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Reading #159b  Answers

Hi everybody,

I have been asked two questions regarding one of our recent readings, "Conditions in Egypt",  early May. They could not be asked directly through the list because of technical problems, so I have answered them to the enquirer first, but thought to share them with you all as well. Please remember that the answers are only my opinion and are not necessarily correct or even complete.

Dear …..,

Question 1. "How to distinguish earthly matters from Heavenly matters?" in regard to Romans 13. There are easy ones such as paying taxes, speed limits etc. but, for instance, should we bow to the state’s will regarding our children?

The first and very simplistic answer is that earthly matters have to do with our bodies, and the bodies of those we are entrusted with. Heavenly matters have to do with our minds and consciences. This is an ideal "rule-of-thumb" for everyday circumstances. But, as you say, some situations are very clear while others are not. The only way to deal with the grey area at the boundary is to ask the Spirit to detail it for you. This He will do willingly.

But, before we ask Him about a particular matter, we need to read the word of God, for it is of no use praying for light when we have the answer in our Bibles. Luke 10:25-26. We have already read God’s word on civil authorities, but do you remember verse 2?

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Romans 13:

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In the letter to the Roman Christians I believe that what God is saying is that all must be done within the bounds of legal authority and in legal ways, for they do have power from Him. Given the opportunity He will work through that person or system first, if He can. It is really an extension of the fifth commandment, "Honour your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God gives you." Exodus 20:12.  Note the promise in this commandment!  A long and healthy life is promised if we are obedient.

I remember a case of a couple who thought that they should home-school their children. The state they lived in had made it compulsory for children to attend public school. The parents decided to ignore the law and teach the children themselves as they thought God intended. They got away with it for a while but eventually the authorities caught up with them and made the children attend with the threat of taking them from the parents.

They, of course, were puzzled as to why God had not honoured their decision to do His will. But they did not know His full will. It certainly was His desire that they home school their children, but not by disobeying the law. There was an opportunity for exemption which they had known about but ignored, therefore the authorities never had the opportunity to learn God’s way, nor the parents to walk with God in obedience to His agent. Both, therefore, suffered under the circumstances and God’s way was once again hidden. Whatever the problem, there is ALWAYS a way out. See 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Here is the principle:

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Jeremiah 27:

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It’s a hard one, but God’s word is clear in this instance. And we can have just as clear a word if we really want to do what is right. But His new word will NEVER contradict the old word (although there are times when one principle overrides another). And let us not put our ideas or preferences before this.

At that time the best person in the world to govern the nations was Nebuchadnezzar so God allowed him to do this and announced it through His prophet. We would not have thought so, but God not only chose him, but his weaker son, Nabonidus, and then his grandson, Belshazzar! And we all know what happened to him. See Daniel chapter 5.  But those who listened carefully and prayerfully to the LORD were saved out of the problems. However, because most of Israel would not listen, people like Daniel landed up in Babylon as a teenager, but then under God he became the top man of the world and died of old age peacefully in his bed!

If there is a problem in the legal system, or if it goes against God’s true way, then He will protect you, or yours, Himself. This is what He does always when the problem is based on religious matters, but NOT always in physical matters.

So in this case the rule of the nations eventually passed on to Cyrus the Persian, who is still called "The Great" in Persia today. God says of him:

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2 Chronicles 36:

Isaiah 44:

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This won’t fix the "hazy" areas but it will plant the principle firmly in your mind that God often works in unexpected ways!

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Question 2. "Should we have two sets of doctors", male and female, and how does that affect medical missionaries?

Here is the principle:

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Exodus 15:

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Therefore for Christians there is only one Doctor.

All earthly health people are His servants (like nurses), as in Romans 13. They are "ordained" by Him to help Him. Those health professionals that think otherwise are making themselves equal with Him and that is not a good thing! Keep away from them for they are not obedient servants. Those professionals who do work under God (or nature as they sometimes see it) are much safer to visit than those who think they are in charge.

As far as doctoring is concerned, God can work just as easily though a woman as He can through a man. But when THE PATIENT IS A WOMAN, who can understand what a woman is going though better than another woman? Here is the principle:

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1 Corinthians 2:

11 For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

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Therefore she that has the spirit of a woman is obviously better able to appreciate the things of a woman!

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that at the slightest cause we should rush off to what we think is an authorised doctor, naturopath etc. But they are trained in certain matters and should be approached about as often as we would a lawyer, and maybe not even that much. (However, if we do visit one under God’s guidance we should then listen to their advice.) What I am saying is that all humans should understand the wants of their own systems, male or female, and consider what is said by the "Doctor".

Therefore this affects medical missionaries in a vital way. There should always be two missionaries (Mark 6:7) and there is no reason why one can’t be a woman. As Paul says,

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1 Corinthians 9:

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The philosophy of health should be one of the important studies for our children today instead of many others that are chosen. It is all-important that the human organism be understood, and then intelligent Christians can be their own physicians (under God) for their children. If Christians would reason from cause to effect (Isaiah 1:18), and would follow the light which shines upon them from God’s word, they would pursue a course which would insure health, and sickness would be far less.

Just recently in this country we have had the case of two professed Christian parents who took their young son from the care of the medical profession and then treated him themselves even though the medical people pleaded with them for a simple solution. Now, in many cases that behaviour could be a good thing for doctors are not always right, but in this case there was a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the mother’s milk (she was a vegan), and the child died as a result. So what happened? Why did God not honour the parents and save the child? They had chosen to go to His appointed agent and then refused his advice without a good word from God. And their child suffered because He has said, and I repeat it because both questions are really one:-

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Romans 13:

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As far as female doctors are concerned I believe modern women are already setting the example for us. Most of them seem to prefer to deal with one who can understand their particular problems. For we must face it, men and women are not the same.

Of all the living organisms that God has created, none rank in the scale of value with Him anywhere near to humanity. Hebrews 2:6-8. And if human beings would become intelligent in regard to their own bodies, and understand their relation to life and health, and regulate their habits of eating, of dressing, of working and resting, their lives would be prolonged in health and happiness.

Many have inquired, "What course shall I take to best preserve my health?" God’s answer is, "Cease to transgress the laws of your being; cease to gratify a depraved appetite; eat simple food; dress healthfully, which will require modest simplicity; work healthfully; and you will not be sick." That is what Jesus often said, in essence, to those whom He had healed.

It is a sin to be sick, for all sickness is the result of transgression.

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John 5:

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However, many are suffering in consequence of the transgression of their parents or grandparents etc. They cannot be censured for their ancestors' sin; but it is nevertheless their duty to find out where those people violated the laws of their being, which has brought upon their offspring so miserable an inheritance. Where their parents' habits were wrong, they should change their course, and place themselves by correct habits in a better relation to health. It’s all summed up in these words:

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Matthew 9:

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Hope this helps a bit,

RonP

P.S. Remember that this is just my opinion!  Why not ask God for His?

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