REPEAT AFTER ME. REPEAT…

Have you ever noticed the Holy-Spirit inspired repetition that occurs in the Bible?  Here are a few interesting examples.

In Luke 19, the inspired writer mentions four times that Jesus was getting close to Jerusalem (v11, vs 28 and 29, v37 and v41.  Even the account of the meeting with Zacchaeus (vs 1-10) adds to the build-up to Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem.  “He was going to pass that way.” There are four references to Jesus drawing near but, surprisingly, Luke doesn't actually record the arrival after all that.  He just goes on in v45 to say that Jesus went into the temple. As we read this, whether we realize it or not, we get the sense that something really important is going to happen.

In the book of Ruth, we meet the title character in the first four verses of chapter 1. Already, we know that she is a Moabitess (a woman from the land of Moab) and that Naomi is her mother-in-law. Yet, as the story unfolds, we read four more times that she was a Moabitess (1:22, 2:2, 2:21, 4:5, 4:10).  We are also reminded over and over again that she is Naomi’s daughter-in-law and that Naomi is her mother-in-law (see 2:18-23, where the relationship that we already knew about is emphasised six more times in just six verses.) If that wasn’t enough, we are reminded in the very next verse (3:1) that Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law – just in case we hadn’t yet absorbed that fact! Why all this repetition? The Holy Spirit is stressing the fact that Ruth was not a real daughter of Israel, yet, by the grace of God and by her faithful heart of commitment, she was able to enter into the blessings of God’s covenant people.

Hmm. I think we can see a message there about salvation by grace through faith.

There are many examples of this kind of repetition in Scripture. The phrase: “I am the Lord and there is no other” (or its equivalent) is repeated six times in Isaiah 45. The gospel and epistles of John contain heavy repetitions of words like ‘light’, ‘truth’ and ‘believe’. I could go on and on.

We tend to rebuke people who repeat themselves – and I admit to getting annoyed when people insist on endlessly repeating what I already understood – but the fact remains that God repeats Himself. Frequently! And not just in His Word. I’ve noticed that, when God wants to get my attention, He often arranges things. Maybe it’s a person or a place that I haven’t thought about for months, and suddenly, there are reminders everywhere I look. The “two or three witnesses” thing is for those of us who are most spiritually alert. The rest of us apparently need six or seven!

As you read the Scriptures, I invite you to keep an eye out for the repetitions. They are never accidental. Rather, we can think of them as the Holy Spirit underlining things with a bold red texta. Pay special attention here!

LESSONS ON MOTHERHOOD AND SOULWINNING

Hannah was greatly loved by her husband but she was barren (1 Sam 1:5). The Lord had not given her any children. A mother’s heart cannot be satisfied, even with a double portion of worldly goods, if there is no child to love.

Hannah had a rival because her husband had another wife, one who bore children. So Hannah was deeply grieved and wept in prayer continually. Her desire was strong and she was willing to devote the child that would be born wholly to God. She would claim no ownership over the child she so desperately wanted.

Even being accused of drunkenness (1:14-16) by the priest did not overly concern Hannah because her desire was so strong. And it all came to pass according to the prophetic word spoken over her by Eli (1:17). She had a son, Samuel, and he was dedicated to the Lord after a few years of nurturing and weaning (1:21-24).

Hannah shows us a mother’s heart but we can also see something of a soulwinner’s heart in her. She knew she was loved (ie, by God) but yearned passionately for fruitfulness (ie, souls). When we see various sports, hobbies and social causes recruiting people by the hundreds, do we feel provoked? Does it make us even more determined to win the lost for Jesus?

Hannah wept and laboured in prayer for this goal (see Ps 126:5,6). When her prayer was answered, she carefully and lovingly nurtured the child (discipleship) and then released him for God’s service, but still keeping in touch on a regular basis.

May we have the same passion for souls that Hannah had for children! Even as God blessed Hannah with other sons and daughters (1 Sam 2:21) may the Lord bring other souls to those who have soul-winner’s hearts.

THE TWO VOICES

“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

In Proverbs 9, these same words are used to describe both the voice of wisdom and the voice of foolishness (vs 4 and 16). Both are depicted as women crying out from the highest places in the city, calling people to listen. Both offer an interpretation of what it means to truly enjoy life.

What an absolutely brilliant literary device this is, a memorable juxtaposition of two contrasting lifestyles. The voice of wisdom invites people to come and partake of the blessings of righteous living, while the voice of foolishness invites people to partake of hidden pleasures. We can live for what is right or we can live for selfish desires. We can live for God or we can live for ourselves.

Both women, both voices, call out to “whoever is simple”. The Hebrew word implies people who are easily led, wavering, gullible or inexperienced. It might be young people wondering where their lives will take them, or older people standing at a crossroads thinking “where to now?”

Both women, both voices, call for a definite commitment. “Turn in here” means a change of lifestyle, a commitment one way or the other. It might be possible to roam up and down the street, hearing both voices but responding to neither. What isn’t possible, though, is accepting both invitations. It really is one or the other.

Which voice are you listening to?