EVERYTHING WE NEED: Unique Verses

In my Bible reading, I come across many verses that are quite unique. You may have read them but never given them much thought. I want to share three of them with you.

We read an interesting fact in Isaiah when God “lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth…” (Isa. 5:26 NIV1984). At that time, God’s people were rebellious, no longer heeding His commands. His chosen people had forgotten His love and protection. His response to their disobedience was to call powerful nations to come against them. With absolute authority, He whistled, and those nations came at once to deliver vengeance upon Israel.

God’s whistling was a metaphor for a practice of beekeepers to “hiss” or make a high shrieking sound like a whistle calling the bees into the fields and then back again at night into their hives. “In that day the Lord will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria” (Isa. 7:18 NIV1984). Like a collection of insects, God was calling foreign nations to execute judgment on His people.

This next verse views God’s feelings about animals: “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel” (Prov. 12:10 NIV1984). As God’s creation, they should not be abused or neglected. I like what Charles Spurgeon said: “Children should be taught to avoid everything approaching unkindness, wanton destruction of birds’ nests, the stoning of birds, beating a donkey, worrying of fowls and a hundred petty cruelties in which boys are often encouraged should be promptly denounced.” This applies to adults, as well. Solomon, with his God-given wisdom, studied plant life from the Cedars of Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of walls, but “…he also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish” (I Kings 4:33 NIV1984). Men came from all nations just to listen. Part of being a good steward is respecting God’s creation. Everything belongs to Him, and we are not at liberty to do as we please.

Solomon’s wisdom is also expressed in Ecclesiastes, where he says that no one is faultless — no one “…who does what is right and never sins.” He adds, “Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you — for you know in your heart, that many times that you yourself have cursed others” (Eccl. 7:20-22 NIV1984). In other words, do not be so quick to become offended or defensivewhen we hear what others have said about us. Have we not also said hurtful things about other people? We just hope no one overhears us.

What would we do without the wisdom of Solomon? “Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report on what you say” (Eccl. 10:20 NIV1984). In other words, words said in private too often become public. You see that in government, workplaces and anywhere where there are people. Repeat what you heard in private, and when someone confronts you about it, being too embarrassed but unwilling to reveal your source, you say, “A little bird told me.” Perhaps it is a coward’s way out but less painful than admitting wrongdoing.

Many other interesting verses can be found in the Bible, but these are the ones I have been thinking about for some time. I hope you enjoy them.