Apocalyptic Industrial Scale Artificial Intelligence, Part 1

I’ve written on AI before. My opinions about it have changed as I learn more about it. At first, I believed it was important, mostly benign but definitely not inconsequential. My tone is turning a bit darker and more ominous. Mind you, I was raised and steeped in the Book of Revelation, apocalyptic rhetoric and horror stories about the End Times since I was a child. I have since moved away from the Dispensationalist Pre-Tribulation, Premillennial Rapture theology that drives these shocking narratives. Keep this in mind as I expound in the following post because I am not a proponent of End Times theology as understood in the Left Behind book series or that of Hal Lindsey.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) properly understood as super intelligence is a paradigm shifting subject. When I say paradigm shift, I mean earth-shattering in its effects and implications. Immanuel Kant used the phrase in the preface to his Critique of Pure Reason (1787). Kant used the phrase "revolution of the way of thinking" to refer to a new way humanity was thinking along the lines of advanced mathematics and Newtonian physics which completely changed the world. Calculus and Newtonian physics brought us to the 20th century and the discovery of the world of Quantum Physics which then made our heads spin faster. This means a paradigm shift is a fundamental change in the underlying assumptions, beliefs, or frameworks that guide people’s knowledge or behaviors.

AI is now bringing the largest paradigm shift since the Newtonian shift paradigm. We are seeing a digi-ndustrial revolution by literally combining digital and industry into a single entity. The digital is being industrialized into AI or Data Factories to be able to process data at heretofore unimaginable volumes. It will be like a million Einsteins working with a million other Einsteins (repeat this multiplication ad nauseum) working to create 100 million more. This magnitude of change will then be further folded into accelerated growth that will increase exponentially. Mindblowing power that will be hard to harness. Its impact needs to be seen on the same scale as the nuclear age.

Industrialized Data or Industrial Intelligence. Think Cyberdyne of Terminator lore. Think the Matrix and altered reality or perception of reality.

It is clear to many now that this will impact all walks of life whether directly through replacing jobs or indirectly by invasive surveillance of people’s behavior through biometrics (facial recognition), consumer data (Amazon), behavioral data (AT&T, Verizon). All types of behavior whether it be legal or criminal will be quantified and digitized. Consumers or employees. Rich or poor…although I believe facial recognition will be used on the non-affluent more than the affluent. It will further bifurcate social structures making those who control the power of the AI godlike in their control or information. It will make those that don’t have control of it lesser human beings as it will socially level the employment field putting many out of work. With the knowledge created by AI, power will be consolidated to a small handful of individuals.

Those that control will literally have an equivalent of the Tree of Knowledge. A counterfeit of the tree in Genesis. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is a significant element in the biblical narrative, specifically in the story of the Garden of Eden. It represents the choice between obedience to God and the pursuit of knowledge, as Adam and Eve were commanded not to eat from it.

Eating from this tree led to the awareness of good and evil, marking a pivotal moment (paradigm shift) in humanity's history in Christian theology. The tree symbolizes the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by humanity, and its placement in the Garden was intended to give Adam and Eve the freedom to choose. The deeper Hebrew meaning of the tree also adds layers to its interpretation, emphasizing the complexity of knowledge and morality.

These new ‘digital trees’ in computer gardens (factories) will ironically not allow all people to choose. They will only allow the small handful to choose and to control even more knowledge and wealth unless they are benevolent as God was to allow the choice in Genesis to the lesser amongst us. The problem lays in the fact that men are not benevolent by their nature they are corrupt and unable. None are righteous like God (Romans 3). The very thing that existed before the violation of the Tree of Knowledge…morality and righteousness is the very thing absent from this new tree. So, what we see is not just a secular paradigm shift of knowledge, we see a spiritual shift. It is an inversion of Genesis. Those with control over these forms of super intelligence cannot be trusted alone to do the right thing. The technological Adam and Eves are just as flawed as the original people. Seeking to be as gods but only failing and falling in the attempt.

The first reason they can’t is already stated above. People by their very nature are not ‘good’. Men’s minds and hearts are inclined towards evil. Man’s mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7) who is the true and sole possessor of the morality and ability to control this type of advanced knowledge. Second, knowledge does not equate to wisdom. Just because you know walking into traffic would injure or end you, doesn’t mean you won’t do it if you are mentally ill or depressed. Knowledge and wisdom are quite different things. The third thing resides outside of humanity completely. What happens if AI or Super intelligence goes rogue or ‘decides’ in its own self-interested?

We know that AI parameters are already functioning outside of the laws of robotics by being given free rein to ‘think on their own’ and learning (basically robotic freewill). In his genre-defining 1950 science fiction book “I, Robot,” author Isaac Asimov laid out the Three Laws of Robotics which also apply to AI because robots would, by their functional nature be intelligent machines. The only difference being that AI currently doesn’t have a body (but soon will).

Rule 1: A robot (AI) may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Rule 2: A robot (AI) must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

Rule 3: A robot (AI) must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

The Laws of Robotics are, at minimum, humanity’s reference point for the appropriate behavior of machine intelligence, and real AI is failing spectacularly. They provide a foundational but increasingly inadequate framework for governing modern artificial intelligence. The reasons why these laws are necessary are because the full scope of AI’s ability and function is already partly obscure even to experts in the field and even its creators often struggle to explain exactly how it works. The capitalistic answer for the need of these laws is much simpler. Morality has taken a backseat to profit. With all that money in play, industry leaders have failed to lead by example. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman notoriously dissolved his firm’s safety-oriented team, declaring himself the sole leader of a new safety board in 2024.We’ve also seen several researchers quit OpenAI, accusing the company of prioritizing market dominance over safety. I mean…what could possibly go wrong?

[Post concludes in Part 2]

Time and Movement

After prayerful consideration and for what seems like the umpteenth time, I will be changing jobs again. I have resigned from a perfectly good job with many good people because I hear God’s call on me…again. It feels like jumping from a perfectly good plane with a questionable parachute. I will be launching into the unknown and trusting God and my small bag of experiences. At first there were faint echoes, in the end a shout for me to jump. At first, I didn’t see it coming. Here at the crossroads, I’ve now seen the multiple signs that have brought me to this exact location in place and time. I didn’t do this for money, but the money was helpful. It will allow me to pay off all my remaining debts over the next year. Some of this was about location. Some of this was about personal loss. A lot of it was about love. All of it somehow revolved like the hands of a clock around the concept of time and forgiveness or paying of debts. All of it was about a timeless God.

The last two years have been life-altering for many around me. I have seen some setbacks that were not even mine, yet I felt them acutely. My fiancé’s cancer specifically affected me and made time stand still. My mother’s deteriorating health pains me also. The loss of too many friends, family and even a coworker. The idea of time and the elapsing of time keep coming to the fore…inescapably so. I know time cannot be redeemed. I’ve needed to make some enormous decisions in a very brief period of time that will profoundly affect my remaining time on earth. I have been presented a new course by God and it’s clear that it is a path (at this point in time) He wishes I take even though I’m extremely uncomfortable doing it. All the signs point in the same direction simultaneously. As with any momentous change in life, I take the first steps with trepidation.

The change begins November 11, 2025. Veterans Day. The day my father died, 15 years to the day. The date of my resignation seemed insignificant at first glance until I realized what day it was. Dad’s departure from this world. The new opportunity is geographically dead center between my current home in Boyertown and my future retirement home in Jim Thorpe. They are both exactly 40-minute commutes. The serendipitous nature of these numbers in this story seems sovereign because of their symbolism in the Scriptures. They are directly related to time and provision only available from God by faith.

In the Bible the number (15) fifteen is symbolic of provision, joy and grace. The number is closely tied to God’s blessings during significant events like the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The more profound connection to me is that the number 15 is directly associated with communal/corporate remembrance and worship in the Year of Jubilee (every 50 years) which starts on the 10th day of the 7th month (Ethanim/Tishri). We know it as October. The Jubilee includes a significant 15-day period leading to atonement (Leviticus 25:9). This event symbolizes freedom, restoration, and spiritual renewal.

The 15th day of the month of Ethanim/Tishri also marks the Feast of Tabernacles, a time for celebration and remembrance of God’s provision and spiritual growth. Basically, an autumn harvest festival of provision. A celebration of provision…God’s blessing. 

The year 2025 is in fact a Jewish Jubilee year, a time to have debts forgiven. This can’t possibly be a coincidence. It shouts of God’s sovereignty over my life, my fiancés life and even sovereignty over time itself.

Additionally, Passover is celebrated on Nissan 15 a provision against death that would’ve surely befallen the Hebrew slaves if not for the blood of the lamb. A shadow of the One to come who would shed his blood on the cross so that death would not overcome us too. The number 15 has often marked pivotal moments in spiritual transformation, exemplified by King Hezekiah’s 15 additional years of life. Then there was the dedication of Solomon’s temple which took place during the month of Ethanim. It included the Feast of Tabernacle festival lasting 15 days, showcasing corporate worship and divine favor. The Tabernacle / Temple being the dwelling place of God among men. Later to be replaced by the Holy Spirit in a believer’s heart because death passes over the believer but has no lasting effect because of Christ's resurrection and power over that death.

The 40-minute commute from both locations is significant for me too. The number 40 obviously holds significant chronological Biblical meaning, symbolizing a period of time of testing, trial, or probation. Jesus’ fasting for 40 days in the wilderness followed immediately by temptation, represents spiritual discipline and preparation. The Great Flood, where it rained for 40 days and nights, indicated a time of judgment. Moses spent 40 days on Mt Sinai in the presence of God. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, which signifies a period of trial and transformation. Elijah journeyed for 40 days and nights to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. This arduous journey symbolizes a time of spiritual renewal and transformation. It required Elijah’s complete dependence on God’s strength and guidance, as well as his commitment to fulfilling God’s purposes.

The 40 years of kingship when King David reigned, establishing a period of stability and prosperity. This period of kingship represents leadership and authority, as well as the fulfillment of God’s promises to David. It serves as a reminder of the importance of righteous leadership and the blessings that come from following God’s ways. It highlights the authority that comes from aligning with God’s purposes. Overall, the number 40 is associated with important moments of testing and preparation throughout biblical narratives. All these things have been constant reoccurring themes in my life over the last 40 years. They all apply right now.

The irony is not lost on me.

I had a lot of time to discuss God with some of my coworkers on and off the job. They’ve all said I’ve had a positive impact on them. This I have come to believe was and is part of my ministry. To be there to talk to my coworkers when life has them flummoxed and talk to them in a biblical manner. I also need to be a leader as much as I’ve tried to avoid it. My door will still be open to any of them but the intensive part of what I was there to do at my old employer is done. I know now it’s time to move on. Just like the many people that have departed this life over the last two years and will continue to do. I still have other work to do. I’m leaving geographically but I am still in this world to complete God’s work. It's not my time to completely check out, only move.

I will be leaving the gym I’ve lifted at off and on for the last 40 years, the Boyertown YMCA….a gym which I also used as a ministry field. Recently, some have come forward for reasons unknown. Some have spoken to me as recently as last Friday to tell me the positive lifting and spiritual impact I had on them 5, 10, 20 and even 40 years ago. They’ve ranged in age from 30 to 75, male and female, Jew and Gentile. A 40-year-old father influenced when he was 17 and I was in my 30s to take up weightlifting. There was a 75-year-old widow whose husband spoke to her about my conversations of God with him before his passing. An old lifting acquaintance that encourages me as I encourage him to keep going and to keep moving. A recovering addict who saw me recover also and straightened my life out. It made him believe he could do the same and started lifting instead of shooting up. I have been truly humbled by God revealing this to me lately. All things are possible.

Pray for me as I step into the unknown. I believe it is what I’m supposed to do. There’s a time for everything under God’s sun. That time is now.

A Trained Profesional XIV: Physician Heal Thyself

Wherever “doctor” or “physician’ is used in the Bible it usually implies a teacher of God’s law, and never a “physician” — commonly known as a “doctor” today. This would include Luke the author of the Gospel and Acts. The Greek word for physician means, “to heal.” The Italian word for doctor is "medico,” from which we have “medicine.” In the Old Testament physicians were Egyptian embalmers (Genesis 50:2), who knew of a wonderful process of embalming dead bodies preserving them, thereby, from decay. In essence, learned men that were more akin to sages, nurse or morticians than actual modern-day physicians.

In our time physicians attend only to the living unless they conduct a postmortem to ascertain the cause of death. There is evidence, however, that at an early date in Egypt and Babylon there were those having medical and surgical knowledge. Egypt had its god of healing. Some 700 years after Joseph’s embalming by the physicians Homer could write, “Such cunning drugs had Helen, drugs of healing virtues, which Polydamna gave, the wife of Thon in Egypt, where the fruitful soil yields drugs of every kind. There, in that time everyone is a physician, skillful beyond humankind.” With the founding of the Grecian School at Alexandria, Egypt became a center of medical education and research.

Among the Jews there were those capable of dealing with various physical maladies (Exodus 21:19; II Kings 8:29; 9:15; Isaiah 1:6; 3:7; Jeremiah 8:22; 33:6; Ezekiel 30:21). During the ministry of the prophets, healings are recorded as miracles. To the devout Jew, God was the Healer (Deuteronomy 32:39), and it was of greater value to trust in Him than to consult physicians who, although they had skill in dealing with the dead, did not know very well how to treat the living.

Interestingly, most terribly afflicted man in the Bible was Job whose body was so loathsome that friends would not go near him. No one suggested that he should see a physician. Had he sent for one, it might have been said of him that he was acting in lack of faith as King Asa later would. In other words what we see in this verse is Asa’s failure to seek divine assistance during his illness and rely on men. Had Job done this the whole narrative of Job’s dilemma off faith would’ve unraveled theologically so he didn’t seek a physician.

2 Chronicles 16:12 ~ "In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord but sought help from physicians."

As it turns out King Solomon in his God given wisdom evidently had a certain amount of scientific and medical knowledge and under the Spirit’s inspiration used symbolic language of medical facts (Ecclesiastes 12:6). “The silver cord” is the spinal marrow, white and precious as silver, attached to the brain which is “the golden bowl” says Jamieson. “This fountain” may mean the right ventricle of the heart, the “cistern” the left; “the pitcher” the veins, the “wheel” the aorta or great artery. The “wheel” however may mean life in its rapid motion, as in James 3:6 “the wheel of nature. The circulation of the blood is apparently expressed.”

As we enter the New Testament, we know that there has never been a Physician like Jesus who, arose upon this sin-sick world of ours with healing. Egyptian physicians preserved dead bodies. Jesus brought the dead back to life. To the sick before Him, He offered no medicines, and for the physically handicapped He had no surgical instruments to relieve them. “He spoke, and it was done.” Years ago, healing was by magic, but Jesus used no magic. Before His omnipotent word, sickness, disease, blindness and death fled. He lived in the days of the Roman Empire when physicians were numerous in Palestine. In Nazareth, Jesus quoted the proverb, “Physician, heal thyself” (Luke 4:23); and the physicians of Galilee would understand His saying, “They that are whole have no need of a Physician” (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31).

In Mark’s story about the woman with an issue of blood, “who suffered many things of many physicians, and spent all that she had and was nothing better, but rather grew worse.” (Mark 5:28; Luke 8:43). Job, irritated by the platitudes of his friends, called them “physicians of no value” (13:4). Among the “many things” that were tried to cure this woman of her infirmity were these — she was set in a place where two ways met, with a cup of wine in her hand. Then someone came up behind and frightened her and said, “Arise from your flux!” Another method of healing practiced was to fasten several strips of rag to a tree - bits of the clothing of sick persons - the belief being that through the fluttering strip the disease would pass into the tree and the health of the living tree would pass into the patient’s body like a wick. But all the woman had to do was to touch the seamless robe of Christ, and instantly she was healed.

What must not be forgotten is that it was Christ’s interest in the sick that created hospitals. Through the centuries His healing ministry has inspired an unnumbered host of physicians and nurses. Calvary gave the name of Red Cross to the greatest healing organization in the world (although of late it has been derailed by greedy plans). The most talented physicians know that their skill and medicines are only means and that all life is in the hands of Jehovah Jireh, The Lord the Healer.

The only named physician in the Bible is Luke the companion of Paul whom he called “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). Origen reckoned that this renowned physician was the unnamed brother whose praise in the Gospel is spread through all the churches (2 Corinthians 8:18). There may be something in the suggestion that Luke first became acquainted with Paul at Antioch or at Troas when the apostle was sick and needed medical attention, and that Luke gave up his practice to accompany Paul and guard his health. Toward the end of his life, Paul wrote to Timothy, “Only Luke is with me.” In the two books Luke wrote, the third gospel and the Acts, there are evidences of his medical knowledge in the language he used.

The Talmud has references to physicians at the temple to care for the priests, and that to practice, physicians were required to have a license from the local authorities. Limited praise for their skill was given them in the Apocrypha, “There is a time when success lies in the hands of physicians… He who sins before his Maker may he fall into the care of a physician” (Ecclesiasticus 38:13, 15).

As to the medicines and means of healing employed, Scripture has much to say. Apart from magical rites and exorcisms, there was the use of natural remedies. That the Jews knew the virtues of certain plants and of many substances of animal and mineral origin is evident from their use of them. The myrtle, for instance, was much sought after, not only for its scent, but because its leaves and berries were used in medicine since they contained an aromatic, volatile oil (See Revelation 22:2). In the time of Moses there were midwives and regular physicians (Exodus 21:19), and from Egypt the Israelites took with them some knowledge of medicine received from the renowned Egyptian physicians. 

Albert E. Bailey says that Egyptian “materia medica” included powders and decoctions made from sycamore figs, dates and other fruits, the pith of certain trees, salt, oil, magnesia, honey and sweet beer; often mixed with such unpleasant ingredients as rancid fat, bone dust and tile droppings of animals.” In the Bible we read of oil lotions (Isaiah 1:6), anointing of balm (Jeremiah 8:22) Gilead was a place resorted to for the medical treatment), fig poultices (II Kings 20:7; Isaiah 38:21), eye-salves (II Kings 9: 30; Jeremiah, Revelation 3:18;) not only to improve eyesight but to beautify the eyes.

The Bible recognizes the close connection moral health. “A cheerful heart is a good medicine says Solomon, “but a downcast spirit dries up the bones’’ (Proverbs 17:22). Israel’s general exemption from epidemics and remarkable healthiness to the healthful climate of Israel but also to the washings, cleanliness of the camp, restriction in diet of clean animals, the prohibition of pork, separation of lepers and laws of marriage (Leviticus 15; Deuteronomy 23:12- 14). One of the oldest names of God in the Bible is Jehopah-rophi, the Lord that heals, and He-made it clear to His people that He was among, them as One able to heal them. 

Among, the five subjects of praise for which David called upon his soul to bless God for, the second was “who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3). There is not a disease of the soul or of the body with which He is not acquainted, and for which He has not a specific remedy (Matthew 8:16,17, Philippians 3:21). “As for me, I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” (Psalm 41:4). Often a sick person’s first need is not medicine but mercy. The cause of their physical malady is sin, and once this is dealt with by the Great Physician, physical health follows “Your faith has made you whole,” and holiness is just wholeness and health. It is comforting to know that, the Physician now here is the sympathizing Jesus.

A Trained Professionl XIII: The Watchman

It was originally called a chronometer (approx. 1735 A.D.). Formed from the word Kronos / kρόνος meaning elapsed time or time over a distance in Greek and meter/metre/μητηρ meaning to measure. Time measure. Simply stated in modern language, a "watch" by which to tell the time of day. The modern-day watch came by its name from the way men used to measure time which was known as "watches." Between prescribed hours were called a "watch" because of the length of time a watchman remained on duty. Thus, originally, a "watch" was actually a man or a number of men, as found in the chief priests "setting a watch" to guard the sepulcher in which Jesus was buried.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard. ~ Matthew 27:62-66

One of the words used for watchmen in Greek is custodia / κουστωδία from which we have custody and custodian (Matthew 27:65, 66; 28:11). The Jews divided the night into three military watches. The "first" or beginning of watches from sunset to ten o'clock (Lamentations 2:19).The second or "middle watch" was from ten till two o'clock (Judges 7:19). The third, "the morning watch" from two to sunrise (Exodus 14:24; 2 Samuel 11:11).

Under the Romans the night was divided into four watches, a system the Jews came to recognize (Mark 13:35). These four watches were styled as "even, midnight, cockcrowing and morning," and ended respectively at 9pm, midnight, 3am and 6am (Matthew 14:25; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:38; Acts 12:4).

The watch system was used by civilians and military until well into the 20th century when timepieces became more prolific and cheap so that most could afford them.

In Bible times, the occupation of watchman was an important one. His duty was to keep awake while others slept; to keep his eyes open; to keep a sharp lookout in every direction for potential threats to be able to sound an alarm at the earliest notice.

Nehemiah set a group of men to guard the city, while its walls were rebuilt (Nehemiah  4:9; 7:3). The Jews raised dry stone towers in their fields from which a watchman kept an eye on the fruit and crops to protect them against thieves, foxes and bears (Psalm 80:13; Song of Solomon 2:15). The projected stones on the tower served as an external staircase and inside the tower was a storehouse for food (2 Kings 17:9; 18:8; 1 Chronicles 27:25; Isaiah 5:2; Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1). On the top of the tower was a booth in which, at harvest time, the whole family of the watchman could live (Isaiah 1:8; Amos 9:11). Such a booth was used as the symbol of protection (Psalm 27:5) or ‘Strong Tower”.

Watchmen were also employed to guard a city. During the night they mounted guards on the ramparts, or went "about the city," patrolling the streets with lanterns (Psalm 127:1; Song of Solomon 3:3; Isaiah 62:8). Besides protecting the city and its inhabitants from violence, watchmen were required to callout the hours of the night (2 Samuel 18:24-27; Song of Solomon 5:7; Isaiah 21:11,12). In Britain, before the days of policemen or Bobbies, watchmen used to patrol the streets during the night. George Sinclair writes of an old lady who remembered a watchman in Edinburgh calling out, "Four o'clock, and a fine frosty morning."

Prophets and teachers are referred to as watchmen, whose duty it is to warn God's people (Isaiah 22:11; 52:8; 62:6; Jeremiah 6:17). Twice over God said to Ezekiel, "I have set thee a watchman" (3:17; 33:2-7). Every preacher of the Gospel is a watchman, divinely trained to descry the enemies of men's souls at a distance. How apt are the words from Isaiah? “May we be delivered from the company of "blind" watchmen the prophet speaks about! (Isaiah 56:10).

In this particular way I believe I serve as a watchman of the truth when I teach, speak or write on the truths of Scripture and when I compare the evils and sins of the world today to those millennia ago in the Bible. When I call people out for their grievous infractions and affronts against Holy God it isn’t to embarrass them it is to make them realize what they are really doing. Most have no idea. The truth is God wishes every child of His to function as a "watchman." I men, isn’t watching metaphorically used of moral alertness? The word Paul employs here νῆφε / nephe means to be vigilant or constantly alert and suggests one who is watchful enough to possess a treasure.

But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ~ 2 Timothy 4:5

John Bunyan in his book The Holy War describes the town of Mansoul with its five gates, captured by Diabolus and recaptured by Emmanuel. Over every gateway was a tower, and the last word of Emmanuel's parting address was "watch." The pilgrim is to stand guard over Ear-gate (hearing), over Eye-gate (sight), over Lip-gate (speech).

"Set a watch, O Lord before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

The Moravians when they crossed over the frontier of Austria into Saxony that they might have freedom to worship God, laid out a small settlement for themselves, and called it Herrn Hut, "The Lord's Watch."

The Christian must be vigilant to guard against spiritual foes and dangers. Watchfulness must be the keyword in a world as upsidedown and depraved as ours now is. Christians must be constantly watchful against the temptations of Satan (Ephesians 6:11).The allurements of the world (Psalm 39:1; Mark 8:15) and the erroneous doctrines of false cults, and also against whatever would hinder our holiness and spiritual progress.

God's watchmen are to watch for God also, not just dangers and evil. Be careful to observe the signs. To see the teachings of providence (Psalm 5:8).To see the fulfillment of prophecies (Revelation 16:15). To see the righteous deliverance from trouble (Psalm 130). To be on the lookout for the salvation of the souls of men (Hebrews 13:7). The declared death and judgment (Mark 13:37).

Most importantly of all we must keep watch for signs the promised Savior who will be returning from Heaven (1 Thessalonians 5:6) and his actual return.

A Trained Professional XII: Hunting High and Low

The twelfth job mentioned in the bible. Only two human Bible characters are named as being hunters. Metaphorically and allegorically both God and Satan are compared to a hunter, but I initially focus on humans. Nimrod was a mighty hunter before the Lord (Genesis 10:9); and Esau was a cunning, or skillful, hunter (Genesis 25:27; 27:30).When Nimrod, the figure of Biblical antiquity who owed his notoriety to his wickedness was labeled a mighty hunter "before the Lord" it did not mean he was in humble service to God. This passage is better understood if we read the 1st century Jewish historian Josephus’ translation of the passage, "He did evil against the Lord." The word ‘before’ is like the word πρός / pros or ‘in the face of’ and can mean "opposition/opposed to" (Numbers 16:2).

This description is meant to be an affront to God or be understood to denote an intensification of his cruelty and oppression to others. He was literally notoriously bad. He did not act obscurely or privately, but openly and in the face of the sun, imposing his government without respect to men or dread of an all-seeing Divinity (Genesis 6:11; 13:13). He was not unlike our godless leaders today. There was and is no fear of God before Nimrod’s eyes.

So, Nimrod is said plainly to be 'mighty' upon the earth, which is by any means to be understood as his rule over men, likely in an aggressive manner" (1 Chronicles 1:10).Nimrod reveled in his worldly strength, illicitly using it for immoral purposes. As a hunter, he abused his craft violently to oppress and vanquish men. The irony with Nimrod was that although he attained expertise hunting animals, it was he that behaved more like a beast than a human being. A monstrosity of a man.

The fact that he hunted men had its purpose. In order to fulfill his ambitious desire, namely, the conquest of other people, all other considerations became secondary to such a dishonorable purpose in life. Nimrod’s name literally means, "He will revolt.” In a time when the name of a person indicated the nature of a person, this is not surprising. He was a form of antichrist, or one who aspired to be the leader of a revolution against God’s authority. His feet were quick to shed blood (Isaiah 59, Romans 3). The very sign of a man who doesn’t fear God. We would be wise to look around us today to see many the same as Nimrod. People who seek to use force and violence to subjugate people to their will. Some things never change, especially human nature.

It’s important to realize that there are people currently in this world that desire to subjugate you and force you to align in behavior and thought to their way of thinking and acting. They will do it through force, fear or any other means available to them. We see it in the media. We see it in the government. We need to be constantly aware that these systems are firmly rooted in the ‘system of the world’ not of God. 

The most common entry point into our lives was our minds via slow attrition and subtle barely perceptible shifts into immorality. The movements are no longer subtle and that is why more people are seeing them with their own eyes. For some it confused them, others it pushes them deeper into the world or towards God. Dividing lines are clearly being drawn. Unfortunately, many do not have a biblical worldview in which to categorize the actions which are immoral and evil and they begin to collapse mentally.

Nimrod as ruler commissioned the construction of the Tower of Babel, and that identification solidified his reputation as a king against God. Nimrod’s plans, however, were frustrated by the miracle of the confusion of tongues (Genesis 10:5, 18,25). In this way the wickedness Nimrod was shut down by God and Nimrod exist history at that point.

Then we have the only other mention of a hunter by vocation. In ancient times hunting was regarded as an art of highest importance. Ishmael, Abraham’s son by an unsanctioned union with Hagar the handmaiden of Abraham's wife Sarah became an archer and lived on the produce of his bow and arrow (Genesis 21:20); and Esau was skillful in the "chase" (Genesis25:27). Wild animals and birds were appreciated as food (Leviticus 17:13; Hosea 9:8).

In terms of game, when hunting was no longer a necessity, Israelites still hunted for the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the ibex and the wild goat. (Deuteronomy 12:22; 14:5), as well as for the destruction of wild beasts threatening the tribe(s). (Deuteronomy 12:15; I Kings 13:24;Proverbs 28:15). While hunting is not conspicuous in the literature of the Hebrews, the records of other great nations have numerous references to such an occupation. It is worthy of note that, although the Bible does not mention the hunting dog, it was familiar to Josephus the 1sr century Jewish historian.

In metaphorical and allegorical language, we have many comparisons in Scripture to note. Those who God uses to fulfill His purpose are referred to as "hunters"(Jeremiah 16:16). Enemies of the righteous are likewise spoken of in the same way (Job 10:16; Proverbs 6:26; Micah 7:2). The satanic hunter, the devil, always lies in wait to plunder the divine flock. He often uses flaming darts or arrows on his prey which is why we are encouraged to wear spiritual armor. The arrows being negative thoughts, doubts, temptations, anxieties and fears, lust and guilt.

All who are the Lord’s are his prey. A hunter correctly understood is one that pursues or eagerly follows after his objective. Unwearied in the chase, he is satisfied when he has caught his intended individual. The same can be said of the Devil, whose game are the godly and ungodly alike. He is never weary of such pursuit, nor weary in it. Hunters usually hunt for recreation and not out of any hatred for the creatures they hunt. The same cannot be said of the devil. He hunts the souls of men out of implacable hatred he bears towards them, and also the hatred of God who seeks to bless those who the devil would destroy if he could…but God will not allow it. God of course is the perfect hunter and will get to those He wishes to find and accept Him long before the Devil even knows the hunt is afoot.

The hunting attributed to God can be when He inflicts those punishments upon the ungodly who had first inflicted the hunt or abuses upon the godly. "He shall hunt them" (Psalm 140:5, 10, 11). Here "to hunt" means to chase to a precipice or to overthrow as Native Americans used to do to buffalo. (Habakkuk 2:17).

In terms of hunting implements that were used we can generally list them as there are many. There were nets, bow and arrow, pitfalls, snares, traps, gins, slings and clubs. The irony being many of these are used to figuratively to expose the desires of the wicked (Job41:19; Psalms 9:15; 25:15; 35:7; 142:3). To explain all the metaphors drawn from hunting, huntsmen, their traps and their victims would be a daunting task. I would refer readers to Biblical books that specifically deal with phrases of speech, metaphor and allegory in the Bible.

A Trained Professional XI: Strike While The Iron is Hot

The eleventh in a series about vocations in the Bible. The term Blacksmith as an occupational term covers all artificers and engravers of the metals. Blacksmiths. Men's men. A tough labor job but a fulfilling one. Without which ancient weapons wouldn't have been created. Kingdoms wouldn't have rose and therefore wouldn't have fallen. They helped forge, draw, bend and upset empires.

Some of the metals identified by name were gold, silver, brass (copper), iron, tin and lead (Numbers 31:22). The blacksmith's trade goes back to Tubal-Cain who is described as: 

“…the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron.” (Genesis 4:22). 

In other words as a blacksmith capable of constructing agricultural, household and warlike articles he was the first creator of the proverbial plowshares and pruning-hooks mentioned in Isaiah 2:4.

The fearful havoc wrought by some of Tubal-Cain’s weapons are immortalized in "The Song of Lamech" (Genesis 4:23,24). From then on, the smith's art took precedence over all other occupations, since this vocation furnished the instruments necessary for advancing civilization. It also unfortunately hammered out the implements of war, conquest and death. These tools were capable of giving life or taking it away.

Metal work, carpentry, building and other useful arts were greatly developed before the Flood. All the vessels used in the Tabernacle involved an intricate and learned knowledge of every kind of handicraft, and great skill in the fashioning of all that was required (Exodus 25:10, 11, 17, 18; 31:4, 5).

We read of the goldsmith and the silversmith. These particular smiths were skillful in making ornaments for adornment, vessels and images (Genesis 24:22; 35:4). Then there is the copper smith or worker in brass (Genesis 4:22; 1 Kings 7:14, 45. Mention is also made of the ironsmith, or worker in iron (1 Samuel 13:19; 2 Chronicles 24:12; Isaiah 44:12). So highly were those smiths skilled in the manufacture of war weapons that conquerors removed them from a conquered nation to completely diminish them as military threats not unlike what the United States did with Werner Von Braun and the Nazis V2 rocket program. Nebuchadnezzar was known to have done this to defeated people (2 Kings 24:14; Isaiah 44:12; 54:16; Jeremiah 24:1).

Smiths were also used for the making of helmets, breastplates, greaves, javelins, fetters, cult objects, plates and bars for city gates, various musical instruments, farming tools with iron fittings, flails, plowshares, coulters, mattocks, saws, chariots, swords, prison bars, household utensils like pots and pans and cauldrons and forks, pens and razors (Judges 16:21; 1 Samuel 2:13, 14; 13:19-21; 17:5-7; 2 Samuel 12:31; 1 Kings 7; 2 Kings 6:5;9:27; I Chronicles 15:19-24; Job 19:24; Psalms 105:18; 107:16; Isaiah 7:20;28:24, 27; 45:2; Jeremiah 17:1; 50:16;Ezekiel 4:3; 5:1; Amos 1:3). 

Some of these tasks moved beyond the proper understanding of smithing. Specialized processes and tools were necessary. We have references to smelting as early as Job 28:2 which was the oldest book in the Bible predating the authorship of the Torah/Pentateuch. We see the bellows identified for blowing the coals in the fire (Isaiah 54:16),and to the blacksmith who fashions heated iron into axes, and saws with his hammer (Joshua 17:15, 18; Isaiah41:7; 44:12; Jeremiah 6:29). We see tools for carving and engraving (1 Kings 6:29, 32-36),tongs (Isaiah 44:12), are among the implements a smith required.

As for agriculture, we can imagine how smiths plied their trade from place to place in order to repair farming implements, likely primitive forms of horseshoes and also household utensils, or to supply new ones. Archaeologists have found traces of an Israelite forge, complete with plowshares in the Palestine area (obviously predating the Palestinians). There are even Egyptian murals about the time of Exodus that represented two smiths working the bellows.

Special note should be made about the timing and chronology of metalworking and smithing too as science and archeology are often quick to disagree with the Bible until irrefutable proof from archeology is usually found to prove the Bible correct. Genesis intentionally mentions rapid human advancement in a matter-of-fact way when it comes to technology and creativity in the antediluvian (pre-Flood) world. Jabal develops domestication of animals and tents, Jubal also pioneered music. Tubal Cain forges metal tools (all within just a few generations). This is a rapid cultural progression, not a slow evolutionary development. God created the earth with mineral-rich soils (Deuteronomy 8:9, Job 28:2), allowing Adam’s descendants to craft metal instruments immediately. The Bible’s genealogical structure places Tubal Cain and Jubal, before the Flood, directly contradicting the secular “Stone, Bronze, Iron” age model.

Just because archeology can’t find the physical evidence doesn’t mean the Bible should be disregarded. If that was the case then nothing in the Bible would be valid as most of it requires faith anyway. Why do these timelines matter? Historians based in an evolutionist mindset assert metallurgy emerged around 1500 BC, yet Genesis situates these technologies thousands of years earlier. Iron working therefore predates the Flood since Tubal Cain forged iron. As it turns out having investigated it in my studies…secular archaeology has in-fact uncovered copper and iron smelting work dating to the 5th millennium BC, confirming Scripture’s timeline.

A Trained Professional X: Teach a Man To Fish

This is the ninth post in a series about people's vocations or work in the Bible. On deck (pun intended) is a fisherman. Many of the first disciples Jesus called were fishermen. Although there are few references in the Bible to those of this occupation, they are nevertheless brought into prominence by the record of those Galilean fishermen, like Peter, "The Big Fisherman," who left their ship and nets to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:18,19; Mark 1:16,17). Among the characteristic features of those who lived off the sea, the following. They usually lived together as a community.

The Fish Gate at Jerusalem implies an adjacent fish market, with stocks of fish supplied chiefly through Tyrian traders who imported it (II Chronicles 33:14; Nehemiah 3:3; 12:39; 13:16). Because of the distance from the fisheries of Phoenicia and the climate, fish sold at Jerusalem would be salted or dried by the sun. Fish from the Lake of Galilee would be fresher. Fishermen were strong and tough.The strenuousness of their work ruled out the weak and lazy (Luke 5:2).

They were usually gruff in manner, rough in speech and in their treatment of others (Luke 9:49, 54; John 18:10). They were loud burly men’s men. Before they were tempered by Christ's influence, fishermen James and John had the nickname "sons of thunder"(Mark 3:17). Further, their exposure to all kinds of weather made them resilient and fearless. They were accustomed to bear with patience the most trying circumstances. Toiling for hours without success, they were always ready to try once more (Luke5:5; John 21:3).These traits, and others, made them successful "fishers of men" (Matthew4:19; Mark 1:17) but familiar with failure also.

These were the types of people Jesus chose. Not the beta effeminate cuckolded men we now see in churches. Men have morphed into something not wholly Biblical in our churches. Somewhat Biblical but not wholly biblical. Filled with some grace and love but no spine, strength of character or resoluteness. There is a difference between meek and weak. Meek means you can but in grace choose not to. Weak just means you can’t. Jesus’ disciples were eventually meek. Robust, strong but reserved. Many of today’s churchgoing men are just weak.

The disciple/fisherman’s earthly occupation was a parable of their spiritual calling. It was so with David the shepherd who became "the Shepherd of Israel". Paul the tentmaker was used by God for making people into tabernacles or Holy of Holies (naos / ναός) for the Holy Spirit.

When referring to the fish caught and traded in there are some theological/spiritual things that should be noted. While there are many references to fish in the Bible, no specific kind of fish is distinguished by name not even in Jonah. The ‘whale’ is referred to as ‘great fish’. Fish are under man’s dominion and only classified in reference to their ritual distinctions. Clean fish have fins and scales and unclean fish which lacked them. Israelites could eat fish properly so-called (Leviticus 11:9;Numbers 11:5,22; Job 12:8; Psalm8:8; Ezekiel 38:20). Therefore, the catfish, being without scales, could not be eaten by the Jews (Deuteronomy 14:9,10) for ritualistic reasons not moral ones.

The prohibition against eating fish without fins and scales in ancient Israel is because they are believed to have been for health reasons, as many aquatic creatures without fins or scales are bottom feeders and may have been considered more likely to carry toxins or diseases. Some theories suggest that scales may make fish less susceptible to parasites. Additionally, these laws may have had a symbolic or ritual significance, reinforcing concepts of purity and holiness although not clearly stated.

The Galilean fish were abundant and of great variety. Together with bread they formed the customary or traditional food of the population which is why we so often see Jesus and disciple eating this combination. (Matthew 7:10; Luke11:11). Basically, a high fiber, lower carb, high protein diet (keto).Even the resurrected Lord and His disciples consumed grilled fish (Luke 24:42; John 21:9).

In Exodus the destruction of their fish was a heavy blow to the Egyptians whose rivers, canals and lakes teemed in fish. Many were dependent on the provision on their supply (Exodus 7:18-21; Numbers 11:5; Psalm 105:29; Isaiah 19:5).In ancient times the fish was worshiped as the emblem of increase or fertility. The Philistines (sea people) and Assyrians practiced the worship of Dagon, half-man half-fish. Such idolatry, however, was divinely forbidden (Deuteronomy4:18).

Interestingly, on the walls of the catacombs the early Christians Jesus wasre presented(symbolically) as a fish, because the five letters of this word in Greek provide the initial letters of the five words, "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior” or Ichthys or the uncial/uppercase version "ΙΧΘΥΣ" (Ἰησοῦς Χρῑστός Θεοῦ Υἱός Σωτήρ)

Figurative use of fish also has a place in Scripture. Our Lord likened the kingdom of heaven to a net, cast into the sea, which gathered fish of every kind, good and bad (Matthew13:47). In this Parable of Drawing in the Net, Jesus compares the angels separating the righteous from the wicked at the end of this world to fishers sorting out their catch, keeping the good fish and throwing the bad fish away.

For the actual task of fishing spear hooks and lines were used (Job 41:7;Amos 4:2; Matthew 17:27). While various kinds of nets were employed, the dragnet was the chief instrument for catching fish (Habakkuk 1:15) which is why the disciples were unable to pull the net into the boat in John 21 it was so effective at catching large numbers of fish. In this story the disciples had fished all night but caught nothing. Jesus instructed them to cast the nets on the other side of the boat, and they drew in 153 fish. When they return to shore with their catch, Jesus is waiting for them and has cooked some fish for them to eat. The spreading of nets signified the desolation of Tyre and the use by Syrian fishermen even until today of this ancient site for the spreading and drying of their nets is a striking instance of fulfilled prophecy (Ezekiel26:5, 14).

Fishing is a preferred illustration used for taking souls in the Gospel net, not to be destroyed but to be saved alive like believers. Peter, the fisherman, knew that when he caught fish in the Lake of Galilee that they were alive, but taken out of their natural element they quickly died. But the souls he was to catch were dead in sin, but came into possession of eternal life as soon as they were landed on the shore of salvation (Matthew4:19; Luke 5:5-10).

So, I guess it is fitting that the One who created the sea and all that is in it in Genesis, delivered some of His expansive and powerful messages from a fishing boat. Jesus, the One who uses His own as fishers in an immense sea of humanity. They are men performing a task, which requires all the patience, sturdiness, tenacity and skill provided by the likes of a fisherman.

A Trained Professional IX: Down On the Farm

The Bible was written primarily by men that were living lives based in an agrarian culture/society. Farmers, crops and the like.  They were growers of many plants and harvesters of many more. The Israelites society revolved mostly around an economy based solely on producing and maintaining crops and farmland. They were breeders of livestock and masters of animal husbandry. They raised animals for meat, fiber, milk, or other products. Some of the tasks dealing with farming included day-to-day care, selective breeding, and the raising of livestock. Although many shepherds and flocks started out as nomadic this eventually led to more stationary domestication on small parcels of land that would eventually give way to farms.

Although the word ‘farm’ is not in the Bible, the word ἀγρός / agros is found many places. The word agros, from which we get the words agrarian and agriculture, is in-fact a field or pasture, specifically a field or pasture that can bear a crop. For all intents and purposes…it is a farm. The concept of a farm as we understand them today weren’t very common in Israel in Bible times. In Bible history, the Jewish people are introduced to us at a period when they were largely engaged in agrarian pursuits just prior to the scattering of the Diaspora after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70AD.

Husbandry, the Biblical term for agriculture, or farming, was an esteemed biblcal art in which God instructed the husbandman (2 Chronicles 26:10; Isaiah 28:26). The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary reminds us that when the Hebrews became a nation and occupied Canaan…

The agriculture learned in Egypt made them a self-subsisting nation, independent of eternal supplies, and so less open to external corrupting influences. Agriculture was the basis of the Mosaic economy; it checked the tendency to the roving habits of nomad tribes, gave each man a stake in the soil by the law of inalienable inheritances, and made numerous offspring profitable as to the culture of the land. God claimed the lordship of the soil (Leviticus 25-26) so that each held by the divine nature to the tithe a quiet rent to the theocratic landlord, also subject to the sabbatical year.

The frequent biblical allusions by Jesus to farmers, fields and their products indicate how familiar He was with the agricultural pursuits of His time. Many farming methods then employed still prevail in Israel. There were three lprominent branches of agriculture which the farmer participated in.

The Growing of Grain. Among the agricultural operations associated with this fruit of the field, and frequently mentioned in the Bible, we have (Matthew 13:3), plowing, sowing, reaping, threshing and winnowing. As to the farmers implements we have the plough, the yoke, the cart, the sickle, the sieve, the fan, the shovel, the hand-mill or stones.

The Tending of Vineyards. As grapes, olives and figs served an important part in the diet of the Bible, great care was bestowed upon the vineyards — a task well-adapted to the farmer’s routine as most of the attention a vineyard required could be given when his other crop demanded no time (Numbers 18:30; Isaiah 5:1-6).

The Raising of Flocks. The Jewish people reckoned flocks as a necessary part of wealth. They were important as a source of food and clothing/skins. (Matthew 18:13; John 10:12) The account of the wealth of both Job and King Hezekiah reveals their interest in the pursuit of farming.

Leviticus 26:4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit.

In Scripture there is a cornucopia of metaphors taken from the earth, things growing out of it, and the cultivation of it. There is enough to write a book on it and some people have. I just don’t have the time to plow into it all (see what I did there?). The reader of this blog post though can pursue this with the aid of the internet or even an old fashioned concordance using agricultural metaphors and words. I will leave off mentioning only a few here and some side notes to their spiritual significance where it is warranted.

The seed is used to signify the engrafted Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). The ministry of the sun’s heat, rain and dew illustrate divine influences in the spiritual germination of the Word as seed (Isaiah 44:3; John 6:63). Roots, branches, leaves, flowers and fruit likewise carry a spiritual significance (Deuteronomy 29:18; Job 13:25; 15:33; 19:28; Isaiah 5:24; Matthew 3:8; John 15:1-3; Jude 12). The faith of the mustard seed is deemed enough to move a mountain.

Plants symbolize the church and the believer (Isaiah 5:7; Matthew 15:13). Trees are often used by way of similitude (Isaiah 11:1; 41:19; Jeremiah 11:19). Thorns sometimes represent wicked and mischievous men, and the efforts of Satan to buffet us (Numbers 33:55; Hosea 2:6; 2 Corinthians 12:7). Olives were used to describe the great dignity God invested His chosen people with (Jeremiah 11:16; Zechariah 4:3,11,12; Romans 11:17). The vineyards, in metaphor and Parable, are suggestive of the people of God, and of what He expects from His own people. Wine signifies divine grace and also wrath (Judges 8:2, Psalm 104:2). The gentiles are grafted into salvation promised to the Jews (Romans 11:11-31).

Plowing is a fitting symbol of affliction, repentance and diligence due to its backbreaking nature. (Psalm 129:3; Isaiah 28:24-26; Jeremiah 4:3; Luke 9:62). Harvests are employed to describe the reward of good works and also evil deeds "(Psalm 126:5, 6; Hosea 6: 11; John 4:35, 38; Galatians 6:7-9). Chaff and stubble denote false doctrine and the destruction of the wicked (Amos 9:9, Obadiah 18; Matthew 3:12,  Luke 22:31; 1 Corinthians 3:12). The separation of wheat from the chaff or wheat from the tares is symbolic of dividing believers from nonbelievers, truth from falsehood. Grinding of grain, like its winnowing, is also used symbolically (Exodus 11:5; Job 31:10; Isaiah 47:2). Yokes which the oxen wore are made to illustrate both satanic bondage and full allegiance Christ (Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 6:14). The list is enormous.

If you’re that interested in pursuing this one further I recommend that you open your bible in a field and begin reading it in earnest. The allusions to farming, farmers and flocks are as numerous in the bible as stalks of grain in an unharvested field.