SPIRITUAL DIGNITY
[p. 381] SPIRITUAL DIGNITY
Proverbs 30: 21 - 33; Psalm 104: 14 - 18
Our subject this evening is spiritual dignity. God’s thought is that His people should be here on earth in spiritual and heavenly dignity. Psalm 104 shows us what God has wrought to give us the means to go on in dignity. The psalm is a consideration of the manifold riches of God’s creation. An observer cannot fail to note that it is the physical creation which the psalm speaks about. The creation does not witness only to God’s might but also to the divine taste for beauty and adornment. In the psalm we see that man is set in the midst of all this. God set man in His creation to represent Him there. When God created the universe He said on the sixth day, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion”, Genesis 1: 26. Man should thus represent God in His creation and in order to represent God rightly he needs great sources of help. Therefore we find that the earth brings forth “grass, herb producing seed after its kind, and trees yielding fruit, the seed of which is in them, after their kind”, Genesis 1: 12. We see also a reference to this in Psalm 104: 14. God has thus provided man with the great means necessary for him to maintain dominion. In the beginning there is no reference to the fact that man should eat his bread in the sweat of his brow. The psalm shows the creation as it first came from God’s hand. God made grass and herb grow for the service of man, to bring forth bread out of the earth. It also says, “And wine which gladdeneth the heart of man; making his face shine with oil; and with bread he strengtheneth man’s heart”, Psalm 104: 15. Therefore the psalm goes on to read, “The trees of Jehovah are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted”, Psalm 104: 16. Jehovah’s trees, beloved brethren, are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon are of Him. We find ourselves in the midst of a world full of dissatisfaction. Men have striven to bring about a mutual condition but it only [p. 382] developed into mutual embitterment. What is most outstanding in the world at the present time is discontent; dissatisfied men irritate one another, for they are full of hate and contempt for one another. Whereas God’s thought for His people is to bring about a condition of spiritual satisfaction. With this before Him, God has given us an abundant supply of help. He has given us wine to gladden our hearts and oil to make our face to shine, and thus has put us in a position to continue worthily as Jehovah’s trees about which it is said they are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon which he has planted. The Canaanitish woman who came to the Lord when He went into the land of Tyre and Sidon was satisfied. The Lord had gone into those borders and the woman sought after Him for her daughter. She cried and said, “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is miserably possessed by a demon”, Matthew 15: 22. But He said “It is not well to take the bread of the children and cast it to the dogs”. But she said “Yea, Lord; for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters”, Matthew 15:26,27. She could now be considered as a cedar and numbered amongst those which Jehovah has planted. She would be satisfied. The Lord satisfied her when she recognised her true place before Him. If we are to continue here as cedars of Lebanon, as Jehovah’s trees which are satisfied, it is well for us to begin like this woman. He said to her “O woman, they faith is great”, Matthew 15: 28. From this word of the Lord we understand that she is now a cedar. She bowed to the truth that she had a low place in connection with her nation, instead of trying to assert her national status. She took the position the Lord gave her, namely that she was a gentile dog, and she was content with that. Beloved brethren, what the Lord wants to work out in us is spiritual contentment and so we should be as lights in the world.
This 30th chapter of Proverbs has a special character and was written by a man who was an accurate observer. He did not take a teacher’s place but he was ready to be taught. That is a good position for every one Of us to take. There are only a few who can teach with authority. I do not [p. 383] mean by that that we should be amongst those who do not have any knowledge, but it is safest for us to be of those who observe and search out the things of God and so have before us a spiritual path. We read in verse 5, “Every word of God is pure”, and in verse 6, “Add thou not unto his words”. That is a safe way to go on. He recognises that every word of God is pure, and I want to mention, beloved brethren, that the more we study the Scriptures the more we shall find how true this is. Notice that every word is pure, and do not let us add anything to it. God is wiser than us and if another word had been needed He Himself would have put it there. Let us therefore accept the word just as we find it in the Scriptures, and we can be sure that we will not need to add anything. It says of the Lord Himself, who was called “The Word”, that if everything in connection with His ministry should be written even the world itself could not contain the books which might be written. From this we see the divine fulness in everything. Therefore we do not need to think that there is anything missing in the Scriptures. Nothing shall be added, and if we add anything we make ourselves liars. This man Agur was one who searched and observed and was therefore on a safe path. By such a path we can consider the different phenomena on earth. He does not only see evil things; he also sees the people of God. He speaks of them with words that show complete admiration. He divides his observations into six different groups and each group into four different things, and we can be sure that we find the real conditions on the earth in these six different groups.
My intention now is not to occupy you with the evil things which are spoken of, but only to refer to them so that we can see the contrast when we consider God’s people as they are described here, and so that we may come more into agreement with God’s thoughts for His people.
We read “Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up”, Proverbs 30: 21. It can be plainly seen that we have now come to a time in this world’s history which answers to the description in this verse. Circumstances are now so evil that the end is near.
[p. 384] So it says that the earth cannot bear up. As already mentioned the earth was created with the end in mind that man should represent God. The earth was not created for wicked men.
In our scripture we find a servant when he reigneth, a churl when he is filled with meat, an odious woman when she is married, and a handmaid when she is heir to her mistress. A great change has taken place in the way in which the world is ruled in these so-called modern times. Divine principles have been quite overlooked and, as we see from this scripture, “Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up”. As christians it is necessary to be on our guard in our own circle against this principle that a servant should reign. God has His own King. “When he brings in the firstborn into the habitable world, he says, And let all God’s angels worship him”, Hebrews 1: 6. He is an object of worship, for He who is the Son of God is the One who is worthy. The wise men from the East worshipped Him as King and brought forth from their treasures gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Then we read of a churl when he is filled with meat. We see therefore that the churl has subjected to himself the crops of the earth, as it says in Psalm 37: 35, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading like a green tree”.
We read then of an odious woman when she is married. That answers to Jezebel. The earth groans under the weight of her odious wickedness (see Revelation 2: 20 - 24).
We see further that a handmaid is heir to her mistress. In other words that which should be subordinate has raised itself, and begins to rule so that the earth is disquieted and cannot bear up.
We can therefore be certain that the earth is nearing its end, for God Himself has everything in His hand. As God’s people we ought to separate from all these evil things and not seek to change them. Our right attitude is to await the coming of our own Lord.
Now we come to the next group of four and here we have a striking picture of the people of God here upon the earth in humility. The ants are a people not strong. As the people of God we do not want to have a prominent place in the eyes [p. 385] of this world. We do not try to win adherents to ourselves and so expand in a visible way, but the Lord says, “Fear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom”, Luke 12: 32. We can be satisfied with the position of the little flock, for we know the Father has chosen us for His kingdom. We are not a strong people. The Lord says to Philadelphia, “Thou has a little power”, Revelation 3: 8. It does not say ‘No power’. We see that the ants have wisdom. They provide their food in the summer. They understand how to make use of the time when there is an abundance of food. So it is in the summertime that we can prepare our food. Christ exalted in heaven is the Sun which shines down on us, He who has made known to us the Father’s name. Now is the time to provide our food. Those who answer to the character of ants will not miss the meetings.
Then it says that the rock-badgers are but a feeble folk, yet they make their house in the cliff. We also see from Psalm 104 that the cliffs are formed for them; it says in verse 18 that the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers.
In a land like this rocks are not unusual; the land is full of them; but should it not move our hearts that God has made all these rocks? Nothing is left to chance. He created the cliffs for the rock-badgers; that has a spiritual meaning, that God has, in His thoughts for us who are here in weakness, prepared a place of strength where the wicked are not able to be and which is outside of their influence. You will find that they do not seek the cliffs. It says of the rock-badgers that they are but a feeble folk but they have a place of refuge. We can be sure there is no place of refuge with men in general. In their haunts there is the devil who influences all. The rock-badgers, on the other hand, make their house in the cliff. It would be good for the young people to pay particular attention to this and to be cautious where they build their house.
Then we see in verse 27 that the locusts have no king. To want to have a leader is a thing which specially concerns men. That is, they so much want a visible leader whom they can look up to, a hero, so to say. It can even be [p. 386] Paul, Apollos or Cephas. When Israel was dissatisfied with Jehovah the people wanted a king like the other nations, but believers do not need one. The locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands. They possess great wisdom. One could well ask. ‘How are they kept together? Who is leading them? On whom do they depend in all their affairs?’ The answer is that they are dependent on the wisdom of God. That is sufficient for us. We who are believers have no king here, and yet we are like the locusts who all go forth by bands. We have a King but He is concealed. Our Lord Jesus is concealed in the heavens and we are waiting for His coming. He is up there as our Head and we have this knowledge secretly in our hearts.
Then it says that thou takest hold of the lizard with the hands. It can easily be touched by others. A believer is thus of little account in this world. He does not stand up for his own rights. It seems that others can do what they like with him. He is of no account here, but still it is a wonderful thing that he is in kings’ palaces. Men know nothing about his movements and what his privileges are. We often feel that the world does not know us, but think what a revelation it will be when one day the true state of affairs will be made known, when everything will be different. It will then be manifest that those who now are of no account live in royal palaces. In these four things we have instruction as to what character we should bear now here on the earth.
Then it says that there are three things which have a stately step, and four are comely in going. Mark that. John saw Jesus as He walked. How comely His going was! As Peter says, He has left us a model that we should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2: 21). The lion is an animal which is first said to be comely in going. A christian does not stand up for his rights when he is wronged personally, but when it is a question of the glory of the Lord he is as bold as a lion. It says of the lion that he turneth not away for any. At the same time we personally will suffer here for righteousness’ sake, as it is written, “But for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are reckoned as sheep for slaughter”, Psalm 44: 22. On the other hand the lion’s boldness should [p. 387] mark us in connection with everything which concerns the glory of the Lord. The lion is mighty among beasts and turneth not away for any. A former servant of the Lord whom we all know, said ‘Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise’. We cannot yield an inch when it is a question of the glory of God or of Christ. As we are marked by the wisdom which is seen in the four small things we can then stand firm for the truth’s sake.
The horse girt in the loins is the next which is said to be comely in going. The horse is an animal well known for its dignity. In Psalm 147: 10 we see as a contrast that the Lord delights not in the strength of the horse, but here in the proverb we see it in connection with dignity. It has a stately step. We should not only stand firm like the lion, but attack, when it is a question of the glory of the Lord. In job 39: 19 - 25 we read God’s own description of the horse. He does not only stand firm but he smells the battle afar off. He goeth forth to meet the armed host. What I want to point to in connection with the horse girt in the loins is that he is quick to attack. We see that these features come out in the Lord here on earth. Like those who were anointed with the Spirit, He was marked by the lion’s firmness and the horse’s speed. In Acts the same features are brought to light. So we see that Peter stood up with the eleven on the day of Pentecost and spoke to the people. Peter was as bold as a lion then; he could stand up and say that they had crucified and slain Jesus by the hand of lawless men. We also see in Paul that he had the character of the horse, for his loins were girt about and he allowed nothing to hinder him in his service for the Lord. The man who wrote Proverbs 30 saw in all this a stately step. The apostles represented the Lord in the power of the anointing and they stood up on the same power in testimony as the Lord Himself. It could be said of them, as it is said in the psalm, that wine gladdeneth their heart and their face was made shining with oil. God wants to work the same thing in us now. That is something we ought to lay on our hearts. In an outward way we should be small and of no account, and at the same time live in our souls in the enjoyment of [p. 388] divine wisdom and privileges. So we will be in a position to represent God.
Then Agur speaks of the he-goat and of the king at the head of his people. It is a characteristic of goats that their custom is to be withdrawn and in separation. That is a characteristic which is necessary for us in walking both amongst God’s people and in connection with other men. We should be on our guard against coming under special influences. A goat can keep itself separate. Nehemiah says that he consulted with himself. Even if he stood alone he could defend divine principles, and he reproved those in high places.
Then we read of a king at the head of his people. Such a one has spiritual strength; and it is said of Judah, which was the royal tribe in Israel, that he prevailed among his brethren. I believe that separation which marks the goat leads to the kingly character. The one who keeps himself from all special influences here and lives under God’s influence is in a position to lead and bring the people of God under His influence. While Moses was on the mountain, Aaron who was down below in the camp came under the influence of the people and let himself be led away by them to idolatry. Moses, on the other hand, who had been alone with God, comes down from the mountain in the spiritual power of a king and he completely suppresses the idolatry in the camp. He was like a king at the head of his people, and we ought to value such a brother amongst us who has moral power. What we are speaking of now is not that any should arise in outward show, but of the kingly character which we see in our Lord Jesus. He Himself is the rightful King but One who is concealed in the heavens, and yet what an influence He wields! When He shall arise and be revealed as king He will rule in the power which He has in Himself. The character of the goat is therefore to be separate, and we see the great moral power the Lord had over the disciples. Moses, who was indeed a type of the Lord Himself, comes into the camp in spiritual power and none dared to raise himself up against him. He was able to stand up against millions. Agur contemplated this characteristic with wonder.
Then it says in verse 32, “If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay the hand upon thy mouth”. Here we see the conclusion the writer comes to in connection with the thing we have had before us; and if we have behaved thus, beloved brethren, as it is put in this verse, then let us lay the hand upon our mouth. When we lay our hand upon our mouth, as Job did, we give God the opportunity to come in. In the last verse we see that it is well for us to be careful and not press anything. “The pressing of milk bringeth forth butter, and the pressing of the nose bringeth forth blood”. If there is any question of strife amongst us we should lay our hand on our mouth. God will then come in Himself to help. Let us not upbraid one another. How often disturbances arise amongst the people of God, things which eventually develop into mutual embitterment, and the reason is that we press personal things. It may be such a thing as a nose. A brother might for example be hasty, but should I press such a thing? We should beware of irritating one another, for we should be for our mutual edification. We should consider God’s people as those who bear the character of Christ and then we will come to look on them with wonder.