“Prophesy,” “Preaching,” OR… Just “Tittle-Tattle”?

Scripture Study:  Micah 2:1-12 

*NOTE: You will need to read these 12 verses before diving into the context of this study.

To “tittle-tattle” or not to “tittle-tattle”, that’s the question.

Let’s face it, the word “tittle-tattle” seems over the years lost its meaning and use.  I haven’t heard the term used in years!  So I think it’s a good thing to inform my readers about the meaning and the reason I have connected it to our scripture study.

“tittle-tattle” or to “prattle”:  “If you say someone ‘prattle on about’ something, you are criticizing them because they are talking a lot without saying anything important.”  [Collins English Dictionary]  Synonym: Iddle babble.

In this Old Testament reading in the Book of Micah, we can readily categorize the message into two major parts.

The prophet Micah’s Warning:

1. Covetous Materialism, and…
2.  Idle Prattle.

“Covetous Materials” – Wanting to have the most and the best!

We see and hear a lot of this, don’t we?  “Keeping up with the Jone’s,” is still prevalent today, even in our churches.  Always driving a fancy car, dressed in the finest, even casual wear will be the ‘good stuff.’  Is it because of the quality, or is it to be viewed with envy?

Micah’s Second Warning, “Prattle”

Most of you probably haven’t heard this word or ever used it in a conversation.  I’m dating myself, but I haven’t heard the term “tittle-tattle” since my grade school days.  It means idle, silly, almost meaningless talk.  We all are probably quilty prattling from time to time and spouting off on one thing or another only to dominate a conversation to be the center of attention not to share anything meaningful.  It reminds me of a scene out of the 1987 movie, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, a movie with much pathos, where Steve Martin’s character is reminding John Candy’s character of “meaningless talk.”

When God brought His people, the Israelites out of slavery to the Egyptians to the land of “milk and honey”. His plan was to give everyone special opportunities to prosper and live in peaceful concordance.

BUT, there are always a few that want more.

The Jubilee Year (Leviticus 25:8-12)

The shrewdly found ways to amass fortunes on the backs of these pilgrims.  We’ve got to understand that God had laid out this plan for His people.

So as to guard against land barons, slum lords and a quasi-type of enslavement, a type of “sharecropping” or “owing to the company store”, the practice of Jubilee Year was set up.

I could spend a lot of time here on “The Jubilee”.  The year of Jubilee rolled around every fifty years.

1. ALL DEBTS were canceled;
2. ALL LIENS were deemed null and void;
3. Properties held by owners were returned to the original owner.

In other words, ALL indebtedness was erased, and everyone got a “do-over”.

If only that was a modern-day practice, there would be a great number of very happy folks, I included!

There is a significance for today’s Christian in understanding the Jubilee, and here’s why:

Romans 5:6-11

John 6:28-29 (AMP)

[28]  They then said, “What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working the works of God?  [What are we to do to carry out what God requires?]

[29]  Jesus replied, “This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the One Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger].

Our INDEBTEDNESS is paid in full…

Rescued from slavery (to sin) in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Of course, there are some that have sold themselves into slavery by worshipping materialism over God.

As to the reference of “tittle-tattle”, there are two ways to view this.

FALSE PROPHECY – false prophets will claim what they declare as facts as from God.  It becomes our responsibility to test the prophecy that we hear against Scripture which is our only means of assurance of the TRUTH.

Micah 2:6 (AMP)

“Do not preach, say the prophesying false prophets, one should not babble and harp on such things; disgrace will not overtake 8s [the reviling has no end].”

It’s so easy to listen to any speakers sharing philosophical points or opinions and know right off that his/her purpose is drawing attention to himself/herself rather than for the good of the gospel.  It can’t be said enough, “guard the gospel truth.”

The second form of “tittle-tattle” within the church is that of “tickling ears”.

Micah 2:11 and 2 Timothy 4:3

AND…

If the church service is more about entertainment and less about the gospel, a huge WARNING SIGN emerges.

We all love good “Praise and Worship” music on Sunday’s and it can be a very good form of worship.

However, CHURCH is the place for corporate prayer, confession of sins, and sharing God’s Word.  And this practice isn’t for just monthly Communion services.

Outside of the church, we need to refrain from inane and meaningless and harmful conversations.  God has a whole lot to say about that.

Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)

[36]  “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.  [37]  For by your words you will be acquited, and by your words, you will be condemned.”

Ephesians 5:4 (AMP)

Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting and proper among saints (God’s consecrated people).

Colossians 3:8 (NIV)

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these:  anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Proverbs 10:13-14 (NIV)

[13]  Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

[14]  The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.   Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

These passages are but just a few among the great passages of Scripture on this subject.  If it wasn’t important, then there wouldn’t be so many teachings and warning for the Church to observe.

I would invite you to conduct your own private study.  The WWW (world wide web) offers countless resources.  Just be wary unless the sources are reputable, and the information is verifiable.

So What Are We Coming Away With From Micah?

NUMBER 1.  Guard that mouth and the words that flow from it.  Avoid lies, gossip, vulgar, vain, profane, ungodly talk.

Communication is a two-way process.  The good practice is to walk away before listening to those types of conversation.  There is plenty of wholesome clean humor and entertainment available without being a part of any that isn’t acceptable to God!

NUMBER 2.  We really do need to guard against covetous materialism.

Notice that I said “WE”.  There’s nothing wrong with having nice things IF we don’t flaunt them (Facebook, included) or acquire them by taking advantage of any less fortunate than ourselves.

Ask yourself exactly what you would do with the money, won in the lottery.  Sure, you would be very generous with helping others, reaching out to the poor, the less fortunate.  I truly believe that…But what I’m asking is, what will you spend on yourself, and why?

The “WHY” here is more important than the “WHAT!”

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CREDITS:

Commentary:  Bible Hub – Micah 2:6; Studylight.org – Micah 2:11

Dictionary:  Collins English Dictionary.

Photos:  Google Image Search.

Bible Translations:  New International Version (NIV); Amplified Bible (AMP); Bible translations used in photos taken from other translations from the text and noted.

Video:  Youtube – Planes, Trains, And Automobiles – Chatty Cathy Scene. 

Getting Too Big For Your Britches

The origin of my title, ‘Too big for your breeches’ or ‘too big for your britches’, is an American phrase, and one I heard growing up during the “instructional” moments as a young boy.

If you are unfamiliar with the metaphor, here is one meaning of the phrase:

“Conceited; having too high opinion of oneself.”  [The New Roget’s Thesaurus]

It is first found in print in An Account of Col. Crockett’s Tour to the North and Down East, 1835, written by Davy Crockett:

“I myself was one of the first to fire a gun under Andrew Jackson.  I helped to give him all his glory.  But I liked him well once; but when a man gets too big for his breeches, I say goodbye.”

THIS BLOG’S SCRIPTURE VERSES:  Jeremiah 45:4-5  New Living Translation (NLT)

[4]  “Baruch, this is what the LORD says:  ‘I will destroy this nation that I built. I will uproot what I planted.

[5]  ‘ Are you seeking great things for yourself?  Don’t do it!  I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go.  I, the LORD, have spoken.”

This message from God was given by Jeremiah to Baruch in a time of great personal discouragement in the scribe’s life.

WHO WAS BARUCH?

According to Josephus, Baruch was a Jewish aristocrat, a son of Neriah, brother of Seraiah ben Neriah, and chamberlain of king Zedekiah of Judah.

Baruch became the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah and wrote down the first and second editions of his prophecies as they were dictated to him.  [ See Jeremiah 36:2, 32 ] – [See footnote [i] ]

Because of his background and current position to God’s prophet, it seems that his own personal aspirations had not been fulfilled.

Boy, I’ve been there before!

His DESIRE to seek great things for himself had met without success, leaving him dejected; passed over for promotion:

Jeremiah 45:3 (AMP):

“Woe is me now! For the LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am weary with my groaning and sighing and I find no rest.”

It’s at this point that, through Jeremiah, God asks Baruch a soul-searching question:

V. 5:  “And you should seek great things for yourself?”  Seek them not!”

God’s WORD to Baruch is a strong message and play’s a role familiar in normal human life today, and yes, even in our churches–that, of having to take second place, having to play second fiddle to an already established assembly.

Considering all that Baruch was doing to make Jeremiah’s prophecies permanent by recording them for posterity, it’s not surprising that he seems to have expected to share at least some of the prophet’s rewards.

When realization set in, Baruch couldn’t hide his frustration, slipping into despair, “groaning and sighing”–whining all along, as he wrote down Jeremiah’s words from God.

Have you ever found yourself muttering while in service for God?  “GUILTY!”

Many people today, who profess FAITH in Jesus Christ, have been caught up in the COVETOUS spirit of the world in the “more for ME” or “great things for ME” philosophy.

The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10):

“Oh, that You would bless ME and enlarge MY border, and that Your hand might be with ME, and You would keep ME from evil so it might not hurt ME!”

Though God granted Jabez his request, his prayer was not a petition in behalf of anyone but himself.  No thought for anyone but himself!

Oh, how it would be good today for Christians to consider God’s admonition to Baruch “…seek not”.

Somehow, some way, we’ve lost sight of the motto “God first…Others second…Self last!”

Living in the last days…

This just might be my opinion, but in these last days, we should all strive, as children of God, to live on a plane much higher than our own selfish ambition.  In this materialistic generation, the tendency is to put both the youth and adults into slavery.

The Apostle Paul’s reproach in Romans 15:1-3 tells us…

[1]  WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak;  [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others]  and not to please ourselves.  [2] Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].  [3] For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written,  The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me.  [Ps. 69:9.]

Lets look at Scripture and do some COMPARISONS of the “great things” the world can offer WITH… the “greater things” God provides for His children.

FIRST, let me share some “GREAT THINGS” we shouldn’t seek:

• Great Worldly Honor – 1 Corinthians 9:25 (ESV):

[25]  “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”

Great Worldly Riches – Acts 12:21-23 (NIV):

[21]  On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 

[22]  They shouted,  “This is the voice of a god, not a man.”

[23]  Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

Christians should NOT SEEK Worldly HONOR, RICHES and POWER to the neglect of one’s soul.

The things that the WORLD offers are but temporary in nature whereas the things of God endure forever!

“Yeah, BUT…I have needs as much as any non-believer,” you might be saying to yourself.

Even when thinking about the temporal things, the child of God is promised in being supplied with every need.

God really promises His children ALL of their needs?

Matthew 6:33 (AMP):

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then ALL these things taken together will be given you besides.”

Now, let me share the “GREATER THINGS” God has in store for us.

• Far greater HONOR – 1 John 3:2 (AMP) and James 4:10 (NLT): 

1 John 3:2:  “Beloved, we are [even here ans] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He (Jesus) comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.”

James 4:10:  “HUMBLE yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”

“True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us” ~ Tryon Edwards.

• Far greater RICHES – Romans 8:16-17 (NIV) and [See Proverbs 22:4]:

[16]  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

[17]  Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Far greater POSITION & POWER – Revelation 3:21 (AMP):

[21]  He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down besides My Father on His throne.”

Feeling “too big for your britches” lately?

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING–Get over yourself–get into God so that you can start living a LIFE bigger than you are and experience the BLESSING of God, so that you too can find your REAL value in the eyes of the LORD as Baruch did.

GOD’S BLESSING FOR YOUR LIFE

 

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Footnotes & Credits —

Footnote [i] :  Wikipedia – Baruch 

Photo Credits:  Google Image Search.

Commentary:  Enduring Word Bible Commentary Jeremiah Chapter 45.

Bible Translations:  New Living Translation (NLT);  Amplified Bible (AMP); New International Version (NIV); English Standard Version (ESV).

(The M.I.C.) Manipulator In Charge

Early in the morning of June 17, 1972, several burglars were arrested inside of the office of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), located in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C..  This was no ordinary robbery. The prowlers were connected to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign, and they had been caught while attempting to wiretap phones and steal secret documents.  While historians are not sure whether Nixon knew about Watergate espionage operation before it happened, rest assure, he took steps to cover it up after words, raising “hush money” for the burglars, trying to stop the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from investigating the crime, destroying evidence and firing uncooperative staff members.  In August 1974, after his role in the Watergate conspiracy had finally come to light, the president resigned.

Throughout history, many attempts have been made to cover up incompetence, immorality and even crimes.  In the Bible, cover ups appear very early.  Adam and Eve sought to cover their nakedness and hide from God, not realizing their efforts betrayed their SIN and GUILT.

In my study in 2 Samuel 11 this past week, one of the great cover-up attempts of all time takes place, and like so many,

IT TOO…falls disastrously!

Proverbs 24:8 (NIV):

“He who plots evil will be known as a schemer.”

DAVID’S ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE OTHERS IN ORDER TO HIDE HIS SIN –

This SIN was due to David’s lust and arrogance.  PERIOD!

David had no desire for Bathsheba to become his wife, or even to carry on an adulterous affair with her.  His intent was but for a ‘one night stand’, and she went home.  That was that, or so it seemed.  I hope you have your bibles alongside you as we go through the events unveiled in Chapter 11.

When David heard from Bathsheba that this ‘fling’ resulted in pregnancy…the Scripture narrative reveals David’s desperate attempt to cover up his sin with Bathsheba.

As we all know, it didn’t work out and it actually made matters so much worse.  As Sir Walter Scott once said, “O, what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive.”

DAVID’S PROBLEM –

David didn’t know how to stop what he started and decides to stack one SIN upon another.

There are many lessons to be learned from this tragic episode of David’s life, which if heeded, will keep us all from duplicating them in our own lives.

So, the KING, DAVID, tries to “legitimize” the unfortunate circumstances; He instructs his Four Star General Joab, to bring Bathsheba’s military husband home from the Ammonite Campaign, making it possible for him to enjoy the intimacies of marriage.

2 Samuel 11:7:

“When Uriah had come to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the people fared, and how the war progressed.”

David orchestrated this homecoming, so to speak, to appear as though it served one purpose–while it actually served David’s purpose of concealing his own sin.

Webster’s definition for “A MANIPULATOR IN CHARGE” (Manipulation):  One who “manages or influences skillfully, especially in an unfair manner; to manipulate people’s feelings.”

So David PRETENDED that he was interested in the General, the Military, and the progress of the war.

BUT the real reason for getting Uriah back was to make it possible for him to enjoy the intimacies of marriage.  Thus it would be possible to attach the paternity question of the child to him.

MANIPULATORS PROFESS (to Honor) – verses 8-13.

After reading these verses, we see David scheming by suggesting Uriah get cleaned up from his return from the front lines of war.  Soldiers didn’t wear combat boots in the day, but sandals.

[8] David said to Uriah,  “Go down to your house and wash your feet…”

Yeah, Uriah.  Go home and enjoy your R&R and here, take this sack of groceries home, maybe a few candles too and have a romantic evening with your wife.

But Uriah wanted no part of the comforts offered by the king.  His argument was, how could he be allowed the comforts of home and a conjugal visit while his friends in combat were deprived of them?

[11] Uriah said to David,  “The ark and Israel and Judah live in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As you live and as my soul lives, I will not do this thing.”

Since this scheme wasn’t working, David decided he was going to need to convince (“manipulate”) Uriah another way.

How many times have we tried to manipulate others, in coming around to our way of thinking by presenting another plan?

David’s thinking was, I’m going to ‘buddy’ up to Uriah.

What do ‘buddies’ do?  Well, in this case, they get drunk together.  But this wasn’t friendship.  It was David resorting to another scheme to induce Uriah to go home to his wife (v. 12-13).

Uriah is presented as a faithful and pious soldier who had more respect for the law of God when he was drunk than his king did when he was sober.

So David’s deceptive plot of pretense of coming home and professing to be his buddy didn’t work.

COVER-UPS Began Early in Our History.

Adam and Eve tried to COVER-UP with leaves, but their efforts only betrayed their guilt.  This cover-up by David’s manipulation is like so many others, failing completely!

How David, the “Apple of God’s Eye” (Psalm 17:8), has fallen from the man he once was.  And if you’re thinking to yourself, how could this happen to a man who had God’s call, who was anointed by the King of kings…we are ALL vulnerable to SIN!  What we do with our actions…do we cover them up, or do we CONFESS OUR SIN?  (1 John 1:9-10).

MANIPULATORS PANIC (when it doesn’t go their way).

Verses 14-17:

[14] In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.  [15] And he wrote in the letter,  “Put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest fighting and withdraw from him, that he may be struck down and die.”  [16] So when Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah opposite where he knew the enemy’s most valiant men were.  [17] And the men of the city came out and fought with Joab, and some of the servants of David fell, Uriah the Hittite died also.

When your plans do go as expected, do you ever PANIC?  

DAVID is getting desperate at this point of the story.  When Uriah refuses to sleep with his wife, David panics.  Once David began his efforts to cover up his SIN, each step taken from that point lead in deeper and deeper into sin!

FIRST, he LUSTED, then he committed ADULTERY, then DECEIT, and finally MURDER.

Our day has had its share of highly placed people who made matters worse as they looked to cover up their wrongdoing.

THE PLOT THICKENS

To show how calloused David had become and how noble Uriah was, David sent a letter that plotted the Hittites death by Uriah himself (verses 14 & 15).:

[14] In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.

[15] And he wrote in the letter,  “Put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest fighting and withdraw from him, that he may be struck down and die.”

I find it amazing how we can get so caught up in our own deceptions, that we want to recruit others into our tangled web.  The DECEIT and DECEPTION woven in our plans must bring more people to join in the conspiracy.  We want to spread our guilt and shame around so that the weight of our SIN is more distributed.

David’s plan was to put Uriah in the front of an intense battle, then withdraw so he would be killed.  While General Joab had no qualms about accomplishing David’s goal, he amended his plan as having too great of risk both to himself and David.  The king’s plan would have been too obvious to everyone and would have made many of those who fought that day under Joab’s command to doubt his commitment to them.

So Joab led an attack against a part of the city where he knew the resistance was the greatest.  In the heat of the battle, Joab lost several men [wasn’t in the “plan’], including Uriah (vv. 16-17).

MANIPULATORS PLANS (place others in danger) – (vv. 18-25)

Mission Accomplished.  Uriah is dead!

Joab knew that he had to let the king know that his objective had been accomplished– without revealing to anyone else that the TWO OF THEM murdered Uriah in such a way as just another casualty of war.

Another Cover-up, perhaps?

Joab didn’t exactly follow the instructions of the Commander-In-Chief’s letter.  The collateral damage to the troops wasn’t suppose to happen.

The king’s desires had come to fruition…to a point.  But now, how can one possibly report this fiasco in a way that doesn’t make Joab look like a fool (at best), or a murderer (at worst)?

So the messenger was told that after David raised his objections, he was to reveal to him that “your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also”  (vv.18-21). 

The news of Uriah’s death calmed the king and in the message that was sent back to Joab, David covered the treachery with insincerity in tone:

Oh well, “the sword devours one as well as another” (v. 27).

MANIPULATORS PUNISHED (in God’s timing) – (vv. 26-27):

[26] When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for Uriah.  [27] And when the mourning was past, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son.  But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD.

David, though he had broken at least three of the Ten Commandments God had given Israel for the purpose of relating to God and to fellow-man–he had COVETED another man’s wife, committed ADULTERY, and MURDERED.  And yet, who can judge the judge; who can question the actions of the king?

The answer comes in the final verse of the chapter in words that suggest that no one stands above the law of God.  What seemed to David a final ending to what would have been a very sticky situation was but the beginning of problems because (verse 27) set in motion events that would trouble David till his death [David was trying to legitimize his SIN, making Uriah a casualty of war, making Bathsheba a widow. He now can marry this woman and raise the child as his own, which of course it is].

Sin has a sneaky way of compounding itself!

Before you know it, you’re more deeply involved in it than you ever thought you’d be.

Temptations and Manipulation Are Cousins!

You cannot control the course of your destiny once you allow yourself to begin to flirt with SIN.  It will capture you.  It will ensnare you.  And ultimately, it will destroy you.

David once killed GIANTS.  Now the GIANT is killing him.

Uriah is a reminder to us today: God doesn’t always deliver the RIGHTEOUS from the hand of the wicked immediately, or even in this lifetime.

DANIEL’S THREE FRIENDS –

Daniel’s three friends told the king that THEIR GOD was able to deliver them.  They didn’t presume that He would or that He must.  And God did deliver them!  [See Daniel 3:17, 18; 19-28]

God Is Able

I think Christians look upon this DELIVERANCE as the rule, rather than the exception.  But when Uriah faithfully serves his king (DAVID), he loses his life.

God is not obliged to ‘bail us out of trouble’ or keep us from trials and tribulations just because we TRUST in Him.

In the Old Testament, as in the New, God sometimes delivers His people from the hands of wicked people, but often He doesn’t.

Their “deliverance” comes with the Messiah, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  

Uriah, like ALL of the Old Testament saints, died without receiving his full reward, and that is because God wanted him to wait.  Uriah, like many saints, was not delivered from the hands of the WICKED–THE MANIPULATORS.  [READ Hebrews 11:13-16; 37-40] 

 

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CREDITS:

Watergate Scandal Facts & Summary @ HISTORY.com

Photos:  Google Search Images.

Bible Translation:  Amplified Bible (AMP).