| Subject: Destroying and Building |
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Hillbilly
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Date Posted: 19:16:17 02/26/13 Tue
Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to kill: God lays out in His word the conditions by which execution is to be carried out. Among these is murder (Ex. 21:12), kidnapping (Ex. 21:16), rape of an engaged woman (Deut. 22:25), homosexuality (Lev. 20:13), bestiality (Lev. 20:15), cursing father or mother (Ex. 21:17) working on the sabbath (Ex. 31:15), adultery (Lev. 20:10), blaspheming the Lord (Lev. 24:16), witchcraft (Ex. 22:18) and leading people to serve false Gods or false prophets (Deut. 13:5).
The list is by no means complete but it gives a good idea of the "time to kill" as Solomon understood it under the Levitical law. While a good many of these sins or crimes are not punishable by death today we should realize that God never changed His mind about who should be put to death and under what conditions. Many today would look at this list and declare God to be a blood thirsty God. This same God that decreed the death penalty of sin has also decreed the death penalty to all of us as "the wages of sin is death" and "so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: ". We all have an appointment with death (Heb. 9:27).
There is a hard fast truth that mankind today is avoiding to his own detriment. Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. We are so caught up in rehabilitation that we fail to let the punishment fit the crime. If swift harsh punishment were carried out as God decreed in His word then we would have a far less dangerous world today than it is. There was a bumper sticker a few years back that was seen at times when debating the death penalty for heinous crimes. It said: "Kill them all and let God sort them out later".
A time to heal: Since it is given in the same clause I will assume that it is speaking of reconciliation and forgiveness for sin or crimes worthy of harsh punishment or death. In the Levitical law a person who had caused the death of another without malice could flee to a city of refuge and be spared from death by an avenger. He was to stay in that city until the death of the High Priest and if he should leave the boundary of the city of refuge before the death of the High Priest then he was fair game for the manslayer to take vengeance. (see Num. 35:25-28) The law of the city of refuge gave space for the healing effects of time so that passion did would not rule over actions. Under the New Covenant sins were forgiven and the soul could be forgiven on the basis of the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Because of this Jesus says to His child. I forgive you. Go and sin no more. (Jn. 8:11)
There was a similar situation (place of refuge) with Esau and Jacob. Esau marked his brother Jacob for death because of his theft of Esau's blessing. Jacob fled to his mother's brother Laban and stayed there for many years. The time spent away from his brother was a time of healing because there was utter reconciliation between the two brother's when they met again. Sins were forgiven and forgotten. Hard feeling were healed.
In the practical Christian sense we can see the "time to heal" as being the reconciliation between God and man as a result of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The greatest healing that ever took place was the sin sickness of the lost sinner who was saved and reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus. The soul was healed from sin. On a more personal lever we often need to let healing take place when there are hurt feelings. If someone has wronged you be quick to forgive. Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: If you have wronged someone then ask forgiveness. Do not let grevances fester. Be quick to let them heal.
"A time to break down, and a time to build up" As the law prescribed death to the sinner and Jesus brought healing we can also see a similar analogy in the second clause of Ecc. 3:3. The law broke down every pillar a man could lean on to claim righteousness. By the law came the knowledge of sin and as no one could keep the law perfectly each became condemned by the law. The work of Jesus broke down the requirements and demands of the Levitical law. That "building" was razed but a new and better building began to be erected in it's stead. Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. The law then was superseded by a "better hope". Paul called this better hope God's building. Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. This building and habitation for God is called the Church. It is not made of bricks, mortar and wood but is made from "lively stones" (1 Pet. 2:5) While the Church is plainly built by God who is the "Master Builder" we also have a part in the building. 1 Corinthians 3:9-16
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Using Paul's analogies we can see that we are in the time to "build up" God's Church. We are placing building material on the foundation of the Church and our material one day will be tested by Bod's fire. When He blows on our work will it stand or will it burn up? As Christians we are laying materials on the foundation. What kind of material are we building with.
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