The Chicken Or The Egg?

How many times have people pondered the question, "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?"

Before we answer this question with certainty, I would like you to consider another question: Why do people struggle with this question?

In general, people struggle to answer a question because they are not certain of the answer. But, we never struggle when we have an objective standard.

As plain as this sounds, consider a few examples.

How much is 2 + 2? (Answer along with me: "Four.")

No debate. No philosophy needed. The answer is clear.

Questions such as this, or "what time is it?", or "Is the light in the bathroom on?" are not debated. Why? Because there is an objective standard.

We can all do the mathematical proof (if we need to) to prove that 2 + 2 is four and only four. We can all agree on the time (though we may need to consult the Naval Observatory's DoD Standardized Clock). We can all agree when a light is turned on by looking at the standard, the light itself.

Why don't people apply the same standard to this age-old question?

The truth is, there is only one correct answer. (Can't we agree on that?)

The Bible says, "Then God said, "Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens." (Genesis 1:20)

God spoke this on the fifth day of creation. On the fourth day, there were no birds on the earth. On the fifth, birds filled the air. Perhaps later that day, or soon thereafter, the first egg was laid.

No birds on day four. Lots of birds on day five.

No eggs on day four.

The chicken came before the egg.

Interestingly, according to a story posted on FoxNews.com, British scientists have determined scientifically that the chicken came before the egg.

Take this story with a grain of salt, after all publishers update science textbooks every single year. Even if this story changes, we can rest assured that the Bible will never require an update (other than to keep up with the commonly spoken language).

When you realize that the Bible never changes, and that it's words are true, then you can use it as your standard.

Then, questions like "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" are no longer a mystery.

More important that discussion questions such as this one, the Bible also answers the most important questions: What is truth? What is our purpose in life? What do I need to do to be assured of eternal life in heaven?

If you have never read the Bible before, start now. Read the book of Genesis (in the Old Testament), then read the book of John (in the New Testament). Examine yourself by God's standards. Then, repent of your sin; trust in the one true Savior; find a good church; and do what the Bible says.

You will have a true standard to guide your life and the answers to life's most important questions.

Obedience Includes Starting NOW!

Second Chronicles 29 begins with Hezekiah becoming King over Israel.

Hezekiah's father, Ahaz, had just died. The legacy of Ahaz was one of disobedience to God. Scripture records, "he did not do right in the sight of the LORD" (2 Chron 28:1).

Ahaz was not alone. Today we might describe him as "just like any normal person." Scripture says it like this, "he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel." (28:2). In other words, he followed after the will of people. He did right in his own eyes, and most people would not consider this unusual.

Then, along comes his son, Hezekiah. Hezekiah's heart was directed toward pleasing God, and it did not take weeks, months, or years for his obedience toward God to be apparent.

Immediately after stating that Hezekiah became king, and giving a one-verse overview of who he was, scripture records, "He did right in the sight of the LORD," and then "In the first year of his reign, in the first month," he restored the house of the LORD, the Temple.

As you read on it becomes clear that Hezekiah made the restoration of Israel as God's people the top priority of his reign. He started immediately.

Why? Over and over in the books of Kings and Chronicles a similar story is told over and over: the people fall away from their love of the Lord, God punishes them, the people repent and cry out for mercy, God restores them.

Hezekiah knew that the people had once more, under his father's rule, neglected to serve and love the Lord with all their soul, mind, and strength. The time to repent was NOW. He told those responsible as priests, the Levites, "Consecrate yourselves now". The word consecrate means to set themselves apart, to prepare themselves once again to serve the Lord. In essence, repent and set your affection on God.

What about us?

We live in a day and age where people are encouraged to "do what is right for you". Here in the USA we still live very comfortable lives. We have the means to decide where we will live, how we will live, and how to spend our time.

Everywhere you look, people are deciding based on their own desires, their perceived self-centered needs, and how they feel. How wicked we have become.

It is time to repent, and the time to repent is now. If Hezekiah were here today, he would tell us to turn our affections to the Lord, now. He would tell us "do not be negligent now" (v11).

The New Testament puts it this way, 'Today is the day of salvation.' (2 Cor 6:2).

If you are not a Christian, do not wait.

If you are a Christian, today is the day to fully turn your affection to Christ.