Saturday, October 18, 2003
TWO IS THE NUMBER WHERE DIVERSITY BECOMES EVIDENT. Difference and division are seen in this number. Jesus taught against a man trying to serve two masters. He emphasized the impossibility of servitude to them both and called for a decision to be made to serve just one master. This calls for full, whole hearted consecration and love for one master. It is impossible to serve the Lord and mammon or wealth at one and the same time. Mt. 6:24 Paul writing to Timothy issued a dire warning about an attitude toward riches. warning that it can become a snare and temptation from which many foolish and destructive lusts may issue. Stating also, that he love of money is the root of all evil. These are words of wisdom to which we do well to pay definite heed. 1 Tim. 6:9-10
FROM THE VERY START THE TWO WAYS ARE EVIDENT. Cain and Able, exemplify the two ways. The true and the false. This same condition continues even to today. There are but two ways, the true and the false, the right and the wrong. The first born of Adam and Eve, Cain a husbandman. His nature and attitude reflected the downfall of his parents in the garden. Just about every wicked work can be attributed to him. He brought of the labor of his own hands. No doubt arraigning the fruit and vegetables in a fashion that was appealing to the eyes. With the feeling that what he had brought was more than worthy. Able, the second born, a shepherd, brought an animal as a sacrifice. No doubt they had heard from their parents how the Lord had slain a lamb to make clothing for their parents. These men were not ignorant of the need of a blood sacrifice. Cains offering was not one of an innocent mistake but a deliberate act of insolence. His subsequent jealousy and rage, resulting in murder show the destructiveness of that which is false. The Lord had assured Cain that with the proper attitude and sacrifice he too would be accepted. Gen. 4:1-8
THE CONTRAST OF FLESH AND SPIRIT IS SEEN IN THE NUMBER TWO. The clash between the two is very visible in the choices made by Abram and Lot. Their family roots, their origins were the same. They left and traveled together as one group. Yet as always, there must come a time when the flesh is separated from the Spirit. Choices had to be made. Lot chose by the sight of his eyes. Seeing the beauty of the Jordanian plain. Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. The sin and wickedness of Sodom did not concern him. Sounds like today. The Lord gave Abram a view of all the land that was to be his and promised it to him. Far better the choices the Lord makes for us than the choices we make for ourselves. Gen. 13:10-15 The Lord has set before all men the way of life and the way of death. We are free moral agents with the right and privilege of making our own choices. Jer. 21:8 Chose the way of life and live.