God Sends Help - Genesis 32-35

Genesis 32:1-2 (ESV)
(Jacob Fears Esau)
Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God's camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

When we fear the most, God sends His heavenly host!    In the above passage, Jacob (soon to be named, “Israel”) is leaving his charlatan father-in-law, Laban.  Laban had cheated Jacob time and time again and Jacob decided to head back home.  The challenge with that thought, however, was that he, himself, had cheated his brother Esau out of birthright and his blessing.  The last time he saw Esau, he was informed that Esau wanted to kill him.  As he travels back to meet Esau the above passage describes a very important truth for us.  In his fear, Jacob needed encouragement.   To encourage him, God sends an army of angelic hosts, so large they compose two full camps.   We have no idea what that looked like. We can only use our imagination by gleaning passages from other portions of Scripture.  Perhaps one of the passage that could shed some light on the above passage is found in a similar seen with Elijah and his fearful servant:

2 Kings 6:15-17 (ESV)
When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When God knows we need encouragement He gives us the knowledge of His power and might and presence.   Jacob had no reason to fear his brother.  God had given him promise after promise.  But, in his flesh, Jacob still feared.   God opened his eyes to see the power and the presence of the hosts of heaven.  We don’t see them today, but God’s Word tell us we still do have the hosts of heaven working in our lives, even though we may not be aware.  We are to serve in faith and in confidence because God sends His heavenly hosts when we need that help:

Hebrews 13:1-2 (ESV)
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

God Changes Things: Romans 15-16

Romans 16:1 (ESV)
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,

God changes things.   In chapter 16 we have a long list of Christians who had served with Paul, or was aware of both Paul and the Roman Christians.  In the chapter, over 30 names, or groups of individuals, are mentioned.   This IS the body of Christ.  Each of these individuals were saved out of a world of pagan gods and pagan ways.  Yet, God redeemed them and uses them in a mighty way.  Note what the great R.C. Sproul said about, Phoebe, mentioned in the opening verse of the chapter.  We need to realize that God changes things.   God takes whatever we had broken and dedicated to one thing and purifies it, sanctifies it and use it for the Himself:

“Phoebe’s name is taken from a pagan goddess. In the early church, Christians who had been named for pagan deities retained those names after conversion because the names’ origins no longer had any religious or theological signifi-cance. We need to bear that in mind, because disputes over any sort of Chris-tian link to anything with pagan roots occasionally arise in the church today. Easter sounds close to the pagan deity Ishtar, and the celebration of Christmas on December 25 corresponds to the time in ancient Rome when celebration was held for the pagan god Mithras. Christians decided at one point to use the occasion to celebrate the birth of Christ. That was a noble endeavor, but some still are scandalized by the historic relationship to the Mithras cult.

It is understandable that many things in our culture have roots in pagan-ism, yet those roots have long since been overlooked, and we do not need to have scruples about them. The days of the week were named for pagan gods. Monday was named for the moon. Wednesday came about in honor of the Scandinavian Norse god Woden. Thursday comes from the celebration of the pagan deity Thor. Saturday goes back to the celebration of the Roman god Saturn. We use those designations, but we do not attribute to the names of the days of the week any particular religious homage”

Romans 16:1 (ESV)

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,

God changes things.   In chapter 16 we have a long list of Christians who had served with Paul, or was aware of both Paul and the Roman Christians.  In the chapter, over 30 names, or groups of individuals, are mentioned.   This IS the body of Christ.  Each of these individuals were saved out of a world of pagan gods and pagan ways.  Yet, God redeemed them and uses them in a mighty way.  Note what the great R.C. Sproul said about, Phoebe, mentioned in the opening verse of the chapter.  We need to realize that God changes things.   God takes whatever we had broken and dedicated to one thing and purifies it, sanctifies it and use it for the Himself:

“Phoebe’s name is taken from a pagan goddess. In the early church, Christians who had been named for pagan deities retained those names after conversion because the names’ origins no longer had any religious or theological signifi-cance. We need to bear that in mind, because disputes over any sort of Chris-tian link to anything with pagan roots occasionally arise in the church today. Easter sounds close to the pagan deity Ishtar, and the celebration of Christmas on December 25 corresponds to the time in ancient Rome when celebration was held for the pagan god Mithras. Christians decided at one point to use the occasion to celebrate the birth of Christ. That was a noble endeavor, but some still are scandalized by the historic relationship to the Mithras cult.

It is understandable that many things in our culture have roots in pagan-ism, yet those roots have long since been overlooked, and we do not need to have scruples about them. The days of the week were named for pagan gods. Monday was named for the moon. Wednesday came about in honor of the Scandinavian Norse god Woden. Thursday comes from the celebration of the pagan deity Thor. Saturday goes back to the celebration of the Roman god Saturn. We use those designations, but we do not attribute to the names of the days of the week any particular religious homage”

Excerpt From

Romans

R. C. Sproul

https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=366318344

This material may be protected by copyright.

EEOC Violation? Matthew 20-22

Matthew 20:8-16 (ESV)
And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”

EEOC violation!!    Yes, Jesus told a story about a man who went out and hired some day laborers to work for him for the day.  He and they agreed upon the fee of one denarius.   So, they went to work in the hot sun ALL day.   But, the owner of the vineyard saw workers still standing around, later in the day.   It was not because they did not want to work, it was because no one hired them.  So, the owner agrees to hire them.  At the end of the day he pays them all the SAME.  In our modern world this would be front page news of another capitalist creating another inequity over common man.   This is exactly how the world thinks.   Jesus is not telling the story to give us a reason to pay one person one amount (a man) and another person another amount (a woman).   He is telling us a story about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like.  The tag line at the end of the story is: The last will be first and the first last.   What Jesus is saying is that God can do what He wants with His kingdom.   The problem with the narrative of inequity is not the concept of inequity.  It is that the narrative of the story has become the one all and be all for all areas of life.   If the modern day narrative of inequity were to be applied to the Kingdom of God, God would have an EEOC grievance filed against Him.   God chooses whom He will.  That is both the nature of Salvation and the nature of God.   The world has some great ideas and the world has some bad ideas.   Sometimes the ideas the world has are great ideas but when applied to all areas of life they fail miserably.   In the above story the theme is that the owner wanted to express his generosity.   Those who came to work at the beginning of the day did not like that those who worked less were paid the same.  It should be noted (in regard to whatever this can teach us about equity) the those who came later were not paid MORE - they were paid the SAME.  So, there was equal pay.   Yes, those who worked all day worked longer, but that was their agreement.   We should be very careful about our philosophies of life.   They can at the same time please man but we contrary to good theology.   

Greatness of God vs the Foolishness of Man - Isaiah 40-44

Isaiah 40:24-26 (ESV)
… Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
To whom then will you compare me,
that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name;
by the greatness of his might
and because he is strong in power,
not one is missing.

The above section of Isaiah’s prophecy is taken completely out of the middle the prophet’s utterance about worshipping false gods.   He has, up to this paragraph, condemned the people of God for their wanting to worship wooden idols, or even idols made out of gold.  This is somewhat the theme of chapters 40-44.   The people that God redeemed out of Egypt, to be a witness for Him have, instead, lowered their beliefs to hold onto wooden idols that with one-half of the wood, they warm themselves and heat their food, and the other half, worship the wood as though it would save them from their perils.   

In the above words, Isaiah is speaking about the rulers and the kings of the earth and how they are planted by God one day and then, by the breath of God, blown away.  In Isaiah’s day, God’s people either worshipped gods of wood and gold, or men with crowns and swords.   Isaiah is telling them that those nations that they trusted in are nothing before God.  In fact, if you really want to see power, Isaiah states, look up and see the stars of the heavens.   God didn’t just cast the stars into the heavens,. He identified and knows each by name.   It is by His greatness that the star (and the universe) has this glory, power and might.  Notice what the writer of Hebrews said about this in his opening lines about Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

This writer tells us the Jesus Christ “upholds the universe by the word of his power.”   That means not only does God put the stars in place, know them by name, but also sustains their existence by the sheer “word of His power.”  We might want to focus on our lives and all our little wooden and gold idols.   But, in reality, our focus ought to be on the power, majesty, might and greatness of God.   That will solve the majority, if not all, our problems.  That is Isaiah’s message to God’s people.  

Our Observations about Suffering are NOT Always Correct - Job 15-17

Job 15:20-24 (ESV)
The wicked man writhes in pain all his days,
through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless.
Dreadful sounds are in his ears;
in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him.
He does not believe that he will return out of darkness,
and he is marked for the sword.
He wanders abroad for bread, saying, ‘Where is it?’
He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand;
distress and anguish terrify him;
they prevail against him, like a king ready for battle.

The problem with Job’s friends, as stated over and over, is that their Theology is correct, but their application is completely distorted.   They are the type that take great doctrine and apply to the wrong problem.   The above material is “a” way to describe the wicked people on the earth that reject God.    However, it is not the “only” way their lives unfold.   Sometimes “wicked” people have a great life ... read Psalm 73 and see what that writer states about the wicked.   The above speech is from Job’s friend, Eliphaz.   He is accusing Job of being a “wicked” man, because the ONLY paradigm in his head for what he “sees” in Job’s circumstances is that these things happen to “wicked” men and not “Godly” men.   He could not be farther wrong.  He is correct, int that wicked people will, EVENTUALLY, suffer harm and be in pain and suffering.  But, not always, and certainly not only wicked people.  God’s people have suffered much harm.  Those who come to Christ will suffer.   Eliphaz is correct that wicked people suffer.  But, the timing of that suffering is not always seen.  To apply that logic to all people who suffer is sinful.    Job is suffering because of his righteousness, not his wickedness.  We read that in chapters one and two.   We can’t always apply our logic to what God is doing in someone’s life.  We can always believe God is doing something.  But, not always for what WE see.   

Green Pastures and Quiet Waters - Psalms 21-23

Psalms 23:2-3 (ESV)
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

In order to understand these two verse of the famous, Psalm 23, we would be wise to read the first and last verse of the song, verse:

Psalms 23:1 & 6
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

A key to understanding this great Psalm is to remember that as we “follow” the great Shepherd, goodness and mercy with natural “follow” (“chase” in the Hebrew) us.   That is how we can understand verses 2 & 3.    God leads us on paths of righteousness.  We don’t always realize the path is a righteous path, but, that is what we are supposed believe, by faith.   We do go through a valley of death, but, that is only part of the path that leads to green pastures, quiet waters and a restored soul.    In the Hebrew the phrase “paths of righteousness” is probably better translated, “in right paths.”  And, we are lead in these “right paths” so that we can feel good about ourselves, right?  No!  We are lead in these “right paths” for “His name sake.”   God leads on right paths so that, in the end, we can glorify His name and give Him praise.  That is why, at times, the “right path” does not seem easy or good or nice.   It is in those times, on the rough, steep and snarly path, that God gets the glory for being out Shepherd and leading us to green pastures and quiet and still waters.  

God Intervenes - Genesis 28-31

Genesis 28:10-13 (ESV)
Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, “I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. 

When God intervenes in our lives and steps in to communicate and care for us, great things begin to happen.   Jacob, in the above text, does not even know that God is in this place.  He will later name it Bethel, which means, House of God.   These chapters (28-31) are all a composite of God “stepping into a life” to direct it for His good.  When we yield to God stepping into to speak to us, guide us and help us, great things can and will happen.   When we meditate on the following verses we can rest in the sovereign work of God on the behalf of those He chooses.  God chose Jacob (who will later be named Israel).  When God chooses you, He stops into your life.  Rejoice in that fact.  Note these verses in this section that demonstrate that point:

Genesis 29:31 (ESV)
When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.

Genesis 30:22 (ESV)
Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.

Genesis 31:3 (ESV)
Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”

Genesis 31:7 (ESV)
yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.

Genesis 31:9 (ESV)
Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.

Genesis 31:16 (ESV)

Genesis 31:29 (ESV)
It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’

All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

Genesis 31:41-42 (ESV)
These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night.”

Serve Christ and Pursue Peace and Defeat Conflict - Romans 13-14

Romans 14:18-19 (ESV)
Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

When it comes to conflict between two people there are a lot of variables and moving parts.   Not all conflict is the same.  All if tends to stem, however, from a similar pool of sewage and it all seems to smell the same.  But, the cause and the cure can have remarkably different definitions and solutions.   In the above passage, however, we find two principles of Scripture that can assist as we navigate any type of conflict.  The first principle is that “whoever serves Christ” has a level of acceptance and approval by God and by mankind.  This repeats a behavior and example set by Jesus as he grew older.  Luke records it this way:

Luke 2:52 (ESV)
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Those who want to serve God and seek His face in Christ, are promised a supernatural acceptance level with mankind.  That is not true for all men, because, regretfully some are for war and not peace.  In speaking about a friend, or friends, he had, who he was now experiencing conflict, King David stated:

Psalms 120:7 (ESV)
I am for peace,
but when I speak, they are for war!

Early in Romans, Paul told us to:

Romans 12:18 (ESV)
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

We have the obligation in our Christian walk to pursue peace by serving Christ. That introduces the second principle in Paul’s conclusion about conflict.  He states  that those who really are walking in the light of Christ will “pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding” of others.   That is the hard thing to do in a conflict.   We don’t always “feel” like “upbuilding” those who have offended us or who are walking contrary to our thoughts.   Romans 14 is all about a conflict brewing in the church and between some competing values of the members.   The key to resolving conflict within the Christian community, Paul states, is to agree that we are living for Christ, not ourselves and that we are obligated to build another up.   In the next chapter of Paul’s notes on conflict,  he builds on this thoughtt:

Romans 15:2 (ESV)
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

We are obligated in our Christian walk to build up another.  We are not to tear them down.  Paul said the same thing to the Ephesian Christians this way:

Ephesians 4:29-32 (ESV)
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Simple words can’t fix conflict.   However, int that passage, according to Paul, words are the avenue for God’s grace.  Words can, of course, make the conflict worse.  The building block to restore and repair our hearts after conflict are to agree to mutually serve Christ and to mutually pursue peace, by speaking truth through a kind and forgiving heart.   That doesn’t change the circumstances, but it does open the doors for God to do a work.   That is what God subscribes as the answer to conflict.   

Forgiveness Should be Passed On - Matthew 17-19

 Matthew 18:23-35 (ESV)
“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

What an awesome story to illustrate forgiveness.    If we have ever been in debt  over our heads this “forgiving of the debt” resonates with us.  If we have ever had someone who forgave us of a great wrong, this type of forgiveness resonates with us.  If we have ever NOT been forgiven this story can resonate with us.   To better understand the story it would help to know the value of the “talent” and the “denarii.”   In the Bible times a “denarii” was worth a days wages.   A “talent” was worth 6,000 “denarii.”   So, the servant who owed the 10,000 “talents” owed the equivalent of 60,000 work days.  This is an amount that would be impossible to pay back.   That is what makes the story so fascinating.   He would never be able to pay back his debt, but the one he would not forgive had a reasonable chance to work it off.  That is the lesson.  How is it that God forgives us of our impossible to pay-back-God-for-my-sin and yet we can’t forgive a sin agains us by another failed human being.  Before we object to forgiving others perhaps we might stop to think and remember what God has done for us.   

God Rescues in Difference Day - Isaiah 34-39

Isaiah 37:5-7 (ESV)
When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the LORD: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’”

One of the major events during Isaiah, the prophets day, was the rise and fall of the surrounding nations.  Assyria was one of those nations.  They rose to power and began to invade the lands around them.  Although the they would eventually succumb to the Babylonian’s power, later, the Assyrians would first destroy and take captive the northern ten tribes of Israel.  Their ruler (during the above passage) was King Sennacherib, sent his highest ranking officer to taunt the southern two tribes, Judah.  Hezekiah was the leader of Judah and he took the taunts and the threats to Isaiah the prophet to know what God would have him do.  This might be the first lesson to learn in crisis management.   Hezekiah sought counsel from those higher than he was.  He was willing to listen to his spiritual adviser and God’s wisdom and counsel.  Perhaps he remembered Solomon’s proverb that tells us, “there is safety in a multitude of counselors.”  

When Isaiah hears of the threats, he tells Hezekiah the above passage.  Although later God will simply destroy Sennacherib, this time he simply uses a rumor to move them from the doorsteps of Jerusalem, Judah’s capital city.  A simple rumor moves the greatest army of the day to another place and away from God’s people.   Not a plague, not a sword (although that will happen in chapter 38), not another army or nation sent by God to support Hezekiah.  No, this time it was just a rumor.  God can use some strange ways to show His power.  He can come in thunder and lighting.  He can come in a small still voice (1 Kings 19).  To defeat Pharaoh’s army He came in ten plagues.   To defeat the Prince of Death (Satan) He sent His Son to die and raise again to defeat death (Hebrew 2:14).  But, this time God simply sent a rumor.   We should never underestimate or doubt God’s power to intervene on our behalf.  We have to be willing to ask God first.  After we ask, we can stand back and see what tool and approach God takes to solve our problems.  

Depression Does NOT Discriminate - Job 14

Job 14:22 (ESV)
He feels only the pain of his own body,
and he mourns only for himself.”

Depression is a real thing.  It is a thing that has no discrimination between young or old, black or white, tall or short, large or small, Republican or Democrat, and, not between believers or non-believers.   The above verse is the last verse of Job 14.   Job, as we know is in a very bad spot.   He has lost all things that are precious to him, including his seven children ... all in one day.  He has lost his health ... all in one day.   Job has had catastrophic events happen of extraordinary proportion.   In chapter three we first begin to read about Job’s depression.  But, on top of the depression he has three friends show up to tell him that the reason for all the bad is that he is bad.  In chapter eleven we read the very harsh and blunt words of his “friend” Zophar.   Zophar is the cruelest of all his friends.  For the past three chapters Job has been trying to answer Zophar, but in chapter 14 Job finally just gives in.  He begins to talk about a fatalistic philosophy of life.  He pleads with God, that if this is all there is and he, indeed, is wicked, like Zophar says, than just “leave me alone” and let me die.   This last verse sums up all that he is feeling.  Job only feels the pain in his body and there appears no hope but to die in this pain.  Depression takes away our hope.   God’s power is known in the mind, but the heart and the body have given up.  In fact, in truth, the mind has as well. It might acknowledge the power of God, but it can’t seize hold of that power.  That might be what makes depression even harder for believers. They are the ones who are “supposed” know the power of God.   But they, too, can slip into deep despair.  Job was one example.  Elijah is another.  Note his thoughts:

1 Kings 19:3-4 (ESV)
Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

As we read the rest of Job we find the same answer for him, as God gave Elijah.   They both are shown the power and glory of God (Job 39-42 & 1 Kings 19:11-14).  The fact that these great men of God were depressed is not the story.  Many, if all, go through some form of depression.  The key here is that as they began to see the glory of God and ponder the power of God, that was the avenue out of their depression.  They were not weak because they were depressed.  They had some good reasons for the fear, hurt and pain they were feeling.  But, eventually they allowed their fear to give way to the faith and saw the glory and power of God.  Man’s words cannot heal depression.   God’s word and power can.  

Keep Us From Hidden and Presumptuous Sins! Psalms 18-20

Psalms 19:12-13 (ESV)
Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

Jesus told His disciples to pray that they would not be lead into temptation but would be delivered from evil.   That is part of the Lord’s Prayer - which is an outline on how we are to pray.  In the above text we read the King David had a similar outline for praying.   He prays to be kept from “hidden” sins and from “presumptuous” sins.   We understand the concept of “hidden” sins.   Those are sins we don’t even realize we are doing.   We can think of them time that David wanted to number the people of Israel and his commander, Joab, did not want to do it.  Joab saw it as the sin of pride.   That was “hidden” from David and needed to be pointed out to him.   We all have “hidden” sins that we don’t quickly or readily identify.   

We all, also, have “presumptuous” sins.   This Hebrew word is a word that means “arrogant” or “insolent” sins.  These are sins we know we are sinning but we don’t want to stop.   This is King David committing adultery with Bathsheba.   This is when we are told to forgive someone for their wrong against us and we say we can’t.  We deliberately disobey God out of our own will and defiance.   We do not honor God because we want to honor ourselves.   

In both cases David asks for God’s deliverance.   David knows that he cannot overcome hidden sins or presumptuous sins.   He must have God’s mercy and grace to be rescued from their power and danger in his life.   It is only through showing God’s grace can he then proclaim he is blameless and innocent.   Only God can protect us from these sins that separate us from Him.  We need His mercy each day.  That is the point of David’s song/poem/prayer.   Deliver us from hidden and presumptuous sins!

100% Victory with Only 1% of the Army - Judges 6-11

Judges 7:1-8 (ESV)
1 Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
2 The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.
4 And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” 5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” 6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. 7 And the LORD said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” 8 So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

There is a principal taught in Scripture that the more weak we are the more power we have from God.  Or, perhaps better, the more we admit and accept how weak we are the power and strength we have in God.  Here is how Paul said it and it illustrates the above passage about Gideon and his army of 32,000 being dwindled down, by God, to 300:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It might due well for us to accept our weaknesses.   When Gideon went to war against the Midianites, he thought “numbers” would give him an advantage.  But, it is not the might we bring with us, but the might of God in us and over us, that makes the fight victorious for Him.   Imagine what members of this army must have thought when 99% of them went home.  God will eventually accomplish a victory with only 1% of those who original set out to fight.  We need to have faith that with only 1%, with God, we can have 100% victory.     

The Danger of the False Narrative - Genesis 24-27

Genesis 27:42-43 (ESV)
But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran

We create false narratives to comfort our souls and do not realize they bring terror and hurt instead.    The above passage bears out that exact thought.   These verses are taken from the story of Jacob deceiving his father Isaac into giving him a blessing, rather than the first born Esau.   Esau is so angry at his brother Jacob, that he wants to kill him.  Jacob’s mother, Rebekah (who was the master-mind of this deception) warns Jacob to flea, least Esau kill him.   Esau is holding a grudge so deep that he wants to kill his brother.  He has anger in his heart.    

There is a quote that has been attributed to many people as the source, but never-the-less it captures where Esau is at in his heart.  The quote is about having bitterness in your heart for others.  It states:

“Me being angry at you, is like me drinking poison and hoping you will die!”

This is were Esau is at in his heart.  He is holding a grudge in his heart, it is causing him to die from the inside out.   The words Rebekah uses are that Esau is “comforting” himself with thoughts of homicide.   Imagine that thought.   Esau is creating a false narrative in his head to destroy his brother through blood shed, thinking this will bring him comfort.   They anger he has in his heart is not going to bring him comfort, it is going to destroy his life.   All the characters in this story simply forgot that God had said at the birth of Jacob and Esau that the oldest would serve the youngest.   Although the method Jacob and Rebekah used to get the blessing from Issac was corrupt, it was God’s intended purpose.   But, Esau was so angry and bitter he was not thinking of things that were true, based upon God’s word. Rather, he created a false narrative in his head that would ravage peace in his life.   Note what Paul said about false narratives.  Instead of creating them to give us comfort (and that is the point of a false narrative), Paul states if we want real peace in our minds, we should rather: 

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Give Your Enemy a Drink! Romans 12

Romans 12:19-21 (ESV)
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Now, that goes against our nature!!   How many people today would embrace the above doctrine as their life-world-view?   We, as a society, tend to do just the opposite.  We do not avoid vengeance. In fact, if we even think someone is going to do us wrong, we are ready to do them wrong first.   The above teaching of Paul is so, so contrary to the world he lived in and the world we live in.  The passage that follows the above verses is Paul’s admonition to obey the leaders among us.  Remember, Paul lived in the day’s of Nero, who, for sport, burnt Christians on poles as lanterns to light his gardens.   The Roman culture was an “eye for and eye” society, just like ours.   When Paul teaches us to not avenge ourselves, that is one thing.  We can, at times, give it to God and remember that “vengeance” belongs to God and that will happen sooner or later.  But, to go one step farther and be proactive in showing Christian love to someone who has done us wrong (or wants to) is just beyond our natural ability.  Our sinful nature is to be, at least, passive aggressive to those who do us wrong.  We don’t mind not taking out our vengeance, but, we also don’t mind simply avoiding them.   Yet, Paul is teaching us to be intentional with our Christian love and to sacrifice ourselves for not just our loved ones, but for those who have done us wrong.   This is NOT an option.   Imagine if a marriage practiced this.  Imagine if a church practiced this.  Imagine if a business practiced this.   What would happen if Washington D.C. practiced this?   What would happen if the United Nations practiced this principal.  This is one of the most powerful principals of life we can live out. It take supernatural love to do this and that ONLY comes from the Spirit of God.    We are not giving an option here.  But, we are giving the capacity.  When we allow the Spirit of God to produce in us supernatural love (love the world can’t produce) we can practice the above command of Scripture.   By the way, the verse just before this command is the reason Paul is saying this.  We are more compelled to give water to our enemies when we understand that is the avenue by which we can practice this command of Paul, as well:

Romans 12:18 (ESV)
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

What is in the Well Comes Up in the Bucket - Matthew 14-16

Matthew 15:10-20 (ESV)

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

The above teaching is after Jesus’ interaction with the religious leaders of the day, giving to the disciples and those who were following Him.   The disciples were bold enough to ask the question about the offended Pharisees.   The interaction with the Pharisees was their criticism the Jesus and His disciples did not wash their hands before they ate something.  However, the real issue was that the disciples (and Jesus) were not following their interpretation of the Law.   Jesus wants the listeners to understand that it is NOT what goes into the body that defiles a person, but what comes out of the person, from their heart.   The key insight Jesus wants us to know is verse 18:

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Jesus goes on to say the it is from the heart that evilness comes and then list several examples of evilness.   The religious leaders in Jesus’ day (like some today) were so concerned about what goes into the body, that they failed to recognize it is what comes out of the heart that causes defilement before God.   Man has a heart condition.  Jesus didn’t come to dictate what and how we eat.  Jesus came to change the heart condition of mankind.  That does not mean our intake is not needing correction.   But, we must start with our heartache first.   King David was so concerned about this problem of the heart that he wrote the following.  He knew that what is in the heart, comes up in the bucket:

Psalms 141:3-4 (ESV)

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

keep watch over the door of my lips!

Do not let my heart incline to any evil,

to busy myself with wicked deeds

in company with men who work iniquity,

and let me not eat of their delicacies!

God’s Power Over Man’s Party - Isaiah 29-33

Isaiah 30:29-33 (ESV)
You shall have a song as in the night when a holy feast is kept, and gladness of heart, as when one sets out to the sound of the flute to go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel. And the LORD will cause his majestic voice to be heard and the descending blow of his arm to be seen, in furious anger and a flame of devouring fire, with a cloudburst and storm and hailstones. The Assyrians will be terror-stricken at the voice of the LORD, when he strikes with his rod. And every stroke of the appointed staff that the LORD lays on them will be to the sound of tambourines and lyres. Battling with brandished arm, he will fight with them. For a burning place has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it.

Most of Isaiah is somewhat dark and gloomy.  Israel has rebelled against God and God has sent Isaiah, the prophet, to proclaim His displeasure and coming judgement on them for this turning away from Him.   There are prophecies against Jerusalem (the capital of Judah ... the remaining tribe of Israel) as well as the nation, as a whole.  There are also prophetic utterances over the nations that have either fought against Israel, or simply not come to their aide.   This is a doom and gloom message. 

But, throughout the book we have what we read in the above passage.  Isaiah makes it clear that their WILL BE a remnant of believers who do turn to God and remain faithful.   The above passage speaks to them.  It also speaks to the nation God has sent to discipline the majority of the nation, Assyria.   God has used them for His discipline over His people, but He will also not allow their wicked behavior to flourish.    God will protect the remnant.   How?   With His “majestic voice” and by the “descending blow of his arm.”  He will save the remnant by the voice of His power; characterized by, “furious anger and a flame of devouring fire, with a cloudburst and storm and hailstones.”   

When God speaks, that is the imagery we should ponder over.   Mankind often thinks of God in different terms and images.   They don’t often think of Him in the way that Isaiah is speaking.   But, in the above text not only do we see these word pictures created, but we see that God is going to pour out His wrath.   Not only is His wrath poured out, however, God is also going to take away joy and laughter.   Note that Isaiah states, that the very voice of God will be to the background of a feasts with singing and music.   Isaiah is telling us that the Assyrians will be in the midst of either worship or celebration when God voice speaks destruction over them.   The world can try to drown out the voice of God through parties and entertainment, but, in the end, it will be the voice of Jesus that seals their fate:

Revelation 6:10 (ESV)
They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Outcomes Do Not Indicate Righteousness - Job 12-13

Job 12:5-6 (ESV)
In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune;
it is ready for those whose feet slip.
The tents of robbers are at peace,
and those who provoke God are secure,
who bring their god in their hand.

The above verses are a response from Job to his friend Zophar, who was less than gracious about Job’s condition.  Zophar was blunt and right to his point.  He thinks Job is a wicked man and the misfortune that Job is experience is not some cosmic accident, but due reward for that sinfulness he carries.   We know, based upon the first two chapters of the book, that Zophar could not be farther off course.    In the above passage, Job is trying to make a point, in his defense.  Truly, however, the way Job speaks is tough to understand.   Here are the same two verses but in the Amplified Version:

Job 12:5-6 (AMP)
In the thought of him who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune—but it is ready for those whose feet slip.
The dwellings of robbers prosper; those who provoke God are [apparently] secure; God supplies them abundantly [who have no god but their own hands and power].

Job’s point in these two verses is that those who live with no conscious mindset about God and HIs authority and providence in their lives, live their lives without fear of doom and/or retribution from God.   Job is trying to get Zophar (and the other two “friends”) to see that “outcomes” of life are not a good indicator of “inward” righteousness with God.  His point is that those who have it good, are NOT worried about misfortune.  But, misfortune will catchup with anyone who’s “feet slip.”  Meaning that everyone will have misfortune at some point in their lives.  To Job, it is simply a fact of life.  If that is true, than Zophar’s argument can’t be true.   To Zophar righteousness meant a good life and unrighteousness meant a bad life.  This is the reason for Job’s second example.  Job states that a group of robbers actually prosper.  In fact, Job maintains that is God, Himself, who must be supplying their good fortune, albeit being obtained in an evil manner.   God allows that to happen.  Again, Job’s point is that if God is completely sovereign, than even the prosperity of the wicked is in His hands.  So, outcomes of prosperity can’t be the litmus test for Job’s dilemma.   Zophar’s argument does not work on life and therefore does not work on Job.   Outcomes of life is not a sign of righteousness or unrighteousness.   That is the problem with how we handle our thoughts about those who suffer.  Suffering is actually promised as part of the Christian life.   We can’t look at “being at ease” as a sign of God’s blessing and being in “suffering” as a sign of God’s wrath upon us.  That argument does not work.   Job is the example.  

God Makes Our Boundaries Wide - Psalms 16:5-6

Psalms 16:5-6 (ESV)
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

When God is our portion our boundaries are wide.    Psalm 16 is a marvelous praise song that starts with a petition to God of preservation and ends with a stanza for God in adoration.  In the middle of the song we have the above lines.  The petitioner wants to be preserved, but has he seeks God’s face his heart changes.  That is really want prayer is all about.  We think we pray to receive from God, and we do.  But, in reality, as we pray we are having our heart changed to think like God and to know Him.  That is what is happening with David in this poem.   David is petitioning God and praising God, at the same time.  He recognizes that the “inheritance” is in God’s hands.   God has become his “chosen portion” because he recognizes that God hold’s his lot and establishes the lines of his life.  It is not as much that David chose God, but rather he recognizes that God is worthy to be chosen and followed.  He recognizes, through prayer, that God can and does make his boundaries wide and pleasant.  It would do us good to follow the same aspect of our prayer life.   When we approach God in prayer, we need to recognize that the prayer is not always about asking, but rather fellowship in with God and acknowledging what God did in our lives and continues to do for our living.   David rejoices that, unlike those who reject God (verses 3-4), he has cup that is full and running over (Psalm 23).  He has “pleasant places.”   That is what prayer is all about.  Praising God for those things we have with Him in fellowship as we recall, remember and praise Him.  

Women Taking the Lead - Judges 1-5

Judges 5:24-27 (ESV)
“Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
of tent-dwelling women most blessed.
He asked for water and she gave him milk;
she brought him curds in a noble's bowl.
She sent her hand to the tent peg
and her right hand to the workmen's mallet;
she struck Sisera;
she crushed his head;
she shattered and pierced his temple.
Between her feet
he sank, he fell, he lay still;
between her feet
he sank, he fell;
where he sank,
there he fell—dead.

I am not sure if today’s feminist movement would embrace the above poem, or reject it.  To understand the song, we have to read chapter 4.  King Sisera came up against Israel to oppress them.   Deborah, the prophetess, called upon Barak to fight for Israel.   But, he would only go if Deborah went with him.  Deborah agrees, but tells him that once victory is achieved, he will not receive any glory for the victory.   Instead, as the above poem proclaims, Jael, the wife of someone named, Heber the Kenite,  The feminist would not like that Jael is identified as someone’s wife.   So, there would be those who dislike this entire story.  But, the truth that God decided to use this woman, who lives in a tent, to bring glory to Himself.   King Sisera ran to Jael for protection.  Instead, she decided serve God and fulfill God’s desire for victory over Sisera.   We often think, to glorify God, we have to have some sort of great wisdom, strength or ability.  But, in God’s world, obedience is available to anyone.  Jael was obedient to the prompting of the Spirit.  We don’t have that recorded, but that is implied.   She delivered Israel, while Barak was living in fear.   It matters not what society might think of the way the women were treated in the Old Testament.  However, we see that God used both Deborah and Jael to accomplish His will. 

Enemies at Pease with You!! Genesis 20-23

Genesis 21:22-24 (ESV) (A Treaty with Abimelech)

At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.” And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

When you make a contract with world, mutual respect can go a long way.   In the above passage we have the introduction of Abraham and his contract with two of the local power, Abimelech and his army leader, Phicol.  In chapter 20 we read that Abraham had wandered into Abimelech’s territory.   Out of fear, Abraham told Sarah, his wife, to say she was his sister, least they kill Abraham and take Sarah.   When Abimelech almost does take Sarah for his sexual pleasure, but God intervenes.   Abimelech, instead, gives Abraham sheep and oxen and sends him on his way (Genesis 20:1-18).  So, in one respect, Abimelech is responsible for making Abraham a rich and powerful man.  But, it was God’s hand upon Abraham that made Abimelech and Phicol want to sign a contract of agreement with him.   When God’s hand is upon us, the world will see it, if we allow ourselves to be used by God.  The world will approach US, as did Abimelech and Phicol, and want to make treaties with us.  It is when they don’t think we have the power of God in our lives that they tend to want to think they can conquer us.  Isn’t it interesting that the Queen of Sheba SOUGHT out Solomon because they heard of his wisdom (1 Kings 10).   When we walk with God and fear God we can walk in confidence that God will make even our enemies be at peace with us.  Just ask Solomon:

Proverbs 16:7 (ESV)

When a man's ways please the LORD,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Grafted Into the Vine - Romans 9-11

Romans 11:11-16 (ESV)
Gentiles Grafted In
So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

In chapters 9-11 we have one of the most profound passages of God’s Word, if not all literatures combined.   There is no one on the planet who would dream this up and/or create the truth found in the chapters.  You could study these three chapters forever and never really pummel the depths of there meaning.  

In these chapters, Paul is speaking about the doctrine of election.  He is explaining it to the Roman (Gentile) Christians.   The doctrine of election, simply put, is that God choose us to be saved.  The implication (in our minds) is that means He chooses others to NOT be saved.   This devotional is not focused, however, on the implication, but on what is exactly stated.   The main thought Paul is saying in the above passage is that Israel was giving all the benefits to be God’s people. But, because they attempted to do so by works and not by faith, God rejected them.  That rejection was God giving “all the nations” the message of the Gospel.   In chapter 11, Paul address two questions.  The first one is in 11:1 and simply asks, “Has God rejected His people, Israel?”  The answer is NO, because in reality they rejected Him and there are still some to be brought into grace.   The second question Paul attempts to answer is in the above passage:  “So, I ask, did they (Israel) stumble in order that they might fall?”   Paul answers, “By no means!” The point is, did Israel’s stumble (not believing in God’s plan by faith) mean God’s plan is ended.  Paul explains that the fact that Israel fell made it possible for Gentiles to receive all the riches of the Gospel.   So many study election and fail to realize the beauty of God deciding to adopt Gentiles into faith.  Israel’s rejection meant our reconciliation.   That is the amazing truth God wants us to have.   Yes, God still has plans for the remnant of the Jews.  But, God has made it possible for Gentiles to partake of those blessings.   We are grafted into the vine.   As branches we partake of the fruit of the Vine (Jesus).   

The Spirit Was Upon Him, But Why? Matthew 11-13

Matthew 12:18 (ESV)

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

God sent the Second Person of the Trinity to become the Son, to proclaim justice to the entire world.   Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity.  He was born in the flesh as Jesus and became The Son.   Although always external, there was a point in time that He became flesh.   God the Father refers to Him in the above verse as “my servant,” and “my believed.”   The Father states that He is “well pleased” with the Son.   But, one of the most powerful aspects of that above commentary by Matthew on that Jesus will have the Holy Spirit upon Him.  Matthew is taking this message from Isaiah 42:1-2.    Notice that in this verse we have the Father, the Son and the Spirit all in concert.    This is not the only interaction of the Spirit with the Son.  Jesus was:

1. Conceived by the Spirit - Matthew 1:2

2. Baptized by the Spirit - Matthew 3:16

3. Fill by the Spirit - Luke 4:1

4. Lead by the Spirit - Luke 4:1

5. Anointed by the Spirit with Power - Acts 10:38

6. Anointed by the Spirit to proclaim good news to the poor and needy - Luke 4:18-19

Remember, that Jesus took upon the form of man.  This would allow Him to represent us in every way.   Jesus’s humanity received all this, as His deity was already One with the Spirit!  Just as the Son had the power of the Spirit, so too, do we.   What a marvelous thought.  We have the indwelling of the Spirit to enable us to live a life like the Son, in order to please the Father.   Jesus not only died for us, He set the pattern for us to live.  

Wait! God is in Control - Isaiah 23-28

Isaiah 23:1-3 (ESV)
An Oracle Concerning Tyre and Sidon
The oracle concerning Tyre.
Wail, O ships of Tarshish,
for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor!
From the land of Cyprus
it is revealed to them.
Be still, O inhabitants of the coast;
the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you.
And on many waters
your revenue was the grain of Shihor,
the harvest of the Nile;
you were the merchant of the nations.

The book of Isaiah is a continuous unfolding story of God both revealing His plans and actually activating His plans for mankind.   God interacts with mankind and the affairs of mankind.   God has chosen to reveal Himself and these plans through prophets, like Isaiah.   Prior to the above passage we read about the downfall of Babylon (chapter 21).  After a short intermission about Jerusalem (chapter 22) we now read the downfall of Tyre and Sidon.   To those in the Western world, the names are just historical hooks we remember from school days or old movies.   But, in Bible times, Babylon, Tyre and Sidon were significant cites.  We can understand this in our terms if we think of Babylon as New York and we think of Tyre and Sidon as Los Angeles and San Francisco.   Babylon was the largest city next to the Persian Gulf and Tyre/Sidon were the cities that sat on the Mediterranean Sea (the “Great Sea” in the Bible).  Like NY and LA, there was a major trade route from Babylon to Tyre.  It would run near Jerusalem, capital city of Israel.    Bagdad, Iraq would be the modern day equivalent of Babylon and Lebanon would be Tyre.   What God is saying, through Isaiah, in these chapters, is that despite the power, prestige and prominence of mankind’s cities and strength and trade, God was completely in control.   Isaiah, in the above passage (a poem) tells the citizens of Tyre and Sidon to “wail,” because of the coming destruction on them.  Just as then, so too today, God is not ignorant of this world’s power and wickedness.   God is not sleeping as the political and power structures of our world deteriorate around us.   He has not closed His eyes to the evilness in our society.   God is in complete control and throughout Isaiah we read of what He was doing in Isaiah’s day, Jesus’ day and, eventually, our day.   Note one of the verses in this section.  God will destroy those who act wickedly toward Him (entire cities).  But, God will also redeem those who turn toward Him and wait in faith.  We can rejoice that God is in complete control and will bring salvation to those who put faith in Him:

Isaiah 25:9 (ESV)
It will be said on that day,
“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the LORD; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

What if God Called you to Court? Job 11

Job 11:10 (ESV)
If he passes through and imprisons
and summons the court, who can turn him back?

What if God summoned you to court?   

In this portion of Job’s unfolding story we have Job being confronted by his friend, Zophar the Naamathite.  Unlike the other friends of Job, who speak three times, Zophar only speaks twice.   And, to be honest with his character, it is a good thing for Job.  Zophar is the guy who looks you straight in the face and thumps his Bible at you and calls you a sinner.   Zophar has no patience like Job or for Job.   His name means sparrow, but his actions are more like a crow.   He tears into Job and declares him guilty.  Zophar’ s suggestion, or solution for Job, is that he simply repent of his sin and God will restore him.  

In the above verse we see that Zophar is making the case that when God calls us to account for our lives, it is like standing in court before a judge.  Zophar’ s immediate point to Job is that he is guilty and therefore the “Judge” will condemn him if he does not repent.   Zophar may be wrong in his application of this truth to Job’s cause and condition, but he is not wrong in regard to standing before God as judge.   Who can stand guiltless before God.   Note Paul’s words on this point:

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

No one can stand before God and say they are pure.   Psalms 14:1-2 makes that statement crystal clear.  We are guilty and do no good to merit favor with God.  But, the believer, the one who puts trust in Christ for their salvation, can stand before God.  In fact, the writer of Hebrews makes a big deal about that.   As the writer draws that book to a close, there is a summary of what benefits we have by having Christ as our High Priest, our advocate (our lawyer) before God.  In the following verse we read that believers have come to God and enjoy these benefits.  We have come to ... 

Hebrews 12:23 (ESV)
...  the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Believers have come to God, the judge of all, yet, righteous, made perfect.   This is the benefit that Zophar fails to convey to Job.  Zophar likes to condemn, but he gives no indication that Job has a good position before God (Job 1).   Job, like all who have faith in Christ, can come before God in full assurance and full faith that God will receive them and judge them, not on their own merit, but on the blood of Jesus Christ.   What if God called you to court (and He will)?  We stand before God, the judge of all, completely righteous through the death and resurrection of Christ.  

The Nature of Mankind - Psalms 12-14

Psalms 14:1 (ESV)
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is none who does good.

The world would probably not agree with the above verse.    Depending on your world view, very few would align with the above statement made by King David in this song.   There might be many who agree with the first part of the verse.   Perhaps even the majority would say it is foolish to deny the existence of a supreme being.   To believe the world exist and that there is some moral conscious/code inborn in our society from that supreme being, is not logical.   However, it is then minority who believe that this supreme god is Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, manifested on this earth through Jesus Christ and in our lives by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Those that believe that are called fools in this society.   

Certainly many might believe and confess the middle part of the verse; that men are corrupt and do abominable deeds.  We don’t have to watch or listen to most of the nightly news (no matter where you get it) to see that mankind can and does abominable deeds.   That truth very few would disagree with.   It is doubtful, however, that they make the connection David is making.  David is saying that “all those” who reject the truth that God exists, do abominable deeds and are corrupt.   That truth they would never agree to.  For, to admit to that truth they would have to admit their own undoing.  

It is the last part of the above verse that many would never agree with, at least those who reject God’s existence.  The last part states that “there is none that does good.”   As much as we are willing to admit that mankind “can be” corrupt and “can” do abominable things, very few in our society would agree that mankind and they themselves “can’t” also do good. In fact we have an entire industry created to allow mankind to do good: The non-profit industry.   However, if the first and second part of this verse is true, so also the third part.   The truth is, the nature of man is corrupt.   This verse is not saying that mankind can’t do good things for himself or for others.  This verse is saying, in relationship to the first line, that those who reject God are lost in their sin and can’t do anything good that measures up to God’s standards of holiness.   Only those who accept Christ and do good and that is only because it is the Spirit of God indwelling them that does the good. 

We may not like the way God paints the picture of mankind’s nature.  But, it never-the-less is true.   Only God can make a person “good.”   Yes, evil men can do good things for their own benefit.  But, only in God can we do good that merits God’s favor.   The nature of man is corrupt when it is minus faith in God. 

Commitment Comes from the Heart, not the Mouth - Joshua 21-24

 Joshua 24:16-18 (ESV)
Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods, for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. And the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

Instant commitment does not necessarily make the commitment sincere.   In the above passage the people of Israel are making a commitment to Joshua about their commitment to God.  They commit to following His ways and to not follow the habits, believes and behaviors of the people of the land they just conquered.   Probably, at that moment, they were, indeed, sincere about that commitment.   Joshua is about to die and he is giving the nation his last instructions.   In this section we have read the final dividing up and distribution of the land.  We have read about the 2 1/2 tribes who helped them conquer the land and their return to the land Moses had promised them.   We have read about how that 2 1/2 tribe put up an alter to remember they are, too, part of Israel, albeit on the other side of the Jordan river.  We have read about how sensitive the nation was about this alter.  That was the key in this part of Joshua’s story to us.  The nation was so sensitive to the 2 1/2 tribes false alter, they were rallied to stop them.  This is the spirit that Joshua wants.  The above verses show that the nation is committed to national purity and resolved to follow the Laws of Moses.  However, in the next book (Judges) we will see just how quickly that resolve and commitment folds.   This particular group of Israelites are “all in” with Joshua.  But, it won’t be long before they begin to marry into the surrounding nations and start to practice their wicked behaviors.   Words of the mouth have never satisfied righteousness of God.   Sincerity of words only works if the heart is cemented in commitment.   They were not.  We can say it, but unless we live it, it means nothing to God.   Holiness is not a word.  It is an action of our heart completed in us by God to assure we fulfill the desires of His heart.