The Italian Memorandum

“Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

(Amos 4:12)

Now the bright morning star, Day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.
Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
Mirth and youth and warm desire,
Woods and groves are of thy dressing
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

(John Milton, On May Morning, 1629-30?)

Milton expressed of the month of May, “And [we] welcome thee and wish thee long.” Have you ever felt that way about something that you wished would never end?

But, isn’t it true that blessings can sometimes turn into complacency about the Lord and His church (see Amos 3:1,2)? “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1). So, Amos 4:12, “Prepare to meet your God,” is ultimately about the inevitable (see Eccl. 12:5,7,14). Yes, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10).

So, on this May morning, “Seek the Lord and live” (Amos 5:6)!

-Robert M. Housby

“Make a joyful noise to the LORD”

(Psalm 100:1; compare Psalm 150)

“…but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart…”

(Ephesians 5:18-19)

The Old Testament placed emphasis on instrumental music in certain instances. The classic example of this is 1 Samuel 16:14-23, where King Saul would call for David’s lyre to soothe him from a recurrent evil spirit (depression?). The nature of the Old Testament, itself, was but a shadow of the better covenant to come under Christ (as predicted by Jeremiah, 31:31-34; Hebrews 9:1; 10:1; especially see 9:11).

But, New Testament worship would be different, as prophesied, and as implemented, under the doctrine of the apostles (Acts 2:42). In this regard, we may see a shift away from mere carnal sacrifices and offering to more spiritually based worship. For example, instead of incense—prayers; instead of animals—Jesus; instead of mechanical instruments—the heart (see Ephesians 5:19).

The kind of music that God desires today, that is, what he has ordered for church worship, is specified by Paul—“I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Cor. 12:15).

– Robert M. Housby

“He [Christ] was foreknown before the foundation of the world
but was made manifest in the last times for your sake…”

(1 Peter 1:20, ESV)

Sometimes we need clarifying information. The five basic religious stories of the book of Genesis provide such a structure for understanding the Bible and the plan of God for mankind.

1. Genesis 1 – The story of creation: This Is My Father’s World (Genesis 1:31; 1 Tim. 4:4).

2. Genesis 2 – The story of Adam and Eve: Sin Had Left a Crimson Stain (Romans 5:12).

3. Genesis 6 – The story of Noah and the Flood: (Gen. 6:5- 8). Judgment.

4. Genesis 11 – The story of the tower of Babel: Social chaos (Genesis 11:9).

5. Genesis 12- The story of Abraham: Sweet Are the Promises (Gen. 12:3; ).

The first story is of one of paradise; the second, paradise lost; the third; judgment for wickedness; the fourth, further social disintegration and alienation; the fifth, hope through the coming Messiah.

-Robert M. Housby

“Then you will understand…every good path”

(Proverbs 2:9)

We are aware of the religious changes that are sweeping across our country. The sixth century B.C. prophet wrote, “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). Jeremiah 6:16 equates “the ancient paths” of God with ,“the good way.” Some 400 years earlier, the Proverb writer gave the classic foundation for a theology of “the path” and “the way” in Proverbs 2:8-20.

We may deduce:

1. This is the way of God for his people (Prov. 2:8).
2. Every good path involves understanding (Prov. 2:9).
3. Such understanding is specific (Proverbs 2:10-20)

a. “wisdom” (2:10)
b. “knowledge” (2:10)
c. “discretion” (2:11)
d. “understanding” (2:12)
e. “delivering” (2:12)

(1) “from evil” [men; darkness; crooked paths] (2:13-15)

(2) “from the forbidden woman” (2:16-19; see also Revelation 17:18;18:3, etc. where the prostitute = a social structure)

Back to the Bible is a return to “every good path” (Prov. 2:9). Your present
path will determine your destination. So, which way are you going?

-Robert M. Housby

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth, making it
bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread
to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which
I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it”

(Isaiah 55:10,11)

The church sign read, “I WISH FOR SNOW—ISA. 55:10,11.” To the uninitiated such a wish is superficial, and verges on the questionable side of mental health. But, to those who have read Isaiah 55:10,11, it is the wish for more. It is the wish for—

1. The farmer’s well being by the replenishing of the earth and the promise of a harvest.

2. The consumer’s delight in having a table always and adequately set with food.

3. The Lord’s designed will that his word go forth and succeed in its intended goal.

There is perhaps only one other passage, to our knowledge, where snow is used in a more ardent sense. It is written in the prophet Isaiah— “…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow” (1:18). Do you wish for this snow?

– Robert M. Housby

“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, How
long will you go limping between two different opinions?”

(1 Kings 18:21, ESV)

The Bible teaches clearly that man is highly opinionated, even when those
personal opinions are not immediately forthcoming (see Job 32:6,10,17). We appreciate this aspect of the human experience, as given by God to man, which is sometimes referred to as free-will. A classic example of such free-will may be viewed in Joshua 24:15—“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

When Elijah asked, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21), he was tapping into man’s ability to choose for himself. Surely, it was exasperating for Elijah to have to confront these religious wobblers, to say nothing about God’s own feelings on the matter. Of course, Elijah would be called a troublemaker for his efforts (1 Kings 18:17). But, his reply stands as a resilient model for all time: “I have not troubled Israel…but you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord” (1 Kings 18:18). He proceeded: “If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).

Jesus, himself, said, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26). If you’re not serving, you’re not following; and, if you’re not following…you’re limping theologically.

– Robert M. Housby

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree”

(Psalm 92:12)

Sometimes those older 19th century Biblical commentaries shed light on a passage that is difficult to surpass because of first-hand experience and beauty of expression. Such is the case with Dr. Thomson’s comments about Psalm 92:12—“The righteous will flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedars of Lebanon” (Barnes on the Old Testament, Vol. III (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, reprinted, 1968) 121-125:

“The palm grows slowly, but steadily, from century to century, uninfluenced by those alterations of the seasons which affect other trees. It does not rejoice overmuch in winter’s copious rain, nor does it droop under the drought and burning sun of summer. Neither heavy weights which men place upon its head, nor the importunate urgency of the wind, can sway it aside from perfect uprightness. There it stands, looking calmly down upon the world below, and patiently yielding its large clusters of golden fruit from generation to generation. [Re: the cedars of Lebanon] Beneath the giant arms of those old patriarchs of a hundred generations, there comes a solemn hush upon the soul as if by enchantment… But it is most impressive at night. Let us by all means arrange to sleep there. The universal silence is almost painful. The gay old towers of Lebanon, still as stone, stand all around, holding up the stars of heaven to look at you, and the trees gather like phantoms about you, and wink knowingly, or seem to, and whisper among themselves you know not what…The idea in the passage before us is, that the righteous will flourish like the most luxuriant and majestic trees of the forest…”

Brethren, let us flourish while we may! – Robert M. Housby

“There was no getting around the stubborn fact that taking sweetmeats was only ‘hooking,’ while taking bacon and hams…was plain simple stealing…”

(Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, chapter 13)

“Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished”

(Malachi 1:14; 1:8)

The prophet Malachi did not mince words when he leveled a rebuke at God’s people for ripping off the LORD their God. That rebuke still rings and resonates in the ears of all who would do his will. A sampling of the rebuke appear as follows, with a brief analysis—

“Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me”

(Malachi 3:8)

1. The Lord has expectations for his people (3:8,9).
2. These expectations are not empty, but full expectations (3:10a).
3. It is not vain to serve God (3:13,14).
4. Service to God will open the windows of heaven and blessing (3:3:10b).

Will you not serve him today? “Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him” (3:18).

– Robert M. Housby

[A list of references of the causes of salvation. This list refutes and exposes those groups which subjectively select one cause over another. See Acts 20:27; Ps. 119:160. It is a given that God is the ultimate author of salvation –Tit. 2:13; 3:4; Heb. 5:9]

1. Grace (Ephesians 2:8)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith…”

2. Mercy (Titus 3:5)
“…according to his mercy he saved us”

3. The Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
“Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved”

4. Jesus’ Name (Acts 4:12)
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved”

5. Hope (Romans 8:24)
“For in this hope we were saved”

6. Preaching (1 Corinthians 1:18)
“…but to us who are being saved it [“the word of the cross”] is the power of God”

7. Confession of faith (Romans 10:10)
“…with the mouth one confesses and is saved”

8. Obedience (Hebrews 5:9)
“…he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey”

9. Love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10)
“…because they refused to love the truth and so be saved”

10. Ourselves (Philippians 2:12)
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”

11. Baptism (1 Peter 3:21)
“…Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you”

-Robert M. Housby

“And God said, Let there be lights
in the expanse of the heavens…”

(Genesis 1:14; Ezek. 32:7,8)

Pluto has an extremely eccentric orbit. It is sometimes closer to the sun than to its neighbor, Neptune. Discovered by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, Pluto has most recently (2006) been re-classified based upon two fundamental pieces of information: (1) Its mass is too small to be equated with the other planets. For example, it is only 1/500 Earth’s mass; 1/20 Mercury’s mass; and, 1/300 the mass of Jupiter. (2) Its diameter is also too small. It has only 9% the diameter of Neptune; 90% the diameter of Ganymede (Ganymede is a moon of Jupiter, the largest satellite in our solar system). So, it is not surprising that the likes of Sir Patrick Moore (and others) have recently re-classified Pluto, reducing the number of Milky Way Planets from nine to eight.

What are Christians to do with this new information? First, the Lord has never said that there would be either nine or eight planets in our solar system. Secondly, we can  still appreciate the similarities which Pluto shares with other planets: (1) At least one moon (charon) (2) A thin atmosphere of CH4 Methane, and (3) A density of about 1.0 g/cm3 (Jupiter and Uranus = 1.3). Thirdly, we are once again brought face-to-face with science needing to revise its thinking. Our faith does not rest on the laurels of science. We do appreciate scientific data, but we must also realize that it is subject to revision when and where it is inaccurately being affirmed.

Jesus once said to the intellectuals of his day, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times” (Matt.  6:3). Thank you Pluto!

– Robert M. Housby