Rock

My meditation today centers around this expression found in PSA 18:2: “The LORD is my rock.” In several other Psalms God is referred to as the rock. Why is God described as a rock? A good place to begin in answering that question is considering the definition of a rock.

Rock – 1. A large rugged mass of stone forming a cliff, crag, or natural prominence on land or in the sea. 2. In figurative or allusive uses: a. A source of danger or destruction, usually with allusion to shipwreck. b. Something which affords a sure foundation or support; something which gives shelter or protection; used esp. with reference to Christ.

Obviously, the Creator of all rocks is not Himself a mass of stone. The word rock is being used here figuratively. However, the figure is derived from the primary meaning of the word. When we know what a rock is primarily, then we can learn why God is described as a rock. Something about a rock tells us something about our God. It is interesting to note how the Holy Spirit draws from things in the creation in order to reveal God to us. James Jordan had this interesting insight:

We simply cannot grasp God’s infinite tri-personality all at once. For this reason, God chose to reveal the infinity of His personality in the diversity of this world. Various things in the world reveal various things about God.

As Scripturally informed believers we can find reflections of God throughout His creation. In describing God as a rock, the Holy Spirit reveals to us what we can experience in a relationship with God.

The above definition says that a rock is a figure of something which affords a sure foundation or support. It provides us with strength to bear us up. We have strength to stand and withstand our troubles because we have a sure foundation beneath us giving us support. Hence, God as our rock is a source of strength.

Psalms 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

A rock is also a figure of something which gives protection. Therefore, as our rock God is a source of defence to protect us.

Psalms 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

If you are “stedfast and unmoveable” in your Christian profession, it is because your rock is defending you. He is protecting you from whatever is beyond your ability to bear. As our rock, God is a refuge to which we may flee when we perceive danger. We flee to Him to protect us.

Psalms 94:22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

And then a rock is something which gives shelter. In the blistering heat or in a raging storm, what better place to be than under the shelter of a mighty rock, where one can find refuge, rest, and relief? And such is our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, the God-Man.

Isaiah 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

For centuries believers have found comfort in this revelation of God as their rock. Many songs have been composed which celebrate this theme. In our congregation we sing, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand”; “Rock of ages, cleft for me”; “In the rifted Rock I’m resting”; “O Thou blessed Rock of ages, hide thou me.” Indeed, the very survival of the church of Jesus Christ is owing to the fact that its Rock has strengthened and defended it.

Matthew 16:18 …Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Another thought that emerges from this description of God as a rock is that of constancy. A rock is a sure foundation, shelter, and defence because of its permanence and stability. A massive rock does not move. It does not collapse under pressure. It abides. One quality we look for in human relationships is the quality of constancy, dependability, faithfulness. We want someone who will always be there for us, someone we can count on. How we need constancy in a shifting, changing, dying world! But, alas, all human supports are limited and temporary. No creature can always be there for us. At some point any human being will let us down. And then there is always death, the Grim Reaper, to snatch away those on whom we depend. That is why we must always look beyond creature supports to God as our ultimate support. Only God can be a rock in the fullest sense of all that a rock implies. He is the only one who can always be there for us, the one we can always count on. Hence, we do well to say with the Psalmist regarding our God:

Psalms 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

In closing, observe in the definition above that a rock is also a figure of a source of danger or destruction. The comforting figures that arise from the description of God as a rock belong to those who can say with the Psalmist, “The LORD is my rock.” If you have no personal relationship with God, then these comforts do not belong to you. If God is not your rock, then to you He is a source of danger or destruction. When speaking of Himself as the Stone (Rock) the Lord Jesus Christ had this to say:

Luke 20:17 …What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? 18 Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Have you received the Lord Jesus Christ? Is He your Lord Whom you obey? Are His commandments the rule by which you govern your life? Is he your rock? Or have you rejected Him? If you have, then you will find Him a crushing source of destruction. For myself, I am
standing on, trusting in, and sheltered under the LORD, my Rock.

Hairstylist

My thoughts today are much upon Paul’s instructions on hair lengths for men and women found in 1CO 11:1-16:

1 Corinthians 11:1 ¶Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

It is obvious in this passage that God requires a clear distinction between men and women with respect to hair. Men are to have short hair and women are to have long hair. This is to make a visible distinction between men and women in order to symbolize the hierarchy of authority. If the length of the hair on a man and the hair on a woman is the same, then no distinction in hair exists. Nowadays it is common to see boys, or men for that matter, with their hair growing down over their ears and necks. It is also common to see women with their hair cropped very close all over their heads or over their ears and their necks. This blurs the distinction between the sexes as it pertains to hair. Observe in verse 15 that hair is given to a woman for a covering, but it must be long hair to do what it was given to do. Long hair is a glory to a woman “for her hair is given her for a covering.” If her hair is not covering her head, it is not long enough. Hair is to cover a woman's head and not to cover a man's head. Of course, this raises the argument of how short is short and how long is long? If this passage is carefully thought through, the answer to that question becomes quite clear. A man’s hair is to be short enough not to cover his head whereas a woman’s hair is to be long enough to cover her head. But more about this as we go along.

An interesting passage in connection with this thought is Revelation 9:7-8:

7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.

John saw locusts ascending out of the bottomless pit that “had hair as the hair of women.” Now just exactly how does one distinguish the hair of women? The hair of the two sexes cannot be distinguished by either colour or texture since all hair colours and textures can be found on both men and women. The only other way to distinguish the hair of the two sexes is by length.

Now with respect to the issue of hair length, I have gained a fresh insight into Paul’s line of reasoning. Let’s hone in on verses 5-6 of our passage.

5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

In this passage long hair and shaved hair are extremes of contrast. If a woman’s hair is not long enough to cover her head, then she might as well be shaven. But Paul clearly teaches that it is “a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven.” Now, true to our form, let’s define our terms. Bear in mind that the word shorn is the past participle of shear.

Or – conj. A particle co-ordinating two (or more) words, phrases, or classes, between which there is an alternative.

Shave – To cut off (hair, esp. the beard) close to the skin with or as with a razor.

Shear – To remove (the hair or beard) by means of some sharp instrument; to shave (the head or face); to cut (the hair) close or short; to cut or shave (the hair or beard) of (a person).

Observe that while shearing may be shaving, it may also be just cutting the hair close or short, or even cutting it at all. I suppose that is why scissors are also called shears. Therefore, we can say that all shaving is shearing, but not all shearing is shaving. That would explain why Paul uses the word shear as an alternative to the word shave. Shaving is cutting the hair right down to the skin, whereas shearing can be just cutting the hair close or short.

It is very clear in our passage that God wants a woman’s hair to cover her head.

Cover - To put or lay something over (an object), with the effect of hiding from view, protecting, or enclosing; to overlay, overspread with.

Therefore, a woman’s hair needs to be long enough to cover her head. As long as a woman’s hair is long enough to cover her head, then it is long enough. It does not have to be long enough to cover her back. It need only cover her head. Therefore, she is permitted to cut her hair to some extent. She may cut it up to the point where it still covers her head. Beyond that she must not go. Therefore, as far as Scripture is concerned, we can throw out that definition of shear which simply defines the term as cutting the hair. This leaves us with the definitions of shaving the hair or cutting the hair close or short.

It is very interesting that it is believed that the word short has the same roots as the word shear. In fact, in tracing the etymology of the word short, The Oxford English Dictionary refers the reader to the word shear. So when a woman tells her hairdresser that she wants her hair short, or that she wants the back of her hair short, or she wants the back and sides of her hair short, she is in essence saying that she wants it shorn. And that, says Paul, is a shame for her!

Now let’s come to the issue of the hair covering the head. This is easy to understand if we simply apply some reasoning to Paul’s statements. The hair is not to cover the head of the man, but it is to cover the head of the woman. A covered head is the exact opposite of an uncovered head. By definition, this means the hair should not be long enough to hide the head of the man from view, but it should be long enough to hide the head of the woman from view. Since, as we noted above, a woman’s hair must be long enough to cover her head, we can say that logic dictates that uncovered means not having long hair. Now in reasoning this out, it is obvious that God does not require that the face be covered with hair. A woman was given hair for a covering, yet she is given no facial hair. A man may cover his face with hair and yet his head still be considered uncovered. Our blessed Lord had a beard. Furthermore, since any hair at all will cover the scalp, covering the head must entail more than the scalp. Short hair is obviously allowed on a man, yet short hair will cover the scalp. So covering the head excludes the face and includes more than the scalp. So what is left to be covered? In view of the obvious exceptions, a covered head entails covering the ears and the neck. A man's hair should not be long enough to cover his ears and neck. He may wear a fuller cut so long as his hair isn’t long enough to hang down over his ears and neck. On the other hand, a woman's hair should be long enough to hang down over her ears and neck. If these guidelines are followed, there will be no difficulty in distinguishing the hair of the sexes no matter how the hair is styled. And thus God's objective will be achieved!

Or consider this, when looking at someone from behind when their hair is hanging down, if the contour of the head is clearly visible, the head is not covered. If the contour and shape of the head is not visible, then the head is covered. So a man’s hair should be short enough to leave the contour of his head visible, whereas a woman’s hair should be long enough to hide the contour of her head.

I note that many women wear a hairstyle in which the hair is long enough to cover the ears, but it is closely cut in the back so that the neck in not covered. This is not long enough. God said cover the head, not half the head. Then there are woman who wear longer hair on the top of their heads, but the hair is cut close over the ears and the neck. This simply does not meet the Biblical standard for long hair.

Now, believe me, I can understand that shorter hair is much more convenient. I wear very short hair. I love the low maintenance. So I do not envy you women having to wear the longer hair, but I did not write the rules. God has His reasons and it is our duty to conform to His standards no matter the inconvenience. But perhaps I can do something to empathize with you. I am allowed facial hair. Maybe I could grow a longer beard that would require more maintenance such as hair conditioner, constant clipping of wild hairs, and more brushing. In that case I could say to you ladies as former President Bill Clinton was heard to say, “I feel your pain.”

This has been a longer meditation. I trust I have not wearied you. Consider what I say and the Lord give you understanding in all things. As a pastor I fill many roles. Today I am your hairstylist pastor.

As the Lord Commanded

Yesterday I completed reading through the book of Exodus. I try to read one chapter per day. In connection with that chapter I like to read the thoughts of one of my favourite commentators, G. Campbell Morgan. Mr. Morgan pointed out something in his comments on EXO 39 that arrested my attention. I would like capitalize on his observations by expanding them with my own.

EXO 38-39 record the act of constructing the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the clothing of the priests, who ministered in the tabernacle. EXO 40 records the actual setting up of the tabernacle and its consecration. Mr. Campbell based his comments on EXO 39:43.

Exodus 39:43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

Pay careful attention to the words in bold print. All the work of the tabernacle and its furnishings had been done as the Lord commanded. Mr. Campbell went on to note that the phrase as the LORD commanded Moses is repeated seven times in EXO 39. It occurs in verses 1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, & 31. Verse 32 also states the point.

Exodus 39:32 ¶Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.

Then in chapter 40, the phrase as the Lord commanded Moses occurs seven more times in verses 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, & 32.

Remember that this is Holy Scripture. These words are being given by the inspiration of God. It is God Who is continually reminding us that Israel was carrying out His service as He had commanded. Therefore, we come to the avoidable conclusion that it is very important to God that we execute His service according to what He commands us.

When God originally commissioned Israel to make Him a tabernacle, He gave this instruction:

Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Exodus 38-40 records the fact that Israel had done precisely what God originally commissioned them to do. There was nothing in that tabernacle of Israel’s own devising. Everything was done to satisfy God’s requirements. Nothing was done to please the people. And God was obviously pleased with what had been done because God filled the tabernacle with His glory (EXO 40:34).

Although we do not live under Moses’ law, the principle that was here observed is carried over in the New Testament. Note this principle in our Lord’s Great Commission to His apostles:

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

God’s service is to be kept according to His commandments as delivered unto us by His holy apostles. We are not at liberty to add or subtract anything according to our own tastes and preferences. And this brings us back to what I preached about last Sunday when I taught on why we do not observe religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter. These were celebrations that predated the establishment of Christianity. The Roman Catholic Church simply adopted the traditions of those pagan celebrations, gave them Christian names and symbols, and incorporated them into the service of the church. This is not executing God’s service as the Lord commanded. God strictly forbids this and instead charges us in these words:

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

To give someone a gift simply as an expression of respect or affection to that person is one thing. People do it all the time and there is no law of God against that. But to give someone a gift in order to celebrate the birth of the Son of God is something else entirely. This is an attempt to honour Christ according to one’s own taste and preference as opposed to honouring Christ as the Lord commanded. If one wishes to honour Christ, then why not be baptized in His name and added to His church? Why not go to His house and join with His saints in singing His praise, calling upon His name, and hearing His gospel? Why not sit with His saints at His table and remember Him according to His holy commandment by eating the bread and drinking the cup? Why not give to poor saints in need when there is a need and not just on a holiday? After all, these are the things which He commanded us to do to honour Him.

Remember this most important fact as stated in the following verse:

Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

If God’s way is perfect, then how can we possibly improve it? Why not serve God God’s way? After all, His way is perfect. When it comes to serving God, our mandate is simple and clear. Do it as the Lord commanded.