Of Times and Seasons

So we are born again, right? Praise God! We believe God and his promises, and his laws. Alleluia!

The implication of this is that we must henceforth endeavor at all times to live and act in conformity with the scripture.

The scriptures say in Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We are further instructed to note that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works - 2 Timothy 3:16-17


Today I implore us to look at the things – conditions/circumstances and people that dictate our life style, and the activities we engage in – work, fashion, nutrition, socializing and all. We will start this series by looking at a very prominent festivity or occasion we all tend to celebrate and how it is reflected in the scriptures – birthdays!

The first mention of birthday in the Holy Bible is in Genesis 40:20 - 22

20 Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

You recall that these two men had dreams which Joseph interpreted. A birthday is supposed to be a day marked out to celebrate. However, it would seem that at every birthday celebration we throw or attend, we spend more time glorifying ourselves instead of God. The parties are held in our honour and they last for hours or even days! Remember Nimrod and his people of Babel. They also tried to build a city, a tower that will reach the heavens as a memorial to them, in their honour, just in case they be scattered. They wanted to be remembered…….Genesis 11:4 - Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

The second mention of birthday is seen in Job. God gave a wonderful citation of Job. It would seem his sons just loved birthdays……

We read a few verses in the first chapter of the book of Job………

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus, Job did regularly.

Job Loses His Property and Children

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
Again, we see death and destruction at birthday celebrations…….

The most tragic birthday story is recorded in Matthew 14:1-12

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”
9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.
Herod was governor and could not go back on his word…….so John’s head had to be delivered.
Do we still believe the bible as the word of God? Did I hear someone say? Yes………

Then look at what the bible says in Galatians 4:9-10

9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

Recall in our opening paragraph, we were told that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works………….

Just in case we are still wondering what to do, look at what the same scripture say in Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

No, we have not killed anyone celebrating our birthdays all these years. Every time we rent a bus full of young women for the parties......drink, eat and dance to satisfy the desires of our flesh.......Is there an unseen hand in birthdays? What do we know? He says that we know in part.........

I hope we have not spoilt your fun…….enjoy.

“Men who look upon themselves born to reign, and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.” ― Thomas Paine, #learnearnteachconnect

“Society is produced by our wants, and government by wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affections, the latter negatively by restraining our vices. The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions. The first is a patron, the last a punisher.”
― Thomas Paine #learnearnteachconnect

“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.” ― Thomas Paine, #learnearnteachconnect