msdom booklet 20 - telos · heaven unless he perfectly keeps all ... designed rules based on the...
TRANSCRIPT
msdom Booklet 20
Matthew 5:19-20“Whosoever therefore shall break one of
these least commandments, and shall teach menso, he shall be called the least in the kingdom ofheaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them,the same shall be called great in the kingdom ofheaven.
“For I say unto you, That except yourrighteousness shall exceed the righteousness ofthe scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no caseenter into the kingdom of heaven.”
A person will not be allowed to enterheaven unless he perfectly keeps allof God’s Law. 00(Read Romans 8: 14. ). God’s clear requirement for entrance into
heaven is perfection, and there is only oneperson Who has ever achieved it-theLord Jesus Christ. It is only because of Hisperfect fulfillment of the Law that we areable to experience salvation and eternallife.
How do we enter into Christ’s perfectfulfillment of God’s Law? (See I Corin-thians 6: 11. )
Some commandments are moreimportant than others. 00(Read James 210.)l Since the Law is one unit, we become
guilty of breaking the whole Law byviolating any one of its “little com-mandments.” For example, hating a
4
person would not be considered as bad askilling a person, yet Jesus affirmed thatwhoever hates his brother is a murderer.(See Matthew 5:21-Z!.)
How can wrong thoughts cause a manto be guilty of adultery? (See Matthew528.)
It is possible to do everything rightand still break God’s Law. cl0(Read James 210.)l God’s will for Christians is not only that
they be dead to sin, but also that theybecome alive to righteousness. Obediencein carrying out “little commandments” isa powerful weapon in conquering bigtemptations. Thus, Paul exhorts Christ-ians, “Be not ouercome of evil, but ouer-come evil urith good” (Romans 12:21).
What “little commandments” doesGod give in Romans 12:20 that if obeyedcan overcome evil?
God has given each one of us theright to choose our own actions ifthey affect only our lives. cl0(Read Proverbs 28:4. )l Nothing a Christian does affects only
himself. We are all members of an intricateand delicate spiritual body. It is so sensitivethat when one member hurts, the wholebody hurts. Thus, no man lives to himself ordies to himself. (See Romans 14:7.)
What “little commandment” did Christ-ians in the early church break whichcaused weaker brothers to stumble andother Christians to be offended? (SeeRomans 14: 13-21.)
More About Jesus JOH” R. Bwrwrl
1. More Aout Je-mtewodd I know, MoreofEiegncb to oth-exenbm;
Mom of Bi eav-ing MI-nemow, More of JIia love who died for me.
847Wisdom Worksheet (Booklet 2CLPreliminaly Edition)
WISDOMWORKSHEET-ONMAlTHEW5:19-20
“WHOSOEVER THEREFORESHALL BREAK ONE OF THESELEAST COMMANDMENTS, AND
SHALL TEACH MEN SO, HESHALL BE CALLED THE LEASTIN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN:BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL DO
AND ?-EACH THEM, THE SAMESHALL BE CALLED GREAT INTHE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”
How does the construction of a largebuilding illustrate this verse?
Large buildings have collapsedbecause little details in the blueprintswere not followed.
God pictures Christians as livingstones in a magnificent temple. It isvital to His kingdom that each builderfollow the letter and the spirit of His“blueprints.” (See I Peter 25.)
“FOR 1 SAY UNTO YOU. THATEXCEPT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESSSHALL EXCEED THE RIGHTEOUS-
NESS OF THE SCRIBES ANDPHARISEES, YE SHALL IN NO
CASE ENTER INTO THEKINGDOM OF HEAVEN.”
The Pharisees personified theviolation of God’s Law. On the outsidethey “appeared beautiful,” but on theinside they were like “whited sepul-chres.” (See Matthew 23:27.)
TO BREAKGreek: lljo (LOO-oh)DEFINITION: To loose or loosen, todecrease the force of a law, to relax, topronounce it as no longer binding.
Do Resource A.
LEASTGreek: Elb~latoq (eh-LAH-kih-stoss)
l A superlative of the word “less”(less, lesser, least).
DEFINITION: Extremely little in size,amount, or importance.
Do Resource B.
TO TEACHGreek: 6u%ia~o (dih-DAH-skoe)DEFINITION: To instruct or to in-fluence, to redirect the thinking orbehavior of others.
TO CALLGreek: KaUo (kah-LEH-oh)DEFINITION: To call, to receive as aname, to bear a name or title.
TO DOGreek: ZO&CJ (pay-EH-oh)DEFINITION: To habitually perform,to exercise, to practice.
Greek: piyaq (MEH-gabs)DEFINITION: Designation, a measureof growth, nobility, rank, size, ornumber.
EXCEEDGreek: &&iov (PLAY -ohn)DEFINITION: To surpass in quality orquantity.
This would require a new dimen-sion of spirituality since the Scribes andthe Pharisees were considered theultimate spiritual achievers.
How did the Pharisees break the lawby “keeping it”?
In about *** * A.135 B.C. a
“the confederates.” This faction be-came the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.
The scribes and the Pharisees pridedthemselves in keeping God’s Law, buttheir hearts were not right. Thus, theydesigned rules based on the letter ofthe Law but neglected the spirit of theLaw.
When they con-demned Jesus’ dis-ciples for notwashing their hands, _He said, “Thispeople drawethnigh u n t o m ewith their mouth,and honoureth me
Hand Washing with their lips; but(See M a t t h e w 15:s.) their heart is far
from me.”
What did the scribes and “Moses’chair” have in common?
Jesus condemned the scribes andPharisees for using their traditions toturn the Law into an instrument for pre-venting true access to God. However,He recognized their authority becausethey sat on Moses’ seat. (See Matthew23: l-2.)
LIYr_lWisdom Worksheet (Booklet Z&Preliminary Edition)848
How does the slightest variation incutting a diamond affect its value?
God makes the \\I !/analogy betweenjewels and thosewho fear Him inMalachi 3: 17.
+?XZXX@:
A brilliant diamond is one whichhas been precisely cut at differentangles. The slightest variation in anyangle will cause the diamond to lose itsbrightness and its value.
Do Resource D.
How does addinga little baking so-da to lemon juiceillustrate breakinga little law?
Baking soda neutralizes the acidity oflemon juice, which is then ineffective inpreserving the color of freshly slicedfruits. Similarly, disobedience neutralizesGods Law.
How do termitesillustrate the right-eousness of thePharisees? Termite
Do Resource E.
How could the following mathe-matical symbols be used to describethe righteousness of the Pharisees?
The middlesymbols mean“greater than”and “less than.”
Christ’s righteousness is greaterthan (>) the righteousness of thePharisees.
Do Resource F.
How did the “keepers” of God’s Lawbecome a law unto themselves?
The scribes were professional law-yers and judges. They were called thetanaim-“those who repeat (the Law).”
Ezra was aready scribe in
the Law of Moses
Their officialfunction was espe-cially vital duringthe Babyloniancaptivity as indi-cated by the min-istry of Ezra.
When thescribes and Phar-isees began tofocus on the letterof the Law ratherthan the spirit of
the Law, differing schools of inter-pretation resulted.
In deciding which interpretation wascorrect, the teaching of these religiousleaders took on more authority thanthe Law itself.
How did the “keepers” of UnitedStates law become a law to them-selves?
Milt and Joan MannThe Supreme Court
T h e C o n -stitution of theUnited Stateswas based onBiblical con-cepts.
The Supreme Court was estab-lished to judge cases on the basis of theBiblical presuppositions of the Consti-tution. In recent years these presup-positions have been replaced by the“fairness” of humanistic case law.
Do Resource G.
How was the bubonic plague spreadby the violation of a single com-mandment?
For centuries,sanitation proced-ures in Europeancities were neg-lected.
Human excre-ment was dumpedin the streets; ratsflourished, and withthem came fleas,which transportedthe deadly bubonicplague.
Millions ofdeaths could havebeen avoided ifthese cities wouldprinciples of sanitation given by God inDeuteronomy 23: 12-14.
Do Resource H.
In what way is our righteousness toexceed that of the scribes andPharisees?
The scribes and Pharisees carried outtheir “righteous” works to be seen andpraised by men. Jesus rebuked them ashypocrites. (See Matthew 62.)
The right-eous deeds weperform are tobe carried outby the energy ofthe Holy Spiritand to be donesecretly as untothe Lord. Onlythen will we re-ceive the rewardthat God promises to those who loveHim and keep His commandments.(See Matthew 6:4.)
Wisdom Worksheet (Booklet Z&Preliminary Edition) 8 4 9
How many of these questions can you answerbefore studying the resources?
7 6)OE.S fT MEAN 7-O K E E P T H E L A W ?
In what three ways can weneutralize God’s Laws? . . . 852What makes a Christianlukewarm? . .852How can you disobey theLaw by obeying it? 856How can a Christian verifythe Law of God?. . ,857How should we promotethe keeping of God’s law? 858
HAT ~~~~~~S 06 S U P E R L A T I V E S G I V E ?
What is the significance ofsuperlatives? . . . . 859How does the Greek lan-guage clarify the wordsgreatest and least? . .860What application to keep-ing God’s Law can wemake from Greek super-latives? . . . . . 860
H O W D I D T H E “ G U A R D I A N S ” O F G O D ’ S L A WB E C O M E A L A W U N T O T H E M S E L V E S ?
How did the Jewish nationbecome Hellenized? . .
How do the philosophiesof the Pharisees and theSadducees d i f f e r ? .
What did Jesus meanwhen He spoke of “Moses’seat”? . . . . . . . . .What does corban mean?
l How did the Phariseesturn corban from a gift togreed? . . . . . . . .
l How is corban misused byChristians today? . .
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864
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867
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E C R E A S E S A D~A
l How did the Regent Dia-mond become one of themost valuable diamonds inthe world?. . . . . . . . . . .
l What determines the bril-liance of a diamond? . .
l How does an inclusion af-fect a diamond’s value? . .
l How does a diamond re-
. ,869
. ,870
. .871
tain light in itself? . . . . . . .872
HOW A R E PHARISEES LIKE MITES ”
What happens to termiteswhen they are exposed tolight? . . . . . . . .874In what ways are termitesdangerous?. . . . . . . . . 878Why are termites so diffi-cult to exterminate? . . . . . ,879Why does the termite havesuch a ferocious appetite? . . 880
H O W D O MEASUREMENTS R E L A T E L A W ?
What does God say aboutjust measurements? . . . . .883From what three units are -all measurements derived? . .884Why must every measure-ment contain two de-scriptions? . . . . . . . . . . . 885How does the king controlmeasurements? . . . . . 886
W H E N D O OUR C O U R T S D E F Y L A W ?
l On what was the U. S. Su-preme Court based?. . . . . . 891Why is judicial reinterpre-tation so dangerous? . . ,892What are the landmark de-cisions of the SupremeC o u r t ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 9 5
W H A T C A U S E D T H E W O R L D ’ S W O R S T P L A G U E ?
l What is a pandemic?. . . . . ,900l How did the “flagellants”
try to avoid the plague? . . . .903l What caused the spread of
the bubonic plague?. . . . 905l What 0. T. Law protects
people from plagues?. . . . . 906
850 Wisdom Worksheet (Booklet 2%Preliminary Edition)
THROUGHPRECISION
L E A R N W O R D S W H I C H D E S C R I B EW H A T I T M E A N S T O K E E P T H EL A W .
0Prowdence Llthqiraph co
The Pharisee and the publican
“Whosoever therefore shall break one of theseleast commandments, and shall teach men so, heshall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:but whosoever shall do and teach them, the sameshall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
“For I say unto you, That except your right-eousness shall exceed the righteousness of thescribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter intothe kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5.19-20).
The Law of God is an indivisible unit. There-fore, when we break even a “least” commandment,we break the whole law. (See James 2:lO.) Unlesswe clearly understand this fact, we will disregardseemingly “insignificant” commandments.
Jesus affirmed the importance of every lawwhen He said:
. . . Man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word thatproceedeth out of the
We fulfill commandments not only through, our actions, but also through our attitudes. Only with
the proper attitude can we “do and teach” the Lawof God to others.
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2~Preliminay Edition)
Although the Pharisees were righteous inaction, they were corrupt in attitude, and this sinfulattitude eventually manifested itself in outwarddisobedience.
Explore the meanings of the following wordsand relate them to the breaking or keeping of thecommandments of Scripture.
Cl Affirm 0 Neutralize•i Honor 0 DiscreditCl Trust 0 DisregardCl Obey 0 DefyCl Verify Cl ContradictCl Promote Cl Abandon
S T E P 1
A F F I R M R A T H E R T H A N IVEUTRALIZE.
A potent chemical can be neutralized by addinganother chemical to it.
E T Y M O L O G Y :Affirm comes from the Latin words ad and
firmo, meaning “to make firm.” To affirm, then, is toassert positively, to tell with confidence, to establish.Key synonyms of affirm are validate, approve, andendorse.
Neutralize comes from the Latin root forneuter, ne meaning “not” and uter, meaning“either.” The word literally denotes “not belongingto either identity.” The adjective neutral means“taking neither side nor cause,” and the verbneutralize means “to reduce a thing to a state whereits identity is not recognizable or its application isindifferent.”
To be neutral on the matter of obeying acommand is to be indecisive or uncommitted.
851
God gave strict instructions for His people toseparate themselves from the nations around them.He knew if they “mingled among the heathen” andlearned heathen ways they would soon lose theiridentity as God’s chosen people and thus becomesusceptible to destructive temptations.
The nation of Israel “. . . did not destroy thenations, concerning whom the Lord commandedthem: But were mingled among the heathen, andlearned their works” (Psalm 106:3435).
Upon losing their distinctive identity as God’schosen people, the Israelites gave way to theimmoral activities of the heathen. Rather thanreceiving God’s blessing, they incurred God’s wrath.
Another illustration of neutralization is given inRevelation 3: 15-16: ‘I know thy works, that thou artneither cold nor hot: I would thou wet-t cold or hot.So fhen because fhou art lukewarm, and neither coldnor hot, 1 will spue thee out of my mouth.”
PPLKATION:
Evaluate and discuss how combining thefollowing items neutralizes a Christian’s effectivenessand makes him vulnerable to Satan’s temptations toviolate God’s laws.
Spiritually Spirituallyhot friend cold friend
Desire to giveto God
Desire tokeep for self
Love ofGod
Love ofpleasure
H O W D O W E N E U T R A L I Z E G O D ’ S L A W ?
In the Psalms David continually affirmed theimportance of God’s Law and his personal delight init. (See Psalm 119.) Ephesians 5:18-19 tells us thatwhen we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we, too, willcontinually affirm God’s Word by speaking toourselves with these Psalms.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, whowalk in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 119:l).
The presence of any of the following in abeliever’s life will neutralize the power of God’s Lawin his mind and corrupt the purity of his life, which heattained by continual affirmation of God’s Law.
1 . M i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e p u r p o s e o f
t h e L a w .
The Law was not given so we could earnsalvation, but so we could recognize our need forredemption through the finished work of our LordJesus Christ.
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster tobring us unto Christ, that we might be justified byfaith” (Galatians 3.24).
2 . M i s i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e m e s s a g e o f
t h e L a w .
The Law was written not only for the Jewishnation, but also for all Christians.
“Now all these things [the accounts of the OldTestament] happened unto them for ensamples:and they are written for our admonition, upon whomthe ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians1O:ll).
“All Scripture [including the Old TesfamenfLaw] . . . is profitable . . .” (II Timothy 3:16-l 7).
3 . M i s a p p l y i n g t h e s p i r i t o f t h e L a w .
It is all too easy to focus on the letter of the Lawrather than the spirit of the Law. II Corinthians 3:6tells us that the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.
When we follow only the letter of the Law, webecome proud of our self-effort and harsh withothers who do not measure up. However, when wefollow the spirit as well as the letter of the Law, wedevelop humility before God and a love for otherswho need direction from the teaching of the Law.
F2 k--The Law’s purpose MisunderstandingThe Law’s message MisinterpretingThe Law’s spirit Misapplying
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2fLPreliminay Edition)
THROUGHPRECISION
L E A R N W O R D S W H I C H D E S C R I B EW H A T I T M E A N S T O K E E P T H E
The Pharisee and the publican
“Whosoever therefore shall break one of theseleast commandments, and shall teach men so, heshall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:but whosoever shall do and teach them, the sameshall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
‘For 1 say unto you, That except your right-eousness shall exceed the righteousness of thescribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter intothe kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19-20).
The Law of God is an indivisible unit. There-fore, when we break even a “least” commandment,we break the whole law. (See James 2:lO.) Unlesswe clearly understand this fact, we will disregardseemingly “insignificant” commandments.
Jesus affirmed the importance of every lawwhen He said:
/
I‘. . . Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word thatproceedeth out of themouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
We fulfill commandments not only throughour actions, but also through our attitudes. Only withthe proper attitude can we “do and teach” the Lawof God to others.
Although the Pharisees were righteous inaction, they were corrupt in attitude, and this sinfulattitude eventually manifested itself in outwarddisobedience.
Explore the meanings of the following wordsand relate them to the breaking or keeping of thecommandments of Scripture.
cl Affirm 0 NeutralizeCl Honor Cl DiscreditCl Trust q DisregardCl Obey Cl DefyCl Verify III Contradict0 Promote Cl Abandon
S T E P 1
A F F I R M R A T H E R T H A N N E U T R A L I Z E .
Grant Hehlan
A potent chemical can be neutralized by addinganother chemical to it.
E T Y M O L O G Y :Affirm comes from the Latin words ad and
firmo, meaning “to make firm.” To affirm, then, is toassert positively, to tell with confidence, to establish.Key synonyms of affirm are validate, approve, andendorse.
Neutralize comes from the Latin root forneuter, ne meaning “not” and uter, meaning“either.” The word literally denotes “not belongingto either identity.” The adjective neutral means“taking neither side nor cause,” and the verbneutralize means “to reduce a thing to a state whereits identity is not recognizable or its application isindifferent.”
To be neutral on the matter of obeying acommand is to be indecisive or uncommitted.
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2CLPreliminay Edition) 851
MPLIFICATION: H O W D O W E N E U T R A L I Z E G O D ’ S L A W ?
God gave strict instructions for His people toseparate themselves from the nations around them.He knew if they “mingled among the heathen” andlearned heathen ways they would soon lose theiridentity as God’s chosen people and thus becomesusceptible to destructive temptations.
The nation of Israel “. . . did not destroy thenations, concerning whom the Lord commandedthem: But were mingled among fhe heathen, andlearned their works” (Psalm 106:3435).
Upon losing their distinctive identity as God’schosen people, the Israelites gave way to theimmoral activities of the heathen. Rather thanreceiving God’s blessing, they incurred God’s wrath.
Another illustration of neutralization is given inRevelation 3: 15-16: ‘I know thy works, that thou artneither cold nor hot: 1 would thou wett cold or hot.So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither coldnor hot, 1 will spue thee out of my mouth.”
PPLICATIQN:
Evaluate and discuss how combining thefollowing items neutralizes a Christian’s effectivenessand makes him vulnerable to Satan’s temptations toviolate God’s laws.
Spirituallyhot friend
Spirituallycold friend
Desire to giveto God
Desire tokeep for self
Love oiGod
Love ofpleasure
In the Psalms David continually affirmed theimportance of God’s Law and his personal delight init. (See Psalm 119.) Ephesians 5: 18-19 tells us thatwhen we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we, too, willcontinually affirm God’s Word by speaking toourselves with these Psalms.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, whowalk in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 119:I).
The presence of any of the following in abeliever’s life will neutralize the power of God’s Lawin his mind and corrupt the purity of his life, which heattained by continual affirmation of God’s Law.
1 . M i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e p u r p o s e o f
t h e L a w .
The Law was not given so we could earnsalvation, but so we could recognize our need forredemption through the finished work of our LordJesus Christ.
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster tobring us unto Christ, that we might be justified byfaith” (Galatians 324).
2 . M i s i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e m e s s a g e o f
t h e L a w .
The Law was written not only for the Jewishnation, but also for all Christians.
“Now all these things [the accounts of the OldTestament] happened unto them for ensamples:and they are written for our admonition, upon whomthe ends of the world are come” (I Corinthians1O:ll).
“All Scripture [including the Old TestamentLaw] . . . is profitable . . .” (II Timothy 3:16-l 7).
3 . M i s a p p l y i n g t h e s p i r i t o f t h e L a w .
It is all too easy to focus on the letter of the Lawrather than the spirit of the Law. II Corinthians 3:6tells us that the letter kills, but the spirit makes alive.
When we follow only the letter of the Law, webecome proud of our self-effort and harsh withothers who do not measure up, However, when wefollow the spirit as well as the letter of the Law, wedevelop humility before God and a love for otherswho need direction from the teaching of the Law.
F2 FThe Law’s purpose MisunderstandingThe Law’s message MisinterpretingThe Law’s spirit Misapplying
852 Power through Precision A (Booklet 2CLPreliminay Edition)
HOW SHOULD WE AFFIRMGOD’S LAW?
1. By becoming familiar with God’s Law.Many Christians have never even read God’s
Law-the Pentateuch (the five books of Moses-Genesis through Deuteronomy).
2. By confirming its value to our lives.“But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in
his law doth he meditate day and night. . What-soever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:2-3).
3. By realizing that we have alreadykept the Law.
When a person becomes a Christian, hebecomes a member of Christ’s spiritual Body andretroactively enters into His perfect keeping of theLaw. We are, therefore, righteous through Christ inthe sight of God.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteous-ness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4).
4. By applying the Law.God gives every Christian grace-the desire and
the power to walk in harmony with the principles ofthe Law. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
“For what the law could not do, in that it wasweak through the flesh, God sending his own Son inthe likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemnedsin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the lawmight be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh,but after the Spirit” (Remans 8:3-4).
PROJECT
::
El
0
Read the book of Deuteronomy.Begin applying the principles of the Law to dailydecisions.Memorize Galatians 3:13 and rejoice in the factthat in Christ we have already fulfilled all thedemands of the Law for eternal salvation.Memorize Romans 83-4 and purpose to walk inGod’s Spirit so that by His grace the right-eousness of the Law can be fulfilled in us.
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2&Preliminay Edition) 853
STEP 2
HONOR RATHER THAN DISCREDIT.
Pledging allegiance to the flag alsoinvolves a commitment to the laws of the land.
ETYMOLOGY:Honor comes from the Latin root honor. Then
as now, the word literally meant “to revere or treatwith deference and submission, performing relativeduties to.” Its synonyms include dignify, esteem,venerate, and glorify. The word honor denotes bothfeeling and expression.
Discredit comes from two Latin words, dis,which is a prefix of deliberate negation, and credo,referring to a belief which gives security. The greatbanker, J.P. Morgan, explained that loans weresecured not so much by collateral as by a man’scharacter. When people “believed” in that man,they were literally acknowledging, “his credit isgood.”
The deliberate negation of the word credodenotes that something has been robbed of its“believability.” We remove the credibility of atestimony or a report when we fail to rely on its truthand certainty. To discredit, then, means “to depriveof a good reputation or to bring into disgrace or bringdisrepute.” Key synonyms of discredit includedistrust, suspect, hesitate, doubt, and question.
AMPLIFICATION:Both honor and discredit are initially com-
municated by the spirit. When a wife obeys herhusband in action, but dishonors him in spirit, shediscredits both herself and her husband. Wives are
instructed to honor and reverence their husbandsbefore they are told to obey them. (See Ephesians522-33 and Titus 2:4-5.)
When wives refuse to honor and obey theirhusbands, their God-given authority, they cause theWord of God to be blasphemed. (See Titus 2:5.) Theneed for honor accompanied by obedience is furtheremphasized as God instructs children to honor theirfathers and mothers and to obey them. (SeeEphesians 6: l-2.)
0Prowdence L,,hcqraph co“0 co:r:r iet us worship and bow down: let us
kneel h&r-e thr Lord our maker” (Psalm 956).
The phrase “the fear of the Lord” sums up thefull scope of honoring the Lord and His Law.Scripture reiterates continually that the fear of theLord is the key to true obedience and success in theChristian life. ‘By humility and the fear of the Lordare riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Only a pure heart will honor the Lord;therefore, the righteousness of the Pharisees failed.Although outwardly they performed all the rightactions, inwardly they were filled with lust, greed,envy, jealousy, and all other forms of evil.
Only when our hearts are pure before the Lordwill we have a proper respect for His Word andreverence for His name.
P R O J E C T
q Reaffirm that your heart has been cleansedby the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation by reading
854
0
cl
cl
0
I Peter 1. Discover how to exercise your heart topurity.Read John 15 to learn how to maintain purity ofheart.Develop respect for the Bible by making a list ofguidelines for its proper care:1. Recognize it as the inspired Word of God.2. Learn how to open a new Bible.3. Learn how to turn pages properly.4. Learn how to write neatly and carefully in the
Bible and to avoid frivolous markings.Learn to revere the names of God by recognizingmisuses of them. Certainly no Christian shoulduse the name of the Lord in vain. However,many Christians unwittingly dishonor the nameof God by using alternative forms of profanity.Golly and gosh are euphemisms for God’s name.Likewise, gee is a shortened form of Jesus.List all the euphemisms of God’s name you canthink of and purpose never to use them.
S T E P 3
T R U S T R A T H E R T H A N D I S R E G A R D .
H Amstrong Robe*rOften those who trust in themselves
and in material things are hesitant andfearful to trust in God and His Word.
E T Y M O L O G Y :
Trust comes from the Old Norse traust whichmeans “to place firm reliance on the integrity, ability,or character of a person or thing.”
To trust is to depend upon; to rely upon; toput full confidence in; to believe, to be assured of; tohave a conviction about; to count upon; to putoneself in the hands of; to be sure of; to expect.
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2C-Preliminary Edition)
Disregard comes from a mixture of two roots,the Latin prefix dis- and the French word regarder,meaning “to guard, behold, take heed, or discern.”The primary sense of guard, from which this wordstems, is to behold and observe an object withoutturning one’s attention to any distractions.
Disregard, then, literally means “to fail tokeep or observe, not to consider seriously, to omitattention to that which particularly influencesconduct.” Its key synonyms include neglect,overlook, ignore, and omit.
There are two basic types of trust. Blind trust isbased only on the assumptions of the one doing thetrusting, while genuine trust is based on com-prehension of facts and reliance on the credibility ofthe source of those facts. God desires us to keep Hiscommandments with this kind of genuine trust.
The psalmist, realizing God desired him togenuinely trust in Him, prayed “Teach me, 0 Lord,the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto theend. Give me understanding, and 1 shall keep thylaw: yea, 1 shall observe it with my whole heart”(Psalm 119:33-34).
When we fail to guard our every step andgenuinely trust God’s leading of our way, we begindisregarding small, “insignificant” commandments.In time, these minor infractions lead to majorviolations of God’s Law.
Genuine trust both springs from true righteous-ness and results in true righteousness. It does notseek immediate benefits, but rests confidently inGod’s sovereignty. Thus, a person who genuinelytrusts in God and obeys His Law does not do sowith pragmatic motives or desires for personal gainor well-being. On the contrary, he realizes andaccepts the adversity which often follows completeobedience of God’s commands, knowing thatadversity is part of Gods sovereign, long-range planfor his life. (See Romans 828.)
“Then the presidents and princes sought tofind occasion against Daniel concerning thekingdom; but they could find none occasion norfault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was thereany error or fault found in him” (Daniel 6:4).
Daniel was truly righteous before God and theking. His righteousness exceeded the righteousnessof the scribes and Pharisees of New Testament days,because Daniel’s righteousness had produced agenuine trust in God’s sovereign plan for his life.
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2bPreliminaly Edition)
Thus, when Daniel faced a choice between obeyingGods command to pray or confronting the king’sadversity, he chose to obey God and to trust Him forthe final outcome. As a result of Daniel’s testimony ofgenuine trust and true righteousness even inadversity, the king came to trust God also.
P R O J E C T
0 Read Job chapter one and discover how Job’sgenuine trust in God, regardless of what God didto Job (see Job 13: 15), resulted in righteousness.
0 What key verses emphasize this point?
S T E P 4
O B E Y R A T H E R T H A N D E F Y .
E T Y M O L O G Y :
Obedience is a natural function of submission.The word submission in the Bible comes from an oldmilitary term meaning “to line up under.” Once aperson voluntarily lines up under authority, he alsoaccepts the continuing obligations which thatauthority places upon him.
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Obey comes from the Latin word obedio,which was built from the prefix ob-, meaning “on ortoward,” and the root audio, meaning “to hear.”The person who obeys orders his behavioraccording to the instructions he hears.
To obey, then, means literally “to comply withthe commands of a superior authority, to do thatwhich is required, or to forbear doing what isprohibited.” Its synonyms include comply, mind,acquiesce, submit, and yield.
The word defy comes from the prefix de-,meaning “to do the opposite of” and the Latin rootfidere, which means “to trust.” In medieval days, theword defy meant “to dissolve a bond of allegiance asbetween a lord and his vassal.” To defy someoneliterally meant “to challenge him.”
The attitude described by the word defY is aspirit of questioning the courage, power, ordetermination of another. Men who defy God’scommandments do so with the false belief that Godwill neither call them to account, nor judge theirdeeds.
Synonyms of defy include challenge, confront,disdain, spurn, and stand up to.
A M P L I F I C A T I O N :Both those who keep the law and those who
break the law serve as silent teachers to the wicked.“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: butsuch as keep the law contend with them” (Proverbs28:4).
A P P L I C A T I O N :Jesus explained that the “keeping of the law”
was not just doing right actions. Rather, it requireddoing right actions in the right way, at the right time,for the right reasons, and with the right attitude.
Wrondence Mxgraph co
King Saul’s “obedience” was in reality defiance.
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E V A L U A T E T H E Q U A L I T YO F Y O U R O B E D I E N C E
Obedience + Delay = DisobedienceCl Do I have to be reminded several times
before I do a job?0 Do I say “I will” and then take my time
before I finally get around to doing the job?Cl Do I answer, “I will, but not right now” or
“Later”?0 Do I fail to meet deadlines?
Obedience + Murmuring = Disobedienceq Do I do what I am told, but pout as I do it?0 Do I complain about the things expected of
me?0 Do I mumble about my brothers and sisters
not having to do the same things required ofme?
q Do I make sure that others feel sorry for meas I do the work I have been told to do?
Obedience + My Methods = Disobedience0 Do I do what I am told, but not in the way I
am told to do it?Cl If I cannot do the job my own way, do I
leave it undone or do it half-heartedly?Cl Am I sneaky about shortcuts I take because
my parents would not approve them?Cl Do I insist that my parents explain why they
want something done in the manner theyhave specified before I will complete thetask?
Obedience + The Desire to Have PeoplePraise Me = DisobedienceCl Do I do the things my parents have asked of
me just so that people will praise me?q If no one praises me for what I have done,
do I stop doing it or do it half-heartedly?
Obedience + Letter of the Law - Spirit ofthe Law = Disobedience0 Do I obey my parents or authorities, yet
continually look for how close I can cometo disobedience without actually beingaccused of it?
Cl Do I tell only a portion of the story so thatthe full situation is not understood by myauthority?
“Even a child is known by his doings,whether his work be pure, and. . . right”(Proverbs 2O:ll).
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2CLPreliminay Edition)
P R O J E C T
Based on the previous column, write on aseparate sheet of paper examples from your ownlife which illustrate how obedience actuallybecame disobedience.Using the following words, make a list of thethings you want to do differently so that trueobedience will occur in future situations.
AFFIRM v. neutralizeHONOR v. discreditTRUST v. disregardOBEY v. defy
Give a neat copy of your list to your parents, andask them to pray with you for the grace to carry itout.
S T E P 5
V E R I F Y R A T H E R T H A N C O N T R A D I C T .
Ehble An Sener Standard Puhllshlng Cmcmnat,
Elijah verified the reality of God andsilenced those who contradicted him.
E T Y M O L O G Y :
Verify comes from two Latin roots, versus,meaning “true,” andfacio, meaning “to make.” Theword literally means “to prove to be true, to establishas authentic, or to fulfill, as in a promise.” Keysynonyms of verify include substantiate, corrobo-rate, support, accredit.
The word contradict is formed from the prefixcontra, meaning “against” and the Latin worddictum, meaning “to speak.” To contradict meansliterally “to oppose by words, to assert the opposite
Power through Precision A (Booklet 20-Preliminary Edition)
of what has been affirmed.” Key synonyms includegainsay, dissent, refute, overthrow, negate, anddisallow.
A M P L I F I C A T I O N :God’s Word is eternally, absolutely accurate
and does not need our verification. However, thetruth of its message does need to be demonstrated toa skeptical world. In this sense, Christians becomethe “verifiers” of Scripture.
Paul told the Corinthian Christians that theywere his epistles, “known and read of all men.” (SeeII Corinthians 3:2.) In other words, they were themain verifiers of Christ’s truth to the world.
God called His disciples “witnesses,” and thepurpose of a witness is to verify the truth. On thewitness stand, a witness is permitted to tell only whathe knows from personal experience.
A Christian who states the truth with his mouthand violates it with his actions sends out acontradictory message and brings destruction topeople around him.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Your talk talks,A n d y o u r w a l k t a l k s ;B u t y o u r w a l k t a l k sLouder than your talk talks.
P R O J E C TCl In the days of the prophet Elijah, the people of
Israel wavered between worshiping Jehovah, thetrue God, or Baal, a sensual heathen god. Elijahwas a righteous man who genuinely trusted Godand obeyed His Law. He prayed that the Lordwould demonstrate and verify His power to theIsraelites, and the Lord rained down fire upon thewater-drenched altar which stood before theIsraelites.
God will work freely and supernaturally throughour lives if we completely obey the commands ofScripture. Write a report about any experience inyour life which demonstrated the power of God,and trace how that experience resulted from yourobedience to certain commandments.
Example:
Command-“Give and it shall be given untoyou.”
Result-God providing for a specific need inanswer to prayer.
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&f,!-- 5--i:
P R O M O T E R A T H E R T H A N A B A N D O N .
Fwo men in this picture demonstrate two:>frposite kinds of righteousness. Can you identify theI~CP and define each kind of righteousness?
Complete the story with the following words.Use your vocabulary cards for accurate definitions.
PHARISAICAL GODLYRIGHTEOUSNESS: RIGHTEOUSNESS:Cl Overbearing Cl HumbleCl Grandiose Cl Untarnishedq Condescending Cl Upright0 Vainglorious 0 Virtuous0 Hypocritical Cl UnspoiledCl Affected Cl SelflessCl Pompous Cl Wholesome0 Egotistical 0 Genuine
One day a certain man of reputa-tion and character stood on guard in thegatehouse at the king’s palace. As he made therounds, he overheard two of the king’s chamberlainsscheming to kill the king. Immediately, the loyalgatekeeper rushed to his niece, the queen, to warnher of the plot on the king’s life, thereby enabling thearmy to save the king’s life.
Some time later, the king found that he couldnot sleep, so he asked that the chronicles of thekingdom be read to him, hoping this would makehim drowsy. As the reader droned on and on, theking only became more and more alert. Suddenly,he started and sat up in bed. What was this he washearing? His life had been spared by the gatekeeper?He asked if anything had been done to honor this
man. The king was astounded to learnthat nothing had been done; the man had not been858
rewarded at all. He resolved to do something about itthe next day.
Morning came, and with it came the primeminister-a man who was inhis demands that others pay him the respect he felthe deserved. The king asked the prime minister whathe thought should be done to honor a very specialperson in the kingdom. The man,assuming that the king was talking about him,proposed a plan. “The honored personshould be dressed in all the royal garments andparaded through the streets in the king’s carriagewith someone leading the way and crying out, ‘Thisman is being honored by the king!’ ”
The king was delighted with the plan! Heordered the prime minister to do all that had beenproposed-for the gatekeeper who wasso that he had not even thought ofgetting a reward for saving the king’s life! The primeminister was crushed; he could not believe his ears!The gatekeeper was his enemy! Nevertheless, the
prime minister, not wanting anyone toknow that he hated the very person who had savedthe king’s life, carried out the order, although in agrudging and manner. He planned to gethis revenge later.
When he returned to the palace, he found aninvitation awaiting him to attend a royal banquetwith the king and queen. The manthought he was finally getting the honor due him. Hewent to the supper and talked on and on to the kingwith all his loyalty, expressing his desireto do whatever was in the best interests of thekingdom. The queen, however, revealed his wickedintentions to kill her people, sealing his doom. Theprime minister was sentenced to be hanged on thegallows that he had built for his enemy, thegatekeeper. The gatekeeper became thenew prime minister, and the country flourishedunder his leadership andconcern for its well-being.
P R O J E C T
Select a leader in your church who demonstratesScriptural qualities of righteousness in his life.Write a letter to him expressing gratefulness forthe way his life and leadership in the church havebenefited and influenced your life.Use as many of the vocabulary words thatdescribe Christlikeness as you can in your letter.Copy your letter onto special stationery.Proofread it carefully before mailing it.
Date completed Evaluation
Power through Precision A (Booklet 2%Preliminary Edition)
VESTIGATION
GREEK INVESTIGATION 20
H O W D O E S A S P E C I A L G R E E KS U P E R L A T I V E E M P H A S I Z E T H ENEED TO OBEY G O D ’ S L A W ?
The Thomas Gdcrease lnrtthm of Amencan Htrtq and Art, Tulsa. ma
A pony express station
Every ten to fifteen miles, a relay station wasbuilt where a station keeper took care of freshponies. Young riders would ride at average speedsof twenty-five miles an hour for seventy-five milesbefore being relieved by a new rider. Each day theriders covered approximately 250 miles with 80men riding 400 ponies to almost 200 posts alongthe route.
Commu”lcahonr Satellite carp
A telecommunications dish designedto receive satellite messages
Communication involves imparting knowl-edge, information, or ideas. It takes place in differentways; some are more efficient than others.
The study of communications illustratesspiritual insights hidden in Greek comparisons.
1 T H E G R E E K P O S I T I V E
A positive is an adjective which describes thecondition of something without comparing it tosomething else.
For example, the pony express system wasconsidered a good system when it originated inApril of 1860. “Good” is a positive.
This method of mail delivery followed theOregon-California Trail from St. Joseph, Missouri, toSacramento, California.
2 T H E G R E E K C O M P A R A T I V E
A comparative is an adjective which describessomething by relating it to something else. Itidentifies the one thing as greater, lesser, richer,poorer, stronger, weaker, etc. than the other.
For example, the pony express system stoppedon October 24, 1861, because a better commu-nication system was invented-the telegraph. Betteris a comparative.
Radm Tmer Hulton Fkture L,bray Ewng Galloway
An early telegraph A later telegraph
The word telegraph derives its meaning fromthe Greek word tele, which means “afar,” andthe word graphe, meaning “write.” It was the first
Insights through Investigation B (Booklet 2SPreliminaty Edition) 859
system developed which used electricity to com-municate messages. A telegrapher sent a telegram(over land) or cablegram (under water).
Physicists William F. Cooke (1806-1879) andCharles Wheatstone (1802-1875) developed anearly form of the telegraph in England. Samuel F. B.Morse invented the first telegraph machine inAmerica around 1836. Later Mr. Morse developed acode, using dots and dashes, which improved thesystem. People named it the Morse Code.
The Western ““lo” Telegraph co
Samuel Morse1791-1872
After experiencingdifficulty in finding in-vestors, Samuel Morsepersuaded Congress in1840 to fund $30,000to construct a test linebetween Washington,D.C., and Baltimore,Maryland. The veryfirst message whichMr. Morse sent over theline was, “What hathGod wrought!” fromNumbers 2323.
In the same year, Samuel Morse sent newsfrom Baltimore to Washington of the DemocraticNational Convention’s nomination of James K. Polk.This was the first time that such news was received soquickly. Compared to the pony express system, thetelegraph system was much better.
3 T H E G R E E K S U P E R L A T I V E
A superlative is an adjective which describessomething by relating it to at least two other things. Itexpresses the utmost degree of the relationship.Words such as smallest, largest, greatest, and highestare superlatives.
Currently the branch of physical scienceknown as fiber optics is developing the means tosend messages through the medium of light. Thisresearch uses lasers to transform a telephoneconversation into light impulses which enter anoptical fiber or glass filament. This process allows themessage to remain clear and strong.
An entire neighborhood can receive itstelephone calls through only a handful of glassstrands, each as thin as sewing thread.
Glass strands of fiber optics
When comparing the speed and effectivenessof the pony express and the telegraph system to thatof fiber optics, fiber optics certainly is the bestsystem. It is also the fastest and the newest.
The Greek language goes one step beyondEnglish in expressing superlatives. It uses an elevatedor heightened statement of comparison known asthe elative superlative. When translated, this state-ment means “the best of the best” or “the worst ofthe worst.”
Matthew 5:19 contains three of these elativesuperlatives. Thus, the one who breaks the veryleast commandment will be the least of the least inthe kingdom of God. But the one who obeys God’sLaw, thereby teaching others to do the same, willbecome the greatest of the great in the kingdomof God.
P R O J E C T
The following verses contain elative super-latives. Discover new insights in them by readingthem with the full meaning of the superlative.
R e f e r e n c e s A d d i t i o n a l I n s i g h t s
Matthew 25:40Luke 12:26Luke 16:lOActs 26:5Ephesians 3:8James 3:4Revelation 2 1: 1 O-l 1
Date completed Eoaluation
860 Insights through Investigation B (Booklet 2%Preliminaty Edition)
RESOURCE
H O W D I D T H E “ G U A R D I A N S ” O FG O D ’ S L A W E V E N T U A L 1 Y B E C O M EA L A W U N T O T H E M S E L V E S ?
King Artaxerxes of Babylon allowed Ezra andother Jews to return to Jerusalem in 458 B.C.
Worn with grief and indignation, the agedscribe rent his garments and plucked out his hair ashe pondered and mourned over Israel’s ungrate-fulness. Although God had miraculously deliveredthe Jews from exile and restored their nation, theycontinued shamelessly in sin.
The few Israelites who remained true to Godbegan to gather around Ezra for the eveningsacrifice. With tears of anguish coursing down hislined face, their discouraged leader knelt before Godand prayed:
‘1 . . 0 my God, 1 am ashamed and blush to/ifi up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities areincreased over our head, and our trespass is grownup unto the heavens.
“Since the days of ourfathers have we been ina great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities
have we, our kings, and our priests, been deliveredinto the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword,to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face,as it is this day.
“And now for a little space grace hath beenshewed from the Lord our God, to leave us aremnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holyplace, that our God may lighten our eyes, and giveus a little reviving in our bondage.
“For we were bondmen; yet our God hath notforsaken us in our bondage, but hath extendedmercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, togive us a reviving, to set up the house of our God,and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us awall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
“And now, 0 our God, what shall we say afterthis? for we have forsaken thy commandments”(Ezra 9:6-IO).
Ezra weeping before the Lord
Overcome with sorrow and regret, Ezra casthimself down before God and wept bitterly. Herealized that intermarriage with wicked and idola-trous women would soon pollute and destroy God’schosen people.
The Lord used Ezra’s broken spirit to convictthe people of Israel to forsake their sin and vow tokeep themselves separate from the pagan inhab-itants of Palestine.
Ezra was “. . . a scribe of the words of thecommandments of the Lord. . .” (Ezra 7:11,J and adescendant of the priestly line of Aaron. (See Ezra7: l-5.) However, these ceremonial positions did notguarantee him a close relationship with God, just asthey did not guarantee a close relationship with Godfor the scribes and Pharisees of New Testamenttimes. What then, was the key to Ezra’s successful,Godly life and ministry?
Histoy Resource C (Booklet 2@-Preliminay Edition) 861
God greatly blessed Ezra’s life and ministrybecause Ezra approached God and His Law correctly.
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to
First, Ezra valued the Law highly and earnestlysought to learn it. Studying God’s Word becamemore than just a mental exercise in theology to himbecause of his receptive heart and inward deter-mination to make the commandments of the Lordthe central focus of his life.
Second, Ezra determined to put God’s Wordinto practice in his own life. He took each step in hislife only as God ordered (see Psalm 37:23), andhumbly acknowledged his need for the Lord and Hisdivine enablement.
Finally, Ezra fervently desired the Law of theLord. Realizing it had been Israel’s disobedience toGod’s statutes that had previously caused nationaldownfall and destruction, the faithful scribe sought toprevent future judgment on Israel by enlighteningthe people with the Scriptures.
The scribes of Jesus’ day traced their origin tosuch great men as Ezra, proclaimer of God’s Law.
Ezra stood at the head of a movement ofrenewed commitment to the authority of God’sLaw. Following Ezra, other scribes carried this lovefor the Word of God into a four-hundred-yearinter-testamental period.
Capitobno Museum. Fbme
Alexander the Great, 354-323 B.C.
Shortly after the Israelites had returned fromexile and rebuilt the Temple and city walls ofJerusalem, a young Macedonian king namedAlexander the Great began making plans to attackthe Persian Empire. He conquered Persia in 334B.C., and then, one by one, he crushed theresistance of every other known civilization in theworld. After an incredibly short period of time,Alexander’s empire extended throughout all thecivilized world.
Everywhere Alexander went, he took theHellenistic (Greek) culture with him. When he diedof a fever in 323 B.C., not only had Alexanderconquered the entire world, but he had also heavilyinfluenced every known culture with the Greek wayof thinking and made Greek the universal languageof diplomacy and trade.
Alexander’s generals divided his empire intothree major parts: Antigonus seized Greece and
The division of Alexander the Great’s empire
862 Histoy Resource C (Booklet 2%Preliminay Edition)
Macedonia, Ptolemy Lagus gained control of Egyptand Palestine, and Seleucus established a kingdomin Syria. In 198 B.C. the Seleucid king, Antiochusthe Great, desiring to enlarge the Seleucid Empire,invaded Palestine and defeated the Ptolemies.Antiochus then began to spread the pagan Greekculture throughout Palestine.
While some Israelites embraced the Hellenisticways, others, such as the Hasidim (the name literallymeans “pious ones”) and the Maccabees, clung tothe Law with great devotion and fervor.
In 167 B.C., Antiochus IV, the son ofAntiochus the Great, desiring to humiliate the Jews
The Moccabees by Moshe Pearlman
Eleazar refusing to eat pig’s fleshas ordered by the Syrian EmperorAntiochus
After refusing to embrace pagan customs,Eleazar was dragged out of the Temple andmartyred.
History Resource C (Booklet 20-Preliminary Edition)
into submission, set up an image of the Greek godZeus in the Temple and desecrated the altar byoffering a pig as a sacrifice. He then sent emissariesto the outlying cities of Judah to forbid the Jews toobserve the Sabbath or circumcise their children andto seize and destroy all the Scriptures they could find.The emissaries also forced the Jews to worshipGreek gods and to eat pork.
Judas Maccabeus leads hr?. .I: illi ay;i~?\s: -,- ‘:I
T/MEL/NE O F K E Y E V E N T S
537 B.C. Cyrus permits the Jews toreturn from exile-the firstattempt to rebuild the Temple
458 B.C. Artaxerxes of Persia sendsEzra to Palestine
445433 B.C. Nehemiah governor of Judah
323 B.C. Empire of Alexander theGreat divided among fourdifferent rulers, Egypt andPalestine placed under therule of Ptolemy
198 B.C. Seleucids under Antiochusthe Great begin a programof enforced Hellenizationthroughout Palestine
167-63 B.C. Maccabean Revolt
In Modin (MOE-din), Mattathias the priest andhis sons rebelled and slew the Seleucid emissaries.Their rebellion initiated the bloody and hostileMaccabean Revolt.
T h e o r i g i n o f t h e P h a r i s e e s a n d t h e
S a d d u c e e s
A Pharisee and Sadducee in ceremonial dress
Josephus describes three major “schools ofthought” which existed in the days of JonathanMaccabeus: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and theEssenes.l Pharisees-The Pharisees were the foremost
religious group in Israel. Their primary goal was topreserve the Jewish religion, and they zealouslyadhered to the Mosaic Law. Because they were soconcerned about keeping the precise letter of theLaw, they forgot the Law’s purpose-to bringthem to God. They were active in accusing andtesting Christ.
l Sadducees-The Sadducees believed that theLaw of God consisted only of the five books ofMoses. They were skeptical about life after deathand the reality of heavenly beings, They sought tomaintain peace with the Roman government andwere frequently placed in prominent positions.
l Essenes-The Essenes were austere individualswho lived in isolated groups, studying and copyingthe Scriptures. The discovery of the Dead SeaScrolls uncovered the remains of one such group.
The origin of the term Sadducee is highlydebated. Sadducees were usually of aristocraticbackground or status. History represents them as thenpmiW,Qt ,~&%QXX~UQ$6~~ e+‘mdl%X&BQan
revolt and during the Hasmonean period.
864
A well-known story reveals that JohnHyrcanus (135-104 B.C.), the high priest, trans-ferred his allegiance from the Pharisees to theSadducees because a leader among the Phariseesoffended him. John’s new allegiance brought aboutmany opportunities of religious and politicalleadership for the Sadducees.
The Sadducees felt the Pharisees were too freein their approach to the Law. They rejected the orallaw and interpreted the Torah literally. The Sad-ducees also rejected the idea of fate and denied theresurrection from the dead and the immortality of thesoul. They did not believe in spiritual beings such asangels or demons. The Sadducees had completelydied out by A.D. 70.
Special objects were worn by thePharisees as visual reminders and adjunctsto their worship. These included phylac-teries, which were leather boxes containingportions of Scripture. They were worn on thehead or the arm.
The term Pharisee comes from the Hebrewword tiye (pah-RASH), which means “to divide”or “to separate.” Members of this group separatedthemselves into a haburah (community) and livedunder strict regulations.
To become part of ahaburah, an individualhad to make a commit-ment to all Pharisaictraditions, particularly thelaws regarding tithingand ceremonial cleansing.Often leaders of this grouprequired a candidate toparticipate in a periodof probation, lasting onemonth to one year, before
accepting.haburah.
him into the
History Resource C (Booklet 2%Preliminay Edition)
The Pharisees came from mercantile back-grounds and usually had a favorable followingamong the common people in Palestine. ManyPharisees had little formal education and relied upona scribe (professional scholar) to instruct them inlegal matters. Frequently, Pharisaic communitieswere organized under the leadership of one keyscribe.
Originally, the Pharisees saw themselves asthe “protectors” of the Law. They became sozealous of its defense, however, that they developedwhat they called the “Oral Law.”
The Oral Law consisted of various explana-tions and supplementary material which passeddown orally from generation to generation.
Although the Pharisees at first sincerelyattempted to understand, obey, and teach the Law,they quickly degenerated to piling one interpretationupon another as to how the commandments shouldbe kept. For example, if the Law commanded thatno work be done on the Sabbath, the Phariseeswould spend pages defining their understanding ofall the possible ways to disobey or obey the statute.
Minute observances of what the Phariseesdecreed the Scriptures to say became increasinglymore important than the written Law itself. In 100B.C. when the Rabbi Shamai was asked, “Howmany Torah do you have.3” he answered, “Two: thewritten Torah and the Oral Torah” (Sabath 31a).These traditions sought to “build a hedge” aroundthe written Law, which was supposed to prevent
anyone from even the slightest possibility of ignorantor accidental disobedience. Around A.D. 200, theoral law was put into written form in the Mishnah,which includes the Halakhah and the Haggadah.
of Oral Law
THE MISHNAH
l The Halakhah-legal section of the Mishnahl The Haggadah-practical edification and in-
struction
The Pharisees believed these oral commentsdated back to Moses. They accepted them as havingequal authority with the written Law.
Those in Moses’ Seat consisted of the scribesand Pharisees who sat in a position of authority,ruling by the Law of Moses.
The wrirrcn !.a~: the Torah
The Pharisees were Christ’s chief opponentsduring His earthly ministry. The Lord constantlydistinguished between the true requirements of HisLaw and the Pharisees’ legalistic traditions. He alsoopenly rebuked their hypocrisy, pride, and misuse ofthe Law.
The following story illustrates one way thePharisees abused the Law.
Histoy Resource C (Booklet 2%Preliminay Edition) 865
the Pharisees pervert corbansd to an opportunity
f~br greed?
An elderly Jewish mother gathered her last bitof barley and prepared her meal for the day.
The little children playing in the street beneaththe window of her one-room home reminded her ofher own son when he had been a little boy.
How well she remembered the hot, muggynight when she had brought him into the world, andthe years that she had labored and sacrificed for him!Yet the labor and sacrifice had seemed so easy as shedreamed and prayed that her son would grow up tobe a man truly pleasing to God.
The widow fondly recalled the many pleasanthours she had spent with her son in the Scriptures,teaching him in the ways of the Lord. Sheremembered trying to prepare nourishing meals forher son with what few supplies and utensils she had,and wiping the warm tears from his cheeks, sharinghis hurts and disappointments. She also reflected onthe times she had needed to discipline her son, andhow it had hurt her, as well as him.
The widow’s son wasnow a very prosperousmerchant. Several monthsearlier, he had gone to therabbi and explained thathe was trying to get aheadin his business. He did notwant to be bothered withhaving to support his agedand sickly mother.
“But, young man, youknow the commandment,do you not?” objected therabbi.
“Yes, but I understand there is a specialprocedure you and I could work out to ‘take care’ ofthe commandment.”
The wealthy young businessman studied therabbi out of the corner of his eye, and then added,“I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Well, if you insist,” said the rabbi. “Here iswhat you need to do: Just declare to me that youintend to give all your goods to God’s service. Onceyou do this, they are ‘corban’-a holy offering toGod. They cannot be used by anyone-includingyour mother.”
“What will my mother say when I tell her whatI have done?”
“I am sure that your mother will understand,even be pleased,” assured the rabbi. “Your motheris a very devout woman.”
The merchant thought for a moment, and theninquired, “If my goods cannot be used by anyone,then how will I be able to use them?”
“That is where I come in,” answered the rabbi,smiling. “In a few weeks you come back to me andexplain that you made a rash vow. For the right fee, Icould release you from your vow.”
“If I am free from my vow, won’t I have tosupport my mother?”
“Your mother will not need to learn about ourarrangement. As far as she knows, your goods arestill corban.”
Satisfied, the greedyyoung merchant declared,“Let all my goods becorban!” Several weekslater, the rabbi releasedhim from his vow. Theyoung merchant becamemore and more wealthy.
Soon, other sons ofwidows followed the mer-chant’s example anddeclared their possessionscorban, leaving manywidowed mothers in Israeldestitute and indigent.
Years later, that rabbi stood with other scribesand Pharisees, listening to a widely acclaimedTeacher as He spoke to a large crowd. They wereirritated by the Teacher’s sudden popularity, andsought for something about Him to criticize. Soon,the rabbi found it.
The disciples of the Teacher failed to follow theelaborate ceremony prescribed by the elders forwashing their hands before eating.
“Yes,” said the rabbi to the others, “they havebroken a very important tradition among our people.We will call this Teacher to task on the matter.”
Histoy Resource C (Booklet 2%Preliminay Edition)
Archeology 0, Ihe New Tslamen*, ozonciervan Publirhing
God’s Law requiring handwashing degeneratedinto an elaborate ritual by the time of Christ and hadlost its meaning and function.
What he and his associates did next isrecorded in Scripture.
“Then came together unto him the Pharisees,and certain of the scribes, which came fromJerusalem. And when they saw some of his discipleseat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen,hands, they found fault.
‘For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, exceptthey wash their hands oft, eat not, holding thetradition of the elders. And when they come from themarket, except they wash, they eat not. And manyother things there be, which they have received tohold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasenvessels, and of tables.
“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him,Why walk not thy disciples according to the traditionof the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
“‘He answered and said unto them, Well hathEsaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written,This people honoureth me with their lips, but theirheart is farfrom me. Howbeit in vain do they worshipme, teaching for doctrines the commandmentsof men.
“‘For laying aside the commandment of God,ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of potsand cups: and many other such like things ye do.
“And he said unto them, Full well ye reject thecommandment of God, that ye may keep your owntradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thymother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, lethim die the death:
“But ye say, If a man shall say to his father ormother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, bywhatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shallbe free. And ye suffer him no more to do aught forhis father or his mother; Making the word of God ofnone effect through your tradition, which ye havedelivered: and many such like things do ye” (Mark7:1-13).
Jesus’ words stung the guilty hearts of thescribes and the Pharisees. Rather than repenting oftheir wicked misuse of the practice of corban,however, they looked for a way to destroy Jesus.
Their disrespect for parental authority haddegenerated into a disrespect for any authority-except their own.
How did “corban” originate ?The term corban is a transliteration qf the
Hebrew word T;?i? . Originally, corban referred toofferings that were brought to God-includingsacrificial animals and possessions.
The word is used approximately eighty timesin the books of Leviticus and Numbers.
Corban also referred to a “vow offering”-something that was dedicated to God. A man coulddedicate himself or his possessions to God. TheGreek definition of the word is simply “a gift.”
In New Testament times, the sacred treasury inthe Temple, as well as the gifts themselves, werecalled corban.
Why were “vow offerings” made?Gifts were needed for the work of the Temple
sanctuary, and vows were a fruitful source ofincome. Anything vowed to God was supposed to besacred to God’s service. Once an item of material,goods, or money was labled “corban,” it was neverto be retrieved for any other use, even if it was arash vow.
How were “vow offerings” misused?Later, the vows of corban served selfish ends.
If a man refused to pay a debt, the one to whom heowed it would say, “What you owe me is corban.” Ifthe debtor then withheld the money, he would incurthe guilt of robbing God, and thus would offer topay it.
Histoy Resource C (Booklet 26Preliminary Edition) 867
Meanwhile, the man who made the vowsecretly intended to give only a small portion of thedebt to God and pocket the remainder.
The corruption of the vow of corban in Jesus’day was so prevalent that it was a mere ritual ofdedication without any intention of dedicating the“gift” to God.
Not only did sons misuse it in order to neglectobligations to their parents, but husbands used it torepudiate their wives.
If a husband became displeased with his wife,he would simply say, “The benefits my wife has hadfrom me are corban.”--_____-_--_1
--,_-_.---..--
H o w i s c o r b a n m i s u s e d t o d a y ?
Discuss how the following examplesparallel wrong uses of corban.
q
q
q
q
q
q
A husband neglecting his wife and childrento dedicate himself to Christian service.A wife using church activities to justifyneglect of home responsibilities.A couple sending their children away toschool so they can serve the Lord withoutdistraction.A businessman buying a large yacht, so hewould be able to refresh Christian leaderswho ride in it.A son putting his mother in a nursing homeso he can concentrate on his work.
A Christian investing his tithe in a businessventure so he could make more money togive to God.
The Pharisees’ self-righteousness broughtforth strong statements of condemnation from thelips of Christ:
“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous tobe borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but theythemselves will not mob/e them with one of theirfingers.
“But all their works they do for to be seen ofmen: they make broad their phylacteries, andenlarge the borders of their garments, And love theuppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in thesynagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to becalled of men, Rabbi, Rabbi” (Matthew 23.4-7).
In parable form, Christ condemned thereligious pride that had made the Pharisees a self-serving sect of legalistic hypocrites.
“Two men went up into the temple to pray;the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus withhimself God, 1 thank thee, that I am not as othermen are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even asthis publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes ofall that 1 possess.
“And the publican, standing afar off, wouldnot lijt up so much as his eyes unto heaven, butsmote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful tome a sinner.
‘I tell you, this man went down to his housejustified rather than the other: for every one thatexalteth himself shall be abased; and he thathumbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke18.10-14).
Christ regularly revealed the Pharisees’legalistic interpretation of the Law and pointed outhow they ignored the true nature of God’s Word.
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise andcummin, and have omitted the weightier matters ofthe law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought yeto have done, and not to leave the other undone”(Matthew 23:23).
Discover the true attitude of the Pharisees.
Can you find a picture of a phylactery?
Look in a Bible encyclopedia or dictionary.Make one which will fit you.Discuss whether you can wear the phylacterywithout others noticing it.Dramatize the manner a Pharisee might havedisplayed as he walked along the streets ofJerusalem.Discuss what God thinks of a pharisaical attitude.
Can you discover what mint, anise, andcummin are?
l Look in a dictionary.l What does it mean “to tithe” these things?l Why might a Pharisee feel he was very righteous
because of tithing mint, anise, and cummin?l What are the “weightier matters of the Law”?l Discuss why they are more important than mint,
anise, and cummin.l List three ways in which you might rely upon
“works” to please God while ignoring theimportant principles of God’s Word.
Date completed. Evaluation -
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RESOURCE
W H A T C A U S E S T H E G R E A T N E S S O FS O M E D I A M O N D S T O E X C E E D T H EG R E A T N E S S O F O T H E R S ?
Ewing GaliowayRough diamond5 such as these can be trans-
formed into brilliant gems by skilled r:uttex.
For centuries a large diamond lay buried in anIndian diamond mine. One hot summer day in 1701,a peasant miner sifting through the mine discoveredthis gem.
The miner could hardly believe what he held.It was the largest diamond he had ever seen. Thestone was the size of a small plum. Instantly, herealized its tremendous value, and thoughts ofpersonal wealth began to flood his mind. If onlyhe could get this stone out of the mine withoutbeing detected.
He knew that if he were caught smugglingthe stone out of the mine, he would be severelypunished. Yet, the thought of never having to workagain caused him to ignore the risk and figureout a plan.
With his knife he cut a deep gash in the calf ofhis left leg. Then he pushed the stone into thewound and wrapped cloth around his bleeding leg.As he limped through the gate, the guard glancedat his leg but let him pass.
Science Resource D (Booklet 20-Preliminay Edition)
The miner with his hidden diamond
Once outside the mine, he headed for thenearest seaport. When he reached the city, heshowed the diamond to a ship captain and workedout an agreement with him to share its wealthwhen it was sold in a distant land.
Soon after leaving shore, however, the captainhad the miner thrown overboard. Then the captainsold the diamond to an Indian merchant for fivethousand dollars. The merchant went directly to theEnglish Governor of Madras, Sir Thomas Pitt, andsold the diamond for one hundred thousand dollars.
Sir Thomas gave the stone to a diamond cutterwho used his skill in fashioning it into a beautifulgem. The finished product was so magnificent thatthe Duke of Orleans bought it for six hundredthousand dollars.
The Duke was the French Regent. Thus, thisgem became known as the Regent Diamond, one ofthe most famous diamonds in the world.
Regent DiamondSh~i~n actual srze
T h e 140-carat Regent D i a m o n d i s o n e o fthe ten most valuable gems in the world. It ison display at the l.ouvae in Paris.
869
S I X F A C T O R S T H A T D E T E R M I N EA D I A M O N D ’ S B R I L L I A N C E
Six factors affect the brilliance of a diamond.A weakness in any one of these factors can diminishthe brilliance of the diamond and lessen its value.A diamond is most brilliant when all six factorshave been perfectly fulfilled.
1 T H E B R I L L I A N C E O F A D I A M O N D I SD E T E R M I N E D B Y S U S T A I N E D H E A TA N D P R E S S U R E
The birth of a diamond begins deep inside theearth. Molten rock called magma cools as it risestoward the earth’s surface. As it cools, pockets ofcarbon within the magma begin to grow into dia-monds. Large diamonds require prolonged periodsof high temperatures so all available carbon cancrystallize.
As a diamond grows, it pushes against sur-rounding magma, much like water expands when itfreezes. This creates incredible pressure, whichsqueezes impurities out of the diamond crystal andleaves its core flawless.
Volcanoes bring most diamonds to the earth’s surface.
The lava that pours out of a volcano bringswith it diamonds that were formed beneath thesurface. As wind and rain erode away the soft lava,they expose the diamonds and wash them into thestreambeds and open plains where they are mostlikely to be found.
870
Many diamonds are mined by actually digginginto the old vents of dormant volcanoes. Thesediamonds are called pipe diamonds. The magmafrom these pipes is brought to the surface andcrushed. The crushed magma is then washed andthe diamonds are sorted out.
Workers drilling in an underground diamond mine
2 T H E B R I L L I A N C E O F A D I A M O N DD E P E N D S O N T H E P U R I T Y O FI T S I N N E R S U B S T A N C E .
Diamonds are the only gems which containonly one element. This element is carbon. Carbonatoms are arranged in such a way that they cannotabsorb visible light. Only the impurities in a diamondabsorb visible light and diminish its brilliance.
Nitrogen in a diamond absorbs blue light, giv-ing the diamond a yellow cast. The more nitrogenthat is trapped in a diamond, the greater the colorshift. Diamonds that contain large amounts ofnitrogen are almost brown.
If trapped nitrogen actually replaces carbonatoms in a diamonds lattice structure, the coloris intensified. Nitrogen can be trapped by eithernatural or artificial neutron radiation.
As neutrons bombard a diamond, they arecaptured by carbon atoms. Each carbon atom thatcaptures a neutron becomes a nitrogen atom. Theincreased number of nitrogen atoms causes theabsorption of greater amounts of blue light, whichenhances the yellow color of the diamond.
Other impurities absorb different wavelengthsof light and produce diamonds that range in colorthrough most of the spectrum. Manganese producesrose-colored diamonds. Boron turns diamonds blue.Diamonds with uranium impurities appear green.
Science Resource D (Booklet BCLPreliminary Edition)
Colored diamonds are very valuable, butnone are as brilliant as those that are made of purecarbon.
The Earth Star Diamondis bright orange. Itwas mined inSouth Africa.
Tdfany and Company
The Tiffany Diamondis sunlight yellow.It, too, came fromSouth Africa.
was unearthed in India.
The rose-coloredConde Diamond wasalso found in India.
THE BRILLIANCE OF A DIAMONDD E P E N D S O N T H E P E R F E C T I O N O FI T S I N T E R L O C K I N G S T R U C T U R E .
Flaws in a diamond are called inclusions. Aninclusion is a crack, bubble, or speck of foreignmaterial that interrupts the regular arrangementof carbon atoms in a stone. Inclusions absorb lightand diminish the brilliance of a diamond.
The flaws in
this diamond
diminish i ts
brilliance.
How can a diamond’s secret f/a ws bemade visible for all to see?
Diamonds are seldom beautiful when found innature. They are usually dull and often filled withflaws. Before a diamond is cut and polished, it isinspected for flaws. Careful planning before cuttinga diamond can save pure areas and cut away flawedareas.
Jewelers reveal the hidden flaws of a diamondby immersing it in a liquid with similar light-bendingproperties. Because the liquid has the same index ofrefraction as the diamond, light passes through thegem instead of bending, rendering the gem almostinvisible.
Once the inner substance of a diamond isinvisible, its internal flaws stand out like pepper onwhite paper.
How do flaws weaken a diamond?
A tetrahedron can represent the carbon atomsthat make up a diamond. Each face of the tetra-hedron is an equilateral triangle. Because thesefaces fit together so perfectly, the carbon atoms ofa diamond are “locked” into a rigid triangularstructure.
ar rangement Of cari-ron
atoms in it diamond.
A diamond showing its
characterist ic narural
facets.
The perfection of this interlocking structuredetermines the strength of a diamond. Whilenitrogen and boron are very similar to carbon, theydo not form the same type of four-sided carbonbonds. Thus, a nitrogen or boron atom substitutingfor a carbon atom creates a point of weakness in adiamond’s structure and strength.
Pure carbon diamonds with few inclusions arethe strongest natural substance known to man.They rate a ten on a hardness scale of one to ten. Infact, diamonds are so hard that they can be cut onlywith other diamonds. Diamond saws must beembedded with thousands of diamond particlesbefore they are tough enough to cut and polishdiamonds.
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HARDXJESS SCALE
l - t a l c _
2-fingernail
The interlocking structure of a diamond hasone major weakness. Inside each diamond areseveral flat surfaces along which the carbon atomsare aligned in straight rows. These are calledcleavage planes.
When a diamond cutter strikes a diamond witha mallet and chisels along one of these cleavageplanes, it splits apart, leaving two perfectly smoothsurfaces. In any one diamond, these cleavage planesrun in four different directions. Diamond cuttersmust be extremely careful when “cleaving” adiamond so that it breaks only along the intendedcleavage plane.
Coutiery of Heny Winston, Inc
Cleaving a diamond
4 T H E B R I L L I A N C E O F A D I A M O N DD E P E N D S O N T H E A C C U R A C Y O FT H E A N G L E S A T W H I C H I T I S C U T .
Because diamonds have a higher index ofrefraction (2.42) than any other natural substance,they bend light more than any other gem. In somecases diamonds bend light so much that the light isactually trapped inside the diamond.
t
whitelight
As white light enters a diamond from the top,the diamond acts as a prism and separates the lightinto the colors of the spectrum. Red light bends theleast; violet light bends the most. Both colors strikethe lower facets of the diamond at an angle thatreflects the light back into the diamond.
The technical term for this phenomenon istotal internal reflection.
In a diamond cut at the proper angles, thetrapped light can escape only through the top of thediamond. Thus, a well-cut diamond sparkles muchmore brilliantly than any other stone.
white lightI
white light
Cuttmg a diamond incorrectly allows light to“leak” out the sides and diminishes the diamond’sbrilliance.
872 Science Resource D (Booklet 2%Preliminay Edition)
A diamond cutter arranges each flat side, orfacet, at an angle to gather light in such a way that itreflects the light internally. The critical angle for adiamond is 24”. If light strikes an inner facet at anangle of greater than 24”, it will be reflected back intothe diamond.
The “brilliant cut,” a pattern of 58 facets, is theideal pattern for most diamonds. Each facet in abrilliant cut diamond is cut so that light always strikesthe internal surfaces of the diamond at an anglegreater than 24”.
F a c e t s o f a b r i l l i a n t c u t d i a m o n d
Culet
-Crown
f a c e t s / C r o w n
Top view of a brilliant cut diamond
Pavilion
Culet(enlarged)
Bottom view of a brilliant cut diamond
The angles of a brilliant cut must be extremelyaccurate. No facet may be off more than one quarterof a degree, or the diamond will not be able to trapthe most amount of light possible.
Science Resource D (Booklet 2%Preliminary Edition) 873
T h e p r o p e r a n g l e s o f
a b r i l l i a n t c u t d i a m o n d
H o w i s a d i a m o n d c u t ?
A diamond’s brilliance is a product of precisecutting and polishing. The process involves a seriesof exacting steps that typically reduce the finishedgem to less than one-half its original size.
The first step begins with the diamond’snatural octahedron shape. The top is sawed offslightly above the middle. Then, the diamond isrounded so that the culet is perfectly centeredbeneath the table.
S t e p s i n c u t t i n g a d i a m o n d
sideview Y
Eight flat facets areround stone. Four of the
: : . : .:: ..:.._..r
. . ., .:,:D:i5..‘.
::i’..y ) . . .,..., ., ,..
topview
ground into the smooth,facets are on the crown,
and four are on the pavilion. The diamond is rotatedgo”, and four more facets are ground into both thetop and bottom of the diamond.
The process of grinding flat surfaces into theround diamond continues until all the round edgeshave been removed. The brilliant cut requires 58 flatsurfaces to reflect the greatest amount of light.
Notice the number of rightangles that are used to ensurethe accurate placement of eachfacet.
A dopstick holds a diamond tightly in placeduring the grinding process.
The Hearrt Corporation
The dopstick is attached to a cali-brated spindle that measures theangle of each facet.
874
Ten ways a diamond can becut incorrectly
Diamond cutting requires years of training anda very steady hand. There is only one way to cut adiamond correctly, but there are many ways to cut itincorrectly.
Cutting a diamond too deeply removes too muchof the precious stone.A cut that is too shallow leaves rounded edges thatmake the diamond look fat.A facet cut at the wrong angle allows light to leakout of the diamond.A facet out of position loses its ability to gather light.Unpolished deep scratches make a diamondappear dark.A missing facet creates a shadow inside thediamond.Too many cuts increase the chances of chippingthe diamond.Too few cuts reduce the diamond’s brilliance.A culet not properly centered makes the diamondappear lopsided.Cuts polished against the optical grain of adiamond require excessive effort to achievebrilliance.
5 T H E l3RILLIANCE O F A D I A M O N DD E P E N D S ON T H E P R O P E RB A L A N C E OF I T S D I M E N S I O N S .
A diamond is most brilliant when it reflectslight at the same angle it gathers light. This isachieved only when the proportions of the diamondare properly balanced.
Dimensions ofa balanceddiamond
The table of a diamond gathers the most lightwhen it is precisely 56% of the diameter of thediamond at its girdle. If the table is any smaller than56%, the diamond will appear dark and glassy. If
Science Resource D (Booklet 20-Preliminary Edition)
the table is any larger than 56%, it is said to beswindled. A swindled diamond looks larger than aproperly cut diamond of the same size, but it sparklesmuch less.
Properly balanceddimensions bringout the brilliancein a diamond.
English Round Cut(lumpy look)
American Brilliant C$(most brilliant)
Swindle Cut(dead “fisheye” look)
For greatest brilliance, the height of the tableabove the girdle must be 19% of the diameter of thegirdle. A table that is too low makes the diamondlook like a dead fish’s eye.
The best proportion for the pavilion of adiamond is 40%. A diamond looks lumpy if thepavilion is too deep, and skinny if it is too shallow.
Not all diamonds are cut so that they reflect themost light. The imperfections in many diamondsprevent them from being cut at the proper pro-portions. The additional cutting required to removethe imperfections leaves the diamond dispropor-tioned and less brilliant. To restore a diamond’sbrilliance, it may be necessary to recut the entirediamond. The result is a smaller diamond with muchgreater brilliance.
Large diamonds that areproperly proportioned are themost brilliant of all. The CullinanDiamond, weighing 3,024 car-ats, is the largest diamond thathas ever been cut. It was cutinto 105 smaller stones. Thelargest of them is the Starof Africa, which weighs 530carats.
From Colorific
Star of Africa
The weight of diamonds is measured in carats.The word carat originates from the Indian locust treethat bears the name ceratomnia siliqua. The seeds ofthe ceratomnia siliqua were once used to measurethe weight of diamonds.
One carat is now defined as 200 milligrams.Diamonds that are less than a carat are weighedusing points. A point is MOOth of a carat. A diamondweighing 254 points is slightly more than two andone-half carats.
6 T H E B R I L L I A N C E O F A D I A M O N DD E P E N D S O N T H E C L E A N L I N E S SO F I T S O U T E R S U R F A C E .
Soapsuds, hand creams, dust, and many otherthings cling to the outer surface of diamonds. Theirpresence blocks light and actually changes the angleat which light bends as it enters and leaves adiamond.
Even minor smudges reduce the brilliance of adiamond up to twenty-five percent. Grime divertslight normally reflected out the top of a diamond andallows it to escape through the sides.
To clean a diamond, simply immerse it inrubbing alcohol. Alcohol removes grease, which hasa particular attraction for the smooth surface of adiamond. Grease binds other forms of dirt much likea glue. Once the grease is dissolved, most of theremaining grime washes away easily.
Other methods of cleaning a diamond at home: !
_ -_.1___1 ./
Ammonia
window cleaner
Jewelry cleaner
with basket
Toothpaste and
Fortunately, diamonds resist surface dirt.Strong acids, dyes, stains, or abrasives do not harmtheir inner purity. Even the dirtiest diamond cansparkle with all of its original brilliance after it iscleaned.
Commercial diamond cleaners use ultrasonicvibrations to loosen grease and reach into thecrevices of a diamond’s mountings where a brush orpick would not fit. Vibrations are usually applied toa diamond in a liquid bath that helps to dissolvethe impurities as they vibrate loose.
Science Resource D (Booklet ZO-Preliminary Edition) 875
P R O J E C T S
l C o n s t r u c t a “ ‘ d i a m o n d . ”
To make a model carbon atom, just draw fourequilateral triangles and fold into a pyramid shapeas shown below. Extra tabs help to tape or glue thetetrahedron together. Fit several model atomstogether so that the face of one model is attachedsnugly against the face of another. The models forma distinct pattern that is the same as that found in adiamond.
Pattern for foldinga model carbon atom
Ten models will fit together to make a hemi-sphere. Twenty models will make a completesphere. Notice the strength of the model diamonds.Can you find the cleavage planes along whichdiamonds can be split?
l C o n s i d e r t h e f u n c t i o n o f G o d ’ s
c o m m a n d m e n t s .
Each of God’s commandments, when obeyed,allows the Lord to perfect a new facet in our lives. Asin a diamond, these facets take in the light, refract it,and allow a greater radiance to be reflected.
l C o m p a r e d i a m o n d s t o C h r i s t i a n s .
Rough diamond Sawed Rounded
How do the following aspects of a diamondrelate to the making of a mature Christian?
0 Discovery in the mine0 Separation from its surroundings0 Discovery and analysis of imperfections0 Design for ultimate radianceCl Workmanship by a skilled craftsman
Cl Exposure to the light0 Need for continual cleansing0 Placement in an appropriate setting
Deve lopment o f the br i l l i ant cut
1. 15th Century 2. Single Cut 3. Double Cut 4. Star Cut
5. star 6. English Round 7. Old Mine 8. AmericanBrilliant
Notice how many cuts are needed in order toproduce a brilliant diamond.
l C o n q u e r d i s c o u r a g e m e n t w i t h h o p e .
his life to theLord and avoids the “flaws” which come throughrebellion will be a splendid jewel for God’s glory.
Violating God’s commands produces flaws.What do we know about the value of diamondswhich would encourage us to cooperate with God’sdiscipline in cutting these flaws out of our lives?
Date completed Evaluation _
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RESOURCE
HUWDO T E R M I T E S I L L U S T R A T E T H E“ R I G H T E O U S N E S S ” O F T H E S C R I B E SA N D T H E P H A R I S E E S ?
A cross section of a termite nest
There are at least ten clear analogies betweenthe ways of the termites and the “righteousness” ofthe Pharisees. By understanding these charac-teristics it is easy to understand why Christ’sdenunciation of the scribes and Pharisees was sovehement.
1 T e r m i t e s “love” d a r k n e s s a n d‘ h a t e ” t h e l i g h t .
There are almost two thousand different kindsof termites in the world. All of them lead hiddenlives in complete darkness.
Some termites live in large clay mounds whichresemble giant mushrooms. Others hollow outchambers inside fallen logs or dig undergroundtunnels as much as 130 feet deep. But whateverits shape or location, a termite nest is designed toblock out light.
If a termite nest is broken open, the termitesinside are totally confused when exposed to thelight. Their first response is to run away and hide.
Unlike ants, which immediately defend their nestand begin carrying eggs to safety, termites fleefrom light and are able to regroup and defendthemselves only in the “security” of darkness.
Termites will even go so far as to build light-tight tunnels across roads or stone pavements ifthey want to get to the other side. They build tunnelsalong the foundations of buildings so that they cantravel to and from their nest in complete darkness.
“Termite tubes” on the foundation of a buildingTermites are attracted to light only during the
few hours they swarm each spring. For this brieftime, mature males and females leave their darknest in search of a mate and a new home. As soonas they find a mate, they once again flee from thelight and live out the rest of their lives in com-plete darkness.
2 M o s t t e r m i t e s a r e c o m p l e t e l y b l i n d ;
t h o s e w i t h e y e s h a v e o n l y a s e n s e
o f l i g h t a n d d a r k w i t h o u t a n y
r e c o g n i t i o n o f d e t a i l .
Only termite kings and queens have eyes.._ .They use them for guidance when they establishnew nests. These eyes are very small in comparisonto the size of their bodies. In fact, a queen’s visionis about as effective as a human trying to lookthrough a key hole.
Queen termite
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A termite queen may grow to more than fourinches long when she is swollen with eggs, yet hereyes are no larger than pin heads. Because she livesin complete darkness, even her limited sight is ofno real value.
A few other types of termites called repro-ductiues may also have eyes. Their eyes are verysmall and perceive only the difference between lightand dark. They cannot see details.
The vast majority of all termites belong to theworker and soldier classes which lack eyes al-together. They feel their way around using delicatesensors which pick up vibrations. These sensors,located on their legs and antennae, take the place ofeyes.
Workers and soldiers rattle their heads againstthe walls of their nest, tapping out codes whichreverberate throughout the whole nest like a wire-less telegraph. If a nest is threatened, soldiers aredirected to the attack by the “sounds” of the battlerather than the “sight” of an enemy.
3 Termites destroy the “ i nner parts” and
l e a v e t h e o u t e r s h e l l a l o n e .
Termites do millions of dollars of damage tohomes and property each year. Most of the de-struction is accomplished before homeowners evenrealize that termites have invaded their home.
Since termites consume only the inner partsof a structure, the outside appears to be in perfectcondition. The leg of a chair may suddenly give wayor a baseball bat may snap in two. Both may looksolid from the outside, but if they are infested withtermites, the center may be only sawdust.
Wood infested with termitesappears solid on the outside, buton the inside it is full of holes.
wooden chairlegs
Once the heart of a piece of wood is de-stroyed, termites look for fresh wood to invade. Theynever alter the outward appearance of what theydestroy. Even books are not exempt from theirgnawing jaws. A cover may remain in mint condition,while the inside pages are devoured.
4 T e r m i t e s a r e a m o n g t h e m o s t p r o l i f i c
a n i m a l s o n t h e f a c e o f t h e e a r t h , b u t
t h e y w i t h e r a n d d i e u n d e r h a r d s h i p .
Termites are among the longest-living andmost prolific of all insects. A king and queen mate fora lifetime, which may last more than twenty-fiveyears. During that time the queen may lay from4,000 to 30,000 eggs a day. The world record fora single queen is just over 10,000,000 eggs inone year.
However, a termite’s soft, unprotected bodyis extremely sensitive to heat, cold, and dryness. Itsskin shrivels within a few hours if the temperatureand moisture of the nest varies by more than 10%.
“Air conditioning” in a termite nest
The surface of some nests actually becomestoo hot to touch during the day, yet the temperatureinside the nest remains a comfortable 85°F. Theoutside air temperature surrounding these samenests may drop to near freezing at night withoutaffecting the temperature inside the nest.
To maintain a constant temperature, termites“air-condition” their nests. Air in the nest is heated
878 Science Resource E (Booklet 2C-Preliminay Edition)
by the bodies of the termites themselves. This warmair rises and collects at the top of the nest.
Large air conditioning ducts distribute the airthroughout a honeycomb of tubes lying just underthe surface of the sides of the nest. This cools the nestduring the day and warms the nest at night.
The nest’s thin walls allow carbon dioxide tobe exchanged for fresh oxygen.
Termites maintain a constant humidity in theirnests by digging deep tunnels to reach sources ofwater in the ground. In desert regions these tunnelsmay be as deep as 130 feet. Some termites also growfungus in their nests to maintain a constant humidity.The fungus absorbs moisture when the humidityis too hightoo dry.
5 O n c e
and releases moisture when the air is
t e r m i t e s e n t e r a h o m e , e v e r y
o n e o f t h e m m u s t b e d e s t r o y e d o r
t h e y w i l l r e e s t a b l i s h t h e n e s t a n d
the des true t i o n w i l l c o n t i n u e .
If fumigants are to be effective, they must beforced beneath the surface of wooden beams wheretermites actually live. This requires difficult, pres-surized techniques. Fumigants which treat only thesurface have little effect on termites.
A large bag is often used to entirely enclose abuilding which termites have infested. This is veryexpensive, but necessary. Every inch of a buildingmust be treated or some termites may escape.
From hsect Pertr. l,,urbated by Nlcholar Strekalovrky 0,966 w&em Pubhshmg co ,“C Used by pemnsmn
Treating a house for termites
Normally a termite queen secretes a hormonewhich prevents other termites in her nest fromreproducing any new queens. However, if the queenis destroyed, the hormone disappears quickly andseveral new queens may develop. The result is thatthe termites multiply rapidly, creating a second in-festation which may be worse than the first.
6
tencall
T h e g r o w t h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t o f e v e r y
t e r m i t e n e s t d e p e n d s o n t h e t e r m i t e s
l i v i n g i n s i d e i t .
A single termite nest may contain as many asdistinctly different forms of termites. Scientiststhese different forms castes. Termite castes
include eggs, nymphs, male and female workers,male and female soldiers, mature males, maturefemales, a king, and a queen.
The workers are small, blind, soft-bodied, andwingless. They have inconspicuous jaws and asmall, round head. They are at the “bottom” of thecaste system and are dominated by all other termitesin the nest.
Soldier termites are also wingless, but theyhave enormous heads, hard bodies, and immensejaws. Their jaws are so large, in fact, that theycannot feed themselves. They must be fed and caredfor by the worker caste.
‘B soldiers worker
Mature males and females may or may nothave wings, depending on the time of year. They donot work in the nest, but exist simply to reproduce.If their king or queen dies, they will develop intonew kings and queens. If the “monarchs” of the nestremain healthy, the mature males and females leavethe nest each spring and establish new nests oftheir own.
Mature males and females are called repro-ductives. They may develop into secondary ortertiary kings and queens.
reproductive queen
secondary queentertiaryqueen
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The king and queen of the nest are at the topof the termite’s caste system. They dominate all theothers. Their every need is met by workers and theyare defended against intruders by the soldiers of thenest.
king
primaryqueen
Nymphs are immature termites which havethe potential to become workers, soldiers, or maturemales or females. A substance called a “socialhormone” determines each termite’s destiny.
If the nest needs soldiers, the “socialhormone” stimulates the development of moresoldier termites. If the nest needs more workers, afew nymphs will develop into sterile workers. Thedeath of the king or queen triggers the growth of newkings or queens.
Termites apparently “learn” their casteposition as they groom one another. During thegrooming process, the social hormone passes fromtermite to termite. Once the hormone abides within atermite it influences every aspect of the termite’sgrowth and development.
A termite which fails to receive the hormonefails to develop and grow.
7 T e r m i t e s s u b d u e t h e i r e n e m i e s w i t h
“3 ticky” en tanglemen ts.
Some termite colonies contain soldiers with apeculiar means of defense. Instead of huge jaws,these termites have a hollow tube projecting from themiddle of their heads.
If threatened, a soldier shoots a sticky, wax-like mass through the tube. When the “gooey bullet”strikes its target, usually an ant or a termite from adifferent colony, the joints of its enemy become sogummed up that it cannot move.
Ants have a hard exoskeleton which is jointedlike a knight’s suit of armor. Each leg has at leasteight joints and each antenna may have up to twelvejoints. Once the joints are glued by the termite’sbullet, the ant loses both its mobility and its sense ofsmell.
An ant overcome by termites
8 Termites are unab le to d i gest the food
w h i c h t h e y e a t .
Termites are rarely satisfied. They are alwayshungry and will eat almost anything. Most termitesfeed exclusively on fallen trees, but if trees are notavailable, they will eat railroad ties, books, cloth,floor joists, chair legs, kitchen cabinets or fence posts.It is estimated that because of their insatiableappetite, termites destroy as much property as fire.
I I valverectum valve
Digestive system of a termite
Valves located in the intestines of the termitegrind wood into a liquid pulp. Protozoa located in thehind gut digest the wood pulp into usable nutrients.Because only the nutrients which filter back into themid-gut are absorbed into the termite’s body,termites actually eliminate more usable nutrientsthan they absorb.
Without protozoa to break down the indiges-tible wood pulp, the termite would starve. In fact,termites which have been treated with temperatureshigh enough to kill the protozoa go on chewing andswallowing wood without getting any nourishmentfrom it. They soon waste away and die of starvation.
880 Science Resource E (Booklet 26Preliminary Edition)
10 Termite nests are so hard that they
w i l l c h i p t h e s t e e l f r o m a h a t c h e t .
Termite nests come in all shapes and sizes.Some nests resemble mushrooms and umbrellas.Other nests look like church steeples. A few foundonly in Australia are long and narrow and stand 23feet tall. A curious thing about these nests is that thebroad sides always face east and west and thenarrow ends always point north and south.
Some termite nests may be 20 to 30 feet talland 16 to 20 feet across at the base. The nests maybe so hard they can be destroyed only withdynamite. Pickaxes and hatchets are unable to makea dent in their armored sides.
A wood-digesting protozoan magnifiedseveral hundred times
Young termites lack these “helpers” andcannot digest their own food. They must be fedregurgitated food from other termites. This foodcontains protozoa which quickly “infect” eachinfant’s stomach. Termites which do not receive theprotozoa in the first twenty-four hours of life donot survive.
G r e e d i n e s s i s t h e t e r m i t e ’ s o n l y
m o t i v a t i o n f o r w o r k .
Behavior which appears to be devotedattention to one another is actually motivated bygreedy desires. Termites “groom” one another inorder to collect a honey-like secretion which is givenoff through their skin. While all termites give off thissubstance, the queen supplies the greatest amountsand receives the greatest attention.
In some cases, workers become so greedy thatthey may tear away small sections of the queen’sskin to make the “honey” flow more freely.
Workers grooming a “reproductive”
OSmlthsonlan l”Stlt”tlOn Sews, In: by Robert Evans. ,934
Four types of termite nests
Termite nests are made of finely ground woodand soil which are cemented together with termitesaliva. When this mixture is exposed to air, ithardens, and becomes much stronger than naturalwood.
Workers quicklyrepair any portion ofthe nest which mightbe damaged. Theyform a paper-likesubstance in theirmouths and then useit to plug any holes.The workers are sofast that they canseal up the remainsof a dynamited nestin just 48 hours.
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H o w c a n y o u i n s p e c t y o u r h o m e f o r
e v i d e n c e o f d e s t r u c t i v e t e r m i t e s ?
H o w c a n y o u i n s p e c t y o u r l i f e f o r
t h e d e s t r u c t i v e e v i d e n c e o f
f a l s e r i g h t e o u s n e s s ?
Discarded Wings-After a short flight, swarm-ing termites remove their wings. Since they willnever fly again, the cumbersome wings are simplya nuisance in the confined space of their new nest.As soon as they are free of their wings, the kingand queen hide themselves in darkness. The onlyclue to their existence may be a pile of discardedwings.
M u d - c o v e r e d c r a c k s i n a foundation-Since many types of termites must return to theground for water, they follow the cracks infoundations back and forth between their nest andyour house. They cover the paths with dome-shaped mud roofs in order to avoid light. Earthentubes also appear along the outside of floor joistsand rafters after the inside has been almostcompletely eaten away.
T e s t i n g t h e s t r e n g t h o f t i m b e r s - I f woodis solid, a knife will not be able to penetrate it verydeeply. But if a timber has been eaten away bytermites, a knife will easily pierce through it.
See if you can findverses of Scripture whichdescribe false righteous-ness and the characteristicsof the termite. The fol-lowing verses are examples:
!e
1. Termites love darkness and “hate” the light.“For euery one that doeth evil hateth the light,neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds shouldbe reproved” (John 320).
2. Most termites are completely blind.‘I
3.
They be blind leaders of the blind. . . .Both shall fal into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14).
Termites destroy the inner parts of a structure.“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees. . .which indeed appear beautiful outward, but arewithin full of dead men’s bones. . .” (Matthew23:27).
4.
5.
Termites multiply rapidly.
Every termite must be destroyed to save ahome.
6.
7.
A termite grows by what is inside of it.
Termites subdue their opponents by entangle-ment.
8.
9.
Termites are unable to digest what they eat.
The termites’ insatiable appetite prompts themto work.
10. Termites thrive in secure nests.
Date completed Evaluation
Science Resource E (Booklet 2C-Preliminay Edition)
ACCURACY
H O W D O M E A S U R E M E N T S E X P R E S SG O D ’ S C H A R A C T E R A N D H I SR E Q U I R E M E N T S F O R R I G H T E O U S N E S S ?
Measurements influence every aspect of our lives.
Throughout the course of history, man hasdevised thousands of units of measure. He hascreated such unique measurements as ells, ens,ems, fingers, hands, and feet; grains, drams, andgrams; lasts, seams, and firkins; and cattys, crans,and cloves.
No two of these standards of measure arealike. Each has its own basic unit and its own for-mula of converting from one standard to another.The result has been a confusing system of measure-ments that has promoted false weights and unjustbalances.
God has a vital interest in weights and stan-dards. They are basic to His principle of privateownership and His requirement for honest businessdealings. The following verses explain God’s instruc-tions for measurement.
-.- I____-. _--1
God’s Commandment forJust Measurements
“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judg-ment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure.
“‘Just balances, just weights, a just ephah,and a just hin, shall ye have: 1 am the Lordyour God, which brought you out of the land ofEgypt.
“Therefore shall ye observe all mystatutes, and all my judgments, and do them:1 am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:35-37).
“A just weight and balance are theLord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work”(Proverbs 16:I 1).
- --__ I.._ ..___.__-- -L
1 MEASUREMEIVTS A S S E S S T H E T R U EV A L U E O F A Q U A N T I T Y .
Measurements which assess the true value of aquantity must be precise and accurate. Precision andaccuracy are often used interchangeably, but inmeasurements they are quite different.
Preciseness implies that something is repeat-able. Precise measurements yield the same answertime after time. Scientists say that two measure-ments are precise when they agree.
Obtain three bathroom scales. Measure yourweight on all three. If you get the same resulteach time, the scales are precise. However, thisdoes not mean they are correct. Adjust the scalesso they weigh twenty pounds heavy. Now measureyour weight on all three of them. Are the threescales precise? Measurements can be precise withoutbeing correct.
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Accuracy is different from precision. Ameasurement is accurate only if it is both precise andcorrect. For example, a timekeeper may set threegrandfather clocks so they chime at the same time.The clocks are precise. That is, all three agree.However, the clocks may or may not be accurate. Ifthe clocks were all set for the incorrect time, theywould be precise but not accurate. If one of the threeclocks ran fast, one ran slow, and the third stoppedcompletely, the three would soon lose both theirprecision and their accuracy.
For three clocks to assess the true value oftime, they must all agree (precision) and be correct(accuracy).
Optical illusions are also likely to preventaccurate measurements. Consider the two linesAB and BC below.
WHICH IS LONGER?
A C
Lines AB and BC are exactly the same iengtb.
Which of these clocks assesses the true time?Clocks A and B agree, but they could both bewrong. Clock C is different from A and B, but itcould be right. There is no way of knowing whichclock is true unless a person has a “true” referencefor comparison.
How can an optical illusion alterthe accuracy of a measurement?
A person’s perspective influences the accuracyof a measurement. For example, an automobilespeedometer often reads 5-l 0 miles per hour slowerfrom the passenger’s seat than it does from thedriver’s seat.
WHICH BOX IS THE BIGGEST?
All three boxes are the same size.
Values clarification is one opticalillusion Satan uses to distort the truth andcause inaccurate measures of righteousness.
2 ALL MEASUREMENTS ARE DERIVEDFROM THREE BASIC UNITS.
The word quantity comes from the Latin wordquantus, meaning “how much?” Asking the ques-tion “how much?” is a form of measurement. Whilethere are thousands of things to measure, there areonly three basic kinds of measurement.
Genesis 1:l mentions each of the three kinds:
“‘Zn the beginning God created the heavenand the earth.”
The three basic units of measurement aretime, length (dimensions), and substance (mass).“In the beginning” marks the creation of time. Timewas not a measurable quantity before the“beginning.” Time did not exist.
When God created the heavens, He createdthe dimensions of space. “The heavens” include themeasurements of length, width, volume, and ca-pacity. The creation of the earth brought mass and
884 Authority through Accuracy F (Booklet 2~Preliminary Edition)
substance into existence. These three basic unitsform the foundation for all other measurements.
Today scientists refer to the “CGS” system asthe official standard of measure for research. The“CGS” system is in complete agreement withGenesis 1:l. “C” stands for “centimeter,” which isa measure of length. “G” is for “gram,” which isa measure of mass. “S” refers to “second.” whichis a measure of time.
The width of your smallest fingeror fingernail is about one cen-timeter.
m
f1 centimeter
4
.4 nickel has a mass ofabout five grams.
.A4SS7
A thumbtack has amass of about onegram.
Scientists combine centimeters, grams, andseconds to form other measurements such as force,density, and pressure. For example, force requires allthree of the “CGS” units to measure a newton. Onenewton is the amount of force required to acceleratea thousand-gram mass at the rate of 100 centimetersper second per second. The definition of a newtoncontains units of mass, length, and time.
Force requiresthe measurementof time, mass,arid distance.
3 M E A S U R E M E N T S R E Q U I R E T W OP A R T S F O R C O M P L E T E EXPRESSIOIV.
Any measurement must include a number anda unit. The unit specifies what standard was usedto make the measurement. The number indicatesthe “number” of known units that are equal to themeasured quantity.
Every measurement must have both parts. Ameasurement without a number makes about asmuch sense as a measurement without any units.To say that “I weigh pounds” is as meaningless assaying “I weigh eighty-one.”
HOW COULD A FATHER AND HIS SONBOTH WEIGH EIGHTY-ONE?
It is possible for the father to weigh eighty-one kilograms (178.6 pounds), and for the son toweigh eighty-one pounds (36.7 kilograms).
WHICH OF THESE SETTINGS IS 25”?
Both settings are 25”. Temperature is oftenstated without any units, and 25” Fahrenheit isdifferent from 25” Celsius. Twenty-five degreesFahrenheit is below freezing, while 25” Celsius isa comfortable spring day.
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4 M E A S U R E M E N T S R E Q U I R EO F A K I N G ’ S S T A N D A R D S .
T H E U S E
Each king established his own units ofmeasure. The king’s subjects used the size of theking’s finger, palm, forearm, and reach as units ofmeasure. They marked these units on wooden stickscalled “rulers,” because the units could be deter-mined only by the king himself.
Whenever a new king came to the throne witha different size arm, hand, and finger, all the “rulers”had to be changed.
The word ruler comes from the diminutiveform of the Latin word rex. Rex means “king.” Thediminutive form is regulus. Regulus provides theorigin for such words as regular and regulate. Thesewords indicate that a “ruler” “regulates” measure-ments within a kingdom.
BY HOW MUCH DOES A CUBITEXCEED A SPAN?
Egyptian pharaohs determined thelength of a palm, span, cubit, fathom, and afurlong. A span is the distance from the tip ofthe thumb to the tip of the little finger. A palm isthe width of four fingers held close together.Three palms are supposed to equal one span.
Measure you own span and palm. Dothree of your palms equal your span?
A cubit is the distance from the elbow tothe tip of the middle finger. It equals two spansor six palms.
An e/l is roughly two cubits. A fathom isthe length of two outstretched arms. A furlong isequal to 100 fathoms. A furlong was the officialdistance around an Olympic track. Eightfurlongs are equal to one mile. That made theoriginal Olympic race just yards long. Whatraces are still measured in furlongs today?
E a c h r u l e r h a d h i s o w n u n i t s o f m e a s u r e .
ahit rods
Egyptian (524 mm)
Summerian (495 mm)
Assyrian (549 mm)
Persian (640 mm)
5 M E A S U R E M E N T S M U S T B EC E R T I F I E D T H R O U G H O U TT H E K I N G D O M .
The Roman Empire made one of the firstattempts to standardize such units as the mile and theinch. They required their subjects to use the samestandards throughout the empire.
The Romans invented the mile and used it tomeasure distances across the world. Mile comesfrom the Latin prefix mille meaning “thousand.”A mile was the distance a soldier walked in athousand (mille) paces. The Romans defined a paceas the distance a soldier marched from the time hisright foot left the ground until it came back downagain. This was just under five and one half feet.
How many feet were in a Roman mile?
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The Romans called the inch by its Latin name,uncia. Uncia means “the width of a thumb.” Checkyour thumb to see if it is an inch in width.
Later, the English defined an inch as threebarleycorns laid end-to-end. Wherever the Englishtraded, they used barleycorn to certify inches.
barleycorn
It was not until 1832 that the United Statesestablished the Office of Weights and Measures.Four years later the U.S. Government distributedofficial sets of weights and measures to all the statesand required each state to certify all weights andmeasures within its borders.
H o w c a n y o u b e c e r t a i n t h a t a gal/on i s
a g a l l o n a n d a p o u n d i s a p o u n d ?
Several times a year, agents test commercialscales and certify their accuracy by placing seals onthem. The seal indicates that the instrument meetsthe standards which the state has established. If astore owner tampers with the seal betweeninspections, he faces large fines and can be forced toclose his business.
Most commercial scalesare tested severaltimes each year
r- I
IAsk your local supermarket or servicestation to show you the records of their lastinspection. What seals does your state use tomake sure a gallon is a gallon and a pound isa pound? Write to your State Bureau ofWeights and Measures and ask for informa-tion about their procedures. 1
6 M E A S U R E M E N T S A R E C O M P A R A B L EO N L Y I F T H E Y H A V E C O M M O NS T A N D A R D S .
Mathematicians use five symbols to expresscomparisons between measurements.
EQUAL =
NOT EQUAL #G R E A T E R T H A N >
LESS THAN <
A P P R O X I M A T E -=
Pract ice us ing the ma thema tic a ls y m b o l s o f c o m p a r i s o n .
l Measure the width, length, and height of yourroom using standard feet and inches. Use theabove symbols to compare each of the measure-ments.
Are any of the measurements equal?Which measurements are greater than or lessthan the others?Are any of the measurements approximatelythe same but not equal?
l Measure the weight of each family member.Compare the weights using all five of the symbols.
l Compare the ages of the members of your family.Use only the < and > symbols to make thesecomparisons.
l Make a list of synonyms for each of the fivesymbols.
EXPRESSIONS OF COMPARISON
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Comparing measurements also requires thatboth measurements have the same units. You mustcompare pounds with pounds, ounces with ounces,seconds with seconds, and hours with hours. Tryingto compare measurements which use individualstandards leads to confusion and false judgments.
Remeasure your room using your own in-dividual standard of a foot. Take off your shoe andstep off the length, width, and height of your room.How do these measurements compare betweenfamily members? Are these measurements the sameas those you made with your standard foot measure?(Note: You will need to make your own foot rulerout of a stick or a roll of cash register tape in order tomeasure the height of your room.)
HOW CAN BOTH THESE LENGTHS BEEQUAL TO SIX FEET?
l Convert 83 pounds to ounces.
The conversion factor can be written as either
16 ounces1 pound Or
1 pound16 ounces
Since pounds is the old standard, you must“bury” it in the denominator of the conversionfactor. Therefore, 16 ounces/l pound is theproper expression.
83 pounds x16 ounces1 pound
= 1,328 ounces
Note: Pounds cancels poundsL
To convert ounces to pounds, you must buryounces in the denominator. Therefore, you mustdivide by 16. Placing the old unit in the denominatorcancels it from the conversion process.
l Convert 2,400 ounces to pounds.
The proper conversion factor must bury ouncesin the denominator.
2,400 ounces x1 pound
16 ounces= 150 pounds
Note: Ounces cancels ounces.
False righteousness occurs when a man mea-sures his righteousness by his own standards or by thestandards of any other man.
The new unit must appear in the numerator. Itis the only standard to remain after the conversionhas been completed.
7 M E A S U R E M E N T S R E Q U I R E A N O L DS T A N D A R D T O B E B U R I E D W H E N E V E RA M E A S U R E I S C O N V E R T E D T OA N E W S T A N D A R D .
In order to compare measurements which donot have the same standards, you must convert onemeasurement to the other’s standard. This requires aconversion factor.
The conversion factor indicates how manyunits of one standard there are in a single unit ofanother. For example, there are 16 ounces in onepound. The conversion factor is 16 ounces/pound.To convert the pounds to ounces, a person mustmultiply the number of pounds by 16 ounces/pound. Notice that in doing so, the old standard,pounds, must be buried in the denominator of theconversion factor.
l Convert 55 miles per hour to kilometersper hour.
The conversion factor may be written either:
1.6 km per hour1 mile per hour Or
1 mile per hour1.6 kilometers per hour
Because miles per hour is the old standard, itmust be buried in the conversion factor.
55mph x1.6 km per hor1 mile per hour
g = 88 km per hour
These two highway signsare confusing becausethey do not showa standardof measure.
The need for consistent standards emphasizesthe importance of the changeless nature of God.
Authority through Accuracy F (Booklet 2%Preliminary Edition)
l Convert 60 pounds to kilograms.The conversion factor may be written
0.45 kgor
1 pound0.45 kg
1 pound = 0.45359237 kg
l Convert 100 feet to meters.
The conversion factor may be written
1 meter 3.28 feet3.28 feet Or 1 meter
1 foot = 0.3048 meters
8 M E A S U R E M E N T S R E Q U I R E T H A TS T A N D A R D S B E P A S S E D F R O MO N E G E N E R A T I O N T O T H E N E X T .
In 1887, the Bureau sent bar #27 and weight#20 to the United States. They served as thestandards for international trade until 1937, whenthe French recalled the standards from all over theworld so they could be tested and recertified ascorrect. The Bureau continues to check thesestandards so that each generation can be assuredthat its basic standards of measurement have notchanged.
In 1960, scientists redefined the meter. Insteadof a metal rod that could shrink and bend, theyagreed that a meter should be equivalent to1,650,763.73 wavelengths of light given off by aglowing krypton-86 atom.
1 meter
Following the French Revolution, the Frenchgovernment changed its entire system of measure-ment. They intended the sudden change to force theFrench people to break all their ties with the past andto begin their social and economic life all over again.The system chosen by the French was called themetric system.
The metric system became so popular that in1875 the International Bureau of Weights andMeasures established the meter, kilogram, andsecond as the universal standards of internationalcommerce.
To ensure that other countries maintained themetric system accurately, the International Bureau,located in Paris, produced bars exactly one meter inlength, and weights which weighed exactly onekilogram. n
The original meter and kilogram are madefrom an alloy of 90% platinum and 10% iridium.Authority through Accuracy F (Booklet 20-Preliminary Edition)
Scientists now measure time by the vibrationsof the cesium atom, and the meter is now defined bythe wavelengths of light produced by the argon-neon laser. The kilogram is the only unit of measurestill defined by an artifact.
A Cesium Clock
transition region(cavity)
direction of magnetic field direction of magnetic field
source
deflecting magnet deflecting magnet
from oscillator
The cesium clock records 9,192,631,770vibrations per second. It is the most accurateinstrument of measurement that has ever beeninvented.
8 8 9
PROJECT 1 P R O J E C T 3Try to identify the following units of measure. Match each statement about righteousness
Match the measure to the commodity with which it is with its corresponding statement about measure-associated. ment in the list below.
MEASURE COMMODITY 0 1.
0 2.
0 3.
0 4.
Righteousness is imputed upon verbal con-fession and belief in the heart. (See Romans10:9.)
Cl l.acatty
Cl 2. a hand
0 3. a cran
0 4. a firkin
0 5. a frail
0 6. a clove
0 7. a denier
0 8. a carat
0 9. a skein
q 10. an ell
Cl 11. an em
Cl 12. a keg
a.
b.
C.
d.
e.
f.
g .
h.
i.
j.
k.
1.
herring
silk thread
P R O J E C T 2Make a list of all the measurement devices you
have in your home. Learn how to measure ac-curately with each one: use cups and teaspoons tofollow a recipe; use a tape measure to make a giftfor someone; record your weight three times a dayfor a week.
890 Authority through Accuracy F (Booklet 2tLPreliminary Edition)
cl 5.
•i 6.
cl 7.
0 8.
Righteousness can never be measured andcompared unless the standards are the same.(See Romans 4: 1-16.)There are no substitutes for righteousness.All righteousness must be certified by theKing. (See Ezekiel 45:9-25 and Acts 4:lZ.)The basic units by which righteousness ismeasured are knowledge, faith, and obedi-ence. (See Romans 10:2-3, 4:5, and6:16-18.)Righteousness is not inherited. God’s stan-dard of righteousness must be taught to eachnew generation. (See Matthew 28: 19-20.)Righteousness brings death to the old natureand gives life to the new. (See Romans6:6-S)Righteousness is affirmed by the testimonyof several witnesses. (See I John 5%)Righteousness is made known to all nationsthrough the Scriptures. (See Romans 16.26.)
S t a t e m e n t s o n m e a s u r e m e n t
a. Measurements assess the true value of aquantity.
b. All measurements are derived from three basicunits.
c. Measurements require two parts for completeexpression.
d. Measurements require the use of a king’sstandards.
e. Measurements must be shared throughout thekingdom.
f. Measurements are comparable only if they havecommon standards.
g. Measurements require an old standard to beburied whenever a measure is converted to anew standard.
h. Measurements require that standards be passedon from one generation to the next.
Date completed Eualuation
H O W H A V E T H E “ K E E P E R S ” O F T H EL A W O F T H E U N I T E D S T A T E SB E C O M E A L A W U N T O T H E M S E L V E S ?
The Royal Exchange in New York City housedthe first United States Supreme Court.
On June 21, 1788, when the convention ofNew Hampshire voted fifty-seven to forty-six toapprove the Constitution, the total of nine statesneeded for ratification was complete and the UnitedStates of America was thrust into legal existence.
President Washington appointed six men tobring life to the paper decrees of the first Congress.On February 2, 1790, four of the six judgesassembled in the Royal Exchange Building in NewYork and officially organized the Supreme Court ofthe United States.
The press followed the solemn occasion withgreat interest. No detail concerning the third branchof the young republic was left uncovered. Spectatorsat the opening session admired “the elegance,gravity, and neatness” of the Justices. Thus, theSupreme Court was born in a crowded courtroomwith an empty docket of judicial business.
Accustomed to the comforts of wealth, theJustices felt out of place in the old ExchangeBuilding. After a few days of idle formalities, theyadjourned their meeting and returned home to more
John Jay, a forty-three-year-old NewYork lawyer, becamethe first Chief Justiceon February 1, 1790.
pressing private and politi-cal business.
Despite a rather un-eventful commencement,Chief Justice John Jay ofNew York and AssociateJustices John Blair ofVirginia, William Cushingof Massachusetts, JamesWilson of Pennsylvania,James Iredell of NorthCarolina, and John Rut-ledge of South Carolina,faced the most significantchallenge in the history ofjurisprudence.
The philosophy of lawand Constitutional opinions of the Court they hadestablished would one day become the backbone ofthe American system of justice.
The Constitution of the United States andearly Supreme Court decisions were based on theBlackstonian principle that civil law must reflect thelaw of God. Gradually, the concept that law wasgrounded in Biblical principles and statutes gave wayto the belief that law must meet the needs of manrather than comply with the will of God.
The view that law is not made but given byGod and discovered by human government to beproclaimed and applied to particular cases was soonaggressively attacked by lawyers and judges asnarrow and undemocratic.
By rejecting Biblical law, American courtscreated a legal vacuum.century, jurists enthusias-tically embraced a newphilosophy of positivism,the theory that law has nomoral or theological basisand is established solelyby man. A complete denialof absolutes replaced theacceptance of God-giventruth.
Sir William Blackstonewas an English judge,author, and professor whowon recognition for his
During the nineteenth
~ationa, Portrait Gallery London
Sir William Blackstone1723-1780
Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-1769). These volumes, which presented a thoroughpicture of the English law of his time, greatlyinfluenced the American colonists as they designedtheir new government.
891Law Resource G (Booklet 2~Preliminaly Edition)
To William Blackstone, the purpose of law wascrystal clear:
“Man, considered as a creature, mustnecessarily be subject to the laws of hisCreator, for he is entirely a dependent being.A being independent of any other, has norule to pursue, but such as he prescribes tohimself. . . .”
The CommentariesWilliam Blackstone (1765)
Legal positivism reached the prestigiouschambers of the Supreme Court in 1902 in theperson of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
To the legal positivist, God and His Law arecompletely irrelevant. Professor Thomas Franck ofNew York University revealed this drastic deviationin his book, The Structure of Impartiality:
“Law has become undisguisedly a pragmatichuman process. It is made by men, and it lays noclaim to divine origin or eternal validity.”
Supreme court COlkChO”
Oliver Wendell Holmes,Associate Justice
1902-1932
“For my own part Ioften doubt whether itwould not be gain if everyword of moral significancecould be banished fromthe law altogether, andother words adopted whichshould convey legal ideasuncoloured by anythingoutside the law.”
Jr.
Holmes insisted that the law must change andadapt itself to the prevailing social environment. Hisopinions as an Associate Justice reflected popularsentiment rather than eternal moral principles:
“I am much of this mind. The prophecies ofwhat the court will do in fact and nothing morepretentious, are what I mean by the law.”
Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes echoedthis thinly disguised evolutionary view of the lawwhen he stated, “We are under a Constitution, butthe Constitution is what the judges say it is.”
Supreme couti Co,iechon
Earl WarrenChief Justice1953-1969
In Trap us. Dulles, ChiefJustice Earl Warren issuedan opinion concerning “crueland unusual punishment,”declaring that “the words ofthe Eighth Amendment arenot precise, and their scopeis not static. The Amend-ment must draw its meaningfrom the evolving standardsthat mark the progress of amaturing society.”
How would the framers of the Constitutionrespond to these humanistic interpretations of thelaw of the land?
George Washington purposely excluded theSupreme Court in his explanation of a method forConstitutional changes:
“If in the opinion of the people, thedistribution or modification of the Constitutionalpowers be at any particular wrong, let it be correctedby an amendment in the way the Constitutiondesignates.”
James Madison,the brilliant architectof the Constitution,believed that thebasic principles of thedocument itself werevital for a properinterpretation.
James Madison, 1751-1836“The Father of the Constitution”
“If the sense in which the Constitutionwas accepted and ratified by the Nation be notthe guide in expounding it, there can be nosecurity for a faithful exercise of its power.”
C L A R I F I C A T/ON T H R O U G HA M E N D M E N T S , N O T J U D I C I A LR E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N
Our founding fathers realized that theframework of Scriptural principles and governmentalguidelines within the Constitution would require
892 Law Resource G (Booklet 20-Preliminq Edition)
expansion and amplification. However, men likeWashington and Madison demanded that this bedone through the amendment process, not byjudicial reinterpretation.
The amendment process carefully weighs andconsiders the significance of a Constitutional changethrough the safeguards provided by checks andbalances and separation of power.
A R T I C L E V’A m e n d i n g t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of bothhouses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend-ments to this Constitution, or, on the application of thelegislatures of two-thirds of the several states, shall calla convention for proposing amendments, which, ineither case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, aspart of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislaturesof three-fourths of the several states, or by conventionsin three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode ofratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided[that no amendment which may be made prior to theyear one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in anymanner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninthsection of the first article; and] that no state, without itsconsent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in theSenate.
Amendments may be proposed by a two-thirdsvote of each house of Congress or by a nationalconvention called by Congress at the request of two-thirdsof the states. To become part of the Constitution,amendments must be ratified(approved) by the legislatureof three-fourths of the states or by a convention in three-fourths of the states.
The framers of the Constitution purposely made ithard to put through an amendment. Congress hasconsidered more than 7,000 amendments, but it haspassed only 33 and submitted them to the states. Ofthese, only 26 have been ratified. Only one amendment,the 21st, was ratified by state conventions. All the otherswere ratified by state legislatures.
The Constitution sets no time limit during whichthe states must ratify a proposed amendment. But thecourts have held that amendments must be ratified withina “reasonable time” and that Congress decides what isreasonable. Since the early 1900’s, most proposedamendments have included a requirement that thenecessary ratification be obtained within seven years.
Obviously Justice Holmes, Justice Hughes,and Justice Warren disregarded the intent of theauthors of the Constitution. Modern Supreme CourtJustices have destroyed the spirit of the law bybecoming a law unto themselves.
The legalization of abortion and the abolish-ment of capital punishment are just two examples ofthe dangerous and wicked results of legal positivism.The notion that laws are man-made and not God-made has rapidly devastated traditional moral values.Law Resource G (Booklet 2SPreliminay Edition)
Looking out into the Supreme Court chamberfrom the Justices’ bench
Positivist law professor Jerome Frank clearlyillustrated the typical judicial attitude in his book Lawand the Modern Mind.
“There is no rule by which you can force ajudge to follow an old rule or by which you canpredict when he will verbalize his conclusion in theform of a new rule, or by which he can determinewhen to consider an exception to an old rule.
“His decision is primary, the rules he mayhappen to refer to are incidental.
“The law, therefore, consists of decision, notof rules. If so, then whenever a judge decides a casehe is making law.”
Legal positivism has also caused a majordeterioration in the area of criminology. Our modernjudicial system tends to stress the causes of thecriminal’s actions while minimizing the crime. Crimeis regarded simply as anti-social behavior.
Rehabilitation of the criminal rather thanpunishment according to the statutes of justice hasbecome a legal priority. Sociological circumstancesconveniently shield the offender from the punish-ment he deserves.
Secular humanists have criticized any attemptsto return to the principles of God’s Law as restrictive,oppressive, and authoritarian. Yet, by rejectingGod’s authority, they place America under theauthority of man.
How, then, can we preserve liberty inAmerican society? The legal positivist answers, “Allpower to the courts.” The radicals reply, “All powerto the people!” Both would agree, “All power toman.”
Rising above the outcry of humanism standthe enduring words of President John Adams: “Thevery definition of a republic is an empire of laws, andnot of men.”
893
Nabonel Gecgraptx Smety Photographer. courtesy US Capml Historical Soc~ehi
Signing the Constitution on September 17, 1787
There are three basic principles whichdetermine the proper functioning of authority. Thefirst principle is that all power comes from above. It isordained by God and ultimately controlled by Him.(See Romans 13:1-7.)
The second principle is that appeal shouldcome from beneath. This means that those underauthority must have and demonstrate properattitudes when requesting those in authority toreconsider a decision. (See I Peter 3:1-7.)
The third principle involves a balance ofpower. In Israel this balance included the elders(leaders of the families), the priests (teachers andadministrators of justice), and the king (executiveadministrator). The three branches of governmentoutlined in the United States Constitution fulfill thissame principle of balance.
The limitations and responsibilities of theJudicial Branch are defined in Article III.
A R T I C L E III’The Judicial Branch
Section 1. The judicial power of the United States, shallbe vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferiorcourts as the Congress may from time to time ordain andestablish. The judges, both of the Supreme and inferiorcourts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, andshall, at stated times, receive for their services, acompensation, which shall not be diminished during theircontinuance in office.
The Constitution makes every effort to keep thecourts independent of both the legislature and thePresident. The guarantee that judges shall hold office during“good behavior” means that, unless they are impeachedand convicted, they can hold office for life. This protectsjudges from any threat of dismissal by the President whoappointed them, or by any other President during theirlifetime. The rule that a judge’s salary may not be reduced
protects the judge against pressure from Congress, whichcould otherwise threaten to fix the salary so low that thejudge could be forced to resign.
Section 2. (1) The judicial power shall extend to allcases, in law and equity, arising under this Constitution,the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or whichshall be made, under their authority;-to all casesaffecting ambassadors, other public ministers andconsuls;-to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdic-tion;-to controversies to which the United States shall bea party;-to controversies between two or more states;[between a state and citizens of another state;] betweencitizens of different states;- between citizens of the samestate claiming lands under grants of different states, andbetween a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreignstates, [citizens or subjects].
The right of the federal courts to handle “casesarising under this Constitution” is the basis of the SupremeCourt’s right to declare laws of Congress unconstitutional.
The 1 lth Amendment set aside the phrase betweena state and citizens of another state. A citizen of one statecannot sue another state in a federal court.
(2) In all cases affecting ambassadors, other publicministers and consuls, and those in which a state shall beparty, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction.In all the other cases before mentioned, the SupremeCourt shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law andfact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations asthe Congress shall make.
The statement that the Supreme Court has originaljurisdiction in cases affecting the representatives of foreigncountries and in cases to which a state is one of the partiesmeans that cases of this kind go directly to the SupremeCourt. In other kinds of cases, the Supreme Court hasappellate jurisdiction. This means that the cases are triedfirst in a lower court and may come up to the Supreme Courtfor review if Congress authorizes an appeal. Congresscannot take away or modify the original jurisdiction of theSupreme Court, but it can take away the right to appeal tothat court or fix the conditions one must meet to present anappeal.
(3) The trial of all crimes, except in cases ofimpeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be heldin the state where the said crimes shall have beencommitted; but when not committed within any state, thetrial shall be at such place or places as the Congress mayby law have directed.
Section 3. (1) Treason against the United States, shallconsist only in levying war against them, or in adhering totheir enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No personshall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony oftwo witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession inopen court.
No person can be convicted of treason against theUnited States unless he or she confesses in open court, orunless two witnesses testify that he or she has committed atreasonable act. Talking or thinking about committing atreasonable act is not treason.
(2) The Congress shall have power to declare thepunishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shallwork corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during thelife of the person attainted.
The phrase no attainder of treason shall workcorruption of blood means that the family of a traitor doesnot share the guilt. Formerly, an offender’s family could alsobe punished.
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C H I E F J U S T I C E S O F T H E U . S . A N DL A N D M A R K D E C I S I O N S W H I C HO C C U R R E D D U R I N G T H E I R T E R M S
Supreme coult couecmn
John Jay1789-1795
1857-Dred Scott vs. Sandford
Blacks are refused United States citizenship,and the Court stated that Congress could notprohibit slavery in United States territories. (Both ofthese rulings were overturned by the Thirteenth andFourteenth Amendments.)
Supreme coull Collecho”
John Rutledge1795
Supreme court Collection
Morrison R. Waite1874-1888
Supreme co”* Collechon
Oliver Ellsworth1796-1800
S”preme coull Coliectlon
John Marshall1801-1835
1803-Marbury vs. Madison
This ruling established the court’s power ofjudicial review. Any law passed by Congress could bedeclared unconstitutional if, in the Supreme Court’sopinion, it violated a Constitutional principle.
1819-McCullough vs. Maryland
In addition to the expressed powers that arespecifically stated in the Constitution, the federalgovernment has the authority granted by impliedpowers.
Supreme court Coliechon
Roger B. Taney1836-1864
Supreme court Collection
Salmon P. Chase1864-1874
Law Resource G (Booklet 20-Preliminq Edition) 895
Supreme court Collecno”
Melville Fuller1888-1910
Supmle cm* Collection
Edward D. White1910-1921
Supreme court CoIlecho”
William H. Taft1921-1930
1915-Mutual Film Corporation vs. Ohio
The Court upheld a state law prohibiting theshowing of any film not of “moral, educational, oramusing and harmless nature.”
1919-Schenck vs. United States
The federal government cannot restrictfreedom of speech unless the words create a “clearand present danger” of violence.
1925-Pierce vs. Society of Sisters
The Supreme Court voided an Oregoncompulsory school attendance law requiring allpersons between the ages of eight and sixteen toattend public school.
Supreme coull Collecho”
Charles E. Hughes1930-1941
Fred M. Vinson1946-1953
Harlan F. Stone1941-1946
Earl Warren1953-1969
1947-Everson vs. Board of EducationThe Supreme Court established the first clear-
cut definition of an “establishment of religion” whenit permitted public school bus transportation forparochial school children.
1957-Roth vs. United StatesThe First Amendment guarantee of freedom
of press does not protect obscene materials.
1961-Mapp vs. OhioEvidence obtained without a proper warrant
cannot be used in a criminal trial.
1962-Engle vs. VitalePrayer is banned from public schools.
1966-Miranda vs. ArizonaAn accused person must be informed of his
constitutional rights, including the right to remainsilent (Miranda Warning).
1968-Epperson vs. ArkansasThe Court held that a state law forbidding the
teaching of evolution in public schools violated theFirst and Fourteenth Amendments.
896
Warren E. Burger William H. Rehnquist1969-1986 1986-present
1970-Walz vs. Tax CommissionThe Court sustained religious tax exemptions
for property as a permissible accommodation ofreligion without any governmental sponsorship ofreligion.
1972-Furman vs. GeorgiaAccording to the Supreme Court, the death
penalty violated the Eighth Amendment as “crueland unusual punishment.”
1973-Roe vs. WadeA state may not prohibit a woman’s right to
have an abortion during the first six months ofpregnancy.
1980-Harris vs. McRae
The Court decided that a Congressionalrestriction on Medicaid funds to reimburse onlyabortions characterized as medically necessary wasnot unconstitutional because it happened to agreewith the teachings of a particular religious group.
1983-Marsh vs. Chambers
The Court affirmed the Constitutionality of astate legislature’s having its sessions opened withprayer by a paid chaplain.
1984-Lynch vs. Donnelly
The court rejected the concept of totalseparation between church and state by ruling that anativity scene with a Santa Claus house, Christmastree, and “Seasons Greetings” banner did not, ineffect, advance religion.
1985-Wallace vs. Jaffree
The Court invalidated a state law requiringpublic schools to authorize a daily “period of silencenot to exceed one minute . . . for meditation orvoluntary prayer” on the grounds that it “had nosecular purpose” but instead had a legislativepurpose to endorse religion.
Law Resource G (Booklet 2~Preliminary Edition)
T H E J U D I C I A L S Y S T E M O F T H E UNITED S T A T E S
;_I
U.S. Court of Appeals
Eleven courts normally calledcircuit courts. Three to fifteenjudges in each of ten judicialcircuits and the District ofColumbia.
U.S. District Court
One of four districts perstate. One to twenty-sevenjudges in each court. Ninetycourts try civil and criminalcases.
1.IL
The Supreme Court
One Chief Justice and eightAssociate Justices. Reviewsdecisions of lower courts if aconstitutional principle orfederal law is involved.
U.S. Court of Appealsfor the Federal Circuit
Formed in 1982 from theU.S. Court of Claims andthe U.S. Court of PatentAppeals. Hears appeals ofdistrict, territorial, patent,trademark, copyright, andinternational trade cases, andsome contract and InternalRevenue cases.
U.S. Claims Court
One Chief Judge and fifteenAssociate Judges. Hearsclaims against the federalgovernment.
Tax Court of theUnited States
Handles federal tax lawcases.
-I
Associate Judges. Handlesappeals arising from court-martial cases.
i
i
State Supreme Court
Court of last resort on thestate level. Handles appealsfrom all inferior courts.
t
Appellate Courts
Deal with appeals on deci-sions from lower courts.Appellate Courts do notexist in every state.
t
Trial Courts:
Municipal Courts
Jurisdiction over criminalcases and civil suits.
Family CourtJuvenile delinquency andyouthful offender cases.
Probate Court
Probates wills and estates.
Criminal Court
Hears criminal cases.
Local CourtsTraffic CourtPolice Court
Small Claims CourtJustice of the Peace
897Law Resource G (Booklet 2bPreliminay Edition)
P R O J E C T 1
The following terms are frequently used bySupreme Court Justices. Learn to pronounce anduse them correctly. Looking them up in a legalreference book will give you additional insights.
Appeal-A complaint made to a higher court tocorrect an error of law made by a lower courtduring a trial.
Adjudication-(uh-jude-ih-KAY-shun) The deter-mination of a controversy.
Contempt-A willful disregard or disobedience of apublic authority.
In Camera-Latin term meaning “in the judge’schamber”; in private.
Subpoena Duces Tecum-(sub-PEA-nuh DUCE-isTEE-kum) A Latin term meaning “underpenalty, take with you.” A formal writingordering a witness to bring a pertinent docu-ment to court.
Docket-A record book listing cases to be tried in acourt.
Stare Decisis-(STEH-ree dih-SIGH-sis) A Latinterm meaning “to stand by a decided matter.”
In Re-(in RAY) A Latin term meaning “in thematter of”; concerning. A judicial proceedingwhere there are no adversary parties.
Habeas Corpus-(HAY-bee-us KORP-us) A Latinterm meaning “you should have the body.”Protection against unlawful imprisonment.
898
Ex Parte-(eks PAR-tee) A Latin term meaning “onbehalf.” Ex pane implies the presence of oneparty and the absence of the other.
Jurisdiction-(jer-is-DIK-shun) The authority of thecourts to hear and decide legal proceedings.
Quash-( kwash) Overthrow; vacate; make void.Often used in connection with voiding anindictment.
Per Curiam-(per KYER-ee-urn) A Latin termmeaning “by the court.” A phrase used todistinguish the opinion of one judge from theopinion of the entire court.
Nolo Contendere-(NO-low kun-TEN-der-ee) ALatin term meaning “I do not wish to contestit.” A defendant’s plea of “no contest.”
Prima Facie-(Pry-muh FAY-shuh) A Latin termmeaning “at first sight”; on the face of it. Usedwhen evidence is strong enough to win a caseunless it is contradicted.
Moot-A subject for argument; undecided.Dictum-A Latin term meaning “something said in
passing. ” A remark made by a judge on a sideissue.
Mandamus-(man-DAY-mus) A Latin term meaning“we order”; an order issued from a court ofsuperior jurisdiction.
Amicus Curiae-(uh-MEE-kus KYER-ee-eye) ALatin term meaning “friend of the court”; aperson who is allowed to appear in a lawsuit togive information.
Statute-A particular law by which a legislaturedeclares, commands, or prohibits something inwriting.
Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes made thisassertion, “We are under a Constitution, but theConstitution is what the judges say it is.” Discuss whythis statement is such a dangerous one.
P R O J E C T 3Consider God’s evaluation of laws that are
contrary to His Word: “Shall the throne of iniquityhauefel/oLoship L&/I thee, whichframeth mischief bya law?” (Psalm 94.20). Laws which make mischieflegal simply change the definitions of terms, therebydestroying the foundations for righteousness. (SeePsalm 11:3.)
Analyze one or more of the landmarkSupreme Court decisions to detect the altereddefinitions and the destruction of the foundations forrighteousness.
Date completed Eualuation
Law Resource G (Booklet Z%Preliminay Edition)
MEDICINERESOURCE
H O W D I D T H E W O R S T P L A G U E I NH I S T O R Y C O N F I R M T H E V A L U E O FK E E P I N G E V E R Y L A W O F G O D ?
only indication of any activity was the cooking firesmoke curling up from the village chimneys.
They rounded a corner and froze in theirtracks. The scene they witnessed horrified them asthe fearful realization of what was actually happeningarose within them.
The bodies of several people were lying in thestreet. As they cautiously approached the grislyscene, they knew that the tortured expressionsetched into the faces and the black marks on the skinmeant only one thing-the Black Death!
While journeying inland from the coast, thetravelers were absorbed by the beauty and freshnessof the countryside. It was pleasant traveling on suchwell-maintained roads and seeing the miles of wheatand barley fields interspersed with green pastures.
At noon they approached the first of manyvillages through which they would pass. Suddenlythey became aware of a strange feeling in the air.Something seemed very wrong. The normallybustling and crowded village lay very still and quiet.
“Why were the cows wandering aboutunattended?” they wondered. Then they saw arecently mowed hay field with a partially filled haywagon. “Why were there no workers about?” theycontinued to question.
As the confused company drew closer to thevillage, they noticed other signs that something veryodd was occurring. The streets were deserted. The
Whenever and wherever the bubonic plaguehas occurred, horror and hopelessness haveaccompanied it. Nations have reeled helplesslybefore its deadly advance. Of all the diseases knownto man, none has taken a greater toll in human livesin recorded history.
Why should this strange plague be so immuneto any efforts to halt its destruction? The medicalcommunity now knows-years too late-that obedi-ence to one of the “least” of Gods laws would havesaved untold millions of human lives.
T H E P L A G U E T H R O U G H O U T H I S T O R Y
The first recorded outbreak of the bubonicplague may well have occurred in 900 B.C. asreported in chapters five and six of I Samuel. Thissection describes God’s punishment of thePhilistines when they broke one of His command-ments. The symptoms so closely resemble those ofthe bubonic plague that it is very likely that God usedthis disease as His instrument of judgment. ThePhilistines were covered with “swellings” in their“secret places. ” These were probably under theirarmpits and in their groins. More than fifty thousandpeople died suddenly from these swellings.
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The plague among the Philistines in Ashdod asillustrated by a French painter in A.D. 1630
The offering required to end the pouring out ofGod’s wrath upon the Philistines may also indicatethe presence of the bubonic plague. Five golden“emerods” and five golden mice (perhaps rats) weregiven to stop the disease.
The bubonic plague may also have con-tributed to the eventual defeat of Athens during thelong struggle with Sparta in the Peloponesian War.In 430 B.C., the historian Thucydides helplesslydescribed the total devastation he saw in Athens andthe subsequent moral breakdown which becamefamiliar in the later European outbreaks.
It is estimated that one third of the populationof Greece perished that year. In 429 B.C., Athens’great leader Pericles died of the disease.
The plague knew no boundaries among rich or poor.
The plague appeared and reappeared manytimes in various locations during the first four
hundred years after Christ. Rome was shaken inA.D. 250-265 with an outbreak which claimed at thepeak of its infestation five thousand lives per day.
In A.D. 444, the Venerable Bede described adevastation in England so severe that no one washealthy enough even to bury the dead.
T H E F I R S T P A N D E M I C
A pandemic is an epidemic which is spreadover a large geographic area.
What is often called the “First Pandemic”struck the Byzantine Empire in A.D. 540 during theinfluential reign of the emperor Justinian. Thisoutbreak, as did so many after it, began in Egypt andswept into Europe via the shipping and trading ports.
During the next fifty years the Roman Empirecontinually faced wave after wave of epidemics. Inthe peak periods of infestation, ten thousand peopleper day died in wrenching agony. Half thepopulation of the Eastern Roman Empire died.
The course of history in the Middle Ages mayhave been far different if this outbreak had notweakened Justinian’s aims and allowed the overflowof the Germanic peoples.
T H E S E C O N D P A N D E M I C- T h e B l a c k D e a t h
Map showing the spread of the Black Death inEurope. The shaded area identifies the region in whichthe Black Death infestation began. The lines illustratethe sweeping spread of the Plague at six-monthintervals.
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In A.D. 1347, a group of Genoese tradersfound themselves beseiged by the Tartar Army in theCrimean port of Kaffa. After two years the seige wassuddenly broken by an onslaught of the plaguewhich decimated the attacking army.
In a fit of revenge, Tartar General Janibergcatapulted the diseased bodies of his dead soldiersover the wall into the city before he left it. The plaguethen began its relentless roll toward Europe. It gaineda foothold in January of 1348 when four ships fromKaffa carrying the dreaded disease arrived in Genoaand Venice.
By the end of 1351, twenty-five million ofEurope’s population lay in hastily dug mass graves.Vienna lost eight thousand; Venice lost close to onehundred thousand; Florence lost three-fifths of herpopulation; and in Marseilles, France, fifty-seventhousand died in only one month.
A Renaissance painting depicting the triumph ofthe Black Plague over all classes of people, includingthe clergy of the day, who had long since neglected toteach the commands of God’s Law.
The destruction was so rapid that ships wouldembark from a port and several days later theywould be spotted drifting aimlessly with the entirecrew dead.
England was particularly devastated in the lossof one-half of her population or two and one-halfmillion people in four short years. Entire villagesstood silent, the air fouled with the stench ofunburied bodies.
The Black Death destroyed the prosperity offourteenth-century England and caused the feudalsystem to become just a memory within a matter ofonly 150 years.Medicine Resource H (Booklet 2GPreliminay Edition)
A magic talisman worn by the people
A B R A C A D A B R AA B R A C A D A B RA B R A C A D A BA B R A C A D AA B R A C A D
A B R A C AA B R A CABRA
A B RAB
AJ
“Abracadabra” is a term which probablyoriginated from the name of a Gnostic deity. In theabsence of Biblical understanding about cleanliness,panic-stricken people wore it as a magical charm todrive away the Black Death.
T h e U n c l e a n C o n d i t i o n s o f t h e C i t i e s
The conditions in Europe were just right for anepidemic of the bubonic plague. Although themedieval towns were picturesque with their tiledhouses, cottages, and shops nestled around thecathedral, castle, or public square, they demon-strated man’s total disregard for Biblical guidelineson sanitation and pest control.
A medieval town which demonstrates the over-crowded conditions and resulting lack of sanitation
Streets were narrow and houses wereoppressively close together. Sewage and garbagewere conveniently tossed out the window andcollected in the open gutters which ran down themiddle of the streets. Rain then washed theoffending mess into the local rivers from which thepeople obtained their drinking water.
The rat-flea-human connection was notdiscovered until the beginning of the twentiethcentury. Since the clear Biblical warnings aboutsanitation and the unclean nature of rodents wereignored, many strange remedies were offered.
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During the Great London Plague in theseventeenth century an English physician said,
) “Take large Oynions, pale them and lay’ three or foure of them upon the ground, let
them lie ten daies, those picled Oynions will1 gather all the infection into them that is in one of
1
those Roomes but burie those Oynionsafterwards deep in the ground.”
__-___ ----._- .__-
Some thought that wearing garlands of flowerswould ward off the disease. Thus, the well-knownrhyme began,
Ring a ring of rosies,Pocket full of posiesAchoo, achoo,All fall down.
A page from a medi-cal book ot the daydescribed approved rem-edies for combating theplague. Unfortunately,these remedies failed toconsider the Biblicalguidelines which wouldhave saved the people.
Scenes in London during the Great Plagueshowing ho-a many people fled by sea and land andhow multitudes of others died and were buried
Culver P,cturer
A street scene during the London Plague of1665. The town crier is shown here calling out, “Bringout your dead!” in the background. corpses are placedon a I art to he hauled awav.
In a later outbreak, the German villageOberammergau decided to combat the plague byinvolving the village in a dramatic play on the life anddeath of Jesus Christ. The first performance was inA.D. 1634, and the play is still performed every tenyears.
The Aftermath of the Black Death
One modern historian has called the BlackDeath probably the most terrible physical calamity inhistoric times. The Italian writer Petrarch worried that
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later historians would not comprehend the nature ofthe total devastation.__ ___- -.---_---.- _ISI-__-_--.-__.-
“ . . . that dreadful year 1348, which notmerely robbed us of our friends, but robbed thewhole world of its peoples . . . when was such adisaster ever seen, even heard of? In whatrecords can we read that houses were emptied,cities abandoned, countrysides untilled, fieldsheaped with corpses, and a vast, dreadfulsolitude over all the world? Consult thehistorians; they are silent. . . Posterity, willyou believe what we who lived through it canhardly accept?”
1
Doctors visiting plaguevictims believed that theirnoses should be covered toprevent the spread of infec-tion. Pictured is the costumedoctors wore as late as theeighteenth century whenexposed to the plague.
A large group of Flagellants marches across Europe
T h e P e r s e c u t i o n o f t h e J e w s
Hysteria generated by the effects of theextreme devastation of the bubonic plague causedpeople to do things which would never have beenmentioned in more sane moments.
Though the plague claimed many Jewish livesalong with the general populace, it was evident thatthose Jews who obeyed the Biblical hygiene lawshad far fewer fatalities among their people. Thisobservation brought them under suspicion, andmany began to accuse the Jews of somehow causingthe destruction to poison the rest of society.
Tragically, whole communities of Jews werethen rounded up and burned. It is possible that asmany as five hundred Jewish communities wereexterminated throughout Western Europe. Paniccarried thousands of remaining Jews to Poland andEastern Europe.
R e l i g i o u s F r e n z y a n d L e g e n d s
The numbing shock of living through thecalamity of the bubonic plague drove many peopleeither to moral debauchery (eat and have fun, for wewill die soon), to the occult and magic, or to religiousfrenzy. One group which had appeared earlier inhistory now gained enormous popularity-theFlagellants.
A Jewish doctor being burned at the stake nearGeneva in 1348
Traveling from town to town, they would withthe blessing and permission of the Catholic Churchstage public demonstrations of self-torture for thepurpose of symbolically mingling their blood withChrist’s to gain the hope of eternal life.
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THE THIRD PANDEMICPeople often think of the past occurrences of
plague infestation-such as the Black Death or theGreat London Plague, which in the seventeenthcentury claimed one hundred thousand lives in sixmonths-as the only such experiences in history.However, the most widespread outbreak of thebubonic plague actually occurred in the years 1850to 1959.
The Black Plague in America, 1900-1976 rr\
Shaded areas indicate cases reported from 1901to 1359. Partially shaded areas identify cases ofthe Black Plague since 1972.
This outbreak affected the entire world,touching virtually every continent. The Plague wasintroduced to the United States in 1901.
Human Plague cases in the U.S., 1953-1976
tI n
World Mortality from Plague, 1894-1938
Region No. of DeathsIndia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,500,OOOChina and Formosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,000Java . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214,000Madagascar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,000Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120,000America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,000Europe (including southeast Russia) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000Remainder of World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,000GRAND TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,152,OOO
904
During this outbreak, the medical communitywas able to discover for the first time the true natureof the bubonic plague and to bring it under control.
THE NATURE OF THE BUBONIC PLAGUEThe pioneering efforts of two men, Alexandre
Yersin and S. Kitasato, led to the identification of thecause of the bubonic plague in 1894.
Cuiver P,ctures
Alexandre Yersin, 1863-1943
They found that the plague is caused by asmall bacterium, Pasteur-e/la pestis (later namedYersinia pestis in honor of Alexandre). Thisbacterium is probably the most virulent kind knownto man. In its pneumonic form it is potentially themost contagious disease mankind could experience.Laboratory mice have died from being injected withas few as three to ten bacteria!
The potential for repeated outbreaks is great.The bacteria are resistant to cold and have survivedten years in refrigeration. The bacteria can alsoremain alive in moist garden soil for seven monthsand in dried saliva for three months.
The plague attacks suddenly and causesviolent headaches, chills, fever, and the character-istic swellings called buboes. These swellings causeblood vessels to rupture, leaving black patches(bruises) under the skin. If diagnosed early in thisstage, antibiotics will kill the bacteria and the victimwill recover.
The infection in humans develops inthree forms:
1. In the bubonic form the lymph glands or buboesin the groin or armpits swell with masses of
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2.
3.
bacteria. Seventy-five percent of the cases beginthis way. If detected early, this form is treatablewith antibiotics.When the bacteria attack the lungs, the diseaseenters the pneumonic stage. In this form, itbecomes very contagious and deadly, for it iscarried in the suspended water droplets expelledfrom the lungs in sneezing and coughing. Deathusually follows quickly as the victim literallysuffocates.The septicemic form involves the infection of thebloodstream. In this form, the disease is nottreatable, and death is certain and rapid.
The Development and Symptomsof Human Plague”
Infection
cIncubation
periods
Primarypneumonic
Septicemicplague
Bubonicplague
Iplague
(droplet infection)
I
/Secondarypneumonic
plague
J
Cough, bloodstainedsputum, respiratory
distress
\
Generalized symptoms (1 day)malaise; headache; chills;fever up to 106°F (41°C);
nausea
\-I 2-21 days
\Definitive symptomsswelling, pain, bubo
Recovey
*Adapted from 6 Velimirovlc and Charles Elson. Clinical Ihagnosis of Plague, Geneva:WorldHealthOrganlratlon, 1973,withpermiss1onof WHO,andtheassistanceofDr Vehmiro-vie I’haryngeal plague. whxh may lead lo sept~emic. bubonic, or seconday pneumomcplague, IS omitted.
tlf untreated
T h e S p r e a d o f t h e D i s e a s e
The bubonic plague is an animal diseaseparticularly affecting rodents. Because of the rela-tionship of high rat mortality and the onset of theplague in humans, suspicion of a connection wasverbalized for years.
However, men were content through thoseyears to live alongside the vermin in violation ofthe Biblical warning of their uncleanness. (SeeLeviticus 11: 2947. )
Many also ignored the Scriptures whichprescribe a period of quarantine for those peoplewho made themselves “unclean.”
Protective garb worn by English doctors at thebeginning of this century
The Sicilian city of Ragusa in 1377, however,required all persons from infected areas to remaindistant from the city for a period of forty days. It ispossible that the forty-day period was derived fromthe Scriptural guideline of forty-day separation foruncleanness.
The reservoir of the bubonic plague is therodent population. The English Black Rat (Raffusrattus) and the Norwegian Brown Rat (Rattusnoruegicus) are well-known sources of the infection.However, human infestation does not occur directlyfrom the rat.
The vector which brings the disease uponhuman beings is the rat flea. When this aspect of theinfestation is eliminated, the plague exists onlyamong the rodents.
The rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopsis, transmits thedisease from rat to rat and from rats to humans.
Black ratscarry thebacteriumYersiniapestis,whichcausesbubonicplague.
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Flea’s head
Lances forcutting throughtough skin
The flea is infected by feeding on diseasedrodents. The bacteria grow quickly inside the flea’sdigestive tract, forming massive clumps and caus-ing complete blockage. The flea then bites, but isunable to swallow. In a frenzy, the starving flea biteshost after host, injecting thousands of bacteria witheach bite.
ic’ 7 Id’ ----A
----- Proventriculus- Esophagus--- Pharynx
Jhe Black D&h. Graham -rvnggThe blockage of the flea’s digestive tract
After years of massive loss in human lives,foolish medical speculations, and the murder ofinnocent scapegoats, the medical community finallylearned the methods of eliminating the bubonicplague. The procedures followed today simplyimplement the directions God gave to His people inHis Law.906
Realizing the connection between the plagueand rodent infestation, the World Health Organiza-tion makes this statement:
“The role of rodents in the transmissionof the plague to human beings is unquestion-able. . . . The most effective methods ofreducing the rodent population in humandwellings are those involving improvements insanitation and proper waste disposal. . . .”
Has modern science eliminated our need tocontinue to heed God’s Laws? One authority warns,“All the ingredients for a Fourth Pandemic are athand. The tinder lies waiting for the spark. . . . Thevicious bacillus [bacterium] has never really beentamed.”
Only when Biblical laws are continuouslyfollowed can relief from the explosive virulence ofthe Black Death be expected. The success of plaguesuppression in the years since 1959 could endovernight if the “least” of God’s commandmentsis neglected.
M U S T W E U N D E R S T A N D G O D ’ SC O M M A N D S I N O R D E R T OB E N E F I T F R O M T H E M ?
No. Those who keep God’s commands,whether they understand them or not,I‘ shall be called great in the kingdom ofhealen” (Matthew 5:19).
All of God’s commands have a purpose.The uncleanness of rats was not understooduntil less than one hundred years ago, yetcountless lives could have been saved byfollowing the principles of cleanliness.
1.
2.
3.
Refer to your Time Line Chart to discuss theworld events which occurred during the periodsof bubonic plague epidemics.Make a list of clean and unclean animals from theScriptures. Determine why God would designatethem “clean” or “unclean.” Add to your listpractices which God called “unclean.” Discusshow observing God’s descriptions would protectyour health.Visit your local Public Health Department.Observe how they inspect buildings for rodentand insect infestation. What steps are taken tohelp the community practice good sanitationhabits?
Date completed Evaluation
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