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Brooksyne Weber
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Wednesday,
July 19, 2023
The
Brubaker Farm
(Click on photo to enlarge. This
photo, probably from a drone, is on their website)
"Gleanings
From Habakkuk"
(Part
2)
"When
Justice Is Perverted"
Message
summary:
Let
us as God's
people
continue to
reflect and
demonstrate
the holy
character of
God in being
just in all
our ways.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Therefore
the law is
paralyzed, and
justice never
prevails. The
wicked hem in
the righteous,
so that
justice is
perverted"
(Habakkuk
1:4). "This is
why the law is
ineffective
and justice
never emerges.
For the wicked
restrict the
righteous;
therefore,
justice comes
out perverted"
(Habakkuk
1:4).
A
friend on our
hearts this
morning is
dealing with
what has in
reality become
the corrupt
system of law
in the course
of running his
business. He
is embroiled
in what is
essentially a
nuisance,
"hit the
jackpot" type
lawsuit driven
by greed. If I
were to share
the details of
what he
recently
encountered in
a hearing with
the
plaintiff's
attorneys it
would
demonstrate
the
foolishness of
the world we
now live in
when justice
is perverted.
You would have
to be a
creative
writer of
satire to
match the
foolishness of
his story.
Today
we hear a lot
about justice
and certainly
all earnest
followers of
Christ should
be concerned
with justice;
a fundamental
attribute of
God is His
absolute
justness. The
justice of God
is the absence
and
impossibility
of any moral
disorder
within
Himself. God's
justice is
thus
equivalent to
His infinite
holiness and
perfect
goodness. He
also calls His
people to be
just.
The law given by Moses served as the basis for justice in the Israelites' society. But when the law is ignored, rampant injustice follows and the daily verse describes these conditions at the time of Habakkuk.
Most Bible scholars believe Habakkuk served God at the time immediately prior to God's judgment and the Babylonian exile. However there was a temporary period of prosperity at this time and it had a lulling effect on all but the most faithful. Times were good; who needs God? Sound familiar?
Today's text, although describing that period, in so many ways describes our own age as well: "Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted" (Habakkuk 1:4). It's so uncannily contemporary you may wonder what version words it this way (NIV). However other well known versions are very similar:
These words sure seem to describe our own age. In fact often the word "justice" itself has been perverted and turned around. What is actually justice is called injustice and what is actually an injustice is called justice. The justice system essentially becomes the injustice system! This not only applies to the criminal justice system but to many areas of life. It's related to calling evil good and good evil.
Let us, as God's people, continue to reflect and demonstrate the holy character of God in being just. As another Old Testament prophet says, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
The law given by Moses served as the basis for justice in the Israelites' society. But when the law is ignored, rampant injustice follows and the daily verse describes these conditions at the time of Habakkuk.
Most Bible scholars believe Habakkuk served God at the time immediately prior to God's judgment and the Babylonian exile. However there was a temporary period of prosperity at this time and it had a lulling effect on all but the most faithful. Times were good; who needs God? Sound familiar?
Today's text, although describing that period, in so many ways describes our own age as well: "Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted" (Habakkuk 1:4). It's so uncannily contemporary you may wonder what version words it this way (NIV). However other well known versions are very similar:
"Therefore the
law is
slacked, and
judgment doth
never go
forth: for the
wicked doth
compass about
the righteous;
therefore
wrong judgment
proceedeth."
(KJV)
"Therefore the Law is ignored, And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out confused." (NASB)
"So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." (ESV)
"Therefore the Law is ignored, And justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out confused." (NASB)
"So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted." (ESV)
These words sure seem to describe our own age. In fact often the word "justice" itself has been perverted and turned around. What is actually justice is called injustice and what is actually an injustice is called justice. The justice system essentially becomes the injustice system! This not only applies to the criminal justice system but to many areas of life. It's related to calling evil good and good evil.
Let us, as God's people, continue to reflect and demonstrate the holy character of God in being just. As another Old Testament prophet says, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
Daily
prayer:
Father, when
we read in
Habakkuk about
the law being
paralyzed or
powerless to
the people of
the land it
seems to be
describing our
own day of
corruption.
Evil is not
only tolerated
but is being
signed into
law while the
biblical
foundation
upon which our
land was
founded and
has stood upon
is being
destroyed.
Justice does
not prevail
when wicked
rulers or
spineless
cowards,
whether in
law,
education,
business or
religion,
ignore the
narrow path of
righteousness
and instead
walk the broad
path that
leads to
destruction.
Make us strong
and courageous
so that we
don't align
ourselves with
that which
undermines the
truth of Holy
Scriptures
that are able
to make us
wise unto
salvation.
Help us always
to do justly,
love mercy and
to walk humbly
with You, our
Lord and
Savior in
these perilous
days, in His
name we pray.
Amen.A
Visit To The
Brubaker Farm
Yesterday
the Brubaker
Farms in our
neighborhood
held a
community day
inviting
neighbors
within 1 mile
of the farm.
The main farm
is a little
over 1/2 mile
east of us (Google
map).
Their website
has a video
where you
can see our
house early in
the video
(at 10
seconds) since
they own the
field across
from us.
On
their website
they declare
their mission:
Our
mission is to
glorify the
Lord through
the
stewardship of
our team,
animals,
community, and
the
environment.
The
event was held
from 3-7 and
the Brubaker
family sure
had a good
turnout.
Piping
hot french
fries and
thick
milkshakes
were provided
for those who
attended!
Christian
worship music
played in the
background.
We
toured the
farm on a
covered wagon.
Since the
Brubaker farm
has tractor
trails I,
Brooksyne,
have ridden
past the cows
numerous
times. Getting
a tour was
very
informative
and included
statistics
that give you
a better sense
of what modern
farming is all
about. HARD
WORK is the
first thing
that comes to
mind.
Our
guide was Mike
Brubaker, one
of the owners
who represents
the 3rd
generation of
the family
farm. We have
posted photos
of his corn
field across
the street
from our house
numerous times
over the
years. Our
most poignant
memory of Mike
was from May
of 2008 when
he helped
assist
Brooksyne into
the back of
our van after
a major fall.
She had broken
her ankle
(which was
evident by the
dangling ankle
joints and the
excruciating
pain she
felt), after
getting
tripped up by
our dog,
Roxie. We had
been walking
on the tractor
trail we often
walked when
visiting our
former
neighbors,
Jesse and Anna
Ruth. The
ankle break
resulted in a
major surgery
where pins and
plates were
inserted and a
non-weight
bearing full
leg cast for
three months.
It certainly
was not a
typical summer
for me but I
certainly
learned to
appreciate the
privilege of
walking in a
way I never
did before
that major
break.
We
rode through
the barn to
see the cows
up close. The
farm milks
1,200 cows
three times
per day with
an average of
11 gallons per
cow. In case
you don't have
a calculator
handy that's
13,200 gallons
daily!!!
Amazingly,
each cow
drinks up to
40 gallons of
water per day.
The farm has
wells that
provide the
vast amount of
water needed
to supply
these cows
with plenty of
fluid.
The
farm converts
the methane
gas from the
manure to
provide enough
energy to
power 400
homes, perhaps
even ours,
since it is
spread
throughout the
neighboring
properties!
The
old spring
house on the
Brubaker
property along
a branch of
Donegal Creek.
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
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recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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