The verse that caught my interest this week was 97. “And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness -”
It seemed strange to me that God’s work would be completed, yet also cut short.
Looking at the 1828 Webster’s definition, “cut short” has two meanings, 1) To hinder from proceeding by sudden interruption. or 2) To shorten; to abridge; as, to cut short of provisions or pay; to cut the matter short.
Going by the first definition, the phrase seems to refer back to the plagues, which will continue until they are interrupted suddenly by something else, in this case righteousness. If you use the second definition, it may refer to the Lord’s work, which will continue until it is completed, in which case we are being told what it will take to come to completion, righteousness. If the righteousness takes a long time, the plagues will also continue a long time.
The next definition I looked at was righteousness. There are several that might apply here, but #4 caught my attention: 4. Justice; equity between man and man.
Looking at conditions in the world today, this interpretation opened up some interesting possibilities of what may lie in store between now and the end of the plagues, including equal justice under the law and/or a collapse of the debt based economy that has served to enrich the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
Whatever the true meaning, it seems to lead into the “new song” which is about the establishment of Zion. I wonder whether or not a restoration of justice in the land, where the powerful are brought to account for their crimes will precede the other righteousness that is reflected by the first definition of the word: 1. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. righteousness as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.
Sorry my thoughts are a bit jumbled. It is sometimes hard to convey into words the ideas that appear clear in my mind.
Another great episode. Thanks for the opportunity to listen and study.
Any chance we can see that appendix of the things the scriptures say we are supposed to be doing?
The verse that caught my interest this week was 97. “And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness -”
It seemed strange to me that God’s work would be completed, yet also cut short.
Looking at the 1828 Webster’s definition, “cut short” has two meanings, 1) To hinder from proceeding by sudden interruption. or 2) To shorten; to abridge; as, to cut short of provisions or pay; to cut the matter short.
Going by the first definition, the phrase seems to refer back to the plagues, which will continue until they are interrupted suddenly by something else, in this case righteousness. If you use the second definition, it may refer to the Lord’s work, which will continue until it is completed, in which case we are being told what it will take to come to completion, righteousness. If the righteousness takes a long time, the plagues will also continue a long time.
The next definition I looked at was righteousness. There are several that might apply here, but #4 caught my attention: 4. Justice; equity between man and man.
Looking at conditions in the world today, this interpretation opened up some interesting possibilities of what may lie in store between now and the end of the plagues, including equal justice under the law and/or a collapse of the debt based economy that has served to enrich the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
Whatever the true meaning, it seems to lead into the “new song” which is about the establishment of Zion. I wonder whether or not a restoration of justice in the land, where the powerful are brought to account for their crimes will precede the other righteousness that is reflected by the first definition of the word: 1. Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. righteousness as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.
Sorry my thoughts are a bit jumbled. It is sometimes hard to convey into words the ideas that appear clear in my mind.
Another great episode. Thanks for the opportunity to listen and study.
Any chance we can see that appendix of the things the scriptures say we are supposed to be doing?