April 30, 2000 Humble Messenger

Sing With Understanding
"Night, with ebon pinion" (#162)
The word ebon is a shortened, and also poetic, form of the word ebony which means "dark, black." The word pinion means "feather," and is also used at times to refer to the entire wing of a bird. Thus, ebon pinion is simply a poetic way of saying "dark feather," or "the dark wings of a bird."

"Night, with ebon pinion, brooded oıer the vale." In poetic form, the author conveys his impressions of the nature of that night in which the Lord Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to His arrest. He visualizes it as a dark night; also, one which was silent "save the nightwindıs wail" -- the moaning of the wind in the trees. The night is pictured as being like a bird with dark feathers "brooding over the vale." A vale is a valley. This would have been the valley between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. At the base of this range of hills, and at the edge of the valley, was the garden known as Gethsemane. Brooding is what a bird does when it hovers over its nest, spreading its wing over its young.

The image being conveyed in this hymn is a giant bird with dark feathers spreading its wings over the valley. The light from the moon and stars is thus blotted out, the birds and animals are quieted by the sight, and the effect is one of deep darkness and silence - even gloom.

Such was the nature of that betrayal night in the mind of the author of his hymn. Deep darkness has always been a symbol of despair, sadness, and distress. Certainly, as our Lord suffered alone in the garden, pouring out His heart to God, He felt many of those emotions. It was a dark night indeed!

Although the words to this hymn may sound somewhat strange to the unaccustomed ear, nevertheless they convey a moving message. By singing with the mind, as well as the heart, we are drawn even closer to that garden where our Lord "humbly bowed in prayer."

(Wally got this off the web. Do not know the author.)
  

Sing With Understanding
"Night, with ebon pinion" - further  thoughts, srf
Christ was indeed "a man of sorrows"  and "acquainted with grief." Yet, it was "our sorrows He carried" and "our griefs He Himself bore" (Isa. 53:3-4)‹"Smitten for offences which were not his own, He, for our transgressions, had to weep alone." "He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed" (Isa 53:5). So heavy was the burden of being a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind that he approached the cross with "tears and sweat as blood" ‹"being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling upon the ground" (Lk. 22:44).

Leaving his disciples "about a stoneıs throw," he "knelt down and began to pray" (Lk. 22:41). "No friend with words to comfort, nor hand to help was there, when the Meek and Lowly humbly bowed in prayer." In fact, his disciples went to sleep, vv. 45,46.

"Abba,Father" ­ both terms mean, "Father," but "Abba" stresses the tenderness and closeness of the Father-Son relationship. God knew of the agony Jesus bore and would face in the cross, and as a Father who loves dearly his son, He cared‹and Jesus knew he cared. Yet, "God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten SonŠ"

"Let this cup of anguish pass from Me, I pray; Yet, if it must be suffered, by Me Thine only Son, Abba, Father, Father, let Thy will be done." When Jesus left the glory of heaven to come to this earth, he came "to do thy will, O God" (Heb. 5:5-7). He came to die. Now the time has come and he prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Thy will be done" (Mt. 26:42). He drank that cup of suffering for you and me, and indeed, it "passed"‹ he arose victorious on the third day! After "presenting himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs" (Acts 1:3), he ascended back to heaven where He lives and reigns to give those who put their trust in Him victory also! Let us humbly and joyfully praise Him today!   

NEWS

John Lowrance had his gall bladder removed in surgery last Wednesday at Kingwood Hospital . . . Jeff Bogs and Bill Faulkner were appointed to serve as deacons last Sunday . . . This is a fifth Sunday, so this evening the assembly will be devoted to singing . . . Visitation group one will meet briefly in the high school class after the evening assembly. The next time there is a fifth Sunday, group two will meet, and so on through the groups . . . Next Sunday evening, May 7, will be devoted to prayer. There will be no sermon . . . Steve Fontenot is in a gospel meeting in Lubbock, Texas. John Whitehead will teach the auditorium class this morning. Rocky Rodriguez will preach in the morning assembly. Wally Ottersbach will teach the Wednesday morning class. Kris Emerson will teach the auditorium class on Wednesday evening . . . The menıs training class began last Thursday night and will meet again this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. . . . If you are scheduled to serve publicly in the assembly (lead in prayer, singing, wait on the table, etc.), please be here ten minutes before time to begin. If you see you will not be here ten minutes early, call Doug Bernard or one of the other deacons so they know to expect you. This will assist these men in insuring that our assemblies are conducted in a "properly and orderly manner" (1 Co. 14:40), and also help them to be ready personally to worship when our assembly begins. Thanks for your cooperation . . . Jim Porterfieldıs new work number: (281) 829-3206.  

SCHEDULED TO SERVE

Announcements: Gregg Hutson
Song Leader: David Osteen
First Prayer: Arthur Wilborn
Lordıs Table
_ Bread: Doug Bernard
_ Fruit of the Vine: Tod Aldridge
_ Contribution: Mark Ary
_ Assistant: Johnathan Bernard
Preaching: Steve Fontenot
Closing Prayer: Verlan Wilson

Song Leader: Rob McCaskill
First Prayer: Jeff Bogs
Lordıs Table
_ Bread: Doug Bernard
_ Fruit of the Vine: Tod Aldridge
_ Contribution: Mark Ary

Closing Prayer: Eddie Crain

If you are a scheduled song leader but know you will be unavailable, please notify Jim Crain.
If you are scheduled to serve in any other capacity but cannot serve as scheduled, please notify Boyd Hurst.