Truth Magazine

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: Blessings and cursings are mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:16-18. Can Christians live under a curse to the extent that they do not prosper materially, that is, they become failures? If so, how do they come under this curse, and how do they get out from under it?

Reply: “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I command you this day; and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known” (Deut. 11:26-28).

Later, when Israel had entered Canaan, blessings were to be uttered from Mount Gerizim and the curse from Mount Ebal (v. 29). These two mountains are opposite each other, and interestingly, Mount Ebal is barren and Mount Gerizim is fertile. Each is about 2500 feet in elevation. They are in the center of the land from west to east and from north to south. Shechem (modern Nabulus) is nestled between these two mountains, Ebal on the north side and Gerizim on the south. Israel was to be subject to either blessings or cursings, blessings if she would obey God’s commandments and cursings if she disobeyed them.

Israel was a free agent; she was given a choice. Jehovah said: “Behold, I set before you this day. . .” (v. 26). It was up to Israel. She could choose to obey or disobey. “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil” (Deut. 30:15). Joshua later placed a choice before Israel (Josh. 24:15). Whether we are blessed or condemned by God today depends upon the choice that we make.

To correctly answer the inquiry, we must determine the nature of the blessings and the curse. The blessings may include physical blessings at times. Israel was blessed in the land that she had conquered, living on it and prospering from it. The continued occupancy of the land was conditional. She would be so prospered if she remained faithful to Jehovah; but if she disobeyed Him, she would be destroyed from the land (see Josh. 23:15,16). A man receives God’s blessings when he is approved of God, and when he thereby prospers, he prospers spiritually.

Physical prosperity does not always come to the man whom God has blessed. He will not necessarily become materially rich or successful (although principles practiced by a Christian may in some instances contribute to some degree of even material success). But he does prosper spiritually. We must remember that even the wicked prosper materially, and this has always been a concern of the righteous. The psalmist David admonished: “Rest in Jehovah and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass” (Psa. 37:7). We are reminded also that Job was a righteous man, but was divested of his worldly goods, lost all of his children and was afflicted with “sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown” (Job 2:7). Job was a righteous man, and though he lost materially and suffered pain, he nevertheless prospered spiritually. This is true prosperity. The Christian experiences tragedies in life, but prospers spiritually and will receive his reward in that everlasting heavenly home. Paul suffered, enumerating those things which befell him (2 Cor. 11:23-28), but he was assured of his eternal reward (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

As to the curse, this does not mean that the man who is cursed because he disobeys God is necessarily jinxed in all of his physical undertakings. We have already seen that the wicked may prosper. The curse means that he is cursed by God; that he, is in a state of condemnation. Conversely, the one who is pleasing to God is not comdemned. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1, KJV).

Our conclusion is that both the righteous and the wicked may prosper materially. “For he maketh his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). Both the righteous and the wicked also suffer physically and endure mental anguish. But the righteous is blessed because he has God’s approval. He prospers spiritually as he endeavors to reach heaven. The unrighteous is cursed in that he is condemned. His soul is lost if he does not repent. We should all endeavor to please God that we may be blessed and not be cursed.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 22, p. 676
November 15, 1984

By Carl McMurray

It seems that there are always destined to be among us certain practices and “issues” which refuse to be completely conquered. Perhaps it’s because of a continued inflow of converts needing to be taught. Perhaps it’s because we must continue to live in a world dominated by darkness. More sobering, however, is the thought that these things continue to stand as stumbling blocks because those responsible for teaching people how to be lights in the world are not giving out a clear sound. One of the practices we have in mind is “drinking” (Not necessarily drunkenness mind you, but what used to be referred to as “social drinking”). When the strongest teaching that a gospel preacher does on the matter is to explain, “I’d never drink, but I don’t see that the Bible condemns it,” then we need to be doing more studying and less listening to the lovers of the world around us.

There are at least two main areas in which the Bible condemns this practice. First, there are what I refer to as the moral arguments based upon the application of valid Bible principles. Then, there are the plain scriptural arguments that address drinking directly.

Moral Arguments

Notice Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to “abstain from all appearance of evil.” The legalists among us generally will not accept any warning unless it is absolutely nailed into the context of a specific sin. Here, however, is a direct command to “abstain,” yet the object is a general idea. Not only specific sin is to be avoided, but even the appearance of such. If this does not apply with regard to the practice of drinking, then it does not apply anywhere, because everything associated with drinking is evil. This can be shown by the following.

It Is A Drug

It makes little sense to recoil with horror from the idea of using “just a little” grass, coke, or dust, while we sit in a Bible class and calmly give our assent to “just a cold one on a hot day.” A $2 million tax-funded study during the Johnson administration identified alcohol as the most dangerous drug in the country.(1) Alcohol addicts outnumber drug addicts 10 to 1, and alcohol deaths outnumber drug related deaths 33 to 1.(2) Consider also, that doctors report 1 out of every 3 people are put together in such a way as to make them potential alcoholics.(3) One cannot know until he begins to drink whether he will be drawn into alcoholism. In 1975 (10 years ago, no less!) the number of those addicted to alcohol was estimated at 8 million(4) while those who were working with alcoholics thought the figure was closer to 15-20 million.(5) Like the reckless teen-age driver who is sentenced to spend time in a hospital emergency room so that he might see the end results of his “fun,” perhaps it would do our Pepsi drinking brethren who see nothing wrong with social drinking good to spend time with a few members of Alcoholics Anonymous so they could actually see the burns from the fire they play with. This drug has a proven detrimental effect on one’s brain, lungs, heart, liver, pancreas, small intestine, endocrine glands, sex glands, blood, and bone tissue, as well as lowering one’s resistence to infection.(6) Nothing wrong with “just a little” you say? Then you surely won’t mind if your child pops “just a few pills,” or smokes marijuana “just a little?” It reminds me of those inconsistent brethren who argue that there is no proof that smoking is harmful (as if this was the only problem), thus no reason to abstain from doing it on the porch at the church building. But they won’t let their children smoke! To play with that which has enslaved so many and has the power to master us is to ignore every warning from God on the deceitfulness of sin and the power of Satan.

It Weakens Inhibitions

Like most harmful drugs, alcohol causes one to lose his ability to reason and think clearly, though the one drinking is usually the last one to know. It is not a stimulant as so many believe, but instead simply takes away inhibitions, removes the brakes so to speak. Thus, when one would normally resist or avoid certain temptations, he instead weakens his conscience, if not silencing it altogether. This is accomplished because that portion of our brain, the frontal lobe, which controls our inhibitions is quickly affected by alcohol.(7) And we might point out that this happens long before state laws would ever recognize one as being intoxicated. The degree of reasoning power that is lost may be much or little, but it is lost nonetheless. Should a Christian sacrifice any of his ability to think clearly and deal with every situation as “wise men”? This would hardly agree with Timothy’s directions to discipline himself (1 Tim. 4:7), or with the Spirit’s admonition to be “alert and sober” as “sons of light” (1 Thess. 5:5-6). It is wrong, brethren.

The World Sees What We Deny

Alcohol has been the direct and indirect cause of the destruction of uncountable numbers of innocent lives. Every dollar gained by the government is lost multiplied times over by being poured out in policing drunks, higher insurance fees, destruction of property, rehabilitation, drying out programs, medical care, lost time from work, and the kindred costs of other crimes committed while “under the influence.” Over fifty per cent of all traffic fatalities and seventy-five per cent of single vehicle fatalities are directly related to alcohol. Keep in mind that not all of these are even classified as “drunk.” They’re just “comfortable.” Seventy percent of all divorce cases result at least partially from alcohol.(8) Twenty percent of alcoholic mothers give birth to children with serious birth defects.(9) Up to 75% of all crimes are committed by persons under the influence of this drug.(10) There is no way to put a dollar value on the immorality committed while “on” this drug, nor of the tragic results of such activity in broken homes, abused children, and birth defects caused by unthinking parents who were pumping alcohol through their veins during conception and/or pregnancy. And most of us would prefer not to consider the long range cost of scarred and broken lives (of the innocent as well as the guilty). But just a little is ok, right? Wrong! Nothing with this type of track record ought to have any place among those committed to putting “His righteousness” first (Matt. 6:33). This practice in any degree can be nothing but harmful to our influence and example as salt and lights in the world. There is some salt in serious danger of losing its flavor because of its great desire to be like the world. The foolishness of trying to justify the practice is seen in the picture of one asking another to come over and spend the evening in Bible study. The gracious host, desiring to make his visitor comfortable so that one might truly see his soul’s need in the study, meets him at the door with, “This Bud’s for you!” Is this truly the “Miller time” we hear so much about? It is wrong, brethren.

Even If You Can Control It

Because of the first reason we listed, there is a very real danger of leading others to commit outright sin in becoming an alcoholic (drunkard, Bible). Now, to some who care nothing for others, this means little, but for a Christian to engage in that which may destroy another’s life, let alone his soul, is unthinkable (1 Cor. 8:12-13).

If there were no other reasons, these would be enough. Drinking alcoholic beverages in any quantity in our society and circumstances today is sinful. But these are not the only reasons. We will look at some Scriptures plainly condemning such action next time.

Endnotes

1. Article from Detroit Free Press, via Richard DeHaan, Bible Truth.

2. Ibid

3. Beverage Alcohol Destroys , p.3, Delton Hann Tract Co.

4. A Jigger Of Murder, Journal of Insurance, Sept./Oct. 1975, Frank G. Harrington.

5. Enlist In The War Against Alcohol, p.5, 1974, Southern Pub. Co.

6. Ibid, p. 9.

7. Drunkenness, T. Mark Lloyd Sr., M.D., Searching the Scriptures, Aug. 1977.

8. Enlist In The War Against Alcohol, p. 17, 1974, Southern Pub. Co.

9. Ibid.

10. Ibid., p. 18; also Alcohol’s Contribution To Mankind, William Sexton.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 21, pp. 658-659
November 1, 1984

By Raymond Harris

As we compare the attitudes and activities of the student body of high schools and colleges with the attitudes and activities of the larger communities of our nation, it gets a little scary.

If you have the notion that unruliness, rebellion, and acts of violence have mushroomed, you are right.

Recently a study was made comparing the most often reported offenses in public schools in 1940 with those of 1982. Here we have the results.

In 1940 the top offences in public schools were as follows: (1) Talking without permission; (2) chewing gum; (3) making unnecessary and disturbing noise; (4) running in the halls; (5) getting out of turn in lines; and (6) not putting waste paper in the wastebaskets.

In 1982 things were quite different. The top offenses of 1982 were: (1) Robbery; (2) assault; (3) rape; (4) burglary; (5) bombings; (6) arson; (7) vandalism; (8) extortions; (9) absenteeism; (10) drug abuse; (11) alcohol abuse; (12) pregnancies; (13) abortions; (14) venereal disease; (15) suicide; (16) murder and (17) gang warfare.

Obviously, unless there is a radical change in the home, in the schools, and ultimately in the thinking and lives of our young, our future will be to become a barbaric society and finally extinction.

Through the years, I too have been concerned that “Johnny can’t read” and “Jane doesn’t know the multiplication tables.” However, it is rather obvious that this nation has a problem far worse than a 4007o functional illiteracy rate!

I would suggest that the problem has two tap roots: (1) A breakdown of the home which no longer practices and teaches high moral values and standards. (2) The complete “take over” of our nation’s educational system by humanists. Hence, we have a situation wherein absolute standards of right and wrong that are taught in the home are soon eroded by teachers who promote evolution, sex education and situation ethics (wherein nothing is to be considered absolutely right or wrong). Some teachers even unknowingly fall into the trap of becoming the instruments of the humanist as they lead sessions in “Behavioral Modification” and “Values Clarification” and dilute any good things that have been taught at home.

If evolution is true, these conclusions follow: (1) there is no God; (2) man is a superior animal; (3) animals are not bound by laws; (4) life becomes a matter of the survival of the fittest; and (5) the civilized world reverts to a jungle!

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 21, p. 650
November 1, 1984

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: I am making a study of Ezekiel 11:19,20,- 18:31 and 36.-26 concerning the giving of a new heart and a new spirit. Is this future prophecy? When was the giving of a new heart and new spirit accomplished; was it under the old or new covenant?

Reply: The above verses are worded about the same, so we shall notice the reading of the first reference, Ezekiel 11:19,20. Jehovah is addressing Israel through the prophet Ezekiel. Concerning Israel He says: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and will give them a heart of flesh; that they may walk in my statutes, and keep my ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.”

At the time this promise was given, the Jews were captives in Babylon; they had been carried away from their own land because of idolatry. During his second invasion (c. 597 B.C.), Nebuchadnezzar carried away several thousand captives, among whom was the prophet Ezekiel. They were settled at the river Chebar, which empties into the Euphrates three hundred miles north of Babylon. It was here that Ezekiel wrote the visions that make up the body of the book of Ezekiel. It was during this period that the 137th Psalm was written.

Ezekiel 36:25 prefaces verse 26, a parallel to Ezekiel 11: 19,20; 18:32. Ezekiel told Israel, “And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.” He alludes to the sprinklings for purification of sin under the law, as in Numbers 19:9,19,20. The idea in Ezekiel 36:25 is that God would cleanse Israel of guilt. The passage does not refer to sprinkling as a mode of baptism, although some contend that it does. The verse certainly does not refer to the conditions of salvation that are found in the New Testament. In the New Testament we are plainly taught to be baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, etc.) and that means “to be dipped, submerged or immersed.” The meaning of the Greek words bapto and baptizo in the New Testament mean “to dip in or under,” “to immerse,” as garments are dipped in dye (see Kittel, Theological Dictionary of the N. T., Vol. 1, pp. 529, 30 et al). So, Ezekiel 36:25 has no reference to baptism in the New Testament whatsoever. As water of purification under the law was to cleanse unclean persons and vessels, so God would cleanse Israel of her sins if she would repent. This is the context of the new heart and new spirit which would be put in Israel, as mentioned in the verses considered in the inquiry.

It is said in Ezekiel 11:19 that God would give them one heart. Israel was scattered throughout Babylon. She would become unified as God would gather her together and bring her back to her own land. Verse 21 makes it evident that all would not put away the detestable things required to be put away in verse 18. But Ezekiel 18:31 is clear, that having a new heart and a new spirit, was conditional. Israel had to first cast away all her transgressions. They were dead spiritually until

they repented of their sins. Jehovah assured them that He had no pleasure in their spiritual death and then appealed to them, “wherefore turn yourselves and live” (v. 32).

In the Ezekiel 36:26 passage, God said that He would take away their stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh. Their stony heart was their stubborn heart, their heart of rebellion to God’s will. The heart of flesh was their new heart, a different one from the one they had. Heart transplants are nothing new to the Bible.

Any consideration of the above verses should include a reference to Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones (ch. 37). He saw a valley of dry bones, but there was a noise and an earthquake and the bones came together (v. 7). Then he saw sinews upon them and flesh came up, and skin covered them; but no breath was in them (v. 8). Ezekiel prophesied “and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (v. 10). Jehovah then promised to open up their graves and bring them into the land of Israel (v. 12). Now notice v. 14, “And I will put my Spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and ye shall know that 1, Jehovah, have spoken it and performed it, saith Jehovah.”

Figuratively, the nation of Israel was in a state of death while captive in Babylon and would be raised up to a new life. Israel was promised the land of Canaan (Gen. 15:7,18,19; 26:4; 28:13,14; etc.); Israel received the land (Josh. 21:44,45; 23:15) and now Israel, having been carried away to Babylon, is to return to the land. The bones in Ezekiel 37 represent Israel (v. 11) and the vision is that of a resurrected nation as represented by the dry bones being covered with flesh and receiving breath (v. 6). The context of these passages is Israel and her revival or renewed state. Israel was restored to her own land as Jehovah had promised. She returned from exile in Babylon (1) under Zerubbabel (536 B.C.), (2) under Ezra (458 B.C.), and (3) under Nehemiah (445 B.C.). The giving of a new heart or spirit was then accomplished. Some commentators do suggest that the opening of the graves and the coming of Israel out of them alludes to the future general resurrection (Jn. 5:28,29). If so, it would be only in a secondary sense. The immediate context is the return of Israel to her land from captivity in Babylon.

Guardian of Truth XXVIII: 21, pp. 646, 664
November 1, 1984