By: Kevin Townsend
We are often faced with limitations and restrictions in our lives, whether real or imagined, physical, emotional, spiritual, imposed upon us by others or self-imposed. Human nature often focuses on what we CANNOT do, rather than what we CAN do. When we want something badly and are prevented from that thing by a limitation, we often bewail our situation and develop a “woe is me” mentality. What does Scripture show us about this subject?
King David is often remembered for his gladness in worshiping Jehovah in the temple: Psalm 122:1 (1) … I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the LORD. Do you know the source of his gladness? What of his father Jesse and the nine generations before him who were barred from worshiping Jehovah in the temple? Deuteronomy 23:2 (2) A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD. Because of the sin of Judah (Genesis 38:12-17), nine generations (Matthew 1:3-6; ① Phares, ② Esrom, ③ Aram, ④ Aminadab, ⑤ Naasson, ⑥ Salmon, ⑦ Booz, ⑧ Obed, ⑨ Jesse, ❿ David) over the span of hundreds of years, had to suffer for the sin of that one man. They could not approach Jehovah in His temple to worship through no fault of their own. In Psalm 122, David expresses his emotion at his restored ability to once again approach God in corporate worship. Yet, the Bible records no bewailing of the loss that these previous generations suffered.
The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39) “had come to Jerusalem for to worship.” He was a “stranger,” a non-Jew, who had converted to Judaism. He is very serious about serving Jehovah and keeping the Law. He traveled a great distance (from Meroë, capital of the Kingdom of Kush, ±1,600 miles) to be obedient to the Law. He is similarly restricted in his worship (like the nine generations prior to King David) because, as a eunuch, he too would be excluded (Deuteronomy 23:1) from the assembly at the Temple in Jerusalem. Does he despair for his lost ability to worship or give up hope? Does he say, “Why go to the Temple if they will not allow me to worship within?” No. Philip finds him intently studying a written copy of Isaiah’s writings. The eunuch had invested significantly to obtain this document (it would have been extremely expensive to purchase). He is trying to discern God’s will and is focused on that task. Scripture does not record his lost ability to worship God. Rather it shows what he was doing with what he had. What does Jehovah say of such a one as this eunuch? Isaiah 56:3-5 (3) Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. (4) For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; (5) Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name BETTER than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. God loves those who work for Him, even when circumstances go against them.
In the case of the generations prior to King David, they did no recorded evil; yet, they were the recipients of a consequence not of their own making. Those set aside for royal service were often made, by royal decree, eunuchs in their youth. It is likely that the Ethiopian eunuch was not given a choice and was also living out a consequence imposed upon him. Consider what the eunuch read in the book of Isaiah and how it deeply and personally it applied to him: Isaiah 53:8 “Who will declare His generation?” (Greek: genean—descendants) “When this passage speaks of “His genean“—”His generation”—that would surely strike some sort of response in this eunuch, who has been denied the privilege of procreation. He can have no physical descendants.” (Donovan 2016) These examples show us that looking to what we have is much more important than looking at what we do not have.
Today God does not impose a ten-generation restriction on us gathering together like the Old Testament Law did for the Jews. In fact, in this country we have freedom and opportunities that others on this planet envy. Despite all these blessings and opportunities, I have, over the last four decades, seen brethren who criticize a preacher for “preaching too long,” because they want to get out to go to eat and avoid the long lines. I have seen the “one hour per week” Christian who, having the ability to worship more frequently and learn more fully through more frequent teaching, decide God has received his one hour on Sunday morning. Therefore, they have given Him their minimum acceptable level of attention. A preacher I know did a mission trip to Murmansk, Russia. There, north of the Arctic Circle during the polar night, Russian brethren traveled in sub-zero weather, worshiped on hard wooden benches, and wore their coats indoors because the government controlled the temperature inside the building. It was just above freezing indoors; yet, these brethren were not deterred by distance, inclement weather, or hardship. My friend described that they would stay over two hours to hear the Gospel. He said they would have stayed as long as he could talk. They hungered and thirsted after righteousness, just like King David and the Ethiopian eunuch.
These examples show a willing mind and a strong desire to be pleasing to Jehovah God. Paul says: 2 Corinthians 8:11-12 (11) Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. (12) For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man HATH, and not according to that he HATH NOT. God has given us EVERYTHING! He bought us back from our evil at the great price of His Son. We are stewards of everything we have, including our lives and actions. He is watching us perform as stewards of the wonderful blessings we have been given by Him. Give God your all. Serve Him as the great King that He is.