Jamaica Patois Wisdom #7

By Jefferson David Tant

(The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come to appreciate some things about their culture. – Jefferson David Tant)

Patois – Empty barrel mek di most noise

English – An empty barrel will make the most noise

Meaning – A person with little or no knowledge tends to do the most talking.

Did you ever know a person who rattles on and on about anything and everything? I have known a few in my lifetime. You cannot get away from them without appearing to be rude, so you endure the chatter, hoping your cell phone will ring, or someone will come to rescue you. And others explode at the slightest injury or provocation. This reminds me of a line from one of Shakespeare’s characters who said, “Life is a tale as told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

My father told of an incident when we lived in Denver. A woman in the church there seemed to take pride in “speaking her mind.” One Sunday she was telling my father how she had “told somebody off,” and concluded by saying, “You know what I always say, ‘You might as well say it as to think it.’” My father replied, “You know, the Bible says something about that.” She was curious, and asked about it. He then read “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards” (Prov. 29:11). I like the old wise saying: “It is better to be thought a fool, than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”

Solomon’s wisdom lends some thoughts to the matter. Consider a few passages that urge caution and wisdom concerning our tongues. “Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding, But in the hearts of fools it is made known” (Prov. 14:33). “A fool's anger is known at once, But a prudent man conceals dishonor” (Prov. 12:16). “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise” (Prov. 10:19).

“Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. Yet the fool multiplies words” (Ecc. 10:12-14a) “Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecc. 5:2). Remember, God hears our words as well as the one to whom we are speaking.

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6). We often use this passage with respect to knowing the Scriptures so we can give appropriate answers to those who ask questions, but it also has application to how to respond to those who may provoke us.

“If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell” (Jas. 2:2-6). We will let James have the final “words” on the matter. “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (Jas. 1:19-20). In all things, use your brain before you use your tongue. Don’t be an empty barrel. &

Commentary on Acts 1:26-2:3

By Bob Myhan

26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Some have argued that the apostles were being presumptuous in this act but this is an unwarranted assumption. After all, Jesus had stated: "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19: 28). Thus, if Judas had no successor, Jesus was in error.

Besides this, Luke, by inspiration, puts the number of the apostles back at twelve after this event (Acts 6:2). Even without his being inspired, he was writing retrospectively, rehearsing events of several years past. Surely, it would have been revealed by that time if Matthias were not really an apostle. And for aught we know to the contrary, this method was appointed by the Lord to reveal His choice for the successor to Judas. Such was not a miracle but an act of providence. It would only have been a miracle if the lots had moved without being cast.

As a result of this procedure, there were, once again, twelve apostles. Matthias would experience Holy Spirit baptism and receive the same power as the other eleven. “Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus,” though a witness of Jesus’ resurrection, was not chosen to be an apostle and would not be able to confirm his uninspired testimony with signs following, unless he received a spiritual gift by the laying on of apostolic hands (Mark 16:20; Acts 8:5-19; 19:1-6; Hebrews 2:1-4).

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

It has now been fifty days since the Sabbath Day of Passover week, forty-nine days since the morning of the resurrection and ten days since Jesus promised the apostles—on the day of the ascension—that they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” As mentioned already, the Day of Pentecost (from the Greek word for “fiftieth”) was the Feast of Weeks, or Feast of Harvest, one of three days each year when every male in Israel was to “appear before the Lord God,” “in the place which He chooses,” which, eventually, was Jerusalem (Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28:26-31; Deuteronomy 16:9-16; 2 Chronicles 7:11-16).

This was the ideal opportunity for the promise of the Lord to His apostles to be fulfilled, and for gospel preaching to begin. Not only are all the apostles (including Matthias) “with one accord in one place,” but thousands of people “both Jews and proselytes” “from every nation under heaven” were in the city at this time for the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. They were “devout,” “careful as to the realization of the presence and claims of God, reverencing God” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, page 167).

The “one accord” and “one place” are not, here, identified by Luke for he had identified both in the last statement of his “former account.” They “were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen” (Luke 24:53). Of course, they were awaiting also the promise of the Holy Spirit and the reception of power that would enable them to be unimpeachable witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Whether any besides the apostles are included in this company will be considered directly. But it must be remembered that it is possible for as much as a week to have passed since the meeting referred to in Acts 1:15-26, above. But the last plural noun to which “they” could refer is “apostles.”

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Jesus had said, “you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Not many days later the apostles were baptized with “a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind” that “filled the whole house where they were sitting.” If water had filled the whole house, they would have been baptized in water. If the whole house had been filled with smoke, they would have been baptized, overwhelmed or engulfed with or in smoke. Thus, it must be the case that this sound was an audible manifestation of the Holy Spirit. If this is not the case, why is it not?

3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

Flames of fire generally have somewhat a resemblance to tongues; these tongues had resemblance to flames of fire. They were not “divided tongues of fire” but “divided tongues, as of fire.” They were a visible manifestation of the power which Jesus said they would receive when the Holy Spirit had come upon them (Acts 1:8). When we learn who received power we will know upon whom the tongues sat. At this point, however, it seems that only the apostles are under consideration.

(To be continued)

Dancing

Miscellaneous Quotes

A former dancing teacher said, “I will say that I do not believe a woman can waltz virtuously and waltz well, for she must yield her person completely to her partner."

Someone else has said, "You can take the dance out of the bawdy house, but you can not take the base nature out of the dance. It is still lasciviousness set to music whether you find it in the roadhouse or in the parlor."

Leta S. Hollingsworth (professor at Columbia University), in defense of modern dancing said, "Dancing is an exciting and pleasurable recreation as it affords a partial satisfaction to the sex impulse."

During the mid to late eighties, one dance in particular - the Lambada - was called “safe sex.” Notice the article reproduced below (with permission). &

The Lambada - It's Safe Sex In Aids Era

By Maya Bell, Sentinel Miami Bureau

February 4, 1990

With their legs interlocking as they move across the dance floor, Jackie Morales and Joaquin Bu look almost like a zebra, her black-tights alternating with his white pants. This, however, is no zoo. It's the lambada, the dance craze now taking Miami by storm. Or is it by steam? Imported from the coast of Brazil by way of Europe, the lambada is hot - so hot the morality watchdogs are upset, really upset. Listen to Ralf Stores, president of the Miami and Homestead chapters of the anti-pornography American Family Association, describe the hip-grinding gyrations now appearing rather routinely on dance floors throughout Miami. &