Friday, April 5, 2024
An election-year classic.
UPSIDE DOWN!
More than ten years ago
I awoke with this curious thought possibly from the Poseidon movie: “Efforts to
attach the floor to the ceiling have met with some success but there is a
noticeable sag.” If it was God speaking one must wonder what He was talking
about. I don’t think Satan is all that smart or even philosophical. That leaves
my own peculiar way of thinking which comes under considerable suspicion. But
let’s run with it and see where it goes!
“Upside down”
can be found in the King James Version five times. I was surprised to
discover this after a brief search. You can look yourself at 2 Kings 21:13;
Psalm 146:9; Isaiah 24:1; Isaiah 29:16 and Acts 17:6.
I chose to zero-in
on Isaiah 29:15 & 16 and
found what I think I was looking for. Let’s take a look.
Isa
29:15-16 KJV
15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel [plans]
from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and
who knoweth us?
16 Surely your turning of things upside down
shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made
it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had
no understanding?
In his notes,
Mr. Barnes’ comments on verses 15 and 16 is worthy of our attention.
That is, [they] who
attempt to conceal their "real" intentions under a plausible
exterior, and correct outward deportment. This is most strikingly descriptive
of the character of a hypocrite who seeks to conceal his plans and his
purposes from the eyes of people and of God. His external conduct is
fair; his observance of the duties of religion exemplary; his attendance on the
means of grace and the worship of God regular; his professions loud and
constant, but the whole design is to "conceal" his real sentiments,
and to accomplish some sinister and wicked purpose by it.
They had no just views of truth. They deemed mere formality to be all that was required.
They attempted to conceal their plans even from Yahweh; and everything in the
opinions and practice of the nation had become perverted and erroneous.
(From Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997,
2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
It has become expedient
both in business and in politics to become “religious.” Talk of revival and
renewal are peppered liberally with expletives and home-grown theology. Mr.
Barnes thinks it might be to “accomplish some sinister and wicked purpose by
it.” It seems obvious that Mr. Barnes is somewhat suspicious of the syrupy
sweetness of some overtly religious people!
The danger of pretending
to believe truths not truly held is an “upside down” thinking. As we see in
Isaiah 29:16 the clay becomes self-animated and rises up in sarcastic rebellion
against the Potter. The framed structure devises insurrection against the
carpenter accusing Him of having flawed plans. The whole image resembles the upside-down
ship in the movie “The Poseidon Adventure.” You must be careful not to
trip over the chandeliers.
Isa
5:20 KJV
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that
put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and
sweet for bitter!
“Efforts to attach the floor to the ceiling have met with
some success but there is a noticeable sag.”
Dear Lord, help me to challenge the modern, cultural
moralizing with the revealed truth of the Word of God. Then give me the courage
to live right side up. AMEN
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