There is a theme here of preparing the way of the Lord that permeates the lesson. I was wondering, what is it to "prepare the way of the Lord”, to “make his paths straight”? What does it mean to “make straight in the desert a highway for our God”?
In Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary, under Highways:
“Though during the way of the Romans over Palestine they made a few substantial roads…. for most of the time the Jews had nothing such as we call roads, but only footpaths through which animals walked in single file. These were never cared for, no repairs made or obstacles removed. This fact brings into striking prominence the figure of preparing a highway for the return of the captives, or the coming of the great King. …”
Mrs. Eddy writes, “Throughout all generations both before and after the Christian era, the Christ, as the spiritual idea, – the reflection of God, – has come with some measure of power and grace to all prepared to receive Christ, Truth.”
How does one prepare the way of the Lord, to receive the Christ, Truth?
JPalmer
134 posts
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Location: Plainfield United States
01/20/2014 10:26
Re: Paths, ways, roads and highways...
When I read Isaiah 40:3—The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.—I realized ‘highway’ was probably not being used in the same way as I think of it, so looking at the 1828 Webster’s:
Highway - A public road; a way open to all passengers; so called, either because it is a great or public road, or because the earth was raised to form a dry path. Highways open a communication from one city or town to another.
Then I looked up ‘wilderness’ to be sure as well:
Wilderness - A desert; a tract of land or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings, whether a forest or a wide barren plain. In the United States, it is applied only to a forest. In Scripture, it is applied frequently to the deserts of Arabia. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness forty years.
It’s devastating to think of what wilderness I’d be in now if people past and present had failed to straighten their portion of that highway. I am so grateful that Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy and every other worker had the fortitude to take their God-given roles seriously and trusted in Him as they paved the road for us.
Gary
431 posts
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Location: n.a.
01/20/2014 10:37
Re: Paths, ways, roads and highways...
I love the responsive reading for that very reason. The sermon on the mount makes it very clear what state of thought is required in order to receive the Truth.
Blessed are the meek... No pride. Let it be burned out.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness... You have to want the truth more than anything. It must be the "pearl of great price" to you or you won't recognize it, let along be receptive to it.
Blessed are the pure in heart... You must be willing to "rid one's self of error." What is my motive for wanting the truth?
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake... You have to be willing to stand on the truth no matter what anybody says or does. The truth is not diplomatic. It does not compromise with human opinion. It is a law of destruction to everything that is not true. This is what healing is all about.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad... Be darned grateful to God for every good thing, and don't forget it.
These are just a few thoughts I got from the lesson on how to prepare the way. Wonderful lesson. Thanks for asking the question!
Andrew
1128 posts
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Location: n.a.
01/20/2014 15:39
Re: Paths, ways, roads and highways...
How does one prepare the way of the Lord, to receive the Christ, Truth?
Only those that let God prepare them can accept Truth. "The world" exhorts us to take charge of our life, "make it happen," set goals and go for them. Christ Jesus gave us the Beatitudes. You cannot force it. "Now I am going to be meek!" No, but as "The New Birth" by Mrs. Eddy explains it:
"The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins
with moments, and goes on with years; moments of sur-
render to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption
of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration,
heaven-born hope, and spiritual love."
MaryBeth
795 posts
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Location: n.a.
Editor
01/21/2014 10:29
Re: Paths, ways, roads and highways...
This conversation reminded me of Hymn #123 – “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace all sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and Thy gold to refine.” As we walk this straight and narrow pathway God does mold, and shape and design us in the most glorious way. It is ours to stay the course and not deviate when the going gets fiery and rough; in this way we humbly submit to our Father, seeing His way as the ONLY way and in so doing a wonderful transformation begins to take place.
jacob45
370 posts
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Location: puerto limon Costa Rica
01/22/2014 21:30
Re: Paths, ways, roads and highways...
Maybe the road seems so narrow because of our perspective? Because of the great gulf or distance that separates mortal mind from this road and its gate?
I remember a wonderful poem I read long time ago, that goes more or less like this:
The way was hard and narrow so I was told,
But when I found it there was a highway of gold.
