 |  |
The Slanderer.
The question arises, in what way can Satan be said to have dealt in merchandise or
traffic?
Rekullah (fem.), the Hebrew word, occurs four times in Ezekiel, but nowhere else in
Scripture, viz., Ezek. 26: 12; 28: 5, 16, 18, where it is twice rendered "traffic" and
twice "merchandise". Rakal ("merchants") is of more frequent occurrence, being used
eighteen times, and always translated merchants. Rakil (masc.) occurs six times, and is
translated "talebearer" thrice", "slanders" twice, and "carry tales" once.
This throws light upon the "traffic" which filled the anointed cherub with violence and
defiled his sanctuaries. He became a slanderer, in other words, at this point he ceased to
be the anointed cherub and became SATAN. He was not so created or appointed. The
word diabolos, "devil" is the N.T. equivalent and means "slanderer" (see I Tim. 3: 11,
also 6 and 7):--
"Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers" (diabolos).
This evil is indicated in I Tim. 5: 13-15, where the wandering from house to house,
being idle, and tattlers, is associated with turning aside after Satan. This traffic in
slander is associated in five out of the six references with the idea of "walking" or "going
about":-
"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer" (Lev. 19: 16).
"He that walketh being a talebearer" (Prov. 11: 13, margin).
"He that goeth about as a taleberer" (Prov. 20: 19).
"Grievous revolters, walking with slanders" (Jer. 6: 28).
"Every neighbour will walk with slanderers" (Jer. 9: 4).
It will be seen that the reference given above in I Tim. 5: 13-15 associates
"wandering from house to house" with the same sin. It is making a traffic of talebearing.
In this connection the note on page 47 of Volume XIV is of interest. The LXX
translates Rekullah by emporia, and the numerical value of that word is 666. Satan's
iniquity therefore was twofold. He was lifted up because of his beauty, and he slandered
God. The same twofold iniquity is displayed in the temptation of Eden, "Ye shall be as
God", "Yea, hath God said?" The anointed cherub "walked up and down in the midst of
the stones of fire". The four horsemen of Zech. 1: 10, 11; 6: 7, who report to the angel
of the Lord, also "walk to and fro through the earth". When the Lord said to Satan,
"Whence comest thou?" (Job 1: 7), Satan replied, "From going to and fro in the earth, and
from walking up and down in it". The same question and answer are found in 2: 2. In
both cases they are followed by "talebearing" or "slandering" of Job. No longer able to
walk up and down in the midst of stones of fire, Satan with restless activity patrols this
earth "seeking whom he may devour".