Welcome to Glengormley Methodist Church
Part of the Methodist Church in Ireland
What has a lack of vision to do with perishing? The Authorised Version (AV) of Proverbs 29:18 strikes me as rather odd. The word 'vision' means something different today than its use in this verse. Vision is something that people like adventurers and Alan Sugar have. I have never made a documentary like Michael Palin or started a big business with only £100. But, contrary to proverbs, I'm still alive!
The Hebrew word (hazon) for ‘vision’ refers to the prophets’ inspired revelation of wisdom. When a revelation through an inspired prophet is ignored, the people perish (yippara). Commentators suggest, yippara more accurately means ‘to fall into anarchy’ or to become ‘demoralised’ leading to riotous behaviour.
The rest of the verse provides a contrast that helps clarify what the author of the proverb means. This contrast is between the nation and the individual. A nation may be demoralised by poor leadership and descend into anarchy but an individual can still find happiness by heeding inspired wisdom. The Torah is in mind here. One can surmount adversity by wisdom. The verse could then be better understood as; “Without a revelation a people becomes ungovernable, but happy is he that keeps the law.”
Exodus 32:25 shows how the people of Israel lost sight of God by worshipping a god of their own making. They fell into anarchy.
The verse warns the church that it should not lose sight of God and trust in things of it’s own making. Seizing his Word into our hearts inspires vision and the wisdom to apply it, both in our relationships with one another and with the wider community.
Almost paradoxically, the verse provides comfort and encouragement to our church as well. This culture ignores, even rejects, a single vision concerning the truth. Everything is relative. The Word of God has been silenced by many of our institutions so that it no longer comments on the local situation. In fact Scripture is considered by many as simply irrelevant.
But when people possess the word of God, listen to it and act on it will they become truly happy, content and at peace. Clearing our vision is about reminding ourselves of the responsibility that comes with worshipping God. Worship is how we demonstrate the glory of God in the everyday things. Our community's window to see God is our church. These six weeks of hard work are preparation for helping Christian and non-Christian alike see the nature of God more clearly. Such a vision is truly transforming.
The Hebrew word (hazon) for ‘vision’ refers to the prophets’ inspired revelation of wisdom. When a revelation through an inspired prophet is ignored, the people perish (yippara). Commentators suggest, yippara more accurately means ‘to fall into anarchy’ or to become ‘demoralised’ leading to riotous behaviour.
The rest of the verse provides a contrast that helps clarify what the author of the proverb means. This contrast is between the nation and the individual. A nation may be demoralised by poor leadership and descend into anarchy but an individual can still find happiness by heeding inspired wisdom. The Torah is in mind here. One can surmount adversity by wisdom. The verse could then be better understood as; “Without a revelation a people becomes ungovernable, but happy is he that keeps the law.”
Exodus 32:25 shows how the people of Israel lost sight of God by worshipping a god of their own making. They fell into anarchy.
The verse warns the church that it should not lose sight of God and trust in things of it’s own making. Seizing his Word into our hearts inspires vision and the wisdom to apply it, both in our relationships with one another and with the wider community.
Almost paradoxically, the verse provides comfort and encouragement to our church as well. This culture ignores, even rejects, a single vision concerning the truth. Everything is relative. The Word of God has been silenced by many of our institutions so that it no longer comments on the local situation. In fact Scripture is considered by many as simply irrelevant.
But when people possess the word of God, listen to it and act on it will they become truly happy, content and at peace. Clearing our vision is about reminding ourselves of the responsibility that comes with worshipping God. Worship is how we demonstrate the glory of God in the everyday things. Our community's window to see God is our church. These six weeks of hard work are preparation for helping Christian and non-Christian alike see the nature of God more clearly. Such a vision is truly transforming.