From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”

[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.”  As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.

In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]

In Part 1, we looked at the eastern idiom of, “a bruised reed.”  If you haven’t read that yet, just scroll down and read Part 1 first.

What Is The Smoking Flax?

The second idiom in Isaiah 42:3 is “the smoking flax.”  The verse says, “…and the smoking flax shall he not quench.”

In the times of the Bible, the people believed if there was a light in their home, God was there; the light represented God’s presence.  And so, every home always had a light in the house, even through the night. In Bible times of course they didn’t have electricity, so they utilized oil lamps.

They would put oil into the shallow container and then use a flax wick.  If the oil ran out then the wick would be smoking and stinking because of no oil.  Specific duties for men and women were important, and one of the woman’s duties was to keep oil in the lamp.

If on occasion the oil ran out during the night, the husband, smelling the smoke would wake his wife so that she could go and add oil.   If the woman was tired or lazy, instead of finding the oil and adding it, she would just take off the burned smoldering part of wick. Quenching the smoking flax and just throwing that part out was simply a temporary solution.  And, she might even light the fresh part of the flax wick.  But it would then still be a burning empty wick and it would still stink.

What Makes Us Stink?

Being negative is to stink.  Here in the United States we have an idiom: change your stinking thinking.  In the east the saying is, “a negative person is the biggest stink there is in the world.”

“I can’t; I can’t.”  “This is too hard.”  “Nothing works out for me.”  “Things in my life just don’t go right and they will probably get worse.”  All negative.

Negative people are always disturbed, dejected, and full of despair.  Their problems continue to sink them lower into stinking negativity.

In this stinking condition, they don’t think properly; they are full of fear and anxiety.  They epitomize despondency.  And beware: they are not the kind of people you go to for advice!

Smoking flax refers to being miserable.  But when we reflect on the completed work of Christ we can see that he did not provide us a temporary solution.  He didn’t just quench the smoking flax; he didn’t just take off the burnt part and relight it.  Instead, he filled container with oil to overflowing!

Who Are We?

The Bible states that as born again Christians, we are complete; there is nothing lacking.  We have all received all spiritual blessings.  We have all been filled with His spirit; it is all in all.  The love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit which was given to us.

When we look at the blessings God has freely given all of us because of the completed work of Christ, we can choose to change from negativity.  We can refuse to live with fear and anxiety, and instead live by faith.  We really can be people of joy and gladness.

The work of Christ was a complete work.  No matter how bruised you are today, you will never be thrown away.  And Christ’s work was not a temporary fix, but an eternal solution; you have been given the gift of eternal life.  Nothing can separate you from God’s love.

If you are a bruised reed or smoking flax, look to Christ, the author and finisher of our salvation, who died so that you could live abundantly.  A bruised reed cannot have an abundant life. Smoking flax stinks, and smoke cannot have abundant life.  We can chose to accept what Christ has accomplished for us, claiming the victory that is ours: in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Isaiah 42:3
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

Colossians 2:10
And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Romans 5:5
And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit which is given unto us.

Romans 6:23b
The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39
In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written.  The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai.  I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.

He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced.  But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window

Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)

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