|
|
HERB FOR THE SERVICE OF MAN
( An Exposition of Ganja
in the Holy Scripture )
by Pastor John J. Visser
(Introduction:)
Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, today I’d like to deal with a topic that is rarely covered from the modern-day church pulpit -- marijuana. Please be forewarned that this will not be your typical Sunday School Bible study because in this message we’ll look into what the Bible has to say about various herbs including marijuana and its use. While a majority of the CPM sermons equip Christian soldiers with essential scriptures found within “the Book” itself, in this sermon we’ll also focus on some common misconceptions and a few downright false doctrines that are taught by many who preach government doctrine. Using additional literary resources we’ll also discover the reasons behind such blatant false teachings and who exactly profits by their existence.
Starting off, I suppose the question that many will be asking right about now is “Where can I find the word ‘marijuana’ in the Holy Scripture?” Simple answer: it’s not there. However the English word ‘herb’ is mentioned almost 40 times so this would naturally be the most logical place to begin.
The first occurrence of the word ‘herb’ appears during the creation. Starting in Genesis 1:11 we read “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.” The Hebrew word transliterated here as herb is ‛eśeb (pronounced eh'-seb) and it means literally “to glisten (or be green); grass (or any tender shoot) or herb” (Strong’s #H6212).
Several things can be noted from the above verse. First, we notice that God differentiated between grass, herb plants and trees. This is usually where hard-hearted Christians tend to insert their own generalized ideas about the meaning of ‛eśeb even though God himself chose to keep these entities separate throughout all remaining scripture. We’ll discuss the various methods that unlearned Christians use to teach disobedience to Yahweh’s Word in greater detail in the upcoming message called “Anti-Herbal Tactics.” Secondly we should take note that it’s here that Yahweh gives the future Adam the ability to produce food yet still depend on Him. Notice that this verse says “whose seed is in itself” meaning that even though man would be given dominion over all the earth God would always be required to cause the seed to grow. Again, more on that later.
Also worthy of mention is the rendering of Genesis 1:11 in the 1599 Geneva Bible that says “Then God said, Let the earth bud forth the bud of the herb, that seedeth seed, the fruitful tree, which beareth fruit according to his kind, which hath his seed in it self upon the earth: and it was so.” Personally, I like this rendering much better because it’s more in keeping with a section of scripture found in Job which asks us “Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? (Job 38:25-27)” We’ll also cover this passage in more detail later.
Before continuing on I feel led to expand upon this simple term ‘herb’ before somebody attempts to dismiss this entire study by saying “But marijuana is a drug” or “God’s just talking about Dill or Chives.” I’ll counter your doubts by telling you right now -- Yahweh’s talking about all herbs. To be more specific, He later gives man partial ownership on all plant life and green foliage as found in Genesis 1:29 which plainly states “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” My point? Simply put -- Man has the right to grow any plant, tree or herb as prescribed by God according to His Word. Yahweh’s intention for such an awesome privilege is in plain sight: “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth (Psalms 104:14).” Did you catch where it says “Herb For The Service Of Man?” The scripture plainly teaches us that we’re able to sustain our need for food or medicine from plant life. When an attempt is made to hinder mankind’s ability to self-sustain themselves that attempt should be questioned at best.
Still, in 1970 the United States congress under the provisions of the Controlled Substance Act obviously mis-classified marijuana from its long-standing title as a simple herb to a “Schedule 1 Drug.” Not that man’s labeling of Yahweh’s plant life means much to a Christian but it should raise a few eyebrows to learn that the US Government has also outlawed many additional plants and herbs, most of which are the base ingredients of natural medicine. History has also shown such companies like Parke-Davis, Eli Lilly, Merck, and Squibb have all used marijuana, also called cannabis, in numerous over-the-counter medicines that worked for decades before being outlawed by the CSA. Again, we’ll go over the numerous parties that profit by pharmaceuticals and non-organic farming methods in a later study so for now just think on these things.
Marijuana in one degree or another has been used in religious and medical ceremonies practically since the beginning of man’s recorded history. Contrary to popular thought this herb was not outlawed by America first in the 1940’s with other continents following suit. In fact, it might shock a few of you to learn where marijuana prohibition was first considered -- the Roman Catholic Church. In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII labeled cannabis as “an unholy sacrament of the Satanic mass” and issued a papal ban on all existing cannabis medicines. Interestingly enough, it’s from this Religious Decree that we derive the modern-day terms ‘Devil weed,’ ‘Killer weed,’ or ‘Satan's herb.’ To the best of my knowledge, this is the first recorded attack on marijuana and its medical benefits.
Attempting to cover the numerous ways in which marijuana has benefited mankind would result in an entire sermon within itself. Rest assured we’ll cover its medical uses, prohibition, misinformation in much more detail in future studies. I want to get back on track and focus more on the Bible instead of the ignorance of man at this point in the sermon. We can only cover so much material in forty minutes and for now I want to focus on the theme of general herbs and medicines as it pertains to God’s Word.
We’re already familiar with Genesis 1:11 and Genesis 1:29 which were covered very briefly a moment ago. I’d like to mention several other verses from the creation account before we touch upon these themes in other sections of scripture. The reader should be able to notice in Genesis 1:12 that what Yahweh had created “was good” or “favored” with the Creator. You should also be able to deduct from both the 29th and 30th verses that Yahweh granted man all plant life “for meat” and I also touched upon Psalms 104:14 where we’re given these plants “for the service of man.” There are several additional scriptures that could be expanded upon but I’ll round this section out with a quote from Genesis 9:3 that teaches us “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”
Surprisingly, not much is mentioned about herb directly in Yahweh’s Law outside of one promise found in Deuteronomy 32:2 that states “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” Interesting of note is that in this verse the word transliterated ‘grass’ is from the previously-mentioned Hebrew word ‛eśeb but the word rendered ‘herb’ is from another word altogether -- deshe'. Even further distinguishing herbal plants from common foliage, this word (pronounced deh'-sheh) is much more specific in meaning “Green Tender Herb” as found in the Strong’s Concordance or simply just “Green Herb” according to Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions.
While the Old Testament Law may not have a lot to teach us about herbal medicines by way of recipes you might be surprised to discover that it has a lot of negative things to say about synthetic pharmaceuticals. Indeed, you may have to uncover the Greek definition of the word sorcerer or sorceries to fully uncover the deeper teachings of God’s Mosaic Law. The Greek word pharmakeia (pronounced far-mak-i'-ah) has numerous applications throughout the Bible but no matter how you cut it it’s still a negative term and interesting enough -- this also the same word from which we derive both the modern-day terms of ‘pharmaceutical’ and ‘pharmacy.’ A word to the wise should be sufficient but go back and re-read Yahweh’s commands in Leviticus 19:26-28, 9:31, 20:6 or Deuteronomy 18:9-14 with this thought in mind. One doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to discover that Yahweh prefers the natural over the unnatural, especially when He has given us everything we need to sustain ourselves from the beginning.
The Bible is chock full of agricultural terms from the very first chapter and this theme is carried all the way through the entire body of work. Not only did Jesus teach using these methods like found in Matthew 13:38 where he explains “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one” but even the prophetical books delve into the deeper aspects of these gardening themes like this quote from Revelation 14:15 that states “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Did you ever stop to think why this is?
The fact is that this is what Yahweh’s people are commanded to do starting with Adam. Returning for a moment to Genesis 2:5 we discover that the very reason for the creation of mankind is because “there was not a man to till the ground” that Yahweh had formed. A deeper study into the curses pronounced on all three parties for the original sin also unlocks a valuable tidbit of information -- the ability to grow plants (being blessed from God) is what separates us from our adversary and his offspring (Genesis 3:14-19).
From the Garden of Eden to the Garden near Golgotha these farming themes continue throughout all of scripture with a major emphasis on the value of herb gardens. Time will not allow me to expand in detail but quickly notice that King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard to sow a garden of herbs (1 Kings 21:2), one of Elisha’s pupils “went out into the field to gather herbs (2 Kings 4:39)” and King Solomon teaches us that “The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered (Proverbs 27:25).” At this point in the lesson I think it’s safe to say that Yahweh approves of herb gardens.
Without a doubt we need to address the subject of smoking in the Bible before people’s imaginations get too active thinking about why I’m presenting such a study. There are certain sects of Christianity that like to take a verse found in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that says “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” and twist it to apply to the human flesh. Sadly, these same “one-verse-reverends” usually also miss the actual teaching about Jesus Christ being the Church and as a congregational body allow impure elements or people in to corrode their teachings over time. Go back and read this entire chapter and you’ll see the subject is the body of Christ and has nothing to do with smoking -- in fact, there’s not a “Thou shalt not smoke” anywhere in the Bible.
Now am I saying anyone should smoke? No. I’m merely pointing out that a lot of so-called Christians like to hold other people in bondage by inventing such teachings. Without a doubt anyone who has smoked for any amount of time will most likely tell you that smoking is bad for you. Yahweh continually sends smokers warning after warning in the form of coughing fits so common sense alone should tell you that excessive smoking is harmful to your health. On the other hand, I do find it only fair to point out that the Word of God does teach moderation in all things (Philemon 4:5) and there’s a time and a place for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Also, keep in mind that most modern-day reports into ‘the dangers of smoking’ are based upon studies of cigarettes which happen to contain over four thousand unknown chemicals to ganja’s four hundred known. A quick analysis at this point proves that while smoking marijuana is bad for you it’s obviously only a tenth as dangerous as cigarettes. Not to mention the most active ingredient of cannabis is THC (delta -9- tetrahydrocannabinol) which is one hundred percent natural.
Sobriety is a command throughout the Bible with alcohol being one of the worst offenders. We find all manner of warnings like “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)” and “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded (Tit 2:6).” Surprisingly, the word ‘sober’ used in these types of New Testament verses are taken from the Greek word nēphō which literally means “to abstain from wine” or “be discreet (Strong’s #G3525).” The warnings against drunkenness and alcohol use for non-medicinal means get even more specific in over twenty more verses like this one found in Proverbs 20:1 that says “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Anyone who’s ever been around a heavy drinker might identify with this verse.
However, trying to tie marijuana use into the ‘sobriety’ category falls short when confronted with the facts. For one, it’s a stimulant which means its use will “accent” ones perceptions rather than “dull” them like the effects of alcohol or synthetic drugs. However, when smoked in mass quantities the effects can become mildly hallucinogenic and the user could hardly be considered sober at this point. On the medical level, cannabis is used for many ailments including appetite stimulant, pain reliever and anti-depressant while at the same time there has never been one recorded death from an overdose because it’s next to impossible.
Indeed, a wise man will keep his life and priorities in the proper balance but at the same time not deny himself the “creature comforts” that are his portion from God as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 5:18. Keep in mind that just like foods, herbs effect people in dissimilar ways irregardless of whether they’re smoked or eaten.
As Christian soldiers we’re commanded to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).” This passage says so much. First and foremost we’re instructed to study the scriptures, an aspect of our Christian walk that is unfortunately often neglected by today’s unarmed self-pronounced followers of Christ. More importantly is the statement “rightly dividing the word of truth” which teaches us to contrast the world views with the Bible and even more specifically -- Man’s laws versus Yahweh’s Law.
“But we’re supposed to obey the laws of the land” you might be saying, I’m happy to report that there’s no commandment in the Bible, in either the Old or New Testaments, that teaches we must obey the law of the land. What we do have is a conditional admonition found in 1 Peter 2:13-14 that says “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.” Notice the conditions? Rulers must speak “praise of them that do well” and work towards “the punishment of evildoers.” Sadly for the body of Christ most “reverends” who preach government doctrine use this verse to hold people in bondage while ignoring the conditions of such submission -- “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil (Romans 13:3,4).”
Time will not allow me to expand upon additional prerequisites of authorities or leaders like how they must be “God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing (Romans 13:6).” Let it suffice to say that the entire theme of Yahweh’s Word has always been “Choose you this day whom ye will serve (Joshua 24:15)” or as Jesus taught “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).” God’s perfect Law or man’s fallible bastardization of them, the choice has always been ours. When these particular entities clash with one another, a decision must be made -- “but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh (Joshua 24:15).”
Imagine what would’ve happened had Daniel consented to ‘the law of the land’ and ate the King’s unkosher meal in Daniel 1:8 or had Lot consented to Sodom’s rules (2 Peter 2:6,7). One final thought to ponder, think for a minute what would’ve happened had Jesus Christ himself consented to man’s regulations. Christianity wouldn’t even exist today considering he was sentenced to death at birth by the order of Herod (Matthew 2:13).
(Intention:)
My intention on bringing this study to you is not to promote the use of cannabis or to promote any form of civil unrest. My prayer is that if I’m able to teach any one specific point in this lesson it would be a verse that’s found in Ecclesiastes 12:13 that states “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” I hope that I might be able to shed light on some common misconceptions when dealing with the topics of smoking, herb use and Yahweh’s eternal Law in contrast to man’s never-ending onslaught of changing ordinances.
Anything that you spend more time with than Yahweh runs a major risk of becoming an idol. This fact means little to a non-Christian but to us it’s a fact of life we must always attempt to keep a watchful eye for. Regrettably, many believers grow ignorant of this fact over time and the current state of affairs or anti-Jesus agenda causes them to “have other gods before Yahweh (Exodus 20:3).” Don’t let anything on earth rob you of your time that should be spent promoting the Gospel of Christ. Although it will most likely happen, I also pray no one says that I taught anyone to “serve the creature more than the Creator (Romans 1:25).” Amen.
[ Date: Sunday, February 20th,
2005 a.d. ]
(Last Page Update:
February 07, 2006)
Covenant People's Ministry
Box 256, Brooks, GA 30205