Last week we mailed our monthly Newsletters … from Michigan where I was preaching in Revival. The little city from which I “posted” them was Grant, not far from lake Michigan.
One of the first times a postman is mentioned in Scripture is Jeremiah 51:31 where God is announcing the doom of the wicked city of Babylon. “One POST shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end.” The Hebrew noun “post” here actually means a “runner!”
But Job (in the Old Testament Book bearing his name) earlier used the same thought, the speed of the mail! Job in his great suffering lamented: “Now my days are swifter than a POST: they flee away, they see no good.” Job 9:25, not long to live, he thought.
One reason I love the monthly mailings we do is that it always includes a new CD Sermon I’ve recently preached. Currently a discussion of over a dozen key Christmas Verses, about the Birth of Jesus. Our “letters” carry a spiritual emphasis, always.
Today’s Bible Lesson …
The post office pictured above really got me to thinking (while still in bed earlier this morning) about the New Testament word “epistle.” Generally defined as a “letter.”
The New Testament is “full” of such letters, you know. Epistles, 21 of them in all. Some are called “Pauline” (named after their author) and the others loosely termed “General Epistles.”
A letter from Paul, how exciting that would have been!
“Epistle” has a Greek etymology, definition. From “epi” (a preposition meaning “to”) and “stello” (a verb meaning “to set in order, to arrange”). Words directed “to” a person (or group) with the goal of “setting them straight” about a matter!
Yes, that’s the true definition of “epistle.”
A letter all right, but an “official” letter. The 21 New Testament letters have the powerful sanction (approval) of Almighty God! In fact, He is the True Author, these little Documents being Holy Spirit inspired! Without error, in other words!
I have an idea.
In the next few days or weeks or even months … study the Epistles!
Survey Paul’s 14 little Jewels! Romans through Hebrews, let’s say.
Or look at the 7 Epistles written by men other than Paul. Namely, John and Peter and James and Jude.
Vast volumes of information have been written to help you study these books collectively, or one by one.
Well, I must close this Monday morning.
Having shared a quick thought inspired by a Post Office!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell