April 04: THE TOWER

"Behold, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when the city will be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. (Jeremiah 31:38 NAU)

Yesterday, we noted that the Gate of the Elders was likely the same as the Corner Gate. Being located on the northwest side of the wall meant this tower, build upon the wall, stood higher than the rest of the city—even before the tower was added.

From the tower, the watchman could see much further and observe much more than from any other location in the city. It is important to note that the watchman is not any taller, any wiser, or any more insightful than anyone else. He simply has a higher vantage point. So he can see more. Thus, the watchman can warn of pending danger, announce returning warriors, warn of approaching storms.

Seeing the big picture means having an understanding of the real purpose and meaning of life. One who can truly recognize the reason God placed him or her on earth has a distinct advantage over others.

When we begin to search Scripture, it doesn’t take long to determine that the real purpose of life is quite fundamental. Jesus summed it up this way:

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-3 9 NIV)

Jesus did what scholars have been doing for centuries. He summarized the commandments into two simple categories. Love God. Love humanity. Note carefully the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments. The first half deals with how we honor God. The second half focuses on how we honor our fellow human.

Of course, we have the difficulty of the fifth commandment. If we are to divide the ten evenly, five in each list, that would place honoring our parents under the category of honoring God. I believe this is exactly what God intended. The way we treat our parents reflects directly on how we honor God. He is, after all, our Heavenly Father.

THINK ABOUT IT.
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