Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman. Why do you bring him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman before me? Shall this one come into my house?”
Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman. Why do you bring him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman before me? Shall this one come into my house?”
I just realized that the C&C Comments section is “Comment Ping-Pong”…some comments have a nice little back-spin, some bounce off the net, and others are a SMASH HIT! 😇😇😇
Yes, there is revelation in the creation (with a lower case "r") but that is not context. God's Revelation, the Word, is the context for all understanding.
Ah yes... that's exactly what I was getting at. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory... full of grace and truth." That is THE definition of context. Now we both understand.
I can imagine His many responses to Pharisees (so many unwritten), leaving them speechless and angry with no rebuttal as they huff and stomp away knowing they lack the truth so they can't argue.
Ha, yes. "Haven't you read where Moses says...." was directed at those who were allegedly the gatekeepers of the Law of Moses.
Or consider, "You filter your water to avoid swallowing tiny insects, but then you turn around and swallow a camel." He would have been quite the engaging speaker, from what I see.
I was just remembering how my mom used to tell me how when any work people were in my grandmother's house, she would offer them a coffee break with fresh coffee and a baked good. They would sit and chat. Back in the good old days of the 3Os and 40s..when everyone still addressed each other respectfully with a title..Mr. so and so, Mrs. So and so. Formality was a cornerstone of civility and respect. Our lack of of formality in all things is another a sign of our modern , not so great society.
Imagine trusting enough to do that? Or to let children wander and play on their own, or to leave doors unlocked, and even to take rides from strangers.
The different houses I had frm about 1967 though about three years ago never had locked doors. They had locks, I just never used them. Net door neighbour had locks, and didn't use them either. He began to notice tools had "walked out" of his unlockd garage overnight. Was up late one night to use the loo, noticed the light on in the grage. Slogged into his bedroom, picked up his ancient .38 Special revolver, walked out in his bare feet, found the man-door open. Looked inside, a ragged creature was busily stuffing a few more of is tools into a tote. He spoke clearly and firmly "put that bag down and get out, NOW!!! Chap turned, saw him,, almost went doce brown staring diwn that YUUUUUGE hole being pinted directly at his head.... chap drops stuff, beats feet out the door and up the street. That was four years ago, and noting has been touched on the mile lng section of our rural road since then.
Locks have their place, not no longer appear to be needed around here.
awesome, when I was growing up my parents didn't lock their doors. When I came back from my tour of duty, in 1978, the front door was locked. Too many neighbors had moved in.
Are you familiar with the Fall? When perfect creation was corrupted, and madmen et.al entered the picture? They weren’t created mad, they were corrupted, and if you’ll read the story you’ll find out who done it.
Vonu, sometimes your comments are interesting, and other times you just seem to be trolling. Like now. You're aware that Christian theology believes that the world was corrupted, right? The first man disobeyed god and caused the world to "fall" into imperfection. If you're not aware of that yet, well, that's the answer to your question, but if you are aware, well... you're misunderstanding the response on purpose.
That's fine and all, but do you understand that christian theology, fictional or not, has an answer to your "madmen" objection in the form of "the fall"? The people who believe god created a world with madmen in it, also believe that madmen (and various other bad things) exist because of human rebellion against god; so, asking if "did god create madmen then?" isn't going to seem like a strong argument to them at all.
Ah but how do we protect ourselves from all the madmen encircling us?
Perhaps, "I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word. I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
We used to say, “Don’t be so sensitive!” and “Don’t make a federal case out of it!” Now we send everybody to sensitivity training, which encourages sensitive types to file lawsuits rather than grow up. Big-league respect to Jeff, but can we ask, who benefits, and what does it take to disbar a few to encourage the rest?
I love the sourcing of Scripture here…thank you, Janice & Pamela! These are like powerful floodlights in the subterranean cavern that is currently our world. 😇🔥😇
John K., just read John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Chapter XX (On Civil Government), section XXXII, which says (paraphrasing), we need only follow those leaders until they demand something that goes against what God says in His Word, in which case it is our duty to disobey. The pastors of our pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary periods expounded quite a bit on this notion, and in fact as a group went by the nickname The Black-Robed Regiment, for the effect they had in leading to the Godly disobedience of the British government. There are whole books of their sermons, some of which can also be found online. This is also interesting related history:
“Those Blasted Presbyterians” – Reflections on U.S.A. Independence, by Don Sweeting
John, when I come across something I don’t understand, I tuck it away for later. As I read and learn and grow, the Holy Spirit illuminates it in His time and one day I have an aha moment. Just for the record, I am sure I have innumerable aha moments ahead of me. It’s a lifelong process. Blessings to you!
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through the perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Not wanting to deluge you with yet more responses, but I wanted to encourage you that it's quite normal to find confusing or difficult parts in the Bible. But Christians have been reading it for 2000 years, and chances are you're not the first person who's had trouble with whatever is bothering you. Find out what other believers have said about it, ancient and modern (others here have given some suggestions for this passage). Or, y'know, keep asking on the comments here, many of us are happy to share thoughts on the matter!
You can find podcasts with Bible reading and commentary. I listen daily to The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. He has a massive following and many are Protestants. He does an excellent job of commenting and will communicate to answer questions.
I’ve used many different commentaries over the years. It is said the Bible is simple enough for the young child to understand, but complex enough for the most intellectual to study for a lifetime.
Very true John K and it also says pay ceasar what is ceasar's. However, IMHO, we have the Constitution and Bill of Rights so we can go against and replace gov when they take our rights. It would not be sinning. Also, it applies to to taxes whether they be legal or not.
People have been oppressed by powerful satanic forces since the beginning.
Enjoy learning and have peace. I struggle too with everything.
John K, in our form of government it is we the people who were intended to be the governing authority. We, sadly, seem to have abdicated that role to the powers that want to be, out of laziness and convenience and it will be very inconvenient to wrestle that back.
It’s still golden, John K. The only legitimate governing authority in the US is the American people whose God-given Constitutional right is self-rule. In that light, I read Romans 13 – v5 as a warning to our deep-state types: “If you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” My conscience answers to Jesus Christ, not to any compromised House or Senate, senile and corrupt president, or greedy corporate cabal.
I believe this Romans 13:1-2 passage is appropriate for today as is if read as...Therefore whoever DOES NOT PARTICIPATE with authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who DO NOT PARTICIPATE will incur judges.
We get what “we” as a country deserve. We as a country seem to have needed things to get worse and worse so more and more people can wake up.
There’s still 20-30% to go, either people who are leftie, or not affected economically, or have such a serious case of TDS that calling CIA/FBI/IRS/military control a “democracy” is ok with them.
Biden was right about one thing - the 2020 election WAS a fight for the soul of the country. He is the public figure for who has sold its soul.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be bought back bc the d cannot actually contract for a soul.
As Mike Benz said in the Tucker interview, “they” didn’t plan on the spontaneous, unplanned groundswell to muck up the operation. So, act.
Pray for good leadership, not the ones we deserve.
Keep on exposing evil being done in darkness, and supporting those who do expose the darkness.
Run for and support election of good local and state leaders.
Get involved in the election process.
If you have to use a mail in ballot bring it in the night before or day of election.
Better, If you can, vote in person. Even California allows in person voting with a mail in ballot.
Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man behaving as a madman. Why do you bring him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this one to act the madman before me? Shall this one come into my house?”
— 1 Samuel 21:14-15
Sometimes the Bible is funny. “Do I lack madmen?”
Indeed it is! Certainly we have no lack of madmen these days. Prophecy holds again!
I just realized that the C&C Comments section is “Comment Ping-Pong”…some comments have a nice little back-spin, some bounce off the net, and others are a SMASH HIT! 😇😇😇
The most effective prophesy is written to be interpretable in any way necessary.
Oh ya old party pooper.
If you do not know the context, you are not interpreting it correctly.
Everyone has their own contexts.
You might have a problem with God's context... just saying.
His context is contained in his creation.
Yes, there is revelation in the creation (with a lower case "r") but that is not context. God's Revelation, the Word, is the context for all understanding.
All theology is mythology.
Ah yes... that's exactly what I was getting at. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory... full of grace and truth." That is THE definition of context. Now we both understand.
I’m on the spectrum and have issues with context, but I like you vonu . Are you smarter than Jesus?
that type are not perohecies anyway. They are more bait.....
It’s easier and quicker to just list the sane people Janice.
Jesus definitely has a sense of humor.
I can imagine His many responses to Pharisees (so many unwritten), leaving them speechless and angry with no rebuttal as they huff and stomp away knowing they lack the truth so they can't argue.
The wicked appear to have no sense of humor—especially when it’s used against them.
Ha, yes. "Haven't you read where Moses says...." was directed at those who were allegedly the gatekeepers of the Law of Moses.
Or consider, "You filter your water to avoid swallowing tiny insects, but then you turn around and swallow a camel." He would have been quite the engaging speaker, from what I see.
A speaker who knows your every thought even before it is formed.
In all their heavy robes flapping
We sure don't in 2024... or at least a few years back!
Psychopaths abound in today's modern society.
And sociopaths.
Yes! Both. 😞
I was just remembering how my mom used to tell me how when any work people were in my grandmother's house, she would offer them a coffee break with fresh coffee and a baked good. They would sit and chat. Back in the good old days of the 3Os and 40s..when everyone still addressed each other respectfully with a title..Mr. so and so, Mrs. So and so. Formality was a cornerstone of civility and respect. Our lack of of formality in all things is another a sign of our modern , not so great society.
Imagine trusting enough to do that? Or to let children wander and play on their own, or to leave doors unlocked, and even to take rides from strangers.
I'm old enough to remember when people always wore suits and dresses to weddings and funerals, instead of flip flops and T shirts and jeans.
"I'm old enough to remember when people always wore suits and dresses to weddings and funerals." And to the Senate!
...and to church!
Fortunately we still dress in my church for services and funerals.
We used to have to wear our Sunday best on airplanes. Now people wear their pajamas. (That’s how old I am)
The different houses I had frm about 1967 though about three years ago never had locked doors. They had locks, I just never used them. Net door neighbour had locks, and didn't use them either. He began to notice tools had "walked out" of his unlockd garage overnight. Was up late one night to use the loo, noticed the light on in the grage. Slogged into his bedroom, picked up his ancient .38 Special revolver, walked out in his bare feet, found the man-door open. Looked inside, a ragged creature was busily stuffing a few more of is tools into a tote. He spoke clearly and firmly "put that bag down and get out, NOW!!! Chap turned, saw him,, almost went doce brown staring diwn that YUUUUUGE hole being pinted directly at his head.... chap drops stuff, beats feet out the door and up the street. That was four years ago, and noting has been touched on the mile lng section of our rural road since then.
Locks have their place, not no longer appear to be needed around here.
awesome, when I was growing up my parents didn't lock their doors. When I came back from my tour of duty, in 1978, the front door was locked. Too many neighbors had moved in.
Wow! Where do you live?
They always have. Just maybe not so visible on a broad scale as they are now.
Last days- depraved minds. We know how this unfolds.
Any psychopath is someone else's hero.
Another psycho or sociopath?!
Your sentence would probably be more sensible if it was complete.
😂 yes that is funny, and feels quite relatable.
Oh, Jehovah DEFINITELY has a very strong "humorous bent"!!
Who made all the madmen at the same time as everything else?
Are you familiar with the Fall? When perfect creation was corrupted, and madmen et.al entered the picture? They weren’t created mad, they were corrupted, and if you’ll read the story you’ll find out who done it.
Are you talking about the season after summer and before winter?
So you're like the guy who comes to book club without reading this month's selection, yet still insists on trying to participate in the discussion...
I gave up on book clubs when none of them wanted to discuss anything but fiction and psychosis.
Vonu, sometimes your comments are interesting, and other times you just seem to be trolling. Like now. You're aware that Christian theology believes that the world was corrupted, right? The first man disobeyed god and caused the world to "fall" into imperfection. If you're not aware of that yet, well, that's the answer to your question, but if you are aware, well... you're misunderstanding the response on purpose.
So.
Christian theology is man-made, so I regard it as the fiction it is.
Was Jesus Christ a real person?
He would have been if you were alive in his time.
How exactly would that matter two thousand years later?
The question was directed to Vonu. Denying His existence denies historical fact.
I have never denied his past existence.
That's fine and all, but do you understand that christian theology, fictional or not, has an answer to your "madmen" objection in the form of "the fall"? The people who believe god created a world with madmen in it, also believe that madmen (and various other bad things) exist because of human rebellion against god; so, asking if "did god create madmen then?" isn't going to seem like a strong argument to them at all.
OMG, just reading your comments makes my head hurt. I feel like Butters. You have my sympathy.
Who is Butters?
LOL... from "South Park".
The adult cartoon show? I have never watched it, my last television having been stolen in 1987.
LOL good for you....
🤗
Humor is good!
I smiled at this one, Janice.
Ah but how do we protect ourselves from all the madmen encircling us?
Perhaps, "I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep thy word. I do not turn aside from thy ordinances, for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
–Psalm 119:101-4
In Christ we can live above it even while living in it. A miracle really.
My grandmother's (born 1884) response to any adversity was, "Rise above it."
Love that ❤️
Cream comes to the top
We used to say, “Don’t be so sensitive!” and “Don’t make a federal case out of it!” Now we send everybody to sensitivity training, which encourages sensitive types to file lawsuits rather than grow up. Big-league respect to Jeff, but can we ask, who benefits, and what does it take to disbar a few to encourage the rest?
I love the sourcing of Scripture here…thank you, Janice & Pamela! These are like powerful floodlights in the subterranean cavern that is currently our world. 😇🔥😇
We must be in this world, but not of it.
“Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be
shaken.”
-Psalms 55:22
Psalm 91 is the all encompassing protection Psalm.
At least the one in this story is only pretending.
John K., just read John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Chapter XX (On Civil Government), section XXXII, which says (paraphrasing), we need only follow those leaders until they demand something that goes against what God says in His Word, in which case it is our duty to disobey. The pastors of our pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary periods expounded quite a bit on this notion, and in fact as a group went by the nickname The Black-Robed Regiment, for the effect they had in leading to the Godly disobedience of the British government. There are whole books of their sermons, some of which can also be found online. This is also interesting related history:
“Those Blasted Presbyterians” – Reflections on U.S.A. Independence, by Don Sweeting
https://daveseivright.com/2017/07/06/566/
A hearty AMEN from this blasted Presbyterian!
@Fla Mom a little light reading for the weekend? Yikes! But good capture of some Revolutionary War thought (DAR member here). 🫡🇺🇸🫡
Excellent piece (your Presbyterian link)!! Shared it in FB and email!!
Just saw a presentation about the Black Robed Regiment a few weeks ago. It was riveting!
Which is how Daniel served the wicked leader.
John, when I come across something I don’t understand, I tuck it away for later. As I read and learn and grow, the Holy Spirit illuminates it in His time and one day I have an aha moment. Just for the record, I am sure I have innumerable aha moments ahead of me. It’s a lifelong process. Blessings to you!
Keep going, John! The Word is life changing. I will be praying for the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth 🙏🏻
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through the perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
— Romans 15:4 LSB
John, you might find some help here. https://www.gotquestions.org/
Not wanting to deluge you with yet more responses, but I wanted to encourage you that it's quite normal to find confusing or difficult parts in the Bible. But Christians have been reading it for 2000 years, and chances are you're not the first person who's had trouble with whatever is bothering you. Find out what other believers have said about it, ancient and modern (others here have given some suggestions for this passage). Or, y'know, keep asking on the comments here, many of us are happy to share thoughts on the matter!
Good luck! It is a book containing the knowledge of good and evil.
Focus on the red text; the quotes of Jesus.
Me too John
The entire Bible is about Jesus. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking and be blessed.
Same here, John
You can find podcasts with Bible reading and commentary. I listen daily to The Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. He has a massive following and many are Protestants. He does an excellent job of commenting and will communicate to answer questions.
I’ve used many different commentaries over the years. It is said the Bible is simple enough for the young child to understand, but complex enough for the most intellectual to study for a lifetime.
Very true John K and it also says pay ceasar what is ceasar's. However, IMHO, we have the Constitution and Bill of Rights so we can go against and replace gov when they take our rights. It would not be sinning. Also, it applies to to taxes whether they be legal or not.
People have been oppressed by powerful satanic forces since the beginning.
Enjoy learning and have peace. I struggle too with everything.
Earth is not our final destination.
Yes, when the “law” breaks the law, we have to do something!
Such good advice!
Daniel always submitted to the King EXCEPT when asked to do something contrary to God's commandments.
John K, in our form of government it is we the people who were intended to be the governing authority. We, sadly, seem to have abdicated that role to the powers that want to be, out of laziness and convenience and it will be very inconvenient to wrestle that back.
Inconvenient—like going to the cross—but necessary for redeeming our nation.
It’s still golden, John K. The only legitimate governing authority in the US is the American people whose God-given Constitutional right is self-rule. In that light, I read Romans 13 – v5 as a warning to our deep-state types: “If you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.” My conscience answers to Jesus Christ, not to any compromised House or Senate, senile and corrupt president, or greedy corporate cabal.
See Isaiah 10:1-4 ... Acts 4:18-20 ... John 19:10-11 ... and consider this excellent article on the topic: https://radicallychristian.com/romans-13-re-examined-when-to-disobey-the-government
I believe this Romans 13:1-2 passage is appropriate for today as is if read as...Therefore whoever DOES NOT PARTICIPATE with authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who DO NOT PARTICIPATE will incur judges.
We get what “we” as a country deserve. We as a country seem to have needed things to get worse and worse so more and more people can wake up.
There’s still 20-30% to go, either people who are leftie, or not affected economically, or have such a serious case of TDS that calling CIA/FBI/IRS/military control a “democracy” is ok with them.
Biden was right about one thing - the 2020 election WAS a fight for the soul of the country. He is the public figure for who has sold its soul.
The good news is that it doesn’t have to be bought back bc the d cannot actually contract for a soul.
As Mike Benz said in the Tucker interview, “they” didn’t plan on the spontaneous, unplanned groundswell to muck up the operation. So, act.
Pray for good leadership, not the ones we deserve.
Keep on exposing evil being done in darkness, and supporting those who do expose the darkness.
Run for and support election of good local and state leaders.
Get involved in the election process.
If you have to use a mail in ballot bring it in the night before or day of election.
Better, If you can, vote in person. Even California allows in person voting with a mail in ballot.
John K, try this study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV7uZxg7IhI&t=1115s