The subject worked out for this month is: The use and abuse of the various members of the body.
The scope of the subject was we think sufficiently indicated in the remarks made in the February number. “The work of the Class is to select out of the large number of passages where these subjects are spoken of, those only which directly illustrate or speak of the use and abuse of each member.” It is evident that by the former (use), is not intended every instance of the use of a member, as this would have included every instance in the Bible when a person spoke or walked, or indeed performed any of the ordinary actions of daily life, but only such cases where the use, as contrasted with the abuse, is indicated. Nor did the subject include the use made in Scripture of the words eye, hand, foot, &c., but only the use of the members themselves, either literal or figurative. A consideration of these points will, we hope, show some who have sent in, papers, why many of the passages they have quoted are not included in the result.
The Use of the Eye.
The eye in Scripture, we find from the papers sent in, is very generally spoken of as being directed to God, and is thus expressive of the attitude of the heart towards Him. The passages illustrating this are found in almost every book of the Bible, being especially numerous in the Psalms and Prophets, and they are thus too numerous to find a place in our printed result. As instances amongst many we may give the following where the eye is expressive of- a desire for guidance or help, 2 Chronicles 20:12; Psalms 121:1
confidence and trust, Psalms 5:3.
expectation of blessing, Psalms 123:2.
The eye of faith looks for
Salvation, Isaiah 45:22; Micah 7:7.
Redemption, Luke 2:38.
The Savior, Philippians 3:20.
Blessed hope of the appearing, Titus 2:13.
A city (Old Testament saints), Hebrews 11 to.
The coining of the day of God, 2 Peter 3:12.
New heavens and new earth, 2 Peter 3:13.
The mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 21.
The eye of faith looks at or on
The glory of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Unseen things, 2 Corinthians 4:18.
The things of others, Philippians 2:4 (expressive of desire for their welfare).
Jesus glorified, Hebrews 2:9.
Jesus the author and finisher of faith, Hebrews 12:2.
The eye is expressive of
Humility, Job 22:29 (margin).
Sorrow, Job 17:7; Lamentations 5:17; John 11:35.
Satisfaction, Psalms 92:11.
Compassion, Proverbs 22:1.
Liberality, Proverbs 22:9.
Sympathy, Lamentations 1:16.
Those who used their eyes in direct obedience to a divine command:
Abraham, Genesis 13:14Balaam, Numbers 22:31.
A young man, 2 Kings 6:17
The king of Syria’s host, 2 Kings 6:20.
The Abuse of the Eye.
The eye is variously used in Scripture in a bad sense as expressing Pride, Psalms 18:27; 101. 5; Proverbs 6:17;21. 4; 30: 13; Isaiah 2:11; 5:15; 10:12.
Greed, Prov, 27:20; Ecclesiastes 1:8;4. 8.
Wantonness, Isaiah 3:16.
Cunning (winking) Job 15:12; Psalms 35:19; Proverbs 6:53; 10:10.
Mockery, Proverbs 30:17.
Lust, Job 24:55; Proverbs 23:33; Matthew 5:28; 2 Peter 2:14; John 2:16.
Evil generally, Deuteronomy 15:9; Proverbs 23:6; Matthew 20:15.
Half-hearted service (eye service) Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22.
Those who used their eyes improperly
Eve, Genesis 3:6.
Sons of God, Genesis 6:2.
Lot, Genesis 13 to (contrast with Abraham, verse 14).
Lot’s wife, Genesis 19:26 (compare Luke 9:62.)
Potiphar’s wife, Genesis 39:7).
Achan, Josh. 7:21.
Ahaz, 2 Kings 16:10; see Deuteronomy 4:19, & Job 31:26,27.
Haman—(envy), Esther 5:53.
Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:29,30.
Peter, Matthew 14:30.
We use our eyes wrongly when we
Look at others’ faults and overlook our own, Matthew 7:3-5. Look on our own things and not on the things of others, Philippians 2:4.
An abuse of the eye is when it refuses to look at what God puts before it. See Isaiah 6:9; Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 13:13,14; John 12:40; Acts 28:27; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
The Use of the Hand.
The hand is said to be
Lifted up to God, as taking an oath, by Abraham, Genesis 14:22.
Stretched out in blessing, by Jacob, Genesis 48:14; by Aaron, Leviticus 9:22.
Spread abroad before the Lord in prayer, by Moses, Exodus 9:29.
Held up in supplication, by Moses, Exodus 17:11; Psalms 28:2.
Laid upon the head of an offering, for identification, Leviticus 1:4.
Washed in token of innocence, Deuteronomy 21:6; Matthew 27:24.
“Ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities,” Acts 20:34.
“Let him labor working with his hands the thing that is good,” Ephesians 4:28.
The Abuse of the Hand.
Used for murder,
By Cain, Genesis 4:8.
By Joab, 2 Samuel 20:9, 10.
By Herod, Acts 12:1.
“Hands that shed innocent blood are an abomination to the Lord,” Proverbs 6:17; Isaiah 1:15.
“The Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of men and they shall kill him,” Matthew 17:22.
Used in violence,
By Sheba, against David, 2 Samuel 20:21.
By Haman, against the Jews, Esther 3:8,9.
By the Jews, against the Lord, Matthew 26:50.
By the chief priests, &c., against the apostles, Acts 4:3.
By Herod, against John, Matthew 14:3.
By Peter, against the servant of the high priest, Matthew 26:51.
Used in deceit, “The balances of deceit are in his hands,” Hosea 12:7. “They hold fast deceit,” Jeremiah 8:5.
“(Not) handling the word of God deceitfully,” 2 Corinthians 4:2. Used to make idols, Psalms 115:4; Acts 7:41;19. 26.
Used to denote slothfulness,
“Folding of the hands to sleep,” Proverbs 6:10.
“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom,” Proverbs 19:24.
Used generally for evil, Lamentations 4:10; Micah 7:3; Matthew 5:30.
“A slack hand,” Proverbs 10:4.
“Thou shalt not put thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness,” Exodus 23:1.
“Thou shalt not shut thine hand from thy poor brother,” Deuteronomy 15:7.
The Use of the Feet.
The word “walk” is used to denote the character of a man’s conduct in the sight of God; thus amongst others, the following are said to have walked before God, or in His ways:
Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David, Josiah, Jehoshaphat.
Exhortations to walk before God, in His law, the blessings conditional on so doing, and the judgments that would follow, are found abundantly in the Old Testament.
A selection of passages denoting the right use of the feet-Feet set in a large room, Psalms 31:8.
Feet set on a rock—the goings established, Psalms 40:2.
Feet kept, 1 Samuel 2:9.
Feet turned unto God’s testimonies, Psalms 119:59.
Feet removed from evil, Proverbs 4:27.
Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Ephesians 6:15.
Feet of him that bringeth good tidings, Isaiah 52:7.
Feet guided into the way of peace, Luke 1:79.
Feet standing in an even place, Psalms 26:12.
Walking in integrity, Psalms 26
Walking in God’s truth, Psalms 86
Walking in the light of His countenance, Psalms 89:15.
Walking with a perfect heart, Psalms 101:2.
Walking uprightly, Proverbs 2:7.
Walking in the name of the Lord God, Micah 4:5.
True characteristics of a christian’s walk.
Following Jesus and so having the light of life, John 8:12.
Walking, In the fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost, Acts 9:31.
In the steps of the faith of Abraham, Romans 4:12.
In newness of life, Romans 6:6.
Not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, Romans 8:4.
Honestly, Romans 13:13: honestly toward them that are without, 1 Thessalonians 4:12.
As the Lord has called, 1 Corinthians 7:17.
Not in craftiness, 2 Corinthians 4:2.
By faith and not by sight, 2 Corinthians 5:7.
In the Spirit, Galatians 5:16.
In good works, Ephesians 2:10.
Worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called, Ephesians 4:1.
Not as others walk, Ephesians 4:17.
In love, Ephesians 5:2.
As a child of light, Ephesians 5:8.
Circumspectly, Ephesians 5:15.
Worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, Colossians 1:10.
In Christ Jesus the Lord, Colossians 2:6.
In wisdom toward them that are without, Colossians 4:5. Worthy of God, 1 Thessalonians 2:12.
According to the apostle’s word, 1 Thessalonians 4:1.
In the light, 1 John 1:7.
Even as Christ walked, 1 John 2:6.
After His commandments, 2 John 6.
In the truth, 3 John 4.
Running not uncertainly, 1 Corinthians 9:26.
Running with patience the race set before him, Hebrews 12:1.
The abuse of the feet.
Some who did not walk in the ways of God.
The Children of Israel, Leviticus 26:40; Solomon, 1 Kings 6:33; Abijam, 1 Kings 15:3; Baasha, 1 Kings 15:34; Omri, Kings 16:26; Jehoram, 2 Kings 8:18; Amon, 2 Kings 21:22.
The feet are abused when permitted
To be swift to shed blood, Romans 3:15.
To haste, Proverbs 19:2.
To haste to deceit, Job 31:5.
To run
To do evil, Proverbs 1:16.
To excess of riot, 1 Peter 4:4.
Into darkness, Job 5:14.
To be
Proud, Psalms 36:11.
Restless, Proverbs 7:11
Discontented, 1 Corinthians 12:15.
Out of joint, Proverbs 25:19.
To wander
Out of the way of understanding, Proverbs 21:16.
From house to house, 1Tim. 5:13.
To walk
Contrary to God, Leviticus 26.21
In vanity, Ephesians 4:17.
After the flesh, Romans 8:4.
In sins, 1 Kings 16:31.
After other gods, Deuteronomy 8:19
In lasciviousness, 1 Peter 4.3 —
After the imagination of
In craftiness, 2 Corinthians 4:2.
an evil heart, Jeremiah 3:17.
In the ways of darkness, Proverbs 2:13
With slanders, Jeremiah 9:4.
In a vain show, Psalms 39:6
With wicked men, Job 34:8.
In darkness, Psalms 82:5.
In lies, Jeremiah 23:14.
Disorderly, 2 Thessalonians 3:11
In pride, Daniel 4:37.
The use of the mouth (tongue or lips)
in the praise of God, (a selection of passages)
“I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall be continually in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1.
“My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. Psalms 35:28.
“He hath put a new song into my mouth, even praise unto our God Psalms 40:3.
“O Lord open thou my lips and my mouth shall speak forth thy praise “ Psalms 2:15.
“I cried unto him with my mouth and he was extolled with my tongue.” Psalms 66:17.
“My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, Psalms 145:21.
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,” Romans 15:6.
“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name, Hebrews 13:15.
When used to
Admonish Romans 15:14.
Give a soft answer, Proverbs 15:1.
Beseech, Romans 12:1.
Intreat, 1 Corinthians 4:13.
Comfort, 2 Corinthians 1, 4.
Preach, Romans 15:20.
Declare God’s wondrous works Psalms 71:17
Prophecy, 1 Corinthians 14:5.
Rebuke, 2 Timothy 4:2.
Exhort, 2 Timothy 4:2.
Reprove, 2 Timothy 4;2.
Speak:
wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2;6.
gracious words, Ecclesiastes 10:12.
out of the abundance of the heart, Luke 6:45
a word in season, Proverbs 15:23.
right things, Proverbs 23;16.
sound speech, Titus 2:8,
Teach, Rom, 12:7.
Warn, 1 Corinthians 4:14.
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life,” Proverbs 13:3.
“If any man offend not in word,” James 3:2.
“With the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” Rom, 10:10,
‘The Abuse of the Mouth (Tongue or Lips).
When used for
Babbling, Ecclesiastes 10:11.
Backbiting, Proverbs 25:23; Romans 1:30.
Bitterness, Romans 3:14.
Blasphemy, Matthew 12:31,32; Revelation 13:5.
Contention, Proverbs 18:6;19. 13.
Corrupt communication, Ephesians 4:29.
Craft, Job 15:5.
Cursing, Romans 3:14; James 3:9.
Deceit, Psalms 52:4; Jeremiah 9:8; Romans 3:13.
Evil speaking, Proverbs 15:2; Ephesians 4:31.
Falsehood, Isaiah 59:13.
False witness, Proverbs 6:19.
Filthy communication, Colossians 3:8.
Foolishness, Prov; 15:14; Ephesians 5:4.
Flattery, Psalms 5:9;12. 3; Proverbs 20:19;26. 28.
Iniquity, Job 6:30.
Jesting, Ephesians 5:4.
Lying, Proverbs 6:16;26.28; Ephesians 4:25.
Malice, 3 John Da.
Mischief, Ecclesiastes 10:13; Psalms 52.2.
Naughtiness, Proverbs 17:4.
Perverseness, Proverbs 4:24; 17:10; Isaiah 59:3.
Proud speech, Psalms 12:3;
Rash speech, Ecclesiastes 5:2.
Reviling, John 9:28,
Slander, Psalms 1. 20; Proverbs 10:18.
Smiting, Jeremiah 18:18.
Speaking guile, Psalms 34.13.
Speaking idle words, Matthew 12:36.
Strife, Psalms 31:20; 1 Timothy 6:4.
Swearing, Jeremiah 23:10; Matthew 5:33;26. 72, 74.
Tale-bearing, Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 18:8.
Unadvised speech, Psalms 106.33
Forwardness, Proverbs 4:24.
Grievous words, Proverbs 15 I.
Hasty speech, Proverbs 29:20.
Hidden wickedness, Job 20:12.
Hypocrisy, Proverbs 11:9.
Unbridled speech, James 3:6.
Unruly and vain talking, Titus 1:10.
Vain words, Ephesians 5:6.
Whispering, Proverbs 16:28.
When abused it defiles, Matthew 15:11. James 3:6.
It is called
A sharp sword, Psalms 57:4.
An arrow shot out, Jeremiah 9:8.
A fire, a world of iniquity, James 3:6.
An unruly evil, full of deadly poison, Jas. 3:8.
The Use of the Ear. “Faith cometh by bearing.”
That which the ear may rightly hear, or listen to, or hear of, The words of God, Deuteronomy 4:10; Isaiah 55:3.
The praises of God, Judges 5:3.
The wonderful works of God, Job 13:1.
Joy and gladness, Psalms 51:8.
The loving-kindness of God, Psalms 143:8.
Understanding, Proverbs 5:1.
Them that instruct, Proverbs 5:13.
The reproof of life, Proverbs 15:31.
The words of the wise, Proverbs 22:57.
Words of knowledge, Proverbs 23:12.
God’s guiding voice, Isaiah 30:21.
God’s judgment, Hosea 5:1.
The words of Christ, John 5:24; Matthew 11:15. &c.
The voice of the Son of God, John 5:25.
The Lord calling by name, John 10:3.
Words applied to the ear when used aright—
“The ears of the people were attentive unto the book of the law,” Nehemiah 8:3.
“The hearing ear... the Lord hath made,” Proverbs 20:12.
“SO is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear,” Proverbs 25:12. The Lord opens the ear, Job 33:16;36:10.
Exhortations to hear, to incline the ear, to hearken unto the Lord, are frequent throughout the Bible. “Let every man be swift to hear,” James 1:19.
Mark 4:20. The ear seems to be frequently one of the first means used by God, by which the heart is inclined to Him, and when the servant has learned to say plainly, Exodus 21:5. “I love my master”
Deuteronomy 15:16: “I will not go away from thee ... ” the boring of the ear, the consecration of that first avenue of the heart and so of the whole man, is the sign that His servant shall Exodus 21:6. Serve Him forever.
The Abuse of the Ear “Ears have they and they hear not.”
Is when we refuse to listen to God or to His messengers, and when we listen to Satan and his emissaries, 2 Timothy 4:3.
Refusal to listen to God’s word will be visited with His judgments, Leviticus 26:14-16, and many passages, and it is seen to have been thus judged, Daniel 9:6, &c.
Instances of those who refused to listen to God’s messengers —Pharaoh to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 7:13.
The Israelites to their judges, Judges 2:17.
Eli’s sons to their father, 1 Samuel 2:25.
Joash and his people to the prophets, 2 Chronicles 24:19.
Josiah to the words of Necho “from the mouth of God,” 2 Chronicles 35:22.
Jehoiakim to Urijah, Jeremiah 26:21.
The Jews to Stephen, Acts 7:57.
The Jews to Paul, Acts 22:22.
Those who gave heed to what they ought not to have listened to-Adam to Eve, Genesis 3:57.
Abraham to Sarah, Genesis 16:2.
Saul to those who hated David, 1 Samuel 24:9.
Joash to the princes of Judah, 2 Chronicles 24:17.
The people to the lies of the false prophets, Ezekiel 13:19. Illustrations of the abuse of the ear. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, Proverbs 21:13. The poor heareth not rebuke, Proverbs 13:8.
A liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue, Proverbs 17:4.
If a ruler hearken to lies all his servants are wicked, Proverbs 29:12.
Hearers of the word and not doers, James 1:23.