Psalm 23

Psalm 23

According to “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, the book of Psalm consists of seven types. Psalm 23 belongs to “Songs of Trust” type where the centre of attention is that “God can be trusted and that, even in times of despair, his goodness and care for his people ought to be expressed”. [1]

Let’s apply exegetical approach[2] given in “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth”.

“Songs of Trust” (F&S Pg.214) to Psalm 23. The “Songs of Trust” type contains a mixture of elements, with minor difference in terms of sequence, found in “Lament” type and “Thanksgiving” type, with “a sense of the fragility and danger of life, and from the thanksgiving serenity arising from the experience of God’s power”.[3]

1. Address: The psalmist identifies the Lord is his shepherd; therefore, he is being contented in verse 1. The address is repeated again in verse 6. Please note that Lord is being addressed only in the first and last verse of Psalm 23. In between verse 2 to 5, Lord is being addressed as third person (“he”) and second person (“you”).
2. Introduction: Lord is psalmist’s provider, healer, guidance in verse 2 and 3.
3. Distress & Deliverance: Distress conditions are being mentioned in verse 4 and 5 – “walking through the valley of the shadow of death” (NIV[4]) or “valley of deep darkness” (NAS[5]) and “in the presence of my enemies” (NIV). Within the distress conditions verse 4 and 5, deliverance with rod/staff, with oil and overflowing cup also comes into picture.
4. Assurance & Trust: Elements of assurance and trust all embedded in verse 6; probably palmist understands that both elements came in as a package. The assurance would be void if there were no trust. The assurance is the first part of verse 6 “goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” and the response of the palmist is that he “shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.

“The Songs of Trust are todah psalms that move even closer to hymn. There is still some sense of the immediate experience of God, yet they usually are focused more on reflective praise that is generalized into affirmations about God. They are experience generalized to trust.”[6] Therefore, one can also selectively apply elements of hymnic pslams onto Psalm 23. Not all elements of Psalm 23 can be applied to hymnic pattern, as it is only close to hymn but not actually hymn.

1. Call to Praise
1. uses an imperative: verse 1 - "…shall not be want”
2. addressed to the community (plural): not applicable as it is not a pure hymn
2. Reason for Praise
1. "because" or "for": verse 2 to 5, with following sub elements
2. God described with participial clause, "God, who [activity]": verse 2 to 3
3. God’s deliverance: verse 4 to 5
3. Renewed Call to Praise (balances beginning)
1. uses an imperative: verse 6 - “Surely…”
2. addressed to the community (plural): not applicable as it is not a pure hymn

“New American Standard Bible” provides very detail in terms of cross referencing of each word of Psalm 23. Base on cross referencing material, I have looked up corresponding implication of each keyword in the following table to clarify interpretation by referencing other passage of the Bible.

Table 1 - Cross Referencing of Psalm 23

Psalm	Keyword and its implication	Reference
Psalm 23:1	shepherd: to tend, gather, search, feed, lay his life for, guard	Ps 78:52; 80:1; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Ezek 34:11-13; John 10:11; 1 Pet 2:25
Psalm 23:1	not want: God as supplier	Ps 34:9, 10; Phil 4:19
Psalm 23:2	green pastures: be fed in good and rich pastures; grazing ground	Ps 65:11-13; Ezek 34:14
Psalm 23:2	leads: guide His sheep to springs of the water of life	Rev 7:17
Psalm 23:2	quiet waters: drink the river of God’s delights	Ps 36:8; 46:4
Psalm 23:3	restores: soul restoration	Ps 19:7
Psalm 23:3	guides: lead into God’s righteousness	Ps 5:8; 31:3
Psalm 23:3	paths: righteousness, justice, way of wisdom	Ps 85:13; Prov 4:11; 8:20
Psalm 23:4	walk through valley of the shadow of death: darkness	Job 10:21, 22; Ps 107:14
Psalm 23:4	fear no evil: not afraid of many people against me	Ps 3:6; 27:1
Psalm 23:4	you are with me: God continually before me, and at my right hand, God as my protection	Ps 16:8; Is 43:2
Psalm 23:4	rod and staff: a sceptre to guide, authority	Mic 7:14
Psalm 23:5	prepare a table: table in wilderness	Ps 78:19
Psalm 23:5	anointed: anointed with fresh oil	Ps 92:10; Luke 7:46
Psalm 23:5	cup overflows: Lord is the portion of my cup	Ps 16:5
Psalm 23:6	goodness lovingkindness: God remember me	Ps 25:7, 10
Psalm 23:6	dwell: meditate in His temple, conceal me in His tabernacle, hide me	Ps 27:4-6

I am not literate in Hebrew, therefore in order to find an English Bible closer to Hebrew original syntax, I selected “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” as one of the components on comparing. “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” strikes a balance between the two prevailing philosophies of Bible translation: formal equivalence (literal, "word-for-word", etc), found in translations like the New American Standard Bible and the English Standard Version, and dynamic or functional equivalence ("thought-for-thought"), found in translations like the New International Version and the New Living Translation. The translators call this balance Optimal Equivalence which is "to convey a sense of the original text with as much clarity as possible" in terms of semantic and linguistic equivalence.[7]

Table 2 - Versions Comparing of Psalm 23

English Standard Version	The New International Version	New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update	The Holman Christian Standard Bible
1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.	1 A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.	1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.	1 A Davidic psalm. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.	2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,	2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.	2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.	3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.	3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.	3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.	4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.	4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.	4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.	5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.	5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.	5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.	6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.	6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.	6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

“Table 1 - Cross Referencing of Psalm 23” and “Table 2 - Versions Comparing of Psalm 23” can lead us into more insight in terms of the exegesis of Psalm 23. The poet used the sub genre of metaphor on the first verse describing “Lord is my shepherd”. The functionalities of a shepherd are taken into the account of understanding poet’s description of the Lord. The shepherd’s functionality is to tend, gather, search, feed, guard, and lay his life for his sheep. Besides the obvious metaphor of the Lord being the shepherd, there is a hidden metaphor that the poet viewed himself as sheep to be taken care by the Lord.

“I shall not be want” does not mean the poet does not need anything. “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” said that it is nothing lack, which means the poet still has needs, but those needs are being taken care of by the Lord. Personally, I think there is also a flavour of thanksgiving and a sense of being contented.

The poet was not on holiday – laid down on the green pasture for sun tanning, and the quiet water was not a swimming pool in a resort. Quiet water is water we can drink from and green pasture is rich pasture which the poet is being fed.

“Restores my soul” may sound abstract to most people; “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” gives us a closer and practical term “renews my life”. Life will be renewed if one is walking on the right path God has prescribed.

Some people may relate the shadow of death being seriously sick physically. Both cross references and “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” describe the shadow of death as darkness. When the poet was walking through the darkest valley, cross reference said that the poet was not afraid people against him; and “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” interpreted evil as danger. To my imagination, valley is a dangerous place for a person as his enemies can attack him from above leaving the person without any route to escape but to be buried at the bottom of the valley; to make thing even worse, in darkness due to limited vision one cannot even stun from enemies shooting above. The poet was safe only almighty God was with him. The only protection to seek is God alone.

Many people interpreted the “rod and the staff” as weapons to defend against wild animals attack (e.g. lions) to the flock. Probably the role of the “rod and the staff” acted as sceptre to guide and spank sheep into the right path according to cross reference. In Old Testament rod and staff was not only for protection, as Isaiah described Assyria is rod, it could be used for teaching and disciplining God’s people for obedience.[8] Rod/staff also serves as a sign of God with the poet; therefore, being comforted that God was with him. When the poet diverged from God’s way, teaching and disciplines from God are being viewed as sign that God is with him.

The table was a table of enemies eating with the poet. Cross reference referred to it as a table of wilderness – an open and unprotected place. “Anoint my head with oil” and “my cup overflows” as enriching with a sense of abundance and blessing, blessing were being offered when the poet was among all enemies in which their purpose of existence were to help on trimming and forming the poet’s character. God was turning curse into blessing.

On verse 6 the original word “follow” in Hebrew was with a negative sense of “chasing after” (being victim), as in “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” used the word “pursue” instead of “follow”. Probably facts happened to poet in the past became blessing through God (originally was cursing but God has transformed cursing into blessing due to poet’s trust in God). The word “forever” was not about eternal life (after death); however, it was pertaining to this earthly life as “The Holman Christian Standard Bible” translated from Hebrew to a closer phase in English: “as long as I live”.

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[1] Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read The Bible for All Its Worth, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003), p. 214

[2] Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read The Bible for All Its Worth, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003), p.215-220

[3] Dianne Bergant & Robert J. Karris, The Collegeville Bible Commentary, (Liturgical Press), p.768

[4] The Holy Bible: New International Version

[5] The Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible

[6] Dennis Bratcher, Patterns for Life: Structure, Genre, and Theology in Psalms, (Biblical and Theological Resources For Growing Christians), http://www.crivoice.org/psalmgenre.html#Trust

[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holman_Christian_Standard_Bible

[8] Stephen Lee, Psalm Audio CD, (www.GoodnewsCom.org), Disk1

Proverbs 6

Proverbs 6

The Book of Proverbs belongs to wisdom category. Proverbs 6 is the selected chapter to be studied. When reading Proverbs 6 in one breath, one may get lost on its subjects. One can deduce five topics in this chapter in order to gain a better understanding of each.

Table 1 - Five Topics of Proverbs 6

Topics	Verses
Advice on mistake	1 to 5
Laziness	6 to 11
To identify evil person	12 to 15
Seven things detestable to God	16 to 19
Exercising of God’s Commandments & Teachings	20 to 35

Advice on mistake (verse 1 to 5)

The mistakes mentioned in verse 1 to 2 are

• putting up security by behalf of others
• struck hands in pledge
• trapped by one’s own words

First of all, one needs to understand the nature of these mistakes; otherwise, one will take these three conditions literally instead of figuratively – being parabollic[1]. We are certain the Bible was not against lending money to people (Matthew 5:42). In fact, in Deuteronomy 15:1-18 the law of lending and borrowing were clearly stated. Also, the Bible probably was not against on “struck hands in pledge” or business deal - striking hands in pledge was a gesture something like shaking hands. It was like “signing on the dotted line.”^[2] God made covenant with His people; amongst people they also had agreements (e.g. Abraham & His servant to look for a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24). Of course, God was not telling us not to live by our words or being irresponsible to what we had promised. The nature of the conditions was to be taken into account, not their literal statements. The very common nature among these three conditions was being trapped by mistake or under debt by false trust. False trust refers to putting our trust on other things or people before God. This surely leads us into spiritual debt - our heart being trapped by things and people instead of freeing our heart to God.

Likewise, “Proverbs Bible Study Commentary” by Keith Simons stated[3]:

Sometimes we place ourselves in danger. Our own choices can become like traps. Many people suffer from alcohol or from dangerous drugs. Originally, they just wanted to enjoy themselves. When they tried to stop, they failed. Now they must ask God to help them. They must remember that God is greater than them. A doctor could also help them. We all do wrong things against God. This behaviour is also like a trap. We cannot free ourselves. Paul wrote, ‘When I want to do good things, evil thoughts attract me. My spirit loves God’s law. But my body fights against my mind. I am like someone in prison. This is because evil behaviour controls my body.’ (Romans 7:21-23) But there is an answer to this problem. God can free us. If we ask God, then he will forgive us. And he will help us to control our behaviour. He will teach discipline to us. Paul continued, ‘Thank-you, God. God frees me through Jesus Christ.’ (Romans 7:25)

When we are trapped in false trust, the resolution is given at verse 3 to 5. The resolution consisted of four items in series: objective, attitude, action in a quick and with all might manner. The object is to free oneself from trap. The attitude is to be humble and plea; and be alert (“allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids” as analogy of being alert) on one’s mistake. The action is to free oneself in an agile and struggling with all might fashion of two given similes: “like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler”.

Laziness (verse 6 to 11)

The lesson started with an observation of nature in verses 6 to 8. This is a good illustration of “Proverbs has a universalistic rather than particularistic application”.^[4] Also, it is “dealing with such a broad range of subjects, does not include any ‘unscientific’ statements. For instance, Proverbs 6:6–8 accurately describes the social structure of the ant, something that shows acute insight and careful observation”.^[5] It uses a very common type of insect - ants, which can be found in almost every corner of the earth, sharing common diligence characteristic with similar social structure, as the media of teaching. In eastern culture, ants being viewed as hardworking beings: gathering food at harvest for hibernation. One major mistake we often made in Biblical interpretation was to base on our culture understanding then jumped into assumption and conclusion then closing up our Bible without further investigation, and thought we had understood all but in fact we had missed the essence of the teaching. To most people, this would be miss-interpreted as we should work hard to save up for ourselves; therefore, many would work three full time jobs, putting trust on one’s own ability or even end up putting trust on money disregarding other important relationships in life such as family, friends, and even God. This continuous regardless practice leads to spiritual, moral and social problems. Also, some people would miss-interpret it as always keeping busy on functional tasks with no time for people around them.

The virtue of wisdom is not in being busy but in having a proper view of forthcoming needs that motivate one to action (cf. 10:5). Those who act only when commanded do not possess wisdom.^[6]

Following the analogy of ants, verses 9 to 11 reveal teaching with similes of “property will come like a bandit” and “scarcity like an armed man”, which created very vivid images. One has to work hard for one’s and household’s provision. When reading verses 9 to 11, one must be careful that not to add one’s own little wit on top of it - it did NOT stated that if one works hard then one is being guaranteed from under poverty. The teaching was that one must not be idle, but to work with a purpose in life. Even for people who have retired, or born with silver spoons in their mouths, they must not stay idle, but to work meaningfully and making oneself useful. Poverty and scarcity can be applied to spiritual, mind or physical besides finance.

To identify evil person (verse 12 to 15)

In order to identify and be alert on evil person around us, the key is in verse 13: “Look out for his signals”, which the signals stated in verse 12 and 14:

• speaking false words

• plotting evil plans in his heart
• starting arguments

The results are echoing “A good tree cannot have bad fruit. A bad tree cannot have good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18). “He is like the bad tree in Matthew 7:18. The man’s actions are evil, so his plan will also be evil. ”[7] The teaching was to be alert, able to recognize signs, and consequences of evil people; therefore, to avoid such association. “What relief can he expect that has disobliged all mankind? He shall come to his end and none shall help him, Dan. 11:45.”^[8]

Seven things detestable to God (verse 16 to 19)

God opposes 6 things and hates 7 thing - following list base on “Holman Christian Standard Bible”:

1. Arrogant eyes (verse 17)

2. Lying tongue (verse 17)

3. Hands that shed innocent blood (verse 17)

4. Heart that plots wicked schemes (verse 18)

5. Feet eager to run to evil (verse 18)

6. Lying witness who gives false testimony (verse 19)

7. Stirring up trouble among brothers (verse 19)

Let’s pay attention to the numbering pattern. “The six . . . seven pattern is also used in Job 5:19, and a similar pattern of other numbers plus one is used in Proverbs 30:15-16, 18-19, 21-31. The purpose of this kind of numerical pattern (x and x + 1) is not to give a complete list. Instead it is to stress the final (x + 1) item, as the culmination or product of its preceding items. ”^[9] Here, the product of the first six items leads to “stirring up trouble among brothers”, which is lack of peace in relationship. “Contrast this verse with Psalm 133:1. ‘It is good when brothers live together calmly.’ The evil man wants to start an argument, or even a war.”[10] Please note that the word “brothers” in verse 19 does not only refer to blood related brothers, it also contains a synonym meaning which also refers to our neighbours and friends.

Exercising of God’s Commandments & Teachings (verse 20 to 35)

Verse 20 to 24 sated instructions on exercising command and teaching from parents which should be given form God’s Law as those command and teaching consist of characteristics of guidance, protection (Proverbs 2:11, as Fee & Stuart in “How to Read the Bible for All its Worth” stated that “Proverbs must be read as a collection”[11]) and counselling (Proverbs 6:22). Following are instructions on exercising the Lord’s commandments and teaching:

· Always bind them to your heart (verse 21)

· Always tie them around your neck (verse 21)

· Commandment is a lamp (verse 23)

· Teaching is a light (verse 23)

Jews literally practice tying scriptures to their foreheads base on the teaching of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. “Tefillin is actually a three thousand year old Jewish ritual of wrapping leather straps attached to small boxes of scripture around the forehead, arm and hand while praying. According to one Rabbi: ‘When you put Tefillin on your arm symbolically you are marrying yourself to God in a way that you will obey his commandments and his words that are given in the Torah. And you're also putting them on your head and your brain so that you think about them all the time.’”[12] To Christians, we do not tie little booklets of Bible around our necks in front of our heart. Occasionally, we see some Christians wear necklaces with cross pendants for decorations or signs. Most people should able to interpret verse 21 as metaphors that we should put God’s commandments and teachings into our heart that we love and eager to follow, not just brain level acknowledgement; and around our necks like we live on them, being fed and breath through. Verse 23 contains another set of metaphors, which reflects Psalm 119:105.

By exercising above instructions, then Lord’s commandments and teachings will become effective to the practitioners:

· Guide you when you walk here and there [anywhere and anytime] (verse 22)

· Watch over you when you lie down (verse 22)

· Talk to you when you wake up (verse 22)

· Corrective instructions are the way to life (verse 23)

· Protect you from an evil woman and flattering tongue of stranger (verse 24)

In most of the oriental proverbs, the beneficiary usually is targeted towards parents, family, society, or country. From the above we can see that “unlike other proverbs in the Orient, biblical proverbs reveal a distinctively high morality”.^[13] A morality leads to holistic (soul, mind and body) purification by building personal relationship with God, flowing from internal to external; from hearts into actions.

After giving overall statements on instructions to the Lord’s commandments and teachings and corresponding benefits, verse 25 to 35 drills into a specific example. The example is to tell us not to allow our hearts go astray from Lord’s commandments (being unfaithful to God); of a more specific example is that do not lust into adultery. Personally, this does not only refer to adultery acts among people, but also referring God’s people being unfaithful to God (putting others before God or moulding God into one owns’ desired form) which is against the first of ten commandments. Verse 27 and 28 are effective use of questions to arouse users’ thoughts; the answers to both questions are impossible; therefore, to illustrate the inevitability of punishment on unfaithfulness. In verse 30 to 32, proverb points out the seriousness of unfaithfulness. There is compensation on the offence of stealing due to physical need - hunger. However, no forgiveness on the offence of unfaithfulness, and this is mirror to Mark 3:29 and Luke 12:10: “anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven”. This is a total self destructive offence in which no mercy will be given (i.e. no salvation), as stated in verse 32 to 35.

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[1] Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read The Bible for All Its Worth, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003), p.240

^[2]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:916

[3] Keith Simons, Proverbs Bible Study Commentary: Solomon’s wise lessons, http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/proverbs1to9-lbw.htm#proverbs6

^[4]Richards, Larry ; Richards, Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1987, S. 337

^[5]Richards, Larry ; Richards, Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1987, S. 338

^[6]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:916

[7] Keith Simons, Proverbs Bible Study Commentary: Solomon’s wise lessons, http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/proverbs1to9-lbw.htm#proverbs6

^[8]Henry, Matthew: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody : Hendrickson, 1996, c1991, S. Pr 6:12

^[9]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 1:917

[10] Keith Simons, Proverbs Bible Study Commentary: Solomon’s wise lessons, http://www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/proverbs1to9-lbw.htm#proverbs6

[11] Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How to Read The Bible for All Its Worth, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2003), p. 237

[12] http://www.dare2share.org/devotions/jewish-wrap

^[13]Richards, Larry ; Richards, Lawrence O.: The Teacher's Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, 1987, S. 338

Bulldozers and Tanks

The operation of bulldozers and tanks are quite similar, but corresponding targets are quite different.

The orientation of my heart affects my landing!

Bible Message: Luke 8:5-8, 11-15

I know most of you are not farmers, and you are city boys and city girls. However, most of you have a backyard at home. Some of you have a balcony that you can grow a few pots of plants. If you tell me I don’t grow anything at home, then congratulation as it is even easier for you to absorb the farming style in Jesus time in rural Judea and Galilee in order to grasp onto the parable of “Sower and oils” as you don’t have any assumption of modern gardening concept struggling at the back of your brain. For those who have gardening knowledge of modern time, you may want to temporarily put down modern technique such as ploughing the dirt loose before fertilizing the soil, watering the soil before placing the seed in the centred of the pot, then cover it up evenly with two inches of rich top soil. I really mean temporarily put down those concepts until you understand the parable of “Sower and oils”, but not to forget so you won’t blame me if your rose doesn’t blossom or your apple produces pears instead of apples.

“In Palestine, sowing came before ploughing”[1] The fashion of sowing was broadcast sowing which the operator scattered seeds over a considerable breadth of surface. After broadcast sowing the farmers ploughed the seeds into the soil. Since it was broadcast sowing, the seeds were spread broadly. “Seed which fell right at the edge of the field where it would not be ploughed in, remained available for the birds”. [2] Some seed laid on rocky ground that the plough could not able to dig through; therefore remained thinly under the soil but close the surfaced, “not allowing sufficient depth of soil for successful growth” [3]. Also, some seeds fell among thorns areas which choked them from growing. Of course, there were seeds grew into productive crops. Now, we can see four kinds of soil but of same kind of seed. Therefore we have four kinds of soil which led to four different results:

1. Roadside, which seeds were being eaten up by birds
2. Rocky ground, which grew fast and withered fast due to being rootless
3. Among thorns, which grew but choked to death
4. Good soil, which grew into productive crops

The story is not teaching us farming techniques. If it was being read literally, one will miss the point of the story. The story is a parable. “The word ‘parable’ comes from two Greek words (para and ballō), which together mean ‘to throw alongside.’ A parable, like an illustration, makes a comparison between a known truth and an unknown truth; it throws them alongside each other. In the first of seven parables in this chapter Jesus told about a farmer who sowed seed in his field. The emphasis in the story is on the results of the sowing”^[4]: seeds being eaten up by birds, seeds grew fast and withered fast due to being rootless, seeds grew but choked to death, and seeds grew into productive crops.

"The seed is the word of God." What is the word of God? Have you heard of the Gospel? Have you heard that Jesus Christ, God became flesh and blood, being born among us who Himself had lived through the joy, anger, sadness, and pain in life. Jesus was being rejected because his righteousness that he was being betrayed and hated, and finally hung on the cross to die for our sins? God’s only son, God Himself, died for our sins in order to redeem us from everlasting death into eternal lives. If you repent and believe in Him by letting Christ to live in your heart and allowing Him to be your guidance, you will receive the gift of salvation. Your sin will be forgiven, you are able to forgive others, and your heart will be set free by the Lord. Gospel is the word of God. “The people’s responsibility was to accept the message which both Jesus and John were preaching. Four kinds of people are represented by the four soils. All four kinds receive the same news.

1. The first group consists of those who hear but do not believe at all, because of the work of the devil (v. 12).
2. The second group is those who listen and rejoice but then do not stick with the truth of the message for they have no root (v. 13). The fact that they believe for a while but . . . fall away means that they only accept the facts of the Word mentally and then reject it when “the going gets rough.” It does not mean they lose their salvation, for they had none to lose.
3. The third group is those who listen but never come to maturity (v. 14). These may be those who are interested in Jesus’ message but who cannot accept it because of their devotion to material things—life’s worries, riches, and pleasures.
4. The fourth group consists of those who listen, retain the Word, and . . . produce a crop (v. 15), that is, they bear spiritual fruit, evidence of their spiritual life. Their hearts were changed for they were noble and good. ”^[5]

“As Jesus’ ministry progressed, it was evident that each of these groups surfaced: (1) The Pharisees and religious leaders refused to believe. (2) Some people rallied around Jesus because of His miracles of healing and feeding but refused to stay with His message (e.g., John 6:66). (3) Others, such as the rich ruler (Luke 18:18-30), were interested in Jesus but would not accept Him because of the strong pull of materialism. (4) Others followed Him and were committed to His Word regardless of the cost (e.g., 8:1-3).”^[6]

You may close your eyes and visualize that there is a tiny piece of seed in your heart – "which the seed is the word of God": the Gospel.

If you heard the Gospel, and you have accepted and believed in Christ to be your personal saviour, then your seed wan not lying on the roadside to be eaten by birds. Else, allow Holy Spirit moves to open your heart to Christ and allow Him to guide your heart at all time, so that He will forgive your sins and set your heart free. You have a window of opportunity that your salvation will be secured by believing in Christ.

If you enjoy listening to the Gospel and had “rationally” believed in Christ for a while; however, later on difficulties in life such as health, career, and personal relationship problems shake up one's faith in Him. Then one better pays attention on rooting oneself down in God's word. I urge you to put your hearts, not your mind, into prayers and devotion.

If your life's worries, riches and pleasures have been taken as higher priority than Jesus' teachings, then do pay attention to your spiritual growth: is your worship true? Beware of false worship! Similar to the third group, I urge you to put your hearts into prayers and devotion. Meditate on “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33), and God will look after you needs (not wants) will be supplied in God's timing. This is to experience trust and reliance on God alone.

Now the fourth group: listen, retain the Word and produce a crop. I am not a plant, how can I produce crops? Everyone knows this must be a figure of speech. A crop produces spiritual fruit. You may refer to Galatians 5:22-23 “the fruit of the Spirit is

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control”

They are all important ingredients of character and relationship building. An editable fruit, not to say that you are to be eaten up by your friends, but your spiritual fruits that will bring peace and joy to others, so hopefully others will be attracted to your source, and get to know Christ and gain spiritual growth.

Have anyone of you see a tropical fruit called durain? Here I have a picture of it. (Click here to view picture of a durain)

It is filled with spikes and really difficult to handle, and when you open it, if you are not use the smell, the smell is pretty pungent. Probably a spiritual fruit has nothing resembling a durain, which spiking people around, and your mouth is open (I don’t mean bad breathe) everyone starts running away as fast as they can.

You may picture a spiritual fruit would be a fruit filled with favourable aroma even before you cut it open. A fruit that you wish to keep in your room forever as you love the aroma that is it releasing. A fruit that will not loose it flavour regardless of temperature. A fruit filled with nutrition. A fruit that is approachable.

I pray that every one of us here has great desire to land as the fourth group of seed – able to tune our hearts into listening to God regardless of circumstances and worldly distraction, through prayers, devotion and Bible reading, faithfully retaining His Word with the help of the Holy Spirit - choose to land into good soil and with joy in Christ producing spiritual fruits abundantly. Amen.

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[1] Zondervan Handbook to The Bible, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2002), p.607

[2] R.T. France, The New International Greek Testament Commentary – The Gospel of Mark, (WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids/Cambridge), p.191

[3] R.T. France, The New International Greek Testament Commentary – The Gospel of Mark, (WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids/Cambridge), p.191

[4]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:48-49

[5]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:225

[6]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:225-226