TK Torah Keepers

I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. ¹⁶ Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off. ¹⁷ They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. ¹⁸ Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. (Psalm 88:15-18 KJV)

In the passage above the psalmist is facing the refiner’s fire.  It is clear in theses verses that the author has come to a profound understanding of the finite nature of his life.  It is also evident in these verses that the various afflictions, terrors, and distractions are from the hand of the Sovereign One.  Generally, it is at times like these that we run to seek the companionship, consolation, comfort, and support of our family, friends, and loved one.  Our search for a shoulder to cry on, an ear to complain to, and a heart to pity us knows no bounds.  Even when we do find someone who will entertain our self-vindicating, self-pitying, and self-serving complaint, we are not content, but search for even more advocates to join our cause.  Not wanting to appear self-serving and self-pitying, we often camouflage our intentions with the appearance of seeking “the counsel of the brethren.”

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14 KJV)

It seems at times like these there are always ready comrades waiting to join our cause and bless us with their wisdom.  We may recall YHWH’S servant Job.  An unsuspecting Job found himself in the midst of a moment of unexpected testing.

And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: ¹⁴ And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: ¹⁵ And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. ¹⁶ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. ¹⁷ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. ¹⁸ While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: ¹⁹ And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. ²⁰ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, ²¹ And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: YHWH gave, and YHWH hath taken away; blessed be the name of YHWH. ²² In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. (Job 1:13-22 KJV)

So went Satan forth from the presence of YHWH, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. ⁸ And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. (Job 2:7-8 KJV)

Almost immediately Job’s ready companions gathered to comfort, console and advise him.

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. (Job 2:11 KJV)

Each of these friends erroneously advised Job failing to see that it was indeed the hand of YHWH that was behind these afflictions.  Even Job’s “lover” was quick to give her husband advice.

Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (Job 2:9 KJV)

We should note in the story none of his companions gave Job correct counsel, they only shared their human, finite, limited, unfruitful opinions.

This pattern of seeking companionship, comfort, consolation and counsel in times of testing is not limited to individuals.  The nation of Israel was often rebuked to turning to counselors other than YHWH for wisdom, consolation, comfort, and help.

They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: (Psalm 106:13 KJV)

Woe to the rebellious children, saith YHWH, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: ² That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! ³ Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. (Isaiah 30:1-3 KJV)

In the verses of the Psalm above, however, we should note that it is the Sovereign One that has removed lovers, friends, and acquaintances into the void of darkness.  During these times when we find ourselves in the refiner’s fire, YHWH wants us to turn exclusively to him.  While our fleshly ears may desire to be tickled by the flattering and vindicating words of our compatriots and comrades, the desire of YHWH is that we turn exclusively to him for our comfort, consolation, and counsel.  The scriptures repeatedly warn us of the vanity of all other counsel and help.

An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. ¹⁸ Behold, the eye of YHWH is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; (Psalm 33:17-18 KJV)

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of YHWH. (Proverbs 21:31 KJV)

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. (Psalm 108:12 KJV)

It is better to trust in YHWH than to put confidence in man. ⁹ It is better to trust in YHWH than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:8-9 KJV)

While we may be surrounded by those willing to salve our wounds, console and advise us, YHWH desires us to turn to him alone for help, comfort and counsel.  We should recognize from the opening verses that friends, family, and loved ones can, and often will desert us in our time of need, when the burden becomes too great.  We should also recognize that finite human wisdom cannot compare to YHWH’S infinite wisdom. While man and his love is limited, YHWH is eternal and constant in his love for us.

When my father and my mother forsake me, then YHWH will take me up. (Psalm 27:10 KJV)

We must, therefore, learn to turn only to the Eternal and Infinite one for our counsel and consolation.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. ² My help cometh from YHWH, which made heaven and earth. ³ He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. ⁴ Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:1-4 KJV)          

YHWH bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. ¹¹ The counsel of YHWH standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11 KJV)

While this is not always an easy discipline to master, it is indeed a helpful one.  It is through these times of testing that we experience the character and faithfulness of YHWH to deliver us and see us safely through the time of testing.  The more we learn to turn to YHWH for our every need the more we learn that we can trust him for our every need.  It is through these very trying experiences that our faith and confidence in the miraculous power and love of the Father for his people is established.  While times of testing are rarely pleasant to endure, they are for our good nonetheless.  We must learn to console ourselves with the knowledge that YHWH only chastens those he loves.

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so YHWH thy God chasteneth thee. (Deuteronomy 8:5 KJV)

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. (Proverbs 13:24 KJV)

For whom YHWH loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6 KJV)

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (Hebrews 12:7 KJV)

We should likewise remember that the purpose of the refiner’s fire is not to destroy the gold but to purge and perfect it to the point that the image of the refiner may be seen in its luster.