It’s High Noon And Somebody’s Leav’n In A Pine Box
How do you deal with those who oppose the Tabernacle Blessing? Do you constructively engage them and give them as much ground as theologically possible? Or, like Jeptha, do you stand fast and say “no further?” This is a question that is becoming quite relevant in the age of Tabernacles, for we will always face those who want to quote doctrine to us, demanding that we enter their arena and play by their rules.
The Pharisees of the first century constantly challenged God in Christ, wanting Jesus to answer them according to their doctrine. Believing themselves to be the chosen of God, they tried to entrap Christ with logical arguments. However, Jesus answered them, not by their own rules, but with wisdom from above.
High noon
Facing down those who don’t agree with you is a tough business. Saints don’t seek a high noon experience unless the Devil forces them into it. Evil men and women “throw down” even though we want to mind our own business. Of course, we could run and hide, but that doesn’t fix anything, it just delays the inevitable.
When you stare down the bad guy, it does a couple of very good things. First of all, it causes you to stand for what is right and commit to the truth in front of everyone. Secondly, if all goes well and God shows up, it breaks the spirit of fear in you and those around you. No one likes a gunfight, but it does often settle the issues at hand once and for all.
The Tabernacle Blessing is the next move of God
We know the Tabernacle Blessing is of God because we experience it. More than understanding the significance of God’s love, we feel it and taste it. It is like the smell of the air after a spring rain, everything seems renewed and fresh in our lives. Knowing God’s love in one another, we cannot back down from those who want us to be cowards in our faith.
Once again, the church has drifted very far from God. Over many centuries, doctrines of men have become unreasoning dogma. The clergy follow it blindly, thinking that they keep themselves and their followers safe. Again, when God wants to come unto His own, they receive Him not. Just as Jesus seemed out of step with the Pharisees, Tabernacle saints seem out of step with modern-day clergy.
In the mind of the outlaw, there are many justifications for facing down the sheriff. In the final analysis, whatever reasons that led him to want to kill the man standing up for righteousness, they are not enough. Moreover, even if he succeeds in killing the sheriff, it’s only a temporary reprieve. There will be another sheriff, and another, and another, until the criminal’s luck runs out.
Likewise, those who oppose God’s messengers, even if they succeed in stopping the one He sends, only live to face judgment another day. It is not the particular lawman who is important, but the one whom that man or woman of God represents. It is the idea of law and justice that can’t be eradicated by a high noon duel. Likewise, God doesn’t abandon His will simply because we don’t like it.
Jesus says,
“And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his well beloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.’ And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.”
Mark 12:1-9
God doesn’t allow any one person or institution to usurp His will. Our doctrines don’t mean anything to Him unless they are His will. God see and is not amused, though many mock and ridicule those He sends. People may resist and even persecute those our Lord leads, but in the end, justice prevails.
Gamaliel had it right,
“Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
Acts 5:34-39
In conclusion, though this is a figure of speech and definitely not a literal wish, it’s high noon and someone’s leav’n in a pine box. It may be the lawman or maybe the outlaw, but this is going end one way or the other. If good wins, God restores law and order to His Kingdom. If evil wins, evil only gets a short reprieve until it faces judgment again. Either way, God wins.
