An Important Day

An important day.
         The Book of Exodus records,
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17
On the 6th to 7th day of the Jewish month of Sivan Jews all over the world celebrate the giving of the law. In the Jewish year 5778 which is this year 2017 that falls at sunset on May 30th .
God if you will on the 7th of Sivan put into writing what I believe He has written on the hearts and minds of all men. Laws that make for a civilized society.
In acknowledging the law we are also acknowledging the sovereignty of God, for I do not believe man on his own could have come up with such a comprehensive set of rules to govern society as a whole.
Abba Hillel Silver speaking during the dark days of world war two said,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver
History shows us that when man turns away from God’s moral absolutes, when man refuses to accept the existence of God our society as a whole suffers.
Hitler and his henchmen are the best examples of this. They did not fear God. They followed their own sinister code of ethics. A code of ethics that led to the deaths of six million Jewish men women and children and an equal number of others in the death camps alone. In a war they started that claimed the lives of in excess of fifty-six million people.
Terrorist around the world today are doing the same. They have no fear of God or His laws. Thus tens of thousands are dying at their hands.
We as a society no matter who we are Jew, Christian, Muslim or those of other faiths. Need to take time this day to acknowledge the giving of God’s law to not only the Jews but to all mankind.
We need to acknowledge God for the writer of Ecclesiastes stated,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14
Please think about it.

Mankind Civilized?

Mankind civilized?
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.” Albert Einstein.
I do not think mankind can do things on its own. Take a look at the world around you. There is violence in the streets of every major city. People are murdered daily. People rob, and cheat other people of money and belongings daily.
It doesn’t seem to matter how strict the laws are people still break them.
Around the world we can see terrorist who are killing people on an industrial scale without fear. Death means nothing to them. Fear of reprisal by governments mean nothing.
God in all of this is left out of the picture. Those who commit crimes be they terrorist or the average person on the street have no fear of God and eternal punishment.
In a previous post I quoted Ecclesiastes who said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
Today in 2016 many in our society have no fear of God. Society in general is slipping away from God’s absolute morals and setting their own standards.
The way I see it mankind, should it continue on its present course, is slipping toward a lake filled with brimstone from which it cannot escape.
We need to return to the moral absolutes of God.
Please think about it.

Man Needs

Man needs
Rabbi Benjamin Blech said,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive.  Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints.  People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.”
-Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism.  The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991).
If man does not believe in God and have moral absolutes society will ultimately fall apart.
Abba Hillel Silver states,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver
A man who has no belief or fear of God will do what he wants. We only have to look at the terrorist groups around the world to see this. We also see this lack of fear of God’s judgement in the actions of street gangs in our cities. The acts of murderers and thieves.
It doesn’t stop there. There are many so called white collar criminals in business that have stolen millions from their investors. So called respectable businessmen, millionaires that have murdered.
There are politicians who think of themselves first and pass laws that are contrary to societies best interest. Hitler being the best example of a politician who went against the basic human rights set down by God. And there are many politicians around the world today in every country that are far from God.
As we look around the world it seemingly is getting worse and worse. It is getting this way because man has lost his fear of God.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
I believe each individual will have to one day answer to God for their actions whether they believe it or not.
Until then I firmly believe mankind needs to hear and practice the words of Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
Who when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
These are universal truths all people no matter their faith or who they are can understand.
Please think about it.

Faith in God

Faith in God
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
                                                                                                                                     Abba Hillel Silver
I know some say there is no God but to my mind there has to be a God a God who has sent in the hearts and minds of man absolute values.
Without a belief in common moral values society would slip into anarchy or worse go extinct.
We only have to look around the world today to see this is true. Terrorist such as Islamic State and other groups think it acceptable to murder people because they disagree with them.
They bomb airports, transportation systems and other public places and consider it acceptable behaviour.
World war two is the most dramatic example of men setting their own moral code. Hitler and his henchmen ordering the death of millions in death camps. Causing ultimately the deaths of nearly sixty million due to the war they caused.
Examples of people not following God’s moral code happens daily on a small scale in every city in the world. People steal, murder, and commit other crimes all the time, without thought of the consequences.
When men think they will not be punished for their actions, or do not fear that punishment they will continue to set their own moral standards.
It is I believe only when men realize consciously or subconsciously  that they will one day have to answer to God that they will change their ways.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
Where do you stand on God.
Please think about it.

Our Society

Our Society

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I am a firm believer in God. A God, both believers in Him and those who do not, will answer too.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
                                                                                                                Abba Hillel Silver
It is only when men ignore there is a God who will one day judge them, or twist God’s truths to suit their own way of thinking, that society sinks into conflict.  Sadly when this happens innocent people die. We only have to look at world war two to see this.
Ten million plus dying in death camps fifty-six million plus dying overall in the war, soldiers and civilians.
It is happening to day as Terrorist groups around the world are twisting the truths of God to justify what they are doing.
But it doesn’t stop there. Men, women and children are dying in various kinds of violence on the streets of towns and cities around the world. The result of people who could care less about the consequences and God.
Governments pass laws, imprison law breakers but it seems to no avail. Many countries still have the death penalty yet crime still continues on.
Millions if not billions of dollars are spent on counter terrorism yet the terrorist groups continue their evil ways.
Despite all our scientific and social advancements over the centuries man still has a propensity to find ways and justify ways to cause harm to his fellow man.
Rabbi Benjamin Blech wrote,
“In the aftermath of Nazi Germany we must once and for all understand that culture and crematoria are not mutually exclusive.  Scientific progress does not ensure moral protection, nor can secular humanism produce saints.  People will always find reasons to justify any kind of behaviour.”
Rabbi Benjamin Blech, congregational rabbi and ancient professor of Talmud, Understanding Judaism.  The Basics of Deed and Creed (1991)
To my mind this is what happens when God is pushed out of the picture. When people turn from the moral teachings of God.
Man needs moral absolutes and to realize that there is more to life than this world. That life does not end in the death of the body.
That what a person does here will be judged ultimately by God.
Throughout the centuries man has slowly turned from God. Man has set himself up as the supreme being. The result is the world as we know it is slowly heading down hill toward a lake filled with fire and brimstone.
Sadly I believe that until the world turns back to God that decline will continue to happen.
Christians believe that one day Jesus will return to judge the world. That he will return to rule and reign bringing peace to the world.
Until then I believe the only way we have even the slightest hope for any kind of peace is by obeying the words of Ecclesiastes who wrote,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” 
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Please think about it.

What the world needs

What the World needs

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of..".
                                                          Words by Hal David (1965).
There’s a lot of truth in popular music and the above words by Hal David are a good example.
In 1965 the world did need love. There were civil rights demonstrations in the United States, the Viet Nam was going on and in the world generally there was civil unrest. Sounds like today.
Today we have war and strife around the world. Western society perhaps is a little more settled but there are still young men getting killed on the streets of America. Crime is rampant throughout western society.
Terrorism is a problem not only in the middle east and Africa but globally.
Love just seems to be absent.
I firmly believe as our society becomes more secular and turning from God, the lack of absolute moral values begins to percolate to the surface brining with it violence and social decay.
Whether you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim or someone of any other faith. Or for that matter an Atheist. I think at the very least the moral teachings of Jesus have to ring true.
It was Jesus who when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                                 Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus went one step further saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
                    Matthew 5:43-45
The apostle Paul in my mind penned the quintessential definition of love saying,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....” 
                    1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
Anne Frank a young Jewish girl in world war two knew what it was like to experience hate. She and her family hid from the Nazis but were later captured and died in concentration camp.
While in hiding Anne wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!”                                                                                                                                                Anne Frank.
We as individuals and collectively as a society need to show more love. We need to stand up to hate in all its forms. Be it terrorist who threaten world peace or someone promoting hatred in the media or on our streets.
What the world does need now in 2015 is more love. And to my way of thinking people need to be turning to the teachings of Christ.
Please think about it.

No God. No Restraints

No God, No restraints

If there is no God then essentially you can do anything because there is no restraints.
If there is a pantheon of god’s then you could potentially do the same thing because there is probably a god that says you can do it.
In both cases such a thing could potentially see the end of mankind because mankind has no absolute rules to follow.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
             Abba Hillel Silver.
The Bible does not question there is a God. It simply lays down how God expects the individual is to act with respect to God and his fellow man.
God in the Bible lays down a moral code that if followed will ensure the survival of mankind.
I cannot believe that mankind developed a common moral code themselves. Mankind has shown over the years, decades, centuries, and millennium that he is selfish and destructive when left to his own devices.
The Psalmist wrote,
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.”
                                                             Psalm 11:10.
We only have to look around our world today. Violence and crimes against humanity are everywhere.
Terrorist groups who have a twisted idea of God. Men and women who have no fear of God are murdering thousands.
The Twentieth century is said to be the bloodiest in human history and it seems the twenty-first is taking off from where it left off. This I believe is because those who committed the violence do not have a fear of God.
The Ten commandments lays the basics of all relationships, our relationship to God and to our fellow man.
The book of Exodus records,
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. 
“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.” 
Exodus 20:3-17
I believe if each individual person followed the simple commands laid down in Exodus 20:3-17 our world would be a much better place to live.
The writer of Ecclesiastes is right when he states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
It is when man dose not believe this statement by the writer of Ecclesiastes, or he has a twisted, mistaken belief of what God wants, that violence and man’s inhumanity to his fellow man follows.
Man needs moral absolutes and a knowledge that he will be held accountable to a higher authority in order to correctly function.
Please think about it.