written by Stephan Joubert
Can stones talk? For sure. How? Well, when humanity starts silencing God’s voice. That’s what Jesus says when the religious leaders try to silence the children who are festively welcoming Him to Jerusalem. Maybe we should start listening to the stones around us. Stones can speak when necessary.
Humanity is trying to kill off God’s voice by silencing it, shouting louder than it, or living straight past it. No wonder that we are currently experiencing what prof. Johan Heyns once called: A God-eclipse! With our technologically advanced fire-extinguishers, we think we can extinguish God’s burning bush. With our clever theories about the Bible we mean we have the power and authority to do a so-called post-mortem on the Scriptures.
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written by Stephan Joubert
You don’t allow just anybody behind the steering wheel of a car. Drivers have to have sufficient driving skills. Without these skills they’re a danger to other road users. The same principle applies to the Bible. Caveat lector — be careful reader! Yet lots of readers read the Bible thinking they easily understand everything. They then apply verses in a rectilinear way outside the context of the original meaning, on themselves as well as on other people. Sometimes with fatal results. Hear the warning again: caveat lector — be careful reader! It’s God’s Word that you’re dealing with. The Bible is definitely not controlled by you! It’s not a weapon to hurt others or write them off. You’re an ordinary human being that holds eternal words in your hands. Make sure you know what you’re doing. Be humble. Also be a diligent student of the Bible. Don’t be in a hurry to tell others that the Bible says this or that… Consider the words of God’s Word thoroughly in your heart before you hastily talk about it!
written by Stephan Joubert
Sometimes I’m left dumbfounded at people’s lack of sensitivity. Not long ago, someone told me about a colleague who’s brother died at a young age. Then, someone too-holy-for-words sent him a text message with the words of Proverbs 10:27 that says “the years of the wicked are cut short.” Proverbs does indeed say that, but it’s not directly applicable, one for one, to every and each person who dies prematurely. Similarly, not every person who attains a ripe old age is enjoying God’s favor (as some incorrect readers of the Ten Commandments might deduce!). We don’t have any right to summarily condemn people that die young.
Indeed, the Proverbs were written to teach people how to discern between wisdom and folly. Proverbs definitely wasn’t meant for spiritual bullies who want to increase people’s pain and suffering further through unthoughtful text messages. Also not for people that say they need an answer for every crisis or heartache. Let’s learn to handle God’s Word with care. Let’s serve rather than injure each other with our knowledge.
written by Stephan Joubert
To read one uses one’s eyes, and to listen one’s ears. Reading is a form of exercise, and requires different skills than hearing. For most of us the bible is just a ‘reading’ book. Nevertheless we find lots of scripture telling us to listen to the Lord. This means that in addition to reading and understanding, you should also hear and listen. Jesus often gave instructions that those who have ears must hear. Thus, the bible is a book to listen to, not just to read… Originally, the people heard the bible with their ears. Hearing is the primary revelation instrument of God. Therefore, learn to listen carefully. Learn to listen in a way that the word of the Lord overwhelms you. You have to listen in a way that you personally meet the living God over and over again in the bible… behind all the letters on paper!
