scriptures4

Understanding Scriptures ( Pg. 4)

"Take it For Nothing"
Genesis 23:11-16

When Ephron the Hittite offered his field to Abraham as a burial place for Sarah, he said, "I give it to thee."; but doubtless, with just as much intention of doing so as the Arab dealers of today when they say, "Take it for nothing.". The Hittite finally charged Abraham far more for the field than it was worth. Today, in Eastern lands, when a customer prices an article, the dealer will usually reply. "Take it for nothing. I shall be happy to make you a present of it.". By this they mean that they expect a present back of far greater value. The best thing to do if one is interested in an article to purchase, is to push it aside indifferently. Then the seller most always will name a price somewhat near it's value. They usually keep the best items in the background, & only bring them out when the inferior goods don't sell.

"The Sabbath was Made for Man"
Mark 2:27

Christ said, "The Sabbath was made for man & not man for the Sabbath."

The weekly day of rest was one of God's beautiful plans for man's mental & physical rest from labor, & a day to especially cultivate his spiritual nature, A day for fellowship with God. It began at sunset on Friday & ended at sunset on Saturday. When Christ was on earth, man had a tendency to yo observe the Sabbath in letter rather than spirit. However, even then i had it's noble side. The Jew dressed himself in his festival garments: he lighted his sabbath lamp: the table was spread with special food & the men all went to synagogue. The work was done the day before so that no work that could be avoided was done on the Sabbath. It was a beautiful day of worship & rest. Then the Rabbis feared that the day would not be properly observed so they made laws which eventually completely destroyed he purpose of the day to keep all the laws the rabbis had made.

One can scarcely believe that leaders could make such absurd regulations. a few of which are: The geatest burden one could carry must be less than a dried fig. They must not start any new thing that might not be finished before the Sabbath. A scribe couldn't carry his pen or a tailor his needle. A woman was not allowed to have a pin in her clothing or look in the mirror because she might see a gray hair & be tempted to remove it, which would be labor. They were forbidden to cut their nails & many, many absurd rules that made tha Sabbath a very hard & unhappy day.

This attitude was very distastful to Jesus, because to him, all of God's rules were for man's highest good & were made to meet a real need.

"Thy rod & staff, they comfort me"
Psalm 23:4

The heavy clubs carried by the shepherds are a means of defense. The watchful shepherd is always guarding his his sheep from wild animals. The shepherd brings this heavy club down on the enemy of his sheep & saves them.

Then there are times the sheep get themselves in trouble. The may fall in a hole or in water or even on their backs where they cannot get back up on their feet. The shepherd will then use his staff to tenderly lift them to safety.

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