Ingratitude

The interpretation of God’s feelings and emotions toward His creations, especially man, has been debated and argued throughout the centuries by scholars and religious leaders and in doing so; they have conveyed a misunderstanding of the true nature of His feelings. Most of the biblical scholars have interpreted the bible writings according to their upbringing or religious background. In all cases, most of the interpretations do not truly reflect the one thing that is common to all of God’s action. From Judaism to Christianity we have been told that “disobedience” is the most underlying reason why God acted angrily the way He did toward mankind. I am not denying that disobedience plays a major role in many of the punitive and disciplinary actions He chose toward man. However, after much research and years of contemplating the “true reason” for God’s frequent anger toward us throughout the bible, I strongly believe that it has to do with “ingratitude” (Exodus 15:22, Numbers 20:5, 21:5).

This human attitude has been prevalent from the beginning of time and will be in full force toward the “end-of-time” because it has a strong grip on our consciousness. Currently, we have a degree of expectancy that in any event, from a simple health issue to a natural disaster either the, government, hospitals, humanistic agencies, and even churches will be there to provide for our comfort and protection. To me, this fallacy of attitude is dangerous because it does falsify the true nature of trusting God and the nature of man being resourceful (Psalm 125:1). This resourcefulness should not only be cognitively but also spiritual (Isaiah 51:3). We should show “gratitude” from the simple act of drinking water to break bread to eat (Psalm 107:1, 21). According to ancient writers, “gratitude” was the eminent act of mankind toward God. Yet, it has been the least honor giving to God in modern times. Our social structure is predominantly more focus on personal acquisitions as a gesture of personal gratitude or reward for our efforts rather than recognizing that a “greater force” provided such means. I know what you may be thinking by now. All that I have acquired has been due to my personal efforts not by some invisible force or manifestation of which I cannot see or distinguish. You may be thinking for success to be achieved it must realistic and factual. Consequently, because of such attitudes being “grateful” toward God is not one of our daily activities as it is complaining to Him.

A few days before the Easter celebration by Christianity, I was amazed at the attitude people held toward this day of celebration. There was so much emphasis on colorful eggs and chocolate sweets, and there seems to be very little attention to give “thanks”. But what was most intriguing and perplexing was the commercial emphasis of a “rabbit” as the nature and meaning of the Easter celebration and not Jeshua (Jesus) as is truly depicted in the Bible’s New Testament. I can assure you that a rabbit for symbol of a rising Christ would have been very offensive for people of the first century who celebrated the Easter celebration with such humble reverence as equal in reverence as the Passover feast (Luke 22:13, Mark 14:12). I cannot fathom the reasons why Christians having knowledge that such symbolism of a “hare” as a representation for an act of “resurrection” would have been fatal for any one in ancient time to manifest as a belief or simply denote an attraction. We cannot find the word “rabbit” in the entire Bible however we do find two entries about the word “hare” and it is said that it is an animal that should not be consumed (Deuteronomy 14:7, Leviticus 11:6). The truth of matter is that the symbolism of a rabbit for Easter derives from ancient Pagan religions. Most often it was utilized to depict fertility. Do today’s Christians know this? Absolutely! If they didn’t, should not the churches they attend inform them of the “sacrilegious” attitude of its reverence and declare strict mandates that their parishioners do not contemplate any manner of activity venerating a “rabbit” during a pivotal divine day in Christianity? There is one consolation to this quandary and that will be that when the promised “Ha Masheeakh or Messiah” comes, Passover will be the day for the occasion and not Easter; neither would there be any sort of rabbit celebration at all, thank goodness. Thus, we will truly be children of “gratitude” and resolved never again to be “ungrateful” nor to believe that all things received comes only from an inner human source and not from a divine nature. It is apparent that celebrated “Motivational Speakers” today have greater impact on humanity as to the psychological human potentials rather than the divine nature of humanity as outlined in the Bible.

Ingratitude for most humans is a state of mind. Most people would tell you that it is something they learned at home. When our society contemplated the “nuclear family” it was noted that prayers where a daily activity. Even in schools a degree of honor and respect was given to our country and God. Slowly, those principles that united humans toward each other and also toward God began to erode to the point where we are now. Giving thanks is not a prevalent or valuable principle in our society as it was many years ago. In fact, due to this attitude, our country has become insensitive and callous about emotional states. Sadly, it is feasible to find this attitude in all realms of our lives. It is not only in the realm of our spiritual attitude toward God that we have become “ungrateful” but also in our social and financial attitudes toward man. We are a society of “self-conceited” individuals. No wonder our ingratitude is so much more prevalent in these modern times toward God as it is also toward each other.

To some degree this conceitedness has benefited some biblical scholars and various national televised evangelists maintaining that to show gratitude for the things God has rewarded you with, you must share those financial rewards by giving to their “divine cause.” Most of them are hidden with words such as “love gifts” others are camouflaged in words of “love seeds” and most often their words are targeted to our “remorse and fears” that God will limit your success but in many cases take it all away from you if you contemplate selfishness. The truth is that God will not do such things if your heart is in His mandates. Even Jeshua often argued with the Pharisees about the truly needy people and always said, “…to give to the poor.” (Matthew 19:21 Mark 10:21, Luke 19:8, John 13:29). Then why is it that we fall prey today to such mundane requests by religious agencies and churches? The answer lies in the degree of remorse and shame you feel about what you have received and recognizing through their persuasive words that you have not done enough in some form of gratitude for what you have received. The fear of losing or taking away your value possessions by God is a frightening fear. It is through this emotional and psychological persuasive approach that people are convinced they have not done enough. It is so overpowering the fear of God’s reprisal that it will obscure the divine greatness of God. The word and methods that are portrayed before you as to consider giving a portion of the medication and food money set aside each month for your needs is very powerful. This is not the God of the Bible but rather the God of television. God instructed us to provide for the poor, the widow and the stranger first (Deuteronomy 10:18, 14:29). In fact, God made it a point that to go after the need of the stranger and the widow as He commanded was vital to a life of spirituality and closeness to Him (Deuteronomy 26:13). And for those that forsaken or rob them of their possessions in whatever manner he would stand before God, guilty of treachery and deceit (Deuteronomy 24:17, Zechariah 7:10).

God seeks to save souls through benevolent acts of kindness toward the needy. That is the core of Jeshua (Jesus) doctrine and his ministry. He stated over and over also that the needs of the poor were vital to serve God. He encouraged for the rich to sell everything and follow him in his quest to help the needy and destitute (Matthew 19:21). Thus, while you are sitting at your dinner table having your Ramen or Cup of Noodle soup as you only source of nutrition because you were overcome with guilt and shame due to someone on a televised spiritual talk show pointing out how selfish and egotistic you are with your heavenly rewards, remember this, he is not eating Ramen soups or eating hotdogs as necessary meals of choice but rather know that they are eating daily fine steaks and exquisites meals that people like you only dream of.

Take into heart these solemn words from Jesus, seek spiritual comfort and peace of soul and spirit by caring for the needy. Do not let your intentions of wanting to do a favorable good before God and Jeshua be persuaded by remorseful or persuasive words for it does not buy an entrance into heaven, what it does is it only gives you a sense of accomplishment and not one of gratitude and faith. Take hold of your spiritual interest and task yourself and your financial rewards to support community food kitchens, clothing the orphans, looking after the wellbeing of the widow and the stranger, and providing safety and comfort for the children. This is the path to heaven, God and Jeshua. As always, I like to remind the reader these words of Jeshua which were uttered to his disciples over two thousand years ago, and seem to be most prevalent for our times, “…for many shall come in my name and say, I am the Christ, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:6, 11, 24). What these prophetic words by Jeshua really meant was that many would come adhering to his doctrine, his spiritual practice, and even methods projecting a similar attitude but their intent would not be to attend the needs of the poor, the homeless, the starving child, the lonely widow, or being seekers of peace, but rather they would manifest and interest and a devotion not to his humble living principles but rather they would exalt themselves. This approach is not an unusual one. Many have used it as stepping stones to achieve goals such as inventors, explorers, and discovers. Many came after Columbus and conquered in his name and in the name of Spain. Wars have erupted in name of causes that brought unbelievable deaths, such was the Crusades. So, there is no reason why today’s convincing evangelists often evoke Jeshua as their supporting element of faith and persuasive manners to make us feel guilty and shamed. It is not only the elements of our fears that are in conflict with our spiritual state but often we are dosed with a portion of “psychological power of positive thinking” to convince the frightened Christians that the spiritual ill feelings such as shame and guilt you manifest have brought upon yourself and you can overcome it by indulging them in their financial needs. Truly, if you read the words of God and Jesus, you will find a whole new ideology that will bring deep inner peace and comfort without the need of providing financial support to someone that will never experience the hardships and travails that you have already experienced. God and Jesus seeks your goodness over the needy and the oppressed not the exceptional living of the selected spiritual rich. Why follow their smiles and their stands in fancy suits and elaborate stages? Did the ancient prophets speak in colossal structures? Did the disciples and Jesus ever have fancy garments, shoes, or luxury stages? If they did not, why you follow the ones that do? Shalom!