Ken Blue Ministries

Wrong Things

By Ken Blue

The reader will notice that these two events stand out like bookends of all that transpired between I Samuel 6 and II Samuel 6. In first Samuel, the Philistines had defeated Israel and carried away the ark. The consequences of that event are in chapter six. Then, in II Samuel chapter 6, King David attempts to bring the ark to Jerusalem. What I want us to note the similarity of the two events, how each was exercised, and what the results were.

“And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:  And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart… And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.” 1 Samuel 6:10-12.

“And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God… And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart… Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.” 2 Samuel 6:2-7.

 The Philistines were the enemies of Israel and of God, but because of the wickedness of Israel, He allowed the Philistines to defeat them and carry away the ark. Defeat and servitude were the repeated history of Israel throughout much of the Old Testament.

The Philistines found that the presence of the ark was not a blessing to their land or their bodies; both were plagued. As a result, they acknowledged the greatness of the God and reasoned how they might stay the plague and get the ark back to Israel.

They decided an atonement of golden images should accompany the ark. To verify that the plagues were indeed from God, they would try an unquestionable test. They made a new cart and attached two cows that had baby calves. The calves were secured in stalls and the mother cows were sent down the road with the ark. If the cows left their calves behind and took the ark back, without drivers, then there would be no doubt that all was of the God of Israel.

Now, everything they were doing was wrong, but they were doing right! First of all, the ark was not to be in the possession of the Philistines. No other transportation was allowed other than the priest of Israel. But God, in His grace, not only allows them to return it on a cart, He permitted them to physically handle it when taking it from Israel and when returning it. In addition, the offerings to God were idols of gold! God accepted their efforts and healed them of their plagues.

This teaches us that we cannot pin down or patent how God is going to deal with the lost. In some cases, ignorance may be a blessing. They demonstrated more fear of God than wicked Israel.

On the other end of the story we find King David attempting to bring the ark up to Jerusalem, but his efforts are wrong. Once again we see a new cart made and pulled by two oxen. How the ark was moved to the cart we are not told, but someone had to lift it. Regardless, none of this was done the right way, and David knew it. A right thing, bringing the ark home,  was done the wrong way. To add to the lesson, the oxen shook the cart, and Uzzah put for his hand to steady it. God killed him!

[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The Christians responsibility is much greater than those of the world.[/perfectpullquote]

The lesson is this; “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48. Israel had the Law of God and all the instructions concerning the handling and moving of the ark. “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 9:3-5. Therefore, the Philistines received few stripes compared to the judgments on Israel.

Christian, God expects very little from the world. They are ignorant and in darkness. But, you and I are children of Light, and our responsibility is much greater than theirs. The problems with Christianity are not the fault of the world. Most problems are rebellion, unbelief, and presumption of believers. Sometimes wrong things can be done in a right way, while the right things are done in a wrong way. Maybe we should evaluate our ministry and make sure we are doing the right things the right way.  

By Ken Blue

It is amusing to watch Baptist Briders compass land and sea for any scrap of Baptist history to prove the only real church today is a local Baptist bride church, and that Jesus became a member of the Baptist church; which is His bride. Because of the great ministry of Charles Spurgeon, his name is often used to prop up Baptist bride teaching. However, Spurgeon would reject most of those who use him as their predecessor.

I have read much written by Mr. Spurgeon, and I would recommend his writings to all. We have sold many of his books in our bookstore over the years. I have no argument with Mr. Spurgeon. My complaint is with those who use his name to give authority to a false doctrine, while ignoring, or going completely counter to other things he believed and did.

For example, if you would like to see the wrath of the Brider; remove or leave the name Baptist off your church; Spurgeon did. The church he pastored for 38 years was The Metropolitan Tabernacle! Take the name Baptist off, and witness the sweet, sweet spirit fly out the window.

Also, Spurgeon followed John Calvin’s teaching of the TULIP. Spurgeon was a five point Calvinist. I am not sure most Briders would go so far as to preach that the non-elect were pre-destined to hell.

Baptist Briders pride themselves in their belief that they have maintained a true Baptist heritage since the first Baptist, John the Baptist. Do Baptist Briders have musical instruments in their churches? The early church did not, and all Christians opposed them for centuries.

Note again what Spurgeon said about musical instruments. “What a degradation to supplant the intelligent song of the whole congregation by the theatrical prettinesses of a quartette, the refined niceties of a choir, or the blowing off of wind from inanimate bellows and pipes! We might as well pray by machinery as praise by it” (Commentary on Psalm 42:4).

On another Psalm, Spurgeon said, “Praise the Lord with harp.’ Men need all the help they can get to stir them up to praise. This is the lesson to be gathered from the use of musical instruments under the old dispensation. Israel was at school, and used childish things to help her to learn; but in these days, when Jesus gives us spiritual manhood, we can make melody without strings and pipes. We who do not believe these things to be expedient in worship, lest they should mar its simplicity…We do not need them, they would hinder than help our praise… ‘Sing unto him.’ This is the sweetest and best of music. No instrument like the human voice. As a help to singing the instrument is alone to be tolerated, for keys and strings do not praise the Lord” (Commentary on Psalm 33:2).

Another Baptist said, “Staunch old Baptists in former times would as soon tolerated the Pope of Rome in their pulpits as an organ in their galleries, and yet the instrument has gradually found its way among them…How far this modern organ fever will extend among our people, and whether it will on the whole work a RE- formation or DE- formation in their singing service, time will more fully develop.” (Benedict, Baptist historian, Fifty Years Among Baptist, page 204-207)”

The Baptist, Andrew Fuller presented the history of the music of the early church. ““The history of the church during the first three centuries affords many instances of primitive Christians engaging in singing, but no mention, (that I recollect) is made of instruments. (If my memory does not deceive me) it originated in the dark ages of popery, when almost every other superstition was introduced.”

So, which is it? Shall be build our church of the Scriptures, rightly divided, or on the tradition of men? Briders will need to search for someone other than Spurgeon to validate their perpetuity. Remember, history is always tainted by those who write it. The Word of God must be our authority.

 

BY Ken Blue

Some Christians would have you believe that it matters not how you vote. They assume that good preaching and good living will solve the problems in the political arena. I contend that the only way to solve the problem, politically, is to have leaders who are men and women of principle, with Bible convictions. This might be accomplished through much prayer and wise voting.

Those who think the church is the key have justified that attitude by attributing the following quote to a Frenchman who visited America, and supposedly saw the greatness in the churches.

Alexis de Tocqueville is supposed to have said, “I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers — and it was not there … in her fertile fields and boundless forests — and it was not there … in her rich mines and her vast world commerce — and it was not there … in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution — and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteous­ness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

This has been repeated by politicians, seeking the votes of Christians; and by religious leaders to impress you with the importance of their ministry. I have searched for proof that Tocqueville made such a statement. If anyone can give the exact location (book and page number) of that statement by Tocqueville, I would love to have it. We wouldn’t want to misquote anyone; would we?
There is no excuse for Christians to live ungodly. However, neither is there any excuse for not using your freedom and common sense to better your country, if possible. So, live right and vote!