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Revelation 21:17--11d |
Revelation 21, Page 22e-11d | ||
Significant Words and Comments: Commentary on Revelation 21:17 expansion (16 August 2008): Commandment or Structure #11: “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Detail #11:10: Backbiting destroys both others and those who speak it. “Yehuveh, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” “The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.” Making unkind, spiteful, or slanderous comments about someone when they are not present destroys reputations and relationships. Unkind remarks, infighting, viciousness, bad-mouthing, spitefulness—all are inappropriate conversation for Yehuveh’s people and all are bearing false witness against others. This goes beyond simply not saying unkind things behind someone’s back that you wouldn’t say to his or her face. Yehuveh is calling on us not to say them ever, and ultimately, not to even allow ourselves to think such thoughts. Psalms 15:1-3; Proverbs 25:23. Also: Exodus 23:1-33; Leviticus 19:16; Psalms 101:5-8; Jeremiah 9:4-9. Detail #11:11: Any comment which creates discord is a false witness. “These six things doth Yehuveh hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Yehuveh’s people are to be the peace-makers and peace-keepers on earth. It is impossible to live out His instructions and cause disharmony between others. Our theme of life needs to be David’s exclamation: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Proverbs 6:16-19; Psalms 133:1. Also: Genesis 3:1-13; 13:6-8; 36:7; 45:24; 1 Samuel 24:9; 2 Samuel 2:26, 27; Psalms 122:6-8; Proverbs 6:14; 16:28; 17:9; 22:10; 26:17-22; Isaiah 11:6, 9, 13; Jeremiah 32:39; Hosea 8:7. Detail #11:12: Concealing intense ill feelings by lies is false witness. “He that hideth hatred with lying lips . . . is a fool.” Hatred is a powerful word, but what if you substitute any of these? Abhorrence, detestation, loathing, odium, revulsion, disgust, extreme dislike, intense hostility, opposition. Our society has trained us to conceal feelings and act hospitable toward people we absolutely detest. Before Yehuveh this conduct is inappropriate, indeed He considers it to be pure foolishness. What, then, is appropriate behavior? Are we to blatantly tell people how we feel? Avoid all contact with them? Be kind, though open about our intense dislike for them? Are we to suppress our true feelings and convince ourselves we like them? Are we to truly have a change of heart so we do like them? [Be careful here, for David says: “Do not I hate them, O Yehuveh, that hate Thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee? I hate them with perfect hatred.” Psalms 139:21-22.] How you are to honor the truth of this commandment is an individual matter which each of us must work out for ourselves, but Scripture clearly calls for honorable honesty in all our human relations. Proverbs 10:18. Also: 1 Samuel 18:21, 22, 29; 2 Samuel 3:27; 11:8-15; 13:23-29; 20:9, 10; Psalms 5:9; 12:2; 55:21; 97:10; 101:3-8; Proverbs 26:24-26. If it is offensive to Yehuveh that we are dishonest toward each other, how much more offensive it is when we are thus dishonest toward Him: “They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.” Of such two-faced worshippers, Yehuveh says: “When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek Me early, but they shall not find Me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Yehuveh: They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Ezekiel 33:31-32; Proverbs 1:27-33. Gael Bataman Originally Written: 16 August 2008 Latest Update: 16 August 2008 Return to Zadok Home Page Continue . . . Return One Page Go to Revelation Intro |