You may have heard of ‘Newsies’ or seen them in movies depicting the 19th and 20th century eras. They were a group of children, most typically boys, who would sell newspapers on the street corners to earn a few pennies. The internet gives us this history,
In the 19th and 20th centuries, major metropolitan newspapers would keep a particular publishing schedule. Most would publish a new issue daily, either in the morning or the evening. Smaller towns might publish once per week or several times per week, rather than daily.
Within their schedule, the largest metropolitan newspapers would publish several editions throughout the day (and this practice continues to some degree in various places). The first edition would be the one bound for locations farthest from the printing press, while a metro or late/final edition would be intended for audiences closer to the press.
Extra can apply to both an edition and an issue. It can be an extra edition published after the final edition, something issued because of late-breaking news, or it can be an extra issue published at, say, midday or (in the case of a weekly newspaper) on a date it would not normally be published.
In this case, “extra” refers to a special edition of the newspaper produced particularly to cover breaking news, and the children would shout out, “Extra, Extra, read all about it!
They would promulgate a sneak peak of what was in the ‘extra’ type, to whet the appetites of the passersby, so they would buy a copy even if they had already bought the morning addition or the regular newspaper.
Let us look at the dictionary definition, synonyms, and origin of the word promulgating. It is, “to make (an idea, belief, etc.) known to many people by open declaration: to proclaim, to make known or public the terms of (a proposed law), to put (a law or rule) into action or force. The origin of promulgate is a bit murky, or perhaps we should say “milky.” It comes from Latin promulgatus, which in turn derives from pro-, meaning “forward,” and -mulgare, a form that is probably related to the verb mulgēre, meaning “to milk” or “to extract.” Mulgēre is an ancestor of the English word emulsion (“mixture of mutually insoluble liquids”), and it is also related to the Old English word that became milk itself. Like its synonyms declare, announce, and proclaim, promulgate means “to make known publicly.” It particularly implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law. A few of the synonyms are, advertise, announce, blare, broadcast, declare, herald, proclaim, post, publicize and trumpet.”
There are laws that govern every aspect of our lives. They are established and promulgated, yet not always enforced. There are civil, constitutional, criminal, common or case law, equity, administrative, statutory, as well as social laws just to name a few. The dictionary states that a law is, “a binding custom or practice of a community: a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.” Most of the time we know of a law, because it has been promulgated, trumpeted, declared, and well-advertised, whether through newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, the internet, TV, social media as we know now, or through a life lived by those going before us in our homes, communities, jobs, or churches. After all, would we be able to hold someone accountable for something they had never heard of or seen before?
Even scripture would indicate otherwise. Romans 7:7 tells us, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, thou shalt not covet.” Galatians 3:24 says, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” So even though from the fall of Adam and Eve, and their disobedience to God, mankind has been sinning, aka disobeying God, though they did not realize it nor the consequence of it, until the law was given in the Old Testament. In the New Testament we see in Acts 17:30, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” And Romans 1:20 promulgates, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”
Some laws that we can see are not readily enforced, and it may be exceedingly difficult to do, for example, the laws regarding littering on roadways and highways. You will see signs along the road side that can clearly be read that tell you that there will be a $3000 fine for littering. However, when you look around you can see many articles of trash in close proximity to the sign, yet I personally have never seen anyone pulled over anywhere in the vicinity. I have even seen people literally throwing things from their vehicles on some of our many journeys, with no consequence at all to their action. Of course, as educated individuals we know that the law can only be enforced if there is an officer of the law around to witness the crime or infraction. I will throw this in for free regarding the laws and demands of God, and that is that we must remember that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. Proverbs 15:3 puts it quite plainly, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” As well as Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
There are other laws that are not easy to enforce, such as the rules or laws that cover public decency. Any subject or conduct that can be subjective is difficult to legislate. There must be small print involved in the writing of the law, which is often not promulgated at all, and therefore unknown until a possible infraction occurs. People for instance have very differing opinions on what might be considered modest apparel. For instance, the job I work for has a Code of Conduct, which includes but is not limited to an acceptable dress code. They must indicate in a specific language what they are referring to; however, with that being said, who will, or will anyone police people’s actions, publicly or in the work place to see that those codes, regulations, rules, and laws are enforced? Are there consequences to those who do dress lewdly or inappropriately? Who will dole out the punishment for the crime? So many variables.
There are also laws that have conditions and amendments attached. The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, which is Freedom of Speech, has limitations that accompany it. A brief overview is given which states, “The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference. It prohibits any laws that establish a national religion, impede the free exercise of religion, abridge the freedom of speech, infringe upon the freedom of the press, interfere with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibit citizens from petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted into the Bill of Rights in 1791. The Supreme Court interprets the extent of the protection afforded to these rights. The First Amendment has been interpreted by the Court as applying to the entire federal government even though it is only expressly applicable to Congress. Furthermore, the Court has interpreted the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment as protecting the rights in the First Amendment from interference by state governments.”
Keep in mind there are many hyperlinks to additional information that are given, as well as the entire amendment can be read. Some of the contingencies and exception words used in the portion regarding actual ‘freedom of speech’ that I noticed, were obscenity, indecency, child pornography, defamation, incitement of violations of the law, fighting words. Most people do not know the law in its entirety and find themselves in a pickle because of it; however, the law has been available to read, study, and learn in its entirety for two hundred and thirty-four years. People have what we refer to as a ‘sailor’s mouth’ on them and speak rudely, crudely, and with curses or threats, which would make a decent person blush, and though some may wag their heads, most everyone will just look away. Some may even laugh at them thinking it is cute, while others try to make excuses for them. However, there may be children around, they may be making a spectacle, and acting indecent, which means they are in fact breaking the law of the land, all the while shouting that they have the right to ‘freedom of speech.’ Yet who will see that it is enforced?
We know that speeding at a higher mile per hour than what is indicated for that section of road is an act of disobedience to the traffic laws of our country, state, or city. This comes with consequences that are written in the laws but may not have been sufficiently broadcast. Though this law may seem to be enforced the most, because we have police officers who are on regular routes every day, we know there are those who skim by unscathed by the law. We often see those fly by us moving at one hundred miles an hour while we wonder, ‘Where is a cop when you need one.’ We then get stopped for going five miles over the limit in some small rural town who are doing their due diligence to enforce their laws. There is a thought that if you go between five to nine miles under the speed limit you should be fine. I am here to tell you from experience that this is not the case. The driving school that I had to take as part of my consequence for going five miles over, in addition to my $150 fine, stated that if you go over the speed limit by one mile an hour you are breaking the law. The same fine can apply to that as if you were doing nine over, and from there the amount of the fine increases. Has this been promulgated sufficiently? I think not.
Laws are often established and published, and then the citizens are to abide by them. However, we find a story in the Old Testament that a law and decree was made specifically to bring down a good man, named Daniel. He prayed to the One true God of Israel three times a day, and even though he was in captivity, he had been made one of the leading princes of the land by the king because of his good spirit. Those who hated him wrote up a decree and tricked the king into signing it, because they could not find any fault in Daniel to bring before the king and getting him fired. Daniel 6:6-9 states, “Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live forever. All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which alters not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.”
Daniel knew the decree had been signed and the consequence, but he held the law of God in higher regard and continued to pray unto the Lord as before. The rulers of course turned around and tattle-tailed against Daniel to King Darius. So, because it was the ‘law’ of the Medes and Persians, that no ‘law’ from the king could be changed, he had to allow Daniel to be thrown into the den of lions, yet even while enforcing his law, he knew that Daniel was in the right. We know because we have read the end of the story that God sent angels to close the mouths of the lions and delivered Daniel, and the King not only praised the ‘living God’ but also had those with evil intent against Daniel thrown into the lion’s den that day. Laws written are to be for the good and protection of the people, not to work against them with an evil intent to try and trap them in wrongdoing at every turn.
We see a similar story in the book of Esther where Haman became incensed because Mordecai would not bow down and give him reverence. He was a Jew, which was known, but what they did not know was that he was Queen Esther’s uncle; therefore, making her a Jew also. In Esther 3:8-9 he devised a plan to have a law written not to protect the Jews, but to have them destroyed, thus bringing down Mordecai whom he despised. “And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, there is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore, it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. If it pleases the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.”
This was widely promulgated, broadcast, and heralded throughout the land, in verse 13-15, “And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. A copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready on that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.” There was great mourning in the land, and when Esther found out what had happened, with much discussion, through messengers with her Uncle Mordecai, she made the difficult decision to go into the king to plead for herself and her people, the Jews. The evil decree against the Jews was reversed, Esther, her uncle, Mordecai, and the Jews as a people were spared. A new decree was sent forth in King Ahasuerus’ name, and they “sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries: and the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day.”
Much to the surprise of many, all the laws given by God in the Old and New Testaments to mankind are for our benefit. They are not a list of ‘do nots’ just for chuckles and for evil intent toward us to catch us in the wrong. God is not dangling us over the ‘pit’ ready to cut the rope. In fact, Matthew 25:41 states, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Though there are consequences to our disobedience to God, which is sin, which separates us from him, this was not the intent. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” We must read and study his Word in its entirety. We may be surprised on the day of judgement as we are when we are stopped by a cop for speeding one mile over the speed limit, but it will not be because the law was not given. John 12:48 states, “He that rejects me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
God’s word is clear and has been declared throughout generations. It is the final authority and has withstood the sands of time. God says what he means and means what he says. There is nothing hidden from us that we need to know. The requirements, consequences, and the promises are all proclaimed loudly for all to see. All Christians, especially those in ministry or who have a platform to be heard more readily, should beware that they are not promulgating their own manmade decrees or doctrines behind the King’s back, if that is even possible. They propagate their own gospel and deceive many. Matthew 24:4-5 says, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, take heed that no man deceives you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
We must also remember that we are not the Judge or the Advocate. We are not the ‘policemen’ of righteousness, going around with a Billy club enforcing the laws of God. We are just the “Newsies.” We should not be trying to catch people in a fault, but Galatians 6:1 admonishes us, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” The minister’s job is seen in 2 Timothy 4:2 which says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” The words judge, police, or legislate righteousness are not declared in that decree or directive. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” We must know the entire law of the Lord and trumpet it wherever we go! It may seem that we are surrounded by ‘lawbreakers’ and they are ‘getting away’ with things, but this should not be of concern to us. What God told his people in Numbers 23:19 still applies. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
Let us be a promulgator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news is that Jesus died in our stead, was buried, and rose from the grave. He is alive! Let us advertise our story of how Jesus saved us and let them know that He came to redeem them as well. Let them know that we can come to him in repentance applying that death to our lives, be baptized in Jesus Name, taking on his name, identity, and being cleansed through his blood, and receive his Spirit which gives us power and authority to obey his decrees so that we can receive everlasting life, which is the consequence or promise to those who obey. I am thankful for the new proclamation aka new covenant that Paul wrote about in Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” He also stated in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” And in Galatians 3:25, “But after that faith has come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
We must also declare to everyone and shout from the mountain tops another urgent message that John the revelator was told to promulgate, seen in Revelation 22:12-14 speaking of Jesus, “And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do my commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Heralding this proclamation should not be the exception, but the rule. We must spread, tell, blare out, declare, and promulgate the good news! “Extra, extra, read all about it!” “Get ready, Jesus is coming soon.”