I can't believe it! The year has run out, and I didn't post half of what I wanted to. And with the new year, I want to focus on New Testament posts, so this is probably my last Old Testament post for a while. But I wanted to make sure I got in a word or two about Malachi.
Malachi is one of those short, but sweet little books, but it was important enough that Moroni quoted from the third and fourth chapters when he appeared to Joseph Smith (see Joseph Smith--History 1:36-39). It also was important enough in the Savior's eyes for Him to teach these prophecies to the Nephites after His resurrection (see 3 Nephi 24-25).
The entire book of Malachi deals in one way or another with the priesthood and its associated keys. Chapters one and two consist of a rebuke of the house of Israel, particularly Judah and the Levitical priests and the performance (or non-performance) of their priestly duties.
A Righteous Offering
As Jehovah rejects offerings made during their solemn feasts, because they are not offered in righteousness, He says to them, "Ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi" (Malachi 2:8). In the final two chapters He will teach them how to make the right kind of offering, including a prophetic promise of priesthood keys to be revealed in the latter days. In fact, one difference in Moroni's quotation of chapter four deals with the Priesthood. Moroni said,
"Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (D&C 2:1).
The sons of Levi, who hold the Priesthood, are to be purified and purged as gold and silver, that they may offer an offering in righteousness (Malachi 3:3). The definition of purity excludes any unwanted, extraneous elements. The dross and impurities have to be purged, leaving only one-hundred-percent, pure gold, or one-hundred-percent, pure silver.
Purity involves singleness of purpose. The Lord said it this way:
"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
"Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will" (D&C 88:67-68).
Two Elements Required
The answer for this kind of purity is simple, but not easy. It requires two things--heat and time. Silver must get hot enough to burn away the impurities, and maintain such a high heat for a sufficient length of time. You know where I'm going with this, don't you. It's never much fun to be thrown into the refiner's fire, and if you're like me, you might ask, "Why me?" Instead, we can choose to feel grateful, even when it hurts. The Lord said in another passage, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48:10).
Once in the furnace it only requires time. But how much time?
A few years ago I attended a Twelve-Step Recovery conference. I can't remember the name of the speaker, but he made reference to this passage in Malachi. Remember the Savior's role here: "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3). The Savior sits and watches the metal being refined.
Our speaker said he once visited Israel and this occupation as a metal watcher still existed. So he was privileged to talk to such a metal watcher. The man said it required a special skill. If you take the metal out of the furnace early, it never has the strength and true character required. If you leave it in too long the metal is ruined. So our speaker asked the metal watcher, "Well, how do you know when to take it out then?" He replied, "That's easy. When I see my face reflected in the shiny metal, I know it's time to come out."
And that's the role of the Savior. He knows when it's enough. In the Book of Mormon we can read about purity and true conversion:
"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" (Alma 5:14).
Only then can He call us His jewels.
"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him" (Malachi 3:17).
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
A River of Living Water
Ezekiel is shown the reconstructed temple in a vision. He sees water running from under the threshold of the temple flowing eastward. The water runs into the Dead Sea and heals the waters of the sea. The heavenly ministrant conducting this temple tour then notes:
"These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
"And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live" (Ezekiel 47:8-9).
Jesus Christ is the source of living water. He said to the woman at Jacob's well, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." The Savior then added, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:10,13-14).
President Howard W. Hunter once said, "Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives" (Conference Report, October 1979).
Water Libation at Feast of Tabernacles
In the seventh month of Tishri on the Hebrew calendar, the major Feast of Tabernacles occurs. It is called Sukkot among Jews and is still celebrated today. One of the main events is the pouring of water on the altar. The water would run down the steps of the temple into the outer courts. It was probably this celebration that Isaiah had reference to:
"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).
Jesus, while teaching at the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, uses this water libation as a backdrop for His living water sermon. John records,
"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
"(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39).
In the Greek it's not clear whether the "belly" is the belly of the believer, or the belly of Jesus, but it is probably the belly of Jesus. It's the same Greek word (koilia) which is translated as womb in John 3, where Jesus is teaching Nicodemus about spiritual rebirth. So the reference to "belly" in John 7 has spiritual rebirth connotations.
You can click here to read more about the Feast of Tabernacles and the water libation.
Temple Imagery in Ezekiel
In Ezekiel 47 the water is running under the threshold of the door of the temple eastward into the desert to heal the waters of the Dead Sea. But the heavenly ministrant conducting the tour has a line in his hand to measure the waters. The scripture states,
"And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
"Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
"Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over" (Ezekiel 47:3-5).
How typical this is of our temple experiences. The first time I went to the temple to receive my endowment, I checked the sign on the way out to make sure I was still attending the same church. I had barely dipped my little toe in the water. But each time I went to the temple after long years of absence due to my addiction to alcohol (and other things), I began to "drink in" the doctrines a little deeper. The meaning became deeper and deeper--first to the ankles, then the knees, then the waist, and soon I was totally immersed in the glory and spirit of the temple. And I continue to learn.
Spiritual Medicine
Ezekiel also speaks of trees growing along the banks of the river of living water, which flows from the temple.
"And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine" (Ezekiel 47:12).
What a contrast to my days of addiction and alcoholism! The exhilarating rush of alcohol and drugs quickly faded until I basically became numb. In Twelve Step recovery we call it "numbing out." I was consumed away, eaten up, and beaten up by my drug of choice. But the spiritual food available in the temple never fades away. It doesn't diminish over time. Every temple trip is a new and sacred experience, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This verse implies that the temple provides spiritual medicine. I'm not a doctor, but I know my wife takes different medications than I do. My son takes medicines totally different from either one of us. We can experience joy and healing in the temple. It is marvelous to me that we can sit together side by side in the temple, and each receives his or her own special medicine.
Jesus is the perfect Healer and Physician.
"These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
"And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live" (Ezekiel 47:8-9).
Jesus Christ is the source of living water. He said to the woman at Jacob's well, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." The Savior then added, "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:10,13-14).
President Howard W. Hunter once said, "Whatever Jesus lays his hands upon lives. If Jesus lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If he is allowed to lay his hands on the family, it lives" (Conference Report, October 1979).
Water Libation at Feast of Tabernacles
In the seventh month of Tishri on the Hebrew calendar, the major Feast of Tabernacles occurs. It is called Sukkot among Jews and is still celebrated today. One of the main events is the pouring of water on the altar. The water would run down the steps of the temple into the outer courts. It was probably this celebration that Isaiah had reference to:
"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3).
Jesus, while teaching at the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, uses this water libation as a backdrop for His living water sermon. John records,
"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
"(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" (John 7:37-39).
In the Greek it's not clear whether the "belly" is the belly of the believer, or the belly of Jesus, but it is probably the belly of Jesus. It's the same Greek word (koilia) which is translated as womb in John 3, where Jesus is teaching Nicodemus about spiritual rebirth. So the reference to "belly" in John 7 has spiritual rebirth connotations.
You can click here to read more about the Feast of Tabernacles and the water libation.
Temple Imagery in Ezekiel
In Ezekiel 47 the water is running under the threshold of the door of the temple eastward into the desert to heal the waters of the Dead Sea. But the heavenly ministrant conducting the tour has a line in his hand to measure the waters. The scripture states,
"And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
"Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
"Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over" (Ezekiel 47:3-5).
How typical this is of our temple experiences. The first time I went to the temple to receive my endowment, I checked the sign on the way out to make sure I was still attending the same church. I had barely dipped my little toe in the water. But each time I went to the temple after long years of absence due to my addiction to alcohol (and other things), I began to "drink in" the doctrines a little deeper. The meaning became deeper and deeper--first to the ankles, then the knees, then the waist, and soon I was totally immersed in the glory and spirit of the temple. And I continue to learn.
Spiritual Medicine
Ezekiel also speaks of trees growing along the banks of the river of living water, which flows from the temple.
"And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine" (Ezekiel 47:12).
What a contrast to my days of addiction and alcoholism! The exhilarating rush of alcohol and drugs quickly faded until I basically became numb. In Twelve Step recovery we call it "numbing out." I was consumed away, eaten up, and beaten up by my drug of choice. But the spiritual food available in the temple never fades away. It doesn't diminish over time. Every temple trip is a new and sacred experience, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This verse implies that the temple provides spiritual medicine. I'm not a doctor, but I know my wife takes different medications than I do. My son takes medicines totally different from either one of us. We can experience joy and healing in the temple. It is marvelous to me that we can sit together side by side in the temple, and each receives his or her own special medicine.
Jesus is the perfect Healer and Physician.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
The Shepherds of Israel
A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend was teaching our Gospel Doctrine class, and posed the question, "Who has been a shepherd for you?" I hesitated to answer, and for once, kept my mouth shut. Why? Because this good brother has been a shepherd for me, and I didn't want to embarrass him in front of the class.
A couple of years ago he was assigned as our home teacher. He may not remember much of this incident, but I do. He was merely doing his duty as a faithful home teacher, along with his faithful companion. I know they served us not merely to fulfill duty, but out of love. One month our entire family was a little stressed out, each of us awaiting some medical procedure. These good brothers took this opportunity to give each of us a priesthood blessing.
These brethren would say it was no big deal, but I remember specific words of comfort and promises of a priesthood blessing. I know the words did not come from my friend, but I'm so grateful he lives his life in such a manner to receive revelation. This blessing became a spiritual springboard for me, as I was invited to use this opportunity to examine my life. It prompted me to try a little harder and be a little better in some key aspects of my personal spiritual life.
The Lord rebuked slothful shepherds. Really, they are not shepherds at all. The Lord said,
"Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock" (Ezekiel 34:2-3).
False shepherds are clothed in wool so they look like the Lamb, and they appear in sheep's clothing, but inside are ravening wolves (see Matthew 7:15). False shepherds consume the fat and oil, while the true Shepherd provides healing oil taken straight from the "oil press" of Gethsemane.
Without shepherds the flock is scattered and becomes "meat to all the beasts of the field" (Ezekiel 34:). There are many devouring beasts today, such as addiction and pornography. Without shepherds (and especially the True Shepherd) we can be eaten alive!
The discussion in Gospel Doctrine became centered on the role of the good shepherd, like my good friend, and his old companion, who just brought my sweet wife a condolence card at the passing of her mother last week.
So what is the role of the shepherd? Some shepherds feel an immense burden to fix and bring back all the sheep. This can be discouraging and heart wrenching.
But remember, we all work for and with the Good Shepherd, and He can bring the sheep safely home. We don't have to heal anyone. That is the Savior's job. He said to the Nephites:
"Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him (a person who is unworthy to partake of the sacrament) out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them" (3 Nephi 18:32).
Notice the hazard when we try to play both roles. We can't tell who will return and repent, so we may have a tendency to give up on people who are not ready yet. And we don't have to (or get to) heal them anyway. The Lord says, "I shall heal them and (you) shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them."
I am grateful for a Savior who heals me day by day--a little bit at a time.
A couple of years ago he was assigned as our home teacher. He may not remember much of this incident, but I do. He was merely doing his duty as a faithful home teacher, along with his faithful companion. I know they served us not merely to fulfill duty, but out of love. One month our entire family was a little stressed out, each of us awaiting some medical procedure. These good brothers took this opportunity to give each of us a priesthood blessing.
These brethren would say it was no big deal, but I remember specific words of comfort and promises of a priesthood blessing. I know the words did not come from my friend, but I'm so grateful he lives his life in such a manner to receive revelation. This blessing became a spiritual springboard for me, as I was invited to use this opportunity to examine my life. It prompted me to try a little harder and be a little better in some key aspects of my personal spiritual life.
The Lord rebuked slothful shepherds. Really, they are not shepherds at all. The Lord said,
"Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
"Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock" (Ezekiel 34:2-3).
False shepherds are clothed in wool so they look like the Lamb, and they appear in sheep's clothing, but inside are ravening wolves (see Matthew 7:15). False shepherds consume the fat and oil, while the true Shepherd provides healing oil taken straight from the "oil press" of Gethsemane.
Without shepherds the flock is scattered and becomes "meat to all the beasts of the field" (Ezekiel 34:). There are many devouring beasts today, such as addiction and pornography. Without shepherds (and especially the True Shepherd) we can be eaten alive!
The discussion in Gospel Doctrine became centered on the role of the good shepherd, like my good friend, and his old companion, who just brought my sweet wife a condolence card at the passing of her mother last week.
So what is the role of the shepherd? Some shepherds feel an immense burden to fix and bring back all the sheep. This can be discouraging and heart wrenching.
But remember, we all work for and with the Good Shepherd, and He can bring the sheep safely home. We don't have to heal anyone. That is the Savior's job. He said to the Nephites:
"Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him (a person who is unworthy to partake of the sacrament) out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them" (3 Nephi 18:32).
Notice the hazard when we try to play both roles. We can't tell who will return and repent, so we may have a tendency to give up on people who are not ready yet. And we don't have to (or get to) heal them anyway. The Lord says, "I shall heal them and (you) shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them."
I am grateful for a Savior who heals me day by day--a little bit at a time.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Prophets as Messengers of the Divine Council
A common theme in the Book of Jeremiah is the role of prophets and their premortal foreordination. In the first chapter the Lord tells Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" (Jeremiah 1:5).
Jeremiah has a temple-like experience, as a dialog ensues. This also happens with Nephi, the brother of Jared, Moses, and others. Jeremiah records:
"Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
"Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it" (Jeremiah 1:11-12).
The almond rod symbolizes priesthood authority, and foreshadows the Savior as the "firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as the trees blossom in early spring, the resurrection is a certainty because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The almond tree is in full blossom in January or February in the Holy Land, and reminds us of Jesus, who was the first to rise from the dead, just as an almond is first to blossom and show new life. One can read more about this under "Almond Tree" in the sealed portion of the scriptures (the Bible Dictionary).
Aaron's rod which budded was a sign of priesthood authority. A rod was placed in the tabernacle for each tribe of Israel and the Lord caused Aaron's rod to bud and yield almonds to demonstrate the priesthood authority given to the tribe of Levi (see Numbers 17:8).
Divine Council
False prophets are identified in later chapters of Jeremiah. The following verse is an example:
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:16).
Then the Lord gives the true test for divine messengers:
"For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
"But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings" (Jeremiah 23:18,21-22).
Let's fix a King James translation failure here. The Hebrew word translated as "counsel" is cowd. It's the same word translated as "secret" in this rather famous verse:
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). The Hebrew word cowd means assembly or council.
Yes, it's the divine council where prophets are assembled with the Lord. Let's look at the same two verses in the NIV (New International Version):
"But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord
to see or to hear his word?
Who has listened and heard his word?
"But if they had stood in my council,
they would have proclaimed my words to my people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
and from their evil deeds" (NIV, Jeremiah 23:18,22).
Now it has the characteristics of the divine council. The members of the council are standing in God's presence, and they see and hear the proceedings. Now it reads like Abraham 3, where One stands in the midst of those who will become prophets and leaders. Jehovah is in the midst, or the sacred center.
The emphasis is switched from the message to the messenger. Authentic messengers with priesthood authority stood in the presence of Deity in the divine council. Anyone (including Lucifer) can pitch a good message. It may be 99 percent true. But authentic messengers stood in the divine council. And that makes all the difference.
Jeremiah has a temple-like experience, as a dialog ensues. This also happens with Nephi, the brother of Jared, Moses, and others. Jeremiah records:
"Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
"Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it" (Jeremiah 1:11-12).
The almond rod symbolizes priesthood authority, and foreshadows the Savior as the "firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as the trees blossom in early spring, the resurrection is a certainty because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The almond tree is in full blossom in January or February in the Holy Land, and reminds us of Jesus, who was the first to rise from the dead, just as an almond is first to blossom and show new life. One can read more about this under "Almond Tree" in the sealed portion of the scriptures (the Bible Dictionary).
Aaron's rod which budded was a sign of priesthood authority. A rod was placed in the tabernacle for each tribe of Israel and the Lord caused Aaron's rod to bud and yield almonds to demonstrate the priesthood authority given to the tribe of Levi (see Numbers 17:8).
Divine Council
False prophets are identified in later chapters of Jeremiah. The following verse is an example:
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:16).
Then the Lord gives the true test for divine messengers:
"For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
"I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
"But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings" (Jeremiah 23:18,21-22).
Let's fix a King James translation failure here. The Hebrew word translated as "counsel" is cowd. It's the same word translated as "secret" in this rather famous verse:
"Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). The Hebrew word cowd means assembly or council.
Yes, it's the divine council where prophets are assembled with the Lord. Let's look at the same two verses in the NIV (New International Version):
"But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord
to see or to hear his word?
Who has listened and heard his word?
"But if they had stood in my council,
they would have proclaimed my words to my people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
and from their evil deeds" (NIV, Jeremiah 23:18,22).
Now it has the characteristics of the divine council. The members of the council are standing in God's presence, and they see and hear the proceedings. Now it reads like Abraham 3, where One stands in the midst of those who will become prophets and leaders. Jehovah is in the midst, or the sacred center.
The emphasis is switched from the message to the messenger. Authentic messengers with priesthood authority stood in the presence of Deity in the divine council. Anyone (including Lucifer) can pitch a good message. It may be 99 percent true. But authentic messengers stood in the divine council. And that makes all the difference.
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