William Andrew Dillard
There are times when certain verses of scripture appear somewhat strange to the modern reader. An example is Psalm 2:12, “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” Think with me about this verse for a moment. It means something far different to the practice of those who spread their germs by repeatedly kissing a statue.
The context of the second Psalm has as its subject matter the raging of heathen, vain imaginations of people, and kings and rulers of the earth taking counsel together against the LORD (Jehovah), and against His anointed (His Covenant People). They want to break their bands, and cast away their cords. (Moral and spiritual attachments). It is a word picture of modern man in his determination to achieve an ill-conceived utopia apart from any acknowledgment of God. The grace of God allows them to continue to do this for a limited time.
Meanwhile, God shall laugh, and have them in derision, and shall vex them in his sore displeasure. The Son of God is given the heathen for inheritance, and the uttermost part of the earth for possession. He shall indeed break the nations with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. In view of that fact, the admonition and instruction of wisdom is written in the eternal Word: “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
To kiss is to join with the mouth. “Kiss” is the translation of the Hebrew word, “Nashaq.” In Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, the Hebrew term is defined as “to kiss by joining the mouth to the mouth or hand of another in token of the friendly, affectionate union of hearts or of reverence and subjection.” (Page 239). Two really important accomplishments with the mouth are ingestion for nourishment, and projection of communication of the thoughts of the mind. Then one should discern from the terminology that to kiss the Son implies one should ingest in subjection the Word and Will of the Son. Furthermore, that one should then project from the mouth that which is sanctified and holy, even such as becomes the Son. Applied to modern day judges and governmental leaders, it seems a tall expectation indeed. In fact, it might just be considered such when applied to ministers and other church members. But all may rest assured that wisdom and life lies in the Son. He will be kissed in subjection and affection or those who refuse will be dashed in pieces in irrevocable judgment.
THE MYSTERY OF DIVINITY
HEBREW HONEYCOMB
William Andrew Dillard
THE MYSTERY OF DIVINITY
In the words of Paul to Timothy: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Timothy 3:16. God is presented to us as a trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Yet, in Christ Jesus, the Son, dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily! Since a Bible mystery is that which is unknown by the uninitiated, but known by the initiated, there are some things about God that are revealed to us. Think with me!
People are generally known as persons. It is normal to think of persons as material beings such as “he had no money on his person.” But the identity of person goes far beyond that thinking.
Consider that man is made in the image of God. If one understands man, he will have a better idea about God, and vice versa. The trinity of man is in the similitude of the Holy Trinity: Father corresponds to intellect; Son corresponds to physical body; Holy Spirit corresponds to the spirit of man. Moreover, these three are one, and yet three persons. It is concluded that the idea of “person” must be expanded upon in general thinking. A quick look at common dictionaries will reveal that “person, personality, and persona” are intricately related. The earthly idea springs from an actor’s mask by which a different persona is portrayed. These terms then are understood to denote the nature, and unique nuance of life force; the unique expression of human life in its total, individual presentation.
While the triune similarities of God and man are common to the race, there are vast and distinct dissimilarities as well. God is not intricately tied to one expression as is man. His thought and ways are higher to those of mankind as the heavens are high above the earth. But the three distinct personalities of God do not live in three distinct bodies. The Holy Trinity references more specifically three Holy Personalities in total unity dwelling in their fullness in Christ Jesus, the bodily form of God. The three may be manifest separately, but simultaneously, as in Jesus’ baptism, yet continuously dwell in the bodily form of the Son! Jesus said, “I and my Father are One!” John 10:30. Again, to Philip He said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: God Who at sundry times, and in divers manners hath spoken unto the father by prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son. . . who is the expressed (pushed-out) image of His person.” Hebrews 1:1-3. Thus in understanding spiritual things by the indwelling Spirit of God, one may know much about God, and be blessed and comfortable in the knowledge of the mystery of Divinity.
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