SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING
[p. 157] SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING
2 Timothy 2:7; Exodus 3:2 - 4; Matthew 1:19 - 21; Acts 11:5 - 12
I have in mind to speak about the understanding of divine things, and so begin with the verse in 2 Timothy: “Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things”. The apostle Paul was speaking to his beloved Timothy who was to continue in the service, being the younger, after the apostle’s decease, hence it was of the utmost importance that he should understand what Paul said. Young men and women should understand, they should know what the Spirit says. We can assume that the Spirit is speaking, having come down from heaven to take the place of Christ. Whilst the Spirit remains here His speaking is a fact, and it is for the younger to hear and understand what is said. In addition to hearing there is understanding — thoughtfulness — of what is said. Our words sometimes offend — there is mixture in them, but never in what is inspired. In spite of our weakness as to what is spoken, the Lord will give the understanding. He will come to us, no matter how small the understanding, and there is no mistake when He does — it is as clear as noonday. We can say, in measure, we know: we are sure of something. We should cultivate the desire to get something from the Lord, and He will come in.
The Lord would have us move for ourselves. There are times, of course, when we should wait for the Lord, but there are also times when we should move of ourselves, and we shall not be long alone in it. There is a great deal of shallowness with us. After such meetings as this, we say we have good times yet cannot remember much or even convey one spiritual impression. Indeed, sometimes we cannot give the [p. 158] scriptures read. This is a matter to be looked into, for as we ponder these things the Lord will give us understanding.
The scripture in Exodus is well known. It is the “section of the bush” Matthew 12:26, Luke 20:37 to which the Lord Himself refers. It is not only the burning bush but the whole section, and the Lord draws our attention to it as being a matter of importance; we must read before and after it. The scriptures speak of the goodwill of Him that dwelt in the bush. No one can afford to be without that. So the Lord says to His opposers, “ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God”, Matthew 22:29. God is not the God of the dead but of the living. A flood of light enters the soul when one takes that in. Jesus could say, “whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die” John 11:26 — we have the victory over death: we are brought to the realm of life, as the Lord beautifully adds, “that world and the resurrection”. Luke 20:35.
Moses in this section of scripture is occupied with the flock of his father-in-law, serving unselfishly without wages, continuously and with contentment. He brought the flock to the mount of God — you could not take saints to a better spot, for there “it shall be provided”. This great servant had served for forty years and God honours him — He shows His valuation of Moses in this way, when he turned aside to see. What valuable impressions! Moses was at the mount first and God comes in because Moses was there. Then he moves again in turning aside to see the sight, and God calls him, “Moses, Moses”. God would have us know of what interest it is to Him when we turn aside to see and He will give us to know the meaning of things. To Moses is revealed the wonderful name of Jehovah. Some had used that name before with little understanding, but to Moses it is opened up.
Now the scripture in Matthew corresponds with all this. Joseph, the husband of Mary, is an illustration [p. 159] of what has been said. Something happens and he ponders over it. As a spiritual father he would cover things. There is a great need of spiritual fathers, and this implies certain things. Joseph was really a great man. He is called “son of David” — he is in a spiritual line — forty-two generations. In reckoning time, God reckons by what He does in that measure of time by His own work; all else is a blank. So Joseph has his place as a son of David, a just man. He ponders things, and God would take on one who would do this. Joseph has to learn, and learners see difficulties; they are bound to see them, but God would lead them on and the cloud will disappear. We have to face the difficulties as Joseph did, which shows that there was something in him. And then he has a vision. That is what you will get — a vision from God. He will give you a charge. The Lord would have us know that we are something to Him, not that we should be inflated. Joseph is called “son of David”; he is in the line, and he is given to understand that he is in it. He is to take to himself Mary his wife — light floods his soul. He is to name things, also, and then he takes the child into Egypt, and we see how everything fits in — “out of Egypt have I called my son”. Matthew 2:15. These are features that affect the testimony. God discloses it to you and you see how it fits in. But you must take it into your closet and pray about it, and ponder it and fit it into its place.
The final thought is seen in Peter. Acts 10 and 11 taken together give an account of the introduction of the gentiles into the assembly. It is an important point — the turning of the wall, and the turning of the wall requires great strength and care. When dealing with holy things we must allow no point of weakness for the enemy to attack, we must strengthen the position. Peter is ready; he is on the house-top praying, for we get nothing without prayer. He was a [p. 160] man who could draw on the power of the Spirit; he was free from nature, he does not mix things here. The Lord foresaw that and trusted him with the keys. So Peter expounds it clearly. “I was ... praying”, he says, “and in an ecstasy I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending like a great sheet, let down by four corners out of heaven, and it came even to me”. On this he fixed his eyes and considered. What thoughts would come up in the apostle’s mind! It was direction from heaven, and was full of food for thought. As Peter ponders it, there comes a voice from heaven; nothing can make up for that. Heaven comes in. “Rise up, Peter, slay and eat”. Do not put it aside, see what it means. Not only does the creature come from God but the conception comes from God, and the voice illuminates it; there is nothing unclean there, God has cleansed it. What food for thought that is! Then immediately there are three men at the gate, and Peter perhaps has still a little doubt remaining, but he is confirmed by the Spirit to go with them nothing doubting.
In a company such as is here, there is always the work of God going on, and I would appeal to you with regard to fellowship. God has cleansed what is in this sheet. There is, of course, the other side; we are to wash our robes so that we may have right to the tree of life and enter in by the gates to the city. Do not linger. Inside the city is the tree of life. Will you not then go with these men, nothing doubting?