Physically Worship Him - Psalms 63-65

 Psalms 63:3-4 (ESV)

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psalm 63 has a subtitle added by the writers/composers of the psalms that states this was written during a time of David’s wandering in the wilderness.   We don’t know the specific occasion of the song but it is certainly a plea to God regarding praise and petition for deliverance from someone.   Apparently someone was seeking David’s life (v. 9) and we could make the assumption this is during his time of running from King Saul.   But, in verse 11 we read that the “king shall rejoice in God ...”.   We are left more with wonderings than clarity at the time of this song.  But, one precious truth we can derive from the song is that David has little in this world that compares to the life he has in God.   He, in fact, states that God’s steadfast love for him is better than life itself.    He believes there is nothing on this earth that compares to the love that God has for him and demonstrates to him by caring for him.   David is lost, or weary, or in solitude in the wilderness of life and he stops to reflect on what really matters.   He is no longer sitting around the table of fatness, but is, instead, in the wilderness of want.  Notice how the song starts:

Psalms 63:1-2 (ESV)

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

He lacks food, water and shelter.    He looks to God in the sanctuary but now is in the desert of life.   And what does he conclude?  That God’s love is better than life itself.   

What does that truth compel from David?   It causes him to bless God (praise Him) with his lips and lift up his hands.   This truth of God’s steadfast love being better than life invokes from David by a heart response (expressed in praise of the lips) and a body response (expressed in the lifting up of his hands).   When God gives us truth in our hearts it is a natural result in our bodies being moved.  We are reminded of this passage in David’s earlier days when he brought the ark back to Jerusalem:

2 Samuel 6:14-15 (ESV)

And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

Having truth in our hearts moves our body to celebrate.  The world has taken the physical part of worship and abused it so that believers in Christ can’t use it as it is intended.   We can never “dance before the LORD” because the world has defamed the aspect of dance.  But, David is so caught up in the fact that his world is crashing he sees that God’s love is so steadfast toward him he throws his hands up in pure worship.    Our bodies are not to be used to flesh ways to please ourselves.  But, a mind and heart struck by the truth of God’s love should move us in ways that our bodies can’t help but life up our hands in pure, unadulterated worship of the LORD.  

Establishing a Leadership Team - 1 Kings 1-4

 1 Kings 4:1-7 (ESV)

Solomon's Officials

King Solomon was king over all Israel, and these were his high officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha were secretaries; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king's friend; Ahishar was in charge of the palace; and Adoniram the son of Abda was in charge of the forced labor.

Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each man had to make provision for one month in the year.

Solomon is now beginning his kingdom.   But, it is a large kingdom.  You can’t lead that on your own.   From a leadership point-of-view, Solomon begins to establish his cabinet.  He surrounds himself with great leaders, all of which have their own area of expertise.   Solomon does not attempt to micromanage them.  Solomon wants to make sure the kingdom is run in a wise way.  Remember what he asked God for in the previous chapter:

1 Kings 3:7-9 (ESV)

And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

Getting wisdom from God does not mean you lead on your own.  Getting wisdom from God means you know how to create a leadership team that will be great at what they do, so that you can do the weightier matters of leadership.   As Solomon’s father surrounded himself with great men, so too the son.  

God Wants Us to Give - Exodus 33-36

 Exodus 35:4-10 (ESV)

Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD'S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats' hair, tanned rams' skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.

“Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded:

After Moses received the blueprints for the Tabernacle, God stirred the hearts and talents of the people to give and make the Tabernacle.   God stirred their hearts to bring the possessions they had to use in this building.   A key thought in this process is that they would not be able to replace the material goods they were giving to the work.   It was not like they could give away jewelry and/or cloth and go out and purchase more.   They could make some of the material goods they were giving to the work but some of it, much of what is listed, is irreplaceable.  That is a true act of giving.  Jesus saw this in the poor widow during His ministry on earth.  

Luke 21:4 (ESV)

For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

They continued to give and in fact gave too much:

Exodus 35:29 (ESV)

All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.

Exodus 36:5 (ESV)

and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.”

This is the type of giving God embraces and enjoys.   So, too, should we be this type of giver. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

False Teaching Impacts the Church - 2 Corinthians 11-13

 2 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Paul is in a tight spot.  He is writing to a church who is being lead astray to another gospel (but, there is no other gospel).  The spiritual leaders who are doing this are referred to by Paul, as follows:

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (ESV)

And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

Paul must stop them.  But, at the same time, he does not want to defend himself, but rather he wants to defend Jesus Christ and the message of the true Gospel - Jesus Christ the risen Son.    But, because these false teachers have turned this into a “credibility” issue with Paul, the Apostle must give his resume to convince them of his power in Christ.   In the previous chapter he shared with them all the persecution he endured while speaking the Gospel.  That is one sure evidence you speak truth.   In chapter twelve he is about to speak about the visions and revelations he has had, in Christ.   He openly admits that what he is doing will “gain nothing.”  Never-the-less, Paul must meet his audience where they are at.  If they want credits, he will give them the highest credits and that is his experience with the risen Christ.   His relationship with Christ would establish all the credibility he would need.  When we walk with Christ the world may not think we are creditable.  But, in Christ it is the world that is foolish and not us.  He even told the Corinthians this in his first letter to them:

1 Corinthians 2:13-16 (ESV)

And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

It is the world who should doubt our credibility and not other believers.  This church was so slothful in their belief that they forced Paul to use “arguments” to prove his credibility.  That is a church where the world’s philosophy has entered into the framework.   Paul is attempting to drive it out.  As we should in our churches today.   

Watch-Tower-Powers - Luke 5-6

 Luke 6:6-11 (ESV)

On another Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

I would dare say you have never gone to church to hear the preacher get heckled during the teaching time.   Imagine what that would look like and feel like.  Imagine every time a specific speaker got up to speak a group of men would stand by with arms folded, with deadpan stares and glassy eyes, with frowned faces.   Add to these self-appointed-watch-tower-powers the fact that they are the most powerful figures in this group of people you are speaking to.   How would you handle that?  But, in Jesus ministry this is exactly what the religious leaders of the day did.  Just in this section of Luke, note:

Luke 5:17 (ESV)

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.

Luke 5:30 (ESV)

And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Luke 5:33 (ESV)

A Question About Fasting

And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”

Luke 6:2 (ESV)

But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Since I speak to crowds for a living, I can say it is unsettling if you have one person who fits any one of these behaviors.   Jesus carried out His entire ministry with this group of people looking for ways to undermine His message and His ministry.  These religious leaders were fearful of losing their power.   Jesus will eventually conquer this type of behavior but it continues to grow in our society today.   These group of people continues to discuss what they might to do to Jesus (and His followers).  

God is Faithful to the End - Jeremiah 42-46

Jeremiah 46:28 (ESV)

Fear not, O Jacob my servant,

declares the LORD,

for I am with you.

I will make a full end of all the nations

to which I have driven you,

but of you I will not make a full end.

I will discipline you in just measure,

and I will by no means leave you unpunished.”

Chapters 42-46 are not the best chapters to see the good in the people of God.   In these chapters we read about those who were left behind after Babylon destroyed Jerusalem.  They are, of course, devastated.  This remnant of people don’t know what to do.  They are fearful that Babylon is going to return to “finish the job” and destroy them.   So, they look to flea to Egypt.   Yet, they pause long enough to have Jeremiah ask God about that very prospect.  They promise to do whatever God tells Jeremiah.   Yet, they don’t.  Jeremiah talks with God and God gives them a great warning to NOT go to Egypt. If they do, God promises to destroy both them AND Egypt and her gods and her pharaoh.     They, like their brothers and sisters who were taken captive in Babylon, disobeyed God.   They flea to Egypt.   Of course, God is not going to close His eyes to this disobedience.  Like He did with the disobedient children in Jerusalem, God brings the Babylonians to Egypt to destroy their leadership, their gods and to punish His disobedient people.

Yet (and here is the wonder of God) we read in the above passage that God still is willing to bring a remnant back to the land of Judah.  God states that He will make a full end of the nations that have driven them out of their land.  That means despite the fact that He used Babylon (and Egypt to an extent) to bring punishment on His people, God will, eventually, punish Babylon (and Egypt) and bring His people back to the promised land.  This is the amazing grace of God.  Yes, these chapters have been horrible regarding the disobedience of His people.  But, God’s faithfulness to His own promises to rise up from Israel a Messiah (Jesus Christ) to bless the nations of the world, still holds true.  God will bring back a remnant to fulfill all HIs promises, despite the rebellious nature of these people.   It is God’s faithfulness that remains true and not the nature of the people.   God is ever faithful to His promises.  That is the beauty of the above verse in light of the disappointment of these chapters.  

The “Why” is Finally Answered - Job 40-42

 Job 42:1-6 (ESV)

Job's Confession and Repentance

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

“I know that you can do all things,

and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,

things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

‘Hear, and I will speak;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.’

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,

but now my eye sees you;

therefore I despise myself,

and repent in dust and ashes.”

The book of Job has come to an end.   Job has been attacked by Satan (although Job will contribute the entire thing to God in Job 1:22 and Job 42:11).   Job has suffered.  His three friends have demeaned him and blamed him for the suffering.  Job has defended himself to them. But, Job also demanded an answer from God.  This has brought God to the interchange and God has told Job everything but a reason for his suffering.  God talked to Job about His greatness in the last few chapters.  But, he did not give Job an answer as to why the righteous suffer.   Job wanted one.  God withheld one.   What is Job’s response to God’s speaking of His greatness to Job and not responding to Job’s question?  In the above passage we read that Job stated, “I dispose myself and repent in dust and ashes.”    But, why did Job repent?  He was said to be righteous in the beginning.   Throughout the book he has maintained his righteousness.   So, why repent?   

Job’s repenting spirit has to do with his demand for an answer from God.  Throughout his responses to his three friends, Job has stated and even begged for an audience before God to find out the “why” of his suffering.   God does not give him one.   God instead tells Job how great He is and how awesome His creations are.   After hearing these things from God, Job repents.   He is repenting from his arrogance that he thinks he deserves an answer from God.   Job was acting “entitled” that he should/could have a reason sufficient to him for his suffering.   When He hears about the greatness and awesomeness of God, Job realizes that his desire to know something deep about God is not God’s plan for him.  His demand is out of his arrogance.   He states that in his questioning God he asked about things “too wonderful” for him to know.  

When we are in the midst of the most darkest moments of our lives we want to know the “why.”   We often demand to know the “why.”  Yet, in those moments the only truth we can know is that God is in control and has His purpose for us and His love for us in that purpose.   Job came to the realization that his suffering was a creation, an act of God, just as God created the beast He describes to Job in the previous chapters.   God is awesome and there are times in our lives we can never understand God’s movements in our lives, for our lives.  But, we can understand the “why” ... because God loves us and controls all things for His purpose, not ours.   

Desire God - Psalms 60-62

Psalms 61:4-5 (ESV)

Let me dwell in your tent forever!

Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

For you, O God, have heard my vows;

you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

David desires to dwell in God’s “tent” forever.   To understand this we have to remember that David spent many nights in a tent, watching over the family sheep.   David spent nights in a tent and caves in his flexing from Saul.  He probably spent nights in a tent in his wars against the Philistines and even when he had to flea from his rebellious son Absalom.   In the above portion of this song, David sings to dwell in God’s “tent” forever.  This is a word picture for wanting to dwell in the midst of God.   This is a familiar song of David’s.  Note:

Psalms 15:1 (ESV)

A PSALM OF DAVID.

O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?

Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

Psalms 27:4 (ESV)

One thing have I asked of the LORD,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to inquire in his temple.

So, as we read these other reference our minds is turned away from a normal tent for refuge and rather to the tent of the Tabernacle.   In Psalm 61 David is singing out to God to worship Him and to praise Him and to request that God establish his leadership.   His request is not exactly a location but rather being in the presence of God.   David desires that presence.   When we walk with God it is less about the things of this earth and more the things of God.  Our hearts desire should long for God and His “tent,” His presence.    We long for the things of this earth.  But, David wants to be in God’s presence and under His wings.  He wants that protection from and the communion with God.  That is the desire of the heart of someone who has a heart for God.   We should ever have a hunger for God and His righteousness:

Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Incited to Sin - 2 Chronicles 20-24

 2 Samuel 24:1 (ESV)

Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”

1 Chronicles 21:1(ESV) 

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.

In the above two passages we have two challenges before us:

1. They Samuel passages states that God “incited” David to number Israel out of His anger against Israel.  The Chronicle passage states that Satan incited David. Which is right? 

2. Does God actually “incite” us to disobey Him?   James 1:13 informs us that God CAN’T to that:

James 1:13-15 (ESV)

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

To helps us discern answers to these two areas, maybe one of the challenges gives us the answer for the other.   Something to remember as we wade into these waters is that 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles were written at different times for different reasons.   The books of Samuel and the two books of Kings were written prior to the exile of Israel/Judah into captivity.  The books of Chronicles were written after.  The first group was written to warn the nation to repent.  Chronicles was written to give an account of what happen but to offer inspiration and hope as they rebuilt the nation and city of Jerusalem.  Chronicles is the last book of the Hebrew Bible and it is intended for the nation to learn from those lessons and move forward.   

This, of course, does not immediately answer our above questions, but gives us understanding of the purpose of the books. A key item to realize is that the passages in James can’t be violated when we are handling the above verses.  God does not tempt man and cannot.    It might be wise to listen to Job’s words after Satan came before God to ask permission to attack him.  God allowed it, but Satan did it.   Note what Job stated:

Job 1:20-21 (ESV)

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

In the story of Job Satan was allowed to attack Job’s family.  God simply permitted it, but He did not do it.  Satan used the wickedness in the hearts of other men to attack Job’s servants and his prosperity.  God allowed Satan to used the wind of nature to destroy them.   God did not do it, but He pulled back His grace to allow it.  Job no longer had God’s grace protecting him.   During the first of Satan’s attack, God protected Job’s body.  In the second He allowed Satan to do that.  

In the above passages about David God used David's pride by removing His grace that held back that pride.  Satan then incited David. God allowed all this to punish Israel for their waywardness.   God did not do it, but He removed a measure of His grace so that Satan could.   If it where not for God’s constant grace, Satan would destroy us all.   He would create total anarchy and calamity.  Notice that Isaiah stated something similar about God:

Isaiah 45:5-7 (ESV)

I am the LORD, and there is no other,

besides me there is no God;

I equip you, though you do not know me,

that people may know, from the rising of the sun

and from the west, that there is none besides me;

I am the LORD, and there is no other.

I form light and create darkness;

I make well-being and create calamity;

I am the LORD, who does all these things.

This passage in Isaiah was written to non-believing, foreign king.  God would use him to create calamity in Israel’s life to bring them back to Him.   All God had to do was pull make a small measure of His grace and allow sin and Satan to do what it naturally wants to do.   This is one more reason why the New Testament writers opened up many of their books with the phrase, “Grace and mercy be multiplied to you.”   Without God’s grace we all would do terrible things.   It is in our nature.   It is only God’s grace that keeps us back from sin and destruction.  

We Must Be Pure to Fellowship With God - Exodus 30-32

 Exodus 30:17-21 (ESV)

The Bronze Basin

The LORD said to Moses, “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the LORD, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die. They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.”

The last piece of the outer Tabernacle, prior to the inner place (the Holy of Holies) was the above mentioned “Bronze Basin.”    In the Tabernacle it was a smaller basin where the Priest, just before entering the Holy Place, would wash their hands.   When Solomon constructed the Temple this Basin would be much larger (7.5 deep and 47 feet in circumference).    In the Tabernacle the Priest would just wash their hands before they entered the Holy of Holies.   But, in the Temple they would fully bathe.   The point of the Bronze Basin was for the Priest (and the people) to realize that they had to be pure to meet with God.   Purity in our relationship to our walk with God is the key to our understanding who He is.  Our washing first is a key to understand who we are.   When Jesus came to the earth to redeem us, He lived pure among us to that He might both cleanse us and represent us to His Father.   

We read the following in the book of Hebrews:

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,

Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)

Jesus the Great High Priest

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 10:22 (ESV)

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

We are not clean.   We need the washing of Jesus’ body and blood to make us clean.    As priest before God we are not exempt from washing ourselves before we come to find mercy and grace to God, even though we don’t have a Tabernacle or Temple.  But, we no longer wash our hands and/or body in simple water as a symbol.  We wash ourselves by faith in the Body and the Blood of Christ.   That purifies us so that we can partake of God and enjoy fellowship with Him.   Here is how Peter said the same thing:

1 Peter 2:1-4 (ESV)

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

We put away sin (washing in Jesus’ blood) so that we can enter the Holy of Holies (tasting and followshipping with God).   Nothing has changed in the need for holiness and purity before we come to God.  Only the method and provision has changed.  

Giving and Generosity - 2 Corinthians 8-10

 2 Corinthians 8:12-15 (ESV)

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.”

The entire 8th and 9th chapters to the Corinthians in this letter is to frame for the Corinthian believers the concept of giving money for the church in Jerusalem, that is under extreme impoverished conditions.  This was due to be the persecution they faced, many who had lost jobs, Roman intolerance toward Christians and the extreme famines in the land.   Paul wants to outline for the churches in Corinth their duty and privilege to support other believers.   To understand the above passage we really need to read the entire chapter.   These is NOT a good chapters and/or verses to pull out of context.   For instance, we should not read the above passage without this verse:

2 Corinthians 8:3 (ESV)

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

In that verse we read that the Macedonians gave beyond their ability.  In the top verses Paul stresses that we are to give based upon what we have, verse not what we have.   How do these two work in harmony?    Paul’s main thought is that we are to give from the heart and that means there is not an exact percentage to give of what we have.   His thought is that some will give more and some will give less, but it is the heart of the matter that is being spoken to and written about.   When the poor widow gave she gave all that she had to live on:

Luke 21:4 (ESV)

For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

To further explain, Paul uses the example of the nation of Israel gathering the mana in the wilderness each morning.  There was a sense of equality about their gathering.   His use of this example is teaching us that we are not to be living in a such a way that some believers are struggling and some are flourishing.   Notice the example and principle we read about in the early church:

Acts 2:44 (ESV)

And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Paul is not teaching socialism as much as he is teaching to care for those in our Body that have needs that are being unmet.  We are to recognize the needs of those in the church and contribute to help those needs.   That is the overarching principle Paul is teaching.   We are to:

1. Give cheerfully.

2. Give from the heart (not compulsory).

3. Give to needs.

4. Give based upon what we have (we are not to go into debt to give).

5. Give in a way that honors God’s give to us (we are the conduit for blessings He gives us to give others). 

False Acquisition - Jeremiah 37-41

 Jeremiah 37:11-15 (ESV)

Jeremiah Imprisoned

Now when the Chaldean army had withdrawn from Jerusalem at the approach of Pharaoh's army, Jeremiah set out from Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin to receive his portion there among the people. When he was at the Benjamin Gate, a sentry there named Irijah the son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans.” And Jeremiah said, “It is a lie; I am not deserting to the Chaldeans.” But Irijah would not listen to him, and seized Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. And the officials were enraged at Jeremiah, and they beat him and imprisoned him in the house of Jonathan the secretary, for it had been made a prison.

Perhaps one of the most difficult situations in life to handle is what we see facing Jeremiah in the above passage.   He is being falsely accused.   The the security guards saw him attempting to leave Jerusalem during the siege of the Babylonians, they assumed he was deserting the city.   To be fair to the security at the Benjamin Gate of the city, Jeremiah had been prophesying for the nation to submit to the Babylonians.   Jeremiah’s “circumstances” (leaving the city during a siege) and his previous behavior (prophesying to surrender) would make Irijah to strongly suspect that this was the cause.   Of course, this not what Jeremiah was doing.  But, those who have already formed their bias don’t really have another option in their minds.   

False acquisition can be devastating.   Remember, it was false claims that crucified Jesus.   Notice what His response was to these false statements:

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV)

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Jesus just gave himself to HIM (God) who “judges justly.”   Jesus allowed God to defend Him.    Notice what Solomon wrote about lies said about you:

Proverbs 26:2 (ESV)

Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

a curse that is causeless does not alight.

When a bird lands on your shoulder it can make a mess, but it seldom stays on your shoulder.   It lands and it is gone.   So, a false curse “does not alight.”    All the prophets, Apostles and New Testament teachers had to face false claims.    There is no skirting the issues.  This would not be Jeremiah’s worse situation.  It was one that had no truth, however.   This is why Jeremiah defends himself.   Jesus said nothing.  Paul appealed to Caesar.   Whatever the reaction a false claim is tough to deal with.  But, if you are a believer in this world, doing God’s word, you will be falsely accused.  

Psalms 119:69-72 (ESV)

The insolent smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;

their heart is unfeeling like fat,

but I delight in your law.

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I might learn your statutes.

The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

God’s Comfort - Job 38-39

 Job 38:25-27 (ESV)

“Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain

and a way for the thunderbolt,

to bring rain on a land where no man is,

on the desert in which there is no man,

to satisfy the waste and desolate land,

and to make the ground sprout with grass?

If a tree falls in the forest and there is no man there to hear, does the tree still make a sound?   In the above verses we have an answer to that old philosophical question.    In Job 38, God is coming directly to Job with a one-sided conversation.   God has heard Job continually ask for a “conversation” where Job can defend himself.   But, God has decided to simply speak and ask Job a series of deep questions.  Each question reveals that God is God and Job is, well, only Job.   

In the above verses we see God questioning Job if he was there when God sends ran on a land where there is no man.   This series of verses has a number of implications for Job (and for us):

1.  The answer to God’s question is that no man was there when this part of God’s rule and provision for creation happens.   God is making the point to Job that he, Job, is not the center of the universe.  In this entire story we read it as though Job were the central figure.   He is not.  The central figure is God.   Mankind (each man in particular on this earth) tends to think they are the center of the universe.  But, no!   God is sending rain on the earth, even were there is on man. God is at the center of the universe and this story. 

2. This implies, obviously, that there were, in Job’s day, places where man has not gone that God cares for as if man was there.   We know that we, as mankind, no very little about the bottom of the seas.  Yet, God has created an entire ecosystem that He cares for.  Mankind is so “man-centric” that he fails to realize that God has an entire universe that He upholds by the “word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3). 

3.  Lastly, a point God is making to Job is that if he (Job) doesn’t even know about these elements of the world around him, how can he think that God is not in control of the elements impacting him (Job).  Job can’t possible know what God does in places where there is no man to report it.   So, how can Job be complaining that God may have deserted Job.   If God sends rain on a land to make sure the grass grows and yet there is no man to cut it, share in it, lay in it, and/or admire it, doesn’t it make sense that God is in control of where man does reside and controls all that, as well? 

God wants Job to understand His eternal power and greatness.   Job is, rather normally, focused on his problem.  God is, rather normally, focused on all creation, which includes Job’s problems.  This is a comforting thought.  The next time we think God is not paying attention, remember that He is no only watching over us, He is also caring for a land where there is no man to enjoy it.   

Prayer for the Unrepentant Leader - Psalms 57-59

 Psalms 58:6-9 (ESV)

O God, break the teeth in their mouths;

tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!

Let them vanish like water that runs away;

when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.

Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,

like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.

Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,

whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

Have you ever wondered how to pray for those in authority who are corrupt and speak constantly in false narratives?   Psalm 58 starts out with this opening verse:

Psalms 58:1-2 (ESV)

Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?

Do you judge the children of man uprightly?

No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;

your hands deal out violence on earth.

We don’t know who these “gods” are, but that term in scripture is typically used for human governance.   In Psalm 82 we read a similar narrative but that song seems to be more “spirit” beings that harm mankind.  Here we have “earthly” beings that harm mankind.   Both Paul and Peter tell us how to regard those in authority over us:

 1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV)

Submission to Authority

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Romans 13:1-2 (ESV)

Submission to the Authorities

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

But, in the above verses from Psalm 58 David gives us another whole way of praying over wicked leaders.   None of what David writes is in contradiction of what Paul and Peter state.   While they rule over us, wicked leaders are to be respected for the position God gave them.   But, our prayers for them is that their counsel and treatment of mankind ought to be holy (for what God intended) and not for evil.  And, if evil, David prayers that the power of their mouths will be torn out.   He prays that they might vanish like water running into a hole and disappears.  He prays that the aim of their words will be blunted.  He prays that they will dissolve away and no longer be regarded.  He prays this all would happen fast (as quickly as a pot heats up over fire).    

This might seem cruel and unforgiving in nature.  But, such is the evilness of man on the earth were rulers use their power for selfish gain and evil and corrupt treatment of other people.   This is a prayer that is prayed by one of the best leaders in Israel’s history, King David.  Yet, David himself used his power to take a life.   David repented, however.  So, this prayer is left for those who also take lives, but who remain unrepentant.   

God Control’s Power - 2 Samuel 15-19

 2 Samuel 16:20-23 (ESV)

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was all the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:23 (ESV)

When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father.

In the above passage we have the story of Absalom seeking counsel after his rebellion against his father, King David.   Absalom had successfully orchestrated a coup to take the kingdom from his father.  His chief advisor was Ahithophel.    Up to this point we read that Ahithophel’s counsel was like that of God.  The man had power.   He was advising Absalom the entire time of the coup.    He was feeling pretty good about himself.  He thought he could control Absalom.  Like many advisers to kings and those in power, he thought he was the real power.  His philosophy was, “Don’t be the king but be the guy who whispers into the ear of the king.”   

However, David had already put some other voices in the royal court that would give Absalom different counsel.   David left Hushai to also give counsel.  Hushai was David’s “whisperer.”    When Absalom decided to go with Hushai’ s counsel over Ahithophel, Ahithophel could not take it.   His complete power scheme was falling apart.   At one point he was revered as a god. We are told by the text that his words were on the same level as God’s word.   Yet, Absalom taking another person’s advice over his sends him into a suicidal depression.   But why?  How did this happen?  How can someone one minute be so powerful and the next minute be ready to take their lives.  Obviously Ahithophel was driven by power.   When he saw he had no power he realized he had no purpose.    This will happen to mankind.  Power will corrupt.  Remember, it was Satan who tempted Eve to believe if she ate the fruit she would be like God.    Satan wants us to desire power and control.    This desire brought Ahithophel down.

But, there is another reason he took his life.  Note what David prayed on his way out of Jerusalem the day of Absalom’s coup:

2 Samuel 15:31 (ESV)

And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O LORD, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

Just that short prayer was the end of Ahithophel.   David prayed the prayer because he knew that it is God who sets up one and takes down another:

Psalms 75:6-7 (ESV)

For not from the east or from the west

and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.

By God’s Design, Not Our Design - Exodus 25-29

 Exodus 25:9 (ESV)

Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.

Exodus 25:40 (ESV)

And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain.

Exodus 27:8 (ESV)

... As it has been shown you on the mountain, so shall it be made.

When Moses went up to the mountain God must have shown him a video of the Tabernacle completely built.    Maybe God used a first generation DVD.   Or, perhaps God used a hologram.   Maybe God just had some old fashioned blue prints in the mountain and Moses brought them down with him, along with the Ten Commandments.   We are not sure how God communicated to Moses what the Tabernacle should look like, but it is for certain that God had a plan and communicated, in some way, that plan to Moses.  Notice what we read about God’s plan for the Tabernacle (and even the Temple that Solomon would build):

Acts 7:44 (ESV) 

“Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen.

Hebrews 8:5(ESV) 

They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

1 Chronicles 28:11-12 (ESV) 

Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple, and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the mercy seat; and the plan of all that he had in mind for the courts of the house of the LORD, all the surrounding chambers, the treasuries of the house of God, and the treasuries for dedicated gifts;

There is no doubt that God had a pattern.   The pattern could have been a vision of Heaven and the way God designed the heavenly tabernacle.   We have no idea.  But we do know:

1. Moses, despite all his training in Egypt and his skills to live in the desert was not asked his opinion about the architecture of the tabernacle. 

2. Those solicited and/or commanded by God to build the tabernacle did not get any input into the building of it.   Despite their skills.   

3. The one million plus people did not get a vote as to what it looked like. 

4. Moses’ family and right hand people did not get a voice in the design.  

Moses was given the pattern in some form or fashion and he was only the conveyor of the pattern, not the designer of it.   Such is how God works.  We like to design our lives to fit “us.”   God wants to design our lives to fit “Him.”   There are no accidents in God’s design.  Not in His creation.  Not the Tabernacle.  Not in the Temple.   Not in the Church (God is not asking us to re-do the Church to fit today’s culture.). God has a plan and we are to carry out the plan.   We are not the designers of life.  We are the doer’s of what God has designed.  

Healthy Grief - 2 Corinthians 6-7

 2 Corinthians 7:9 (ESV)

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

Paul is addressing the Corinth church about a previous letter he wrote to them.  In that letter (we identify that letter as, “1st Corinthians” in our Bible) he told them that a person in their church (a son) was having open sexual relationships with his step mother.   At that time, Paul not only condemn the boy, but also the church for closing their eyes to that outrages sin.   

However, it was not just that sin that Paul confronted.  He also spoke to them about other areas of their spiritual walk.   The church at Corinth was no example of how the church should be.  That brought Paul’s attention and although he loved them, he sent a letter by the hand of Titus to correct them.   

Upon Titus’ return to him, Paul now knows that the letter brought them grief.    No one likes to be called out for their sins.  No one ever wants to be called out for their sins in front of others.   Paul did that in his letter and that brought them grief.    Today, Paul would be shamed for calling them out.   But, Paul, although regretting their were caused grief, did not regret the grief, because the grief led to repentance.   That was the point of the letter.    We cannot hold back our correcting bad behavior simply because we do not want to cause grief to those who are living out that sinful behavior.   Augustine wrote: 

“As severity is ready to punish the faults which it may discover, so charity is reluctant to discover the faults which it must punish” 

We think that in “love” we should not call others out for their sin.  But, it is “in love” that we do that.   Paul loved these believers.  He did not hesitate to call them out. It did cause grief.  But the grief brought on a repenting spirit and renewed them with Christ.   That is the point of Christians correcting other Christians.   That is a healthy grief to cause in the lives of other believers.  

How A Child Grows - Luke 1-2

 Luke 2:41-48 (ESV)

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

Very little is written about Jesus as a boy.  Very little is spoken about Jesus as a boy.  Imagine your church doing a series on the “youth years of Jesus.”  It would probably be a short series since the above passage is all that is written about the boy Jesus.   The above passage is bracketed by two verses that somewhat summarize Jesus’ youth:

Luke 2:40 (ESV)

And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Luke 2:52 (ESV)

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Between these two passages we read about Jesus being in the Temple at 12 years old.  For a Jewish boy, this was the start of his manhood.   Jesus’ ministry would not begin until his 30s, so the above is all we have in the Cannon of Scripture.   It is noteworthy to read that Jesus was in the Temple both listening to the teachers and asking them questions.  Luke is the only one to refer to these religious leaders as teachers.   Later Jesus will tell the disciples that only he is their teacher:

Matthew 23:8-12 (ESV)

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Jesus, however, both listened to and questioned the “teachers” of the day.   Later He will call them blind leaders of the blind.  

Matthew 15:14 (ESV)

Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

The “crowd” was amazed at the interaction Jesus had with them.  He was the Son of God so He must have completely puzzled them with His knowledge of the Word.  Yet, in this setting He respected their authority and sought to even listen to them.    Remember that later the disciples will want to rebel and follow Jesus for His political greatness, His Kingship.    But, Jesus was more about His servanthood and His teaching them about salvation.   Even at 12 He was read to obey God, the Father, the One who sent Him to die on the cross.  When questioned about his parents as to why He stayed behind in the Temple to teach He replied:

Luke 2:49 (ESV)

And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?”

This should be the reply of every young person who wants to follow Jesus in their walk.  

God’s Word Endures Forever - Jeremiah 32-36

 Jeremiah 36:27-28 (ESV)

Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.

The word of the Lord endures forever!!   That should be the caption over the above passage.   Peter said it this way:

1 Peter 1:22-25 (ESV)

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for

“All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

When King Jehoiakim, king of Judah, burned Jeremiah’s first scroll, Jeremiah was instructed to write it all again.  It should be noted that this was not as easy as going to the computers, finding the folder entitled, Jeremiah’s Writings” and hitting the print command.   No, he had to once again dictate to Baruch, his aide, and write it all out again.   Later we will learn that Jeremiah will add to the words.  Johoakim burnt the first copy.  This copy will replace it, but will include more warnings and more about the downfall of Jerusalem and more about the wrath of God.   We could assume that the version we now read it the version in the above passage.   The key element of this is that mankind can do all it wants to burn The Book!  But, the Word of God endures forever.   We can trust that His Word will be sustained throughout the end.   

Seeing God’s Majesty Takes Our Eyes Off Our Misery - Job 37

 Job 37:18 (ESV)

Can you, like him, spread out the skies,

hard as a cast metal mirror?

One of the complaints Job has had throughout this ordeal is that he wants to talk to God and defend himself against God.   This forth friend, Elihu, has now arrived and is showing Job that even if he could talk with God and defend himself, does he really think he is a match for God.  (One piece of irony is that Elihu is trying to tell Job that he not only can’t match God in argument but that God is not going to come and defend himself.   Yet, the very next chapter God shows up to talk with Job.  In one sense, Elihu, by his argument, prepares Job for what he wants: An audience with God.  But, he also prepares Job to get him to understand he won’t be able to defend himself and match God’s wisdom and power.  Which is probably why, Job didn’t respond to God but to say, “I am lowly and can’t respond.)

In the above verse Job is ask if he could, like God did, set the heavens, made of air, firm like a “cast iron mirror?”   The point Elihu is trying to make is that in the heavens, Job, you have the sun, the moon, the stars, the clouds, all hanging in space.  They do not fall.    They are as firm as “cast iron,” yet simply hanging in space.   Elihu continues his approach to alert Job to the ludicrous mindset he has that he wants to confront God face-to-face.   Job has not thought this through, based upon Elihu’s argument.  

In verse 15, Elihu starts an argument with:

Job 37:15 (ESV)

Do you know how God lays his command upon them

and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

In verse 16, he does the same thing:

Job 37:16 (ESV)

Do you know the balancings of the clouds,

the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,

That leads to verse 18, which in essence says, “Can you do all that, Job?”   Elihu, unlike Job’s other three friends, is not trying to demean Job or tell his pain and loss are a result of his unrighteous life.  Elihu is trying to get Job’s eyes to quit looking at the boils on his body and the loss of his past and rather look up to the majesty of God.   The other three friends tried to get Job to look at his heart.   Elihu is trying to get Job to look up at the greatness of God.   In the last five chapters of the book, God will enter the seen and talk with Job and do the same thing Elihu is doing.   God will say, “Look at me and my power.”   One of the greatest approaches we can take when working with those who are in suffering and pain is to point them to the power of God and His mighty works.  Beholding and believing in His majesty should turn us away from staring into and at our misery.  

Be Aware of a Fancy Meal - Psalms 54-56

 Psalms 55:20-21 (ESV)

My companion stretched out his hand against his friends;

he violated his covenant.

His speech was smooth as butter,

yet war was in his heart;

his words were softer than oil,

yet they were drawn swords.

Before diving too deep into this section of Psalm 55, which was written by King David, perhaps we should read something written years later, by his son, King Solomon:

Proverbs 23:1-7 (ESV)

1 When you sit down to eat with a ruler,

observe carefully what is before you,

2 and put a knife to your throat

if you are given to appetite.

3 Do not desire his delicacies,

for they are deceptive food.

4 Do not toil to acquire wealth;

be discerning enough to desist.

5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone,

for suddenly it sprouts wings,

flying like an eagle toward heaven.

6 Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy;

do not desire his delicacies,

7 for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.

“Eat and drink!” he says to you,

but his heart is not with you.

Those who appear as your friends, or your hosts, are not necessarily on your side.   We are often lured in by what appears to be friendships on the surface but are inward agendas and calculations on the outside.  This is both David and Solomon’s warning to us.   As kings they probably knew this in the “political power” world.   Those in business know this.   Strategies in sports are based upon deception.   You show your opponent one thing, only to do another.  Great deception is often rewarded with the fruit, reward and victory.    God even told Israel to used deception when they attacked their enemies.  They would fain failure only to attack from behind, lying in ambush, as they were being chased by a duped enemy (Joshua 8; Judges 9, 20; 2 Samuel 5).   

Deceit, however, is not a character or attribute of God, nor in His nature.   A strategy for war is one thing, but a character quality of your nature, not so.   David, in Psalm 55 is being mislead by someone who used to be his friend.  We don’t know who this is (Saul?) but we do know this is painful for David.   This “friend” has words as smooth as butter but a heart as hard as a stone.   The “friend” has a tongue of a saint but the heart of a sinner.     Those who are the “innocent” tend to walk right into these delicious looking traps only to be stabbed in the back as they leave.   Those who are watching and vigilant are not seduced by the sight because they ware insightful to the scheme.   David (and Solomon) is teaching us to do likewise.   

The Nature of Man is to Say, “Yes” to God and Then Disobey Him! (Exodus 21-24)

 Exodus 24:12-14 (ESV)

The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.”

Moses has just finished giving the nation what might be referred to as their national code of ethics.   In chapters 21 through 23 he gives them several “rules” they are to live by.   Note the beginning of chapter 21 and the end of 24:

Exodus 21:1 (ESV)

“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them.

Exodus 24:3 (ESV)

Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.”

In between those two verses are a number of rules, laws, and/or codes the nation is to live by.   From topics like slavery to injuring a pregnant woman, to leavng a dugout pit open, Israel was supposed to be unique, different and living completely counter culture to the world around them.  God’s theme of redemption and restoration weave in and out of the narrative of the laws.   

In the above passage, God now wants to bring Moses (and Joshua) up to the mountain to give them the official “Ten Commandments.”   Moses is delegating the responsibility of the nation to Aaron and his sons.    We know that in a few chapters, while Moses in the mountain for 40 days and nights that the people will get bored, have wandering minds and will be led by Aaron into worshipping a golden calf.   Notice a laws that Moses has just given them, however.   

Exodus 22:20 (ESV)

“Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.

This “code of ethics (rules)” that Moses gives them will not even last a month.   (They will ultimately violate all these laws and rules, whether specifically or in spirit.)   Moses has gone to the mountain to talk with God and Aaron and his sons lead the people astray.   Probably one of the reasons leaders don’t like to delegate is this reason.   Aaron is NOT up for the challenge.   Moses was told to come to the mountain.   God would know that Aaron will lead them astray.  Never-the-less God and Moses, with Joshua at his side, would talk with Moses and give him the Ten.   But, the nature of man, despite the laws of God laid out and about to be further cemented in a quick Ten code, does what the nature of man does: Rejects God’s Word and simply does what he wants to do.  That is part of what this book teaches us.  Despite God’s interventions, mankind still rebels against God.   This is what Christ came.  He came to fulfill the law, set us free from the death of the law and empower us to live for God.   The nation of Israel was given all truth and knowledge and yet rebelled against God, despite their privileged status.  This is why we need Christ to step in and make a way possible to give us peace with God.  

Judgment is Coming - 2 Corinthians 4-5

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.

We have all heard that there are two things in life you can’t avoid: Death and Taxes!   It is unclear who made that observation famous, but whoever it was they did not read the above passage.   We struggle very much with the concept of death, obviously.  But, it is not death that should shock us.  It is not death that should scar us.  It is not death that should cause us to tremble and fear.  It is not death, but standing before the judgment seat of Christ out to cause us to shake and tremble in awe.     One of the quotes on my prayer list regarding doing good works is:

“The issue in the judgment is productivity not belief.” (Robert Wilkin) 

Wilkin gives us great truth here.   Paul, in the above passage is writing to believers.  He is not writing to them about there sin.  He is writing to them about there walk.  Notice the verse just before the above verse:

2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

He is talking about our eventual facing Christ, our savior.  He wants us to know our walk ought to be to praise Him and please Him.   That is the point of the text.  We will not be judged for our sins at the judgment seat of Christ.  How do we know this.  Because ... 

Romans 8:1 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

But, we will be facing Christ to show how we pleased Him.  That is the judgment believers will face.  We can rejoice that as we walk with Christ, He enables us to please Him.  As we submit to His rule in our lives we please Him.  As we walk with the Spirit we please Him.  That is the point of our lives. We are not here to please mankind.  We are not here to please the world around us.  We are here to please God, who raised Jesus from the dead of His glory and our salvation.   Judgment is coming for believers.  Not judgement about how we are saved.  That is finished.  But, judgement on how we live out that salvation.  

Jesus Gives a Powerful “Hint” in Response to Taunting - Mark 15-16

 Mark 15:31-34 (ESV)

31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

It is too bad that in the ESV and NIV version of the Bible translations put a break between these two sections.  Both versions separate verses 31 and 32 from 33 and 34 with a simple header, “The Death of Jesus.”   It is true that verse 31 and 32 are the end of one paragraph and 33 and 34 are the beginning of a new paragraph.  But, the connection of the two thoughts is actually quite dynamic.   The connection between these verses  is found in the way Hebrew teachers teach.   Jesus is actually doing something quite amazing in His last words, 

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

In these words Jesus is quoting the first verse of Psalm 22.   That is significant based upon what the “chief priests and scribes” were mocking him.  They were shaming Jesus and taunting Him to come down from the cross so that they “may see and believe.” To understand the significance of this you have to know how “they” actually taught others.  Remember, the Jews didn’t have “Bibles” in those days.  Not only the teachers, but the people had to commit significant portions of God’s word to memory.   When the chief priest and scribes would teach they would quote a portion of a text.   The audience would so know the passage that the small portion they quoted would be a “hint” for them to recall the entire text.  Today if we hear the first part of Psalm 23, the rest of Psalm 23 comes to our minds.  The Hebrew word for “hint” is “remez.”   The scribes and chief priest would be familiar with using a “remez” in their teaching, since this was THEIR technique for instruction.   They would simply quote a portion of the passage and the listeners would recall the entire passage.   

This “remez” form of teaching is the significance of these verses flowing together.   In verses 31 and 32, the chief priest and scribes are taunting Jesus to come off the cross and imply they would bow down and worship Him if He did.  What does Jesus to in His defense?   In verse 33 and 34 He quotes the first verse of Psalm 22.  Why is that significant?  Because He was using the teaching technique of the “remez.”  He was given these religious teachers a “hint.”  They would, by nature, hear the first verse, but recall the entire chapter.   They could not help themselves but to recall and know the entire chapter.  Remember, they are taunting Jesus to come off the cross and implying they would  then worship Him.   Well, note what the the end of Psalm 22 says.  They would recall the end of the chapter when they heard the first verse of the chapter:

Psalms 22:27-31 (ESV)

All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the LORD,

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before you.

For kingship belongs to the LORD,

and he rules over the nations.

All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

even the one who could not keep himself alive.

Posterity shall serve him;

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

that he has done it.

Jesus did not simply ignore their taunting.  He did not cry out simply to explain that God had forsaken Him (the meaning of the Hebrew words He uttered with His last breath).   He specifically used that passage to say to the religious leaders (and to all mankind), “I AM COMING DOWN FROM THIS CROSS AND YOU WILL WORSHIP ME ... ALL WILL WORSHIP ME!”

Jesus used a “remez” approach to teach them.  All the Old Testament references found in the New Testament are used in this way.  They are “hints” of greater truths to learn.  But, in this case, Jesus was not just giving His life up and proclaiming He, alone, was giving His life for us.  He was always responding and teaching the religious leaders that they might taunt Him now, but they would still worship Him later.   

Punishment for False Teaching is Not Sleeping - Jeremiah 27-31

 Jeremiah 27:14 (ESV)

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you.

As Jeremiah was prophesying to Judah, so, too, were other prophets.  But they did not convey the same message that Jeremiah has been conveying.   Just prior to the above text, Jeremiah has just completed an object lesson for Judah.  God told him to make a yoke out of wood and wear it.  His message was, “Just as I am wearing this yoke around my neck, so too, you will all wear one as Nebuchadnezzar takes you captive back to Babylon.” 

The false prophets did not like this message and prophesied that God would defeat Nebuchadnezzar and bring peace to our lives once again.   They even had warnings for Jeremiah that he would be destroyed.  Yet, that is not what happened.   Instead, doom fell on them.  Note:

1. Hananiah:  In chapter 28 we read about Hananiah and his warning to Jeremiah in the 5th month of the year. But, note what happens to him two months later:

Jeremiah 28:17 (ESV)

In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died.

2. Shemaiah: In chapter 29 we read about Shemaiah.  He too objected to Jeremiah’s prophesy that they all should give in to Nebuchadnezzar.  Here is what happened to him:

Jeremiah 29:29-32 (ESV)

Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet. Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah had prophesied to you when I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie, therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my people, declares the LORD, for he has spoken rebellion against the LORD.’”

There will always be false teachers.  We should oppose them.  But, in the end, God will protect both His message and His messenger.   God does not allow false teaching to continue.   Note what Peter told the church a thousand years later:

2 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV)

False Prophets and Teachers

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

God’s destruction of false teachers is His responsibility.  And that destruction does not sleep and has not become idle.   

If You Are In a Trial Down Here, Look Up There! Job 35-36

 Job 35:5 (ESV)

Look at the heavens, and see;

and behold the clouds, which are higher than you.

It might be wise to look at the above verse in the context of the chapter, but even more so, the context of the entire book of Job.   In this chapter Elihu, Job’s fourth friend, is finishing his argument to Job and his three friends.   Both Job and his first three friends have continued their debated around several themes. One of the theme of Job’s other friends is that the righteous do not suffer like they see Job’s suffering and the unrighteous do suffer.  One of Job’s arguments have counter that he is innocent and he sees many unrighteous who look blessed and therefore their argument is wrong.   A theme both Job and his friends agree on, however, is that God is impacted by Job’s conduct.  His three friends have maintained that it is Job’s conduct that altered God’s response to Job’s life.  Job has stated that his conduct should have solicited God’s protection, not His wrath, as is being seen in his life.   This is where chapter 35 comes in.  Elihu wants to confront all of them with the fact that God is far above the heavens and awesome in who He is and he neither needs Job (or his three accusers) but acts out of His character and His splendor.   

Elihu is trying to focus them all on who God is and not on their mere circumstances of life.   Notice how chapter 36 starts as Elihu continues his argument:

Job 36:2-4 (ESV)

“Bear with me a little, and I will show you,

for I have yet something to say on God's behalf.

I will get my knowledge from afar

and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

For truly my words are not false;

one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

This thought of “I will get my knowledge from afar ... ,” is not meaning Elihu has studied in a far collegiate location.   It means he is speaking for God and that is why in our above verse he tells Job and the three companions to stop talking and look up to the heavens.  There might be a double meaning in Elhu’s words.  He is telling them to look to the heavens because God’s ways are certainly higher than their thoughts.  This was a theme for Isaiah as he prophesied:

Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

But, Elihu also might be echoing something that King David would also see and say:

Psalms 19:1 (ESV)

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

It might be the Elihu is setting the table for God’s speech to Job, which is to follow. He is saying, “Gentlemen, get your heads out of the earthly arguments and LOOK UP! God is so higher than your thoughts.  He transcends your mere minds.   But, He is right there to declare His glory!”

Notice how God starts His speech to Job:

Job 38:1-7 (ESV)

The LORD Answers Job

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Dress for action like a man;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

We see God Himself declaring His glory by asking Job to “look!”   God wants us to look away from our pain, sorrow and suffering and trials and get our heads up and see the glory of God in the heavens.    If you find yourself in a trail down here, look up and see the glory of God up there!

CLEAN!! Psalms 51-53

 Psalms 51:7-12 (ESV)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

It might be after a big work out.  It might be after doing extreme work in the garden, or cutting the grass.  It might be after you have cleaned all day and the dust and dirt has clung to your body.   It might be you fell into the mud and the mire and you are simply completely covered with filth and fumes.   Whatever the case, there is nothing like a great shower or bath to wash off the stench you might have from life’s walk through a dirty world.    There is nothing like being clean and refreshed after being covered in dirt and grime.    The soap and detergent business is a multi-billion dollar industry.   And that is just the outside of our body.   

Imagine that the feeling of cleanliness you feel for the body can be had in the heart and the soul.  Imagine the dirt, filth and wickedness of the heart and can be washed clean.  Think about how it would feel to have the shamefulness and guilt washed completely away.  That is what David is writing about in the above passage.  He has not only just committed adultery with Bathsheba and lost the child as a result of that sin, but he has also just arranged and conspired the death of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, and then taken Bathsheba as his wife in an attempt to cover up the adultery.   David is filthy and covered in shame.  His guilt is overwhelming.   In the above passage he is crying out for a hot, soapy bath from God.   What happens?  God restores him.  God comes to him to clean him up and give him the desires of his heart.   How?  The New Testament book of Hebrews probably answers that question the best.  Even though a thousand years earlier David prayed this prayer, he did so in faith that somehow his heart, soul and body would be clean before God, he did so by faith in the following hope:

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)

The Full Assurance of Faith

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

David, like us, prayed in faith to have our sins forgiven and our conscious made clear.  How? By the blood and body of Christ in His death, burial and resurrection to new life.  We are CLEAN!   What an amazing thought.  We are CLEAN before God, in His sight because He only sees us through the blood of His Son.  

Humility is the Avenue for Victory - 2 Samuel 5-9

 2 Samuel 8:1-3 (ESV)

David's Victories

After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates.

As we read about David’s life we see a story unfolding that gets better with David’s humility.  David experienced significant victory after the humility of chapter seven.   The entire eighth chapter is about David’s victories.  He needed the humility of seven to get the victories in eight.  

That is how God works.   Humility is the avenue to God’s grace and grace is the field and foundation for victory.  Obviously David’s son, Solomon, must have observed this.  Note:

Proverbs 15:33 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12 (ESV)

Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4 (ESV)

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

is riches and honor and life.

But, humility is also a tool used in the early church age and given to us for the living out our Christianity:

Acts 20:19 (ESV)

serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;

Ephesians 4:2 (ESV)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Philippians 2:1 (ESV)

Christ's Example of Humility

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humility is the avenue to victory!

There is Safety in Counselors - Exodus 17-20

 Exodus 18:24-27 (ESV)

So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.

Moses’ father-in-law was a brand new believer.  Until he heard about the power of God he did not have faith in God.  Note:

Exodus 18:10-11 (ESV)

Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.”

Up until this time he was polytheistic.   But, now he was given his allegiance to Yahweh.   Yet, despite not knowing God in the persona way that Moses did, Moses still took his wisdom.    What makes this so profound is that Moses had already had many encounters with God.  He has spoken to Him.   He has heard from Him.   Moses could have said to his father-in-law, “I got this old man!”   He could have said, “It is great that you are now a believer, but give it some time before you counsel me.”   Or, he could have said, “I speak to God every day so thanks for the advice, but if God wanted me to do that, He would have told me Himself.”   There are a lot of responses Moses could have said.  But, he simply allowed God to speak through this young believer’s life and improved his ministry to the people of Israel.   Younger men should listen to older men.  Notice Paul’s instruction:

Titus 2:2 (ESV)

Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

The same is true of older men listening to younger men.  Note Job’s fourth friend, Elihu:

Job 32:6-8 (ESV)

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said:

“I am young in years,

and you are aged;

therefore I was timid and afraid

to declare my opinion to you.

I said, ‘Let days speak,

and many years teach wisdom.’

But it is the spirit in man,

the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.

Elihu finally had to speak.  The older men were wrong and needed his voice.   So, age is not the issue in all this.  The issue is listening to others to get counsel from them.  Why?  

Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,

but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.