Also, good people can make bad decisions. Both of those are dealt with through the legal system, and I believe it has been pretty effective through the years. There is an automatic investigation anytime an officer is involved in a shooting. He surrenders his weapon on the spot and is assigned to alternate duty until the incident has been investigated. What if you were held to that same standard in your job?

What if someone came behind you and checked everything that you did, and if found in error, you would be reprimanded, or worse? I realize when you introduce guns it changes things drastically, but the level of scrutiny to which officers are evaluated is far beyond any other industry that I know.

The end result is this: when stopped by an officer, regardless of how unjustified you feel it may be, try to be kind. Do what they ask. Do not do anything that would give them reason to be alarmed (sudden actions, abusive language, threatening gestures, etc.). If you feel their actions are inappropriate then pursue legal action toward them. It is your right, and they are responsible for their behavior.

The answer to all of this was given in the second paragraph. If each of us would pursue that which we were created for – becoming the image of Christ – all of this would be moot.

Women in the Bible – Adah – Daughter of Elon, the Hittite – A Wife of Esau

Women in the Bible – Adah – Daughter of Elon, the Hittite – A Wife of Esau

Genesis 26:34-35 (ESV) When Esau was forty years old, he took Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite to be his wife, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 36:1-5 (ESV) These are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom). Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth. And Adah bore to Esau, Eliphaz; Basemath bore Reuel; and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

The woman known as “Adah” in Genesis 36 is apparently the same woman named “Basemath” in Genesis 26. Some theorize that Esau changed her name. It’s not known exactly why. At any rate, they are the same person.

Adah, as we saw last time, means “ornament.” Basemath comes from the Hebrew word bāśemat which means “fragrance”. When we are first introduced to Adah she was known as Basemath, When she first married Esau “they made life bitter for Issac and Rebekah.” The “fragrance” that defined her life was not a pleasant one; more of a stench than an aroma. However, she bore Esau a son. This child must have been a golden boy (Eliphaz means “God of gold”) and the joy brought to Adah mellowed her to the point that Esau changed her name from Basemath to Adah. She had become an ornament (of gold!) which blessed him.

That may not be what happened, but it is plausible. We do know that when Jacob and Esau encountered one another later in life there was no animosity in Esau’s heart toward Jacob. It could be that Adah, and her golden child, softened Esau’s heart to the point that he became a different man.

It is common in scripture for names to be changed. Sometimes it is a prophetic gesture that leads to a life change. Other times it is because the one they have no longer represents who they have become. I believe the latter is the case here. Never let who you are or what you’ve done define what you are capable of becoming.

Women in the Bible – Adah – Wife of Lamech

Women in the Bible – Adah – Wife of Lamech

Genesis 4:19-24 (ESV) And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah. Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”

The next Woman in the Bible is Adah. There are two women with this name found in scripture. Today we look at the one married to Lamech. Lamech is a descendant (sixth generation) of Cain, the son of Adam; six generations and still dealing with the curse of Cain. Apparently Lamech had a temper. He killed a young man for striking him. Unlike Cain, his forefather, he admitted it to his wives, and fully expected to receive punishment from God. Lamech married two wives, Adah and Zillah.

Adah bore two sons, Jabel and Jubel. We’re not told if they were twins. Adah must have been a special woman. First of all, her name comes from the Hebrew word ʿādâ, which means “ornament.” She was a blessing to her husband. She also raised two amazing sons. Both were given special recognition in scripture. Jabel, the first son, became the father of all nomadic shepherds. It may have been the shame of his heritage that caused him to go wandering, but he was very good at it. He became the trademark for the occupation.

The second son, Jubel, became an accomplished musician, and apparently taught others as well. He is known as the father of all who play the lyre and pipe. He perhaps, like many famous musicians today, buried himself in his craft to escape the pressures of his world, the shame of his father, and perhaps his father before him.

I can easily see how Adah would have helped shape both of these men to go beyond the constraints of being “a son of Cain” to achieve great things. Stories like these should give everyone hope of a better future. Regardless of your “pre-horizoned” entrance into this world the choices you make once you become self-aware can lead you to an acceptable outcome. This is the very essence of what I believe is meant by the New Testament term “predestined”. The Greek word for predestined simply means “pre-horizoned.” You could have been born anywhere, to any family, but you weren’t. Your beginning point was beyond your control. You opened your eyes when you were born to find the hand you had been dealt.

Predestination, as I understand it, doesn’t mean your future is also handed to you on day one. It simply means that God has a chosen destiny for you, which is become conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus. Regardless of the beginning point, the destination should always be the same. I believe Adah helped her sons find this path that led them to fulfilling more, “beyond what we could ask or think”, in their life that affected generations that would come after them.

Let us be like Lamech and take responsibility for our actions. Be quick to repent. Let us be like Adah, who in spite of being married into the cursed linage of Cain, raised two sons that exceeded the expectations others had of them. Let us be like Jabel and Jubel, and affect our world and potentially generations to come. There are those that need you. Some have not even been born yet. But your actions now can affect their lives then. They are worth the effort and any sacrifice you might have to pay.

Women in the Bible – Achsah – Daughter of Caleb

Women in the Bible – Achsah – Daughter of Caleb

Joshua 15:16-19 (ESV) And Caleb said, “Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife.” And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

Judges 1:12-15 (ESV) And Caleb said, “He who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him Achsah my daughter for a wife.” And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, captured it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter for a wife. When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have set me in the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.

1 Chronicles 2:42-50 (ESV) The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mareshah his firstborn, who fathered Ziph. The son of Mareshah: Hebron. The sons of Hebron: Korah, Tappuah, Rekem and Shema. Shema fathered Raham, the father of Jorkeam; and Rekem fathered Shammai. The son of Shammai: Maon; and Maon fathered Beth-zur. Ephah also, Caleb’s concubine, bore Haran, Moza, and Gazez; and Haran fathered Gazez. The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph. Maacah, Caleb’s concubine, bore Sheber and Tirhanah. She also bore Shaaph the father of Madmannah, Sheva the father of Machbenah and the father of Gibea; and the daughter of Caleb was Achsah. These were the descendants of Caleb.

When Israel came to the banks of the Jordan River, on the verge of entering the land that God had promised when He led them out of Egyptian captivity, Moses sent twelve young men to spy out the land. I’m sure you know the story. If not, look it up. Of the twelve only two came back with a positive report: Joshua and Caleb. After the rest refused to cross over because of the giants in the land, God declared that the entire generation would remain in the wilderness and die, and a new generation would enter the Promised Land.

Caleb would prosper in the new land, Canaan, and his family also prospered. 1 Chronicles 2 lists Caleb’s descendants. One of his daughters is the next Women in the Bibile: Achsah. Her name comes from the Hebrew word ʿaksâ, which means “anklet”. The word can mean a shackle, but it can also mean “a tinkling charm.” Somehow I believe this is more the case with Achsah.

Caleb considered his daughter a prize; so much so that he offered her hand in marriage to anyone who would conquer Kiriath-sepher, a city in Palestine. Othniel did just that. Caleb was about to follow through with his promise, but before the transaction could be finalized his daughter, Achsah, went to her husband-to-be to make sure she would live a good life. She asked “daddy” for a field, and a spring to go with it. He gave her the field, and both the upper and lower spring.

I can totally identify with this scenario. If my daughter asked me for anything I would give it to her. I believe Achsah was a shrewd business woman. Her request was not just a selfish landgrab. She was being sent, by way of Othniel winning her hand, to an arid land. Water would be a major problem for them. Her request was one of need which would give her and her new husband a much better chance at living well and raising their family. We do not know how things turned out for Achsah, but knowing she was a chip off the old block of Caleb, she probably ended well.

Women in the Bible – Abital – One of King David's Wives

Women in the Bible – Abital – One of King David's Wives

2 Samuel 3:2-5 (ESV) And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

1 Chronicles 3:1-4 (ESV) These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: the firstborn, Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelite; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelite, the third, Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth, Ithream, by his wife Eglah; six were born to him in Hebron, where he reigned for seven years and six months. And he reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem.

The next Woman in the Bible we will look at is Abital, a wife of David, the King of Israel. Abital comes from the Hebrew word ʾabîṭāl, which means “father of dew”, or “fresh.” She bore David a son, Shephatiah, whose name means “Jah has judged.” Very little is known about either Abital or her son. There are only the two references, cited above, mentioned in scripture.

All we know is Abital was a relative of Jesus, by way of her marriage to King David. She was part of the Tribe of Judah by marriage. We know much about many members of David’s family, mostly because of all the drama that tended to surround him. Son’s trying to overthrow his reign, killing other members of the family, etc. The fact that we never hear of Abital, or her son, Shephatiah, speaks volumes. They never caused the issues that landed others in David’s story recorded in scripture.

It brings to mind an interesting question. If there were a written account of your family history, how would you be remembered? Would you be a prominent figure that accomplished great feats? Would you be the reason for shame among your relatives? Or, perhaps you might be like Abital, that lived her life in the King’s house, raised a responsible son, and never caused anyone to speak of her in the narrative of David’s life? I think we spend too much time trying to build a legacy instead of living our lives. Let us take note of Abital and realize it’s not the headlines that define us. Sometimes, it’s the lack thereof.