Witley January 8. 1955  25

Deut 33 24 & 25. Just at this time of the year nearly everyone is wishing their acquaintances a very happy new year. And I am very glad it is so. There are many who are extremely critical about this and say it is but an empty form[1]. I know it can be, and there are lots of right and good things in life, especially in religious life that can easily and often do deteriorate in this way but they are nonetheless valuable when they are done sincerely and I would much rather strive to be real and sincere in my wish than sit back and become critical. The frequent occurrence of this wish has led me to analyze the word happy which is the central thought in the expression. The word itself is derived from the English word hap and is suggestive of chance or luck, but the nearest equivalent in the Hebrew is Ashere, and this word occurs many times in the OT and is not always translated in the same way, but I would like to bring before you the way it is used in connection with the eighth son of Jacob and if you turn to Gen 30. 13 You will find Leah said Happy am I for the daughters will call me blessed, and she called his name Asher. Now it is common knowledge that there was no joy to the ancient Jewish woman like that of bearing a man-child. To be childless was a reproach but to be a mother of all girls was almost as bad, but to be the mother of a little boy was almost if not quite a woman’s highest joy and so she called her boy by the name of Asher, and as she sat & watched him at play she would be taken back to the very happy day of his birth and would rejoice in the blessing that God had given to her. Now this child was born to live, and many castles in the air would be built around this child and the question asked concerning John the Baptist would often be in Leah’s heart & mind, see Luke 1. 66 What manner of child shall this be? We have not much concerning his growing up and I am not anxious to find out but am more concerned about the prophecy concerning the tribe of Israel called by his Name and if we turn to Gen 49. 20. We shall see Asher’s father upon his deathbed calling his sons together that he might bless them ere his [sic] departed this life. And as they each pass before him at last Asher comes in his turn and the aged Jacob utters these words concerning Asher. His bread shall be fat and he shall yield royal dainties. Her little children in the Sunday school sing something of the same character, but it is of a cup rather than their plate. My cups full and running over[2]. Jacob speaks of that which they should eat, and that which they should give to others and it was just a picture of prosperity, and if it’s true that the way to a man’s heart is via the tummy then the heart should be exceeding glad, for the prophecy speaks of abundance of food, and enough to pass on to others. Now let us turn to the words of our text where we have another scene. Not this time Jacob but Moses whom God had raised up to be their leader, but he knows his end has come, and soon the word of God concerning himself will be fulfilled. He knows the cherished desire of his heart will never be granted. He will not lead them into the land that flow with with milk and honey (Deut 33. 24 & 25). He shall see the land but never enter it, except years after on the mount of transfiguration, and perhaps the joy of seeing our beloved Lord their outweighed all the disappointment of his earthly life[3]. He calls the tribes together and pronounces blessing upon them and in verse 24 we read: And of Asher he said Let him be blessed with children (filial prosperity), let him be acceptable to his brethren (social prosperity) and let him dip his foot in oil (              prosperity[4]) thy shoes shall be iron and brass (               prosperity) and as thy days so shall thy strength be (physical prosperity). Now I think it is very easy to see that in those days there was something in a name. The Bible is full of instances of a similar character and there is no doubt whatever that in the tribe of Asher there was much to make them happy in this world. And yet to the Christian heart there is [is] that in this record to leave us wondering. Is the life that is so greatly blessed with earthly goods.. the happy life and is there not something sadly lacking in this record. And is there not illustrations of this in our own day. I could take you to a house at Walton on the Hill and upon that gate was one word “Happiness” and there is a history behind that word[5]. Built by a gentleman who had known a superabundance of the prosperity suggested in these words of Holy Writ. He had amassed wealth. He had been acceptable to his brother man and been Knighted by the King of England and built his house with the thought of spending his days in leisure and pleasure. Yes Happy Days, but by a stroke of what men call “bad luck”, he lost his wealth and another came to live in the fine house he had built for himself and his family, and all ended as did a bubble a small boy blew at Milford on Thursday last where I was working. Almost as beautiful as a rainbow one moment, the next it had burst, and passed away. A man’s life consisteth not in abundance of the things he possesseth[6]. Now we have seen quite clearly what man’s idea of happiness is, let us see also what God’s idea of happiness is, and for this we turn to Psa 32 Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. This is God’s happy man. I remember hearing an old proverb very slightly altered once, but the alteration made a tremendous difference. He laughs best who laughs last. He laughs best whose laugh lasts. Let us apply this to happiness. He is happy whose prosperity lasts till death and he wills his wealth to his children, but he is far happier whose happiness lasts beyond death. It is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment and what will worldly prosperity avail in that day[7]. The only blessedness that is worthwhile is that of the man who sees God, having be made pure in heart by the blood that flowed from the riven side of His dear Son who made thereby a ground for our forgiveness. Having our sins imputed to Him and removed them by His death on Calvary’s Cross



[1] This is typified in the following poem. Lloyd goes on to say something not dissimilar but in a very different spirit

 

'Tis the wish of the hour A "Happy New Year".

But powerless are wishes, however sincere;

So glance for a while at the prospects there be,

Of a "Happy New Year" for you and for me.

 

Are you seeking your joy in this world below,

Full of sins, wants and sorrows, oppression and woe?

You'll ne'er grasp true pleasure, howe'er you pursue,

And it won't be a "Happy New Year" for you.

1 John 2: 16-17

 

True joy comes from God. If you wish to be blest

Then turn unto Him, He alone giveth rest;

Your soul must be saved and your conscience be clear,

Before you can look for a "Happy New Year".

James 1: 17

 

Then look to the Saviour – so willing to bless;

Believe on His Name: the Lord Jesus confess.

He died for the unjust, and judgment passed through

A "Happy New Year" He now offers to you.

Romans 10: 9

 

Through grace I am linked with God's glory above,

My blessings come down from the Son of His love;

Christ broke all my fetters and set my soul free,

So it's always a "Happy New Year" for me.

Ephesians 2: 8

 

My sins are all covered, my transgressions hid,

Yet not through my merits or ought that I did;

But Jesus has borne them on Calvary's tree

And thus there's a "Happy New Year" for me.

Romans 4: 6-8

 

I'm secure in Christ's love, whatever betide;

I'm part of the Church, of His Body, and Bride;

For me He is coming. His glory to see

The happiest day of the year it will be.

1 Thessalonians 4: 16

 

When the Lord Jesus comes, then His Church shall go

And the saints will finish their sojourn below.

But, if you are left with the Judgment in view,

There will ne'er be a "Happy New Year" for you.

Hebrews 10: 27

 

No, nothing of Happiness; only to know

The fate of the lost, in the region of woe;

And to find that sin's pleasures are costing you dear,

And have cheated you out of the "Happy New Year".

http://www.mybrethren.org/doctrine/framholi.htm

[2] "Running over" was an incredibly popular children`s chorus, but actually was part of a hymn written by Seth Sykes of Glasgow Scotland. His friend and fellow evangelist Rev William Gardner-Hunter saw the words and created the tune. It was published in Rev. Gardner-Hunter`s "Cross and Crown Melodies". Rev. Gardner-Hunter went to be with the Lord in 1973." http://www.namethathymn.com/hymn-lyrics-detective-forum/index.php?a=vtopic&t=680

 

Since the Saviour came to this heart of mine

My cups filled and running over

Filling my poor soul with his joy divine

My cup's filled and running over.

 

Chorus

Running over, running over,

My cups filled and running over

Since the lord saved me

I'm as happy as can be

My cup's filled and running over

 

With my Lord so Dear

I have naught to fear

My cup's filled and running over

Though my way be drear

He is ever near

My cup's filled and running over

 

Even though I walk

Through the death's darksome vale

My cup's filled and running over

Christ my lord shall be

My comfort still

My cup's filled and running over

 

Sinner seek the Lord

Trust his precious word

While the Angels round you hover

Heaven's Bells will ring

And you then will sing

My Cup's filled and running over

[3] Mark 9:4

[4] As shown a gap was left in the text, perhaps with the intention of returning later and filling in what kind of prosperity be image might invoke

[5] I can find no reference to this story elsewhere or who this gentleman might be.

[6] Luke 12:15

[7] Hebrews 9:27