The Italian Memorandum

“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

(Numbers 11:4-6)

God was not pleased with most of the children of Israel in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:5). Moses observed, “And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled” (Numbers 11:1). We are told in Scripture that, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps. 103:8). So, what was Israel’s real problem, after all, God had blessed this people with unimaginable blessings? Numbers 11 and Psalm 106 contain information about what really happened in the wilderness:

1. They complained despite the provisions of God (Numb. 11:1).
2. They preferred the delicacies of Egypt (Numb. 11:6).
3. They forgot what God had done for them (Ps. 106:7,13, 21).

The melons and cucumbers of Egypt are but symbols of what was most important to the Israelites. Their legacy is an example of rebellion (Hebrews 3:8). Their rebellion was religious rebellion: for they rejected Moses, the chosen (Ps. 106:16,23); they rejected true worship (Ps. 106:19); and, ultimately, they rejected their God (Ex. 16:8; 1 Sam. 8:7,8; 10:18,19).

Christians, too, must take care not to complain, prefer the world, or forget.

-Robert M. Housby

“And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth”

(Genesis 7:10)

The Jew, Philo of Alexandria, Egypt (c. 20 B.C. – 50 A.D.), asked this question: “Why, after the entrance of Noah into the ark, did seven days elapse, after which the deluge [flood, RMH] came?” (Questions and Answers on Genesis II (13), from The Works of Philo: Complete and Unabridged, New Updated Edition, translated by C.D. Yonge (Hendrickson Publishers: Peabody, Massachusetts, 1993), p. 819.
We offer several reasons for the relative delay. First, according to Genesis 7:4- 9, these days may have been given for the marching of the animals into the ark. For, Genesis 7:10 seems to intimate that once Noah and the animals had entered the ark, there was a space of seven days. Genesis 7:16 indicates that God, himself, shut the door of the ark. Perhaps, God spared Noah of this sorrow-laden action, namely, the closing of the door of hope. Second, Philo offers the possibility that this may have been a reflection of the seven days of creation, except in reverse. A third possibility is that this delay was yet another opportunity for man to express his remorse and acknowledgment of God the Father; not that he would be admitted into the ark, but that his faith would be duly noted. 1 Peter 3:20 reads, “…while God’s patience waited in the days of Noah;” and again, “…not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
It is written, after those seven days, “… all the fountains of the great deep
burst forth” (Gen. 7:11). “But God remembered Noah” (Gen. 8:1).

-Robert M. Housby

“…That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers”

(Hebrews 2:11)

The doctrine of “brethren” is a very important study. It is vital to the development of every Christian coming into the body of Christ to understand this concept. It is a term found plentifully throughout the Bible, and especially within the New Testament (adelphos). It is the term typically used to express relationship.

1. A genetic relationship, that is, siblings (Acts 1:14). The Hebrew is ah. The term for tribe is the plural ahim (compare Judges 1:3).
2. A cultural relationship, that is, Hebrew (Acts 1:16; 13:26a; Ex. 2:11).
3. A religious relationship, that is Jewish (Acts 1:29,37). Further indication of their Jewish religiousness may be seen in Acts 2:14, 22. There is over-lapping between cultural heritage and religious heritage. Carefully notice, also, that although this group was indeed religious, they were not as of yet forgiven; nor recipients of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38,41). Polite address seems evident in Acts 2:37 (see Gen. 29:4).
4. A relationship of Christian Sonship (Hebrews 2:10-13,17). Sonship is a relationship between the believer and God entered into through Christian baptism; that is by being born-anew (John 3:5; Tit. 3:5).
5. A relationship of love, as meaningful and mandatory (1 Jn 4:19-21).

To neglect this prime-time doctrine of “brethren” will lead to a failed relationship with Christ, with the church, and even with oneself (1 Jn. 3:10).

-Robert Housby

[Involvement Depends on Interest]

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called …”

(Ephesians 4:1)

There will be little involvement in the Christian faith, if there is but meager interest in the program of the gospel. Greater involvement as service to Christ and his church (Ephesians 3:21) will only happen when Christians are captivated by “the calling.” (Ephesians 4:1). In other words, minimal interest equals minimal involvement.
Ephesians 4:1 speaks of “the calling to which you have been called.” Certainly, the apostle Paul is urging the Ephesians to walk in a worthy manner. Yet, in order to bring this about, Paul knew that he had to get through to the Ephesians. He must break into their thinking (Eph. 4:23). He does this by appealing to the common Christian call— the gospel call (2 Thess. 2:14); the kingdom call; the glory call (1 Thess. 2:12); and, “the upward call” (Phil. 3:14).
If the Christian’s call is not personalized, Christ will only be marginalized, and minimized. Only when there is interest in the gospel, will there be involvement in the gospel. The gospel is captivating enough to both interest and involve you today: “Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

-Robert M. Housby

“You were unmindful of the Rock…”

(Deuteronomy 32:18)

“…For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased…”

(1 Corinthians 10:4,5)

It is written: “You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth” (Deuteronomy 32:18). The apostle Paul wrote concerning the children of Israel, “…with most of them God was not pleased” (1 Corinthians 10:5). Today, people in general and Christians in particular, are influenced by the “spirit of their age.” That is the reason why Paul wrote: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…” (Romans 12:2). The term “world” in Romans 12:2 is aionion; and means “age,” the spirit of the age, or by implication, what is currently and culturally normal. One such norm of our world is the, “Easy Come and Easy Go” mentality. In other words, little invested and little lost. Commitment is under discussion.
The Rock is God’s chosen designation of stability for his people (Deuteronomy 32). Be mindful of your Rock today; and the Rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-22).
“Easy Come and Easy Go” was not written of the soul.

-Robert M. Housby