Archive for materialism

Isaiah 5:8-10 Greedy Real Estate Moguls

Posted in Culture, Isaiah with tags , , , , , , , , on June 30, 2012 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 5:8-9 Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field, until there is no more room, so that you have to live alone in the midst of the land! In my ears the LORD of hosts has sworn, “Surely, many houses shall become desolate, even great and fine ones, without occupants”.

These two verses further the notion of materialism and greed. This is a theme of the era. A couple of examples include the material girls of Isaiah 3:16-24 and the corruption of the leadership in Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rebels and companions of thieves; everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

Commentators (McGee, Wycliffe Bible Translators, NET Bible) have noted the underhanded deals that took place in regards to the acquisition of real estate. People’s property was acquired by forced sales and foreclosures of mortgages. And we thought this only occurred during our time. Nothing has changed. Greed always wants more and is never satisfied. It is coveting.

It is not a good day if God proclaims “Woe” in your direction. Woe can be translated many ways. Woe can mean: dead, as good as dead, poor, those doomed, judged, sure to be judged, danger awaits, grave danger, or sinful.

Owning and acquiring real estate are not bad. Using real estate and property acquired in a constructive manner are not bad. Renting, leasing, or selling those homes to others for a place to live is providing shelter. Buying land and farming the land are productive and beneficial to others.

The goal and soul purpose of these people is the acquisition of property and wealth. This is a demonstration of gross materialism and greed. No one is living in these properties. The properties are not being loaned or rented to others. This is impractical. A person can only live in one house at a time. This is selfishness. The land and property grab is to the point that all others have been pushed out. The greed is living in isolation.

The guy could have hired workers to farm the land. Employment could have been created. The land is not being farmed or leased to be farmed. The end result is poor crop yields in verse 10. “For ten acres of vineyard will yield only one bath of wine, and a homer of seed will yield but an ephah of grain.” Translated, the vineyard produces 6-12 gallons of wine. It is estimated the land produces 5-10 bushels total output. The harvest is a complete disaster.

These are nice, huge, plentiful homes. Look at the adjectives that describe these houses.

Rab: much, many, great, abounding in, more numerous than, abundant, enough, strong, greater than

Gadowl: great, large (in magnitude and extent)

Towb: good, pleasant, agreeable (to the senses), excellent (of its kind),
good, rich, valuable in estimation, becoming, better (comparative). Definitions per Strong’s Concordance.

Congratulations to the greedy.  You have won and you have the most stuff. Good for you! Your reward, God has pronounced judgment.

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Isaiah 4:4 Getting Rid of the Filth

Posted in Isaiah with tags , , , , , , , , on May 6, 2012 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 4:4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and purged the bloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning,

Adonai is the Hebrew for Lord in this verse. It means ruler, master, owner, or sovereign. It can be used of man or of deity. Adonai is plural. When in reference to God, it emphasizes His sovereignty and majestic greatness. Definition per Systematic Theology The Doctrine of God, Chester McCalley.

Filth or tsow’ah in the Hebrew is defined as filth, excrement, or dung. The root of this word is noted in Zechariah 3:3-4 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” In these two verses, some have translated these “filthy garments” as menstrual rags. Whether it is dung or menstrual rags, it is equated with sin or iniquity.

The filth is in reference to excesses of the women in Isaiah 3:18-24. God equates excessive materialism with moral decay. Frankly in today’s vocabulary, all that stuff is a bunch of crap. All of the materialism and bloodshed will be washed and rinsed away.

This judgment will take place as a result of a “spirit”. The word for spirit is ruwach in Hebrew. This is the word that can mean spirit or wind. There is debate as to whether this would be a physical wind or storm that would bring about destruction. Some think the washing away mentioned previously in the verse could be a violent storm with wind and rain. The other possibility is the Spirit of the Lord could bring about judgment. It is plausible that it could be both.

The grammar indicates that a judgment is taking place. The result is an intensive and intentional action to kindle, burn, consume, and remove guilt. There is no doubt the party being  judged is guilty.

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Isaiah 3:16-17 Material Girls, She’s A Princess

Posted in Culture, Isaiah with tags , , , , , on March 30, 2012 by paulthepoke

Isaiah 3:16-17 Moreover, the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are proud and walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, and go along with mincing steps and tinkle the bangles on their feet, therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”

Isaiah 3 gives insight as to God’s impression of a woman’s pride and seduction. Look at the outflow of pride. It manifests itself in how a woman presents herself. The intent is to overtly flirt, seduce, and attract the attention of men. She takes quick, little steps. She has noise makers on her feet to gain further attention. She seeks to gain attention by visual and auditory distraction.

God is so impressed. Since these women like to hold their heads high, judgment is noted with baldness and scabs on their head.

V. 18-24 “In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets, finger rings, nose rings, festal robes, outer tunics, cloaks, money purses, hand mirrors, undergarments, turbans and veils. Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp; instead of fine clothes, a donning of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.

Thankfully, today’s modern, 21st century woman has evolved from this outward display of materialism. RIGHT! Look at all of this stuff, princess. This was approximately 2,700 years ago. Please don’t misunderstand. Not all who are excessive are prideful and seducers. The issue is not the excessiveness that she is wearing. It is her attitude. What is observed externally is a result of what is going on internally.

God’s judgment hits these ladies where it hurts them the most. Instead of smelling great, there will be a decayed, rotten, putrid stench. Grab some rope instead of a nice leather belt. Scratchy and rough burlap will take the place of fine clothes. What a picture of contrast this presents. Pick your favorite super model. Can you imagine a seductive runway model being bald with scabs on her head? She stinks like rotten fish. And she wears a gunny sack with some rope. That’s hot.

Scripture does have expectations of dress. Again, the issue is the attitude and inner beauty.

1 Timothy 2:9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments.

Look at the adjectives in the Greek in regards to clothing. Definitions provided by Strong’s Concordance.

“Proper” kosmios: well arranged, seemly, modest

“Modestly” aidos: honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect

“Discreetly” sophrosune: soundness of mind, self-control, sobriety, self restraint, temperate, moderation, prudently

1 Peter 3:3-4 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

A woman’s inner beauty is more important than what she wears or how she looks. Her conduct is to be consistent with gentleness, meekness, tranquility, and quietness. This is what is excellent and valuable to God.

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