Issue 461
Have you noticed that some people are just better at something than most? They are quicker, more skilled, more successful or smarter than almost anyone else they meet. They may not be the best in the world but they are better than most.
Have you also noticed that some results are only achievable in an indirect way? For example, good teams emerge out of attending to issues like respect, encouragements and loyalty. If you set out simply to have a good team then that is an intangible goal. A strong building is a by-product of good materials, skilled workers and sound design. Give your attention to that, and you will have a strong building.
A great experience at a restaurant (which is a work place) starts with decisions made before you eat the meal. The meal is the end result.
In Nehemiah’s mind he wanted someone that was better than almost anyone he met in a particular way. He wanted someone who feared the Lord more than most. He wanted this outstanding man on his team. He also knew that the fear of the Lord could not be manufactured direct. It shows up when other ingredients are in place.
Humour me for a moment. If you pick high quality potatoes, fresh extra virgin olive oil, fresh Italian herbs, use spring water for par boiling and non stick foil, using an oven with an even temperature and right cooking time, turning them half way through, then you create steak fries better than anyone else!
If you have around six or seven ingredients you will understand the fear of the Lord. Nehemiah knew what they were and in a moment so will you.
Start with Solomon. We don’t know for sure that Nehemiah used Solomon as a source but it is very likely that he had access to what we now know as the book of Proverbs. He certainly had access to the books of Moses because he refers to them several times.
The point is this. If you want a great outcome it is important to go to a great source. Nehemiah tells us he used Moses and we guessed, wisely, that he used Solomon. We have the privilege to be able to use both. When you get to the second chapter of the book of Solomon’s proverbs you will find a recipe, a blue print or a manual on the fear of the Lord. If Nehemiah didn’t have access to this, he certainly acted as if he did.
Here you find your six or seven parts to the fear of the Lord puzzle. Solomon starts with “if” and ends with “then”. We are back with indirect results. The fear of the Lord arrives if other things are in place.
Here are your ingredients: first, accept my words. Second, Store up my commands within you. Third, turn your ear to wisdom. Fourth, apply your heart to understanding. Fifth, call out for insight. Sixth, cry out for understanding. Seventh, look (for understanding) as if for silver, and search (for understanding) as if for hidden treasure.
It’s quite a list. It may be seven items or less if you combine them. It might be three if you groups the three “ifs” in Solomon’s words.
However you slice it Solomon says “if” followed by “then”. The “then” is the fear of the Lord (and the knowledge of God).
You can spend the rest of your year on this list. So could I and we would not be wasting our time. But I want to connect up the pieces of this weeks puzzle for you.
Do you want to join Hananiah in being someone who fears the Lord more than most? This is how Nehemiah described him. If you do, then you will not be able to do this direct. You will need to find the “ifs” which get you to the “then”.
Look at the way we are approaching this. I am pointing you to Nehemiah’s mind.
Nehemiah 7:1-4
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3 And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
3 indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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