As man plays in space, the achievements are awe-inspiring. The mind of man is capable of unbelievable wonders. Consider the complex planning and execution of sending commuter flights to outer space and a complex research craft to Mars. NASA achieved a soft landing and then sent out a land vehicle and helicopter to explore a planet that is some 140 million miles from the earth! Personally, I can’t get my head around the practicality of such feats. The human mind is capable of brilliance. It is a brilliance provided by a spirit essence to the physical brain. We know it as the spirit in man (Job 32:8).
However, as Job reveals the presence of the spirit in man, he also notes, “Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice” (Job 32:9). Brilliant minds are not always capable of wise judgments. Although they have understanding on the physical level (verse 8), there is a missing dimension.
This goes a long way in helping us process many of man’s judgments being made today. There is a missing dimension of wisdom or the ability to make wise judgments. A point we must never fail to appreciate is that God has given this missing dimension to those called. “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes” (Matthew 11:25).
The Apostle Paul stated the same idea this way. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew … but God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:7-10). The human mind, apart from God, cannot see or hear the things God has prepared for those He calls.
Do we really grasp the significance of God’s revealed truth on a personal basis? We have understanding that only comes from God. It is truth revealed by God.
A perfect example is the understanding of the who, what and why, of Israel. The wisdom of this understanding is a mystery to most. A book published in 1850, The Israelitish Origins has some excellent information on the identity of Israel from the time of their captivity forward. The author clearly understands the north and west aspect of where Israel migrated. He identifies Ephraim and Manasseh in ways that match scripture.
However, there is an obvious void when it comes to God’s purpose in calling Abraham and the development of his descendants. The author can only see Israel in more physical terms and expresses no understanding when it comes to the spiritual aspects of the Church being “sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7-9). He has no clue when it comes to the role of the Church in God’s plan of salvation for everyone.
For example: “Then was given to the very substance of the promise; and has ripened into the harvest, when the multitudinous seed shall be made one in Christ; when He is in them, the Hope of glory; when Ephraim [Israel] shall be found, the Lord’s firstborn of Christ, who is the One Son, the heir of all things; and He by whom the many sons are led into glory.” Having transposed the restoration of Israel for the Church, he continues, “True, his people [Israel] are heirs with Him, and shall inherit all things; but he hath promised Himself to come, and give them possession. And when He comes, we [Israel] shall live together with Him and stand in His presence, and be constituted kings and priests unto God.”
Lacking understanding of the Church, the author sees Israel as the superior peoples over all other people. “Thus, also may we account for the universal and continually improving genius of the race now inhabiting Europe; a race, evidently designed to spread abroad, and cover the globe; a race, in every respect fitted for universality and especially, for being teachers of the world. They are a people formed for God Himself.” (Pages 232, 233.)
It is precisely this misunderstanding that will bring accusations of racism against the Church.
More importantly, it should impress upon God’s Church the importance of being truly representative of the Father and Christ to all mankind. You have been given precious truth that the wise of this world do not understand.
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).
This truth has been revealed to the Church. A truth that is not to be put under a basket, but a light to be put on a hill. A witness to God’s great plan of salvation for all mankind.
Let us consider and be extremely grateful for the missing dimension God has revealed to His Church.
Brian Orchard
