Heart and Bones

"A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones."

Proverbs 14:30

 At Calvary Chapel Sydney, we have been taking an in-depth look at the book of Proverbs in the Bible.  What richness is found for those who linger and receive of the wisdom they contain!  They never grow old, and their truth shines undimmed by passage of time.  They hold forth the unchanging, divine wisdom of God.  As we increase in understanding, our love and knowledge of Christ expands because the Father has made Christ to be wisdom for us.

I found the above Proverb most delightful, for King Solomon through the power of the Holy Spirit made a connection between the heart and bones which was not understood by physicians until the 19th century!  In the Hebrew, the word translated "sound" is "a curative, remedy, a medicine."  We all know the heart is important to the overall health of the body, and when it is working efficiently it circulates oxygen-enriched blood to all the body, cleanses the blood through the liver, removes carbon dioxide, and allows white blood cells to attack disease, among many other functions.  A strong heart promotes health of the entire body.

The contrasting point the proverb makes is most compelling.  In an article written by Dr. Barry Cooper called, "The Origins of Bone Marrow as the Seedbed of Our Blood," he describes several early incorrect theories of what bone marrow was.  Dr. Cooper writes, "The marrow is currently well defined as the seedbed of our blood, producing 200 billion red cells, 10 billion white cells, and 400 billion platelets on a daily basis. Yet, the role of the marrow was unknown in antiquity and only first experimentally defined during the latter 19th century."  Although he lived in antiquity, through the Holy Spirit Solomon made a connection between the heart and bones - something not understood until almost 3,000 years later!  It is a catastrophic condition when the marrow inside bones ceases to function properly.  The entire immune system is compromised when the blood cell factory of the marrow fails, even if the heart continues to beat.  Unless there is a transfusion of healthy bone marrow, the condition is a certain death sentence.

From a spiritual vantage point, Solomon describes the horrific effects of envy.  It is a hidden, silent killer more deadly than leukaemia.  It multiplies within our inmost being, concealed by the appearance of strength and stability.  Envy in a person is like a house freshly painted, but all the timber has been eaten by termites.  Envy can be described as discontent or resentment aroused by apparent success of others.  It is a view of life focused on self and others, wishing we had what others do.  Envy has taken hold in our bones when the blessings of others wounds us, and we begrudge benefits others receive.

So how do we undergo a spiritual bone marrow examination?  It will happen only by the probing, piercing Word of God quickened by the Holy Spirit.  Hebrews 4:12-13 says, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³ And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  Christians are called to guard their hearts, because from the heart springs forth all the issues of this life.  We ought to have regular marrow check-ups as well, for envy is rottenness to our bones.  Praise the LORD that He was wounded and pierced for our iniquities, and when the Great Physician pierces us it is for our ultimate healing and restoration - not our destruction!