"Yahweh looked down from heaven on the sons of men to see if any consider to seek God."1
This Hebrew word for consider is often translated as "who acts wisely, understands, prospers." One of the reasons Eve desired the fruit was because she considered the tree that it would make one wise. We see this close link between wisdom and understanding, such we see in the principle of sowing, those who hear and receive may produce some fruit but it is in understanding that much fruit is produced. Faith comes by hearing, reading, and receiving the words of Christ, only a simple mind like that of a child is needed. To the one who has, more is given, these who consider to seek God, these will prosper.
"In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider also the one as well as the other, cause God accomplishes, not to be found man behind anything."1
Consider prosperity and adversity. Some teachings today consider only prosperity and some relate such to worldly goods thus many who experience adversity have no understanding and do not endure, choked out by the cares of the world. Jesus said the sun rises and the rain falls on the evil as it does on the good, so whether we receive prosperity or adversity we are to consider that God accomplishes his will. God uses the weak things of this world, things that confound the wise and strong so that man doesn't think he is behind anything.
"to whom God has chosen to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory."2
Consider hope in us. Christ is the image of an invisible God, first born among many brethren, and the Word that was in the beginning and created all things, "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."3 Christ sits head of the Church, the household, family of God, King, Lord, Rabbi, Teacher... all preeminence is given to him so that no man would receive such glory. In him the fullness of God dwells, of Grace and truth, that through him all things are reconciled, making peace by the blood of his cross.3 Christ is in us, hope of glory.
"Observe the lilies of the field, how they grow, they do not toil, nor do they spin."3
Consider the lilies. Solomon in all his wisdom was not adorned as the lily. And look at the grass of the field here today and gone tomorrow, God clothes them, will he not much more you?4 if you but have faith. This word for grow, auxanó, "cause to increase, become greater, grow" properly, grow (increase); become greater in size/maturity. The lilies do not toil for his provision, they do not spin, they do not sow to reap.
"Consider the ravens for they sow nor reap, to them there is not a storehouse nor barn and God feeds them, how much more valued are you than the birds!"4
Consider the birds. God promises to feed me if I but trust him. Do the birds sow to reap? no, and he considers their needs and provides for them, surely the birds glorify him and sing praises to him. Do I have to sow to reap earthly needs? not if I consider the birds. I do give from my storehouse, I give to the needy of his children because he loves them and such glorifies him. If I but grasp the spiritual blessings then from my heart will flow springs of living water, valued by those thirsty for such. I sow that which endures into everlasting life and reap what others may have sowed, it is the same. If it is sowed into everlasting life is it not reaped in everlasting life? I receive his promises and sing praises to his name as He is good and trustworthy.
"what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"7
Consider man. If your child is comparably disobedience to that of the children of God would not you question your love for them? oh but we are man. Jeremiah writes the people found grace in the wilderness, when they sought rest, God appeared to them and said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built,..."4 And how can we enter into that rest? boldly by faith in Jesus we can approach the throne of God to receive grace and mercy. And for what purpose? to be built, his workmanship.
"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."4
Consider Him who endured. When we participate in his sufferings, in remembrance we have communion with him in His death. During this process of transformation we enter into his rest, and "he develops us for our good, that we may share his holiness."5 We learn to endure as we are developed, this discipline "it yields a peaceful harvest of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."6 So we are to consider how Christ endured such, staying on the straight path so that what is lame might be healed.
"Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."9
Consider God. Who is man to be considered by God? oh, a God that loves us so, is one to be sought, to be praised, if we don't the stones surely will cry out. Who is man for God to consider him, to have bestowed upon him such love? oh that man would consider to seek a God who considers him so.
This Hebrew word for consider is often translated as "who acts wisely, understands, prospers." One of the reasons Eve desired the fruit was because she considered the tree that it would make one wise. We see this close link between wisdom and understanding, such we see in the principle of sowing, those who hear and receive may produce some fruit but it is in understanding that much fruit is produced. Faith comes by hearing, reading, and receiving the words of Christ, only a simple mind like that of a child is needed. To the one who has, more is given, these who consider to seek God, these will prosper.
"In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider also the one as well as the other, cause God accomplishes, not to be found man behind anything."1
Consider prosperity and adversity. Some teachings today consider only prosperity and some relate such to worldly goods thus many who experience adversity have no understanding and do not endure, choked out by the cares of the world. Jesus said the sun rises and the rain falls on the evil as it does on the good, so whether we receive prosperity or adversity we are to consider that God accomplishes his will. God uses the weak things of this world, things that confound the wise and strong so that man doesn't think he is behind anything.
"to whom God has chosen to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you the hope of glory."2
Consider hope in us. Christ is the image of an invisible God, first born among many brethren, and the Word that was in the beginning and created all things, "And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."3 Christ sits head of the Church, the household, family of God, King, Lord, Rabbi, Teacher... all preeminence is given to him so that no man would receive such glory. In him the fullness of God dwells, of Grace and truth, that through him all things are reconciled, making peace by the blood of his cross.3 Christ is in us, hope of glory.
"Observe the lilies of the field, how they grow, they do not toil, nor do they spin."3
Consider the lilies. Solomon in all his wisdom was not adorned as the lily. And look at the grass of the field here today and gone tomorrow, God clothes them, will he not much more you?4 if you but have faith. This word for grow, auxanó, "cause to increase, become greater, grow" properly, grow (increase); become greater in size/maturity. The lilies do not toil for his provision, they do not spin, they do not sow to reap.
"Consider the ravens for they sow nor reap, to them there is not a storehouse nor barn and God feeds them, how much more valued are you than the birds!"4
Consider the birds. God promises to feed me if I but trust him. Do the birds sow to reap? no, and he considers their needs and provides for them, surely the birds glorify him and sing praises to him. Do I have to sow to reap earthly needs? not if I consider the birds. I do give from my storehouse, I give to the needy of his children because he loves them and such glorifies him. If I but grasp the spiritual blessings then from my heart will flow springs of living water, valued by those thirsty for such. I sow that which endures into everlasting life and reap what others may have sowed, it is the same. If it is sowed into everlasting life is it not reaped in everlasting life? I receive his promises and sing praises to his name as He is good and trustworthy.
"what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"7
Consider man. If your child is comparably disobedience to that of the children of God would not you question your love for them? oh but we are man. Jeremiah writes the people found grace in the wilderness, when they sought rest, God appeared to them and said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built,..."4 And how can we enter into that rest? boldly by faith in Jesus we can approach the throne of God to receive grace and mercy. And for what purpose? to be built, his workmanship.
"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."4
Consider Him who endured. When we participate in his sufferings, in remembrance we have communion with him in His death. During this process of transformation we enter into his rest, and "he develops us for our good, that we may share his holiness."5 We learn to endure as we are developed, this discipline "it yields a peaceful harvest of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."6 So we are to consider how Christ endured such, staying on the straight path so that what is lame might be healed.
"Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."9
Consider God. Who is man to be considered by God? oh, a God that loves us so, is one to be sought, to be praised, if we don't the stones surely will cry out. Who is man for God to consider him, to have bestowed upon him such love? oh that man would consider to seek a God who considers him so.