God Has Unusual Methods - John 7-9

John 9:4-7 (ESV)

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

What is the purpose of the spit and mud?  

To answer that question we have to already believe that Jesus did not need spit and mud to heal.   We know He calmed the sea just by the power of His word.   We saw that He feed 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes just by praying over the food.   

But there are probably many reasons others have thought of for Jesus making mud from His spit, but I offer two here. 

1. The first reason Jesus used spit and mud was to expose the legalism of the religious leaders of the day.  It was against the Law to knead bread or do any such work on the Sabbath.    John deliberately tells us that Jesus made the mud.  He could have found mud.   But instead He made it.  He did so right in front of everyone.  The religious leaders reacted to Jesus making mud and not rejoicing in the healing of a man’s sight.  They needed to be exposed for their hypocrisy.  

2. Jesus also shows us in the spit and mud that God can use unusual means to work miracles.  He had Balaam’s ass speak.   He had Jonah swallowed, but not eaten, by a big fish.   As stated, He used someone’s lunch (on two occasions) to feed multitudes.   He used the frogs, lice, flies and the such to defeat Pharoah’s gods.   He could have just spoken into the world and done any of that.   When Moses it the rock for water with his staff, God could have just said, “Let there be water.”    God uses physical means to display His power.  Even if it is just spit and mud.   

God Steps In To Redeem - Hosea 1-7

Hosea 3 (ESV)

And the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.

The above is all of chapter three of Hosea’s prophecy.  It is the essence of the book in story form.  Israel has left their first love, God. They have gone about whoring themselves to other gods.  God has initiated them to return to Him.   This is a key to the book.  It is God who initiates.   Israel does not suddenly repent and return to God.  It is God who steps in and buys them back from the false gods for the price of a slave.   In the above story Hosea is God stepping into the whoring life of his adulterous wife (Israel) to redeem them.   It is God who pays the price (through His Son, Jesus).   It is God who afterward gives Israel the power to seek the LORD their God, and David their king.   The key aspect of this chapter is that God steps into lives.  Left to mankind’s own will, their return to God is doomed.  It is only because steps into our lives that redemption happens.  This is the story of the Gospel and the New Testament.   Let us rejoice that God steps into our lives, pays the price for us and then provides for us His goodness in the latter days.  

Do You Ask Directions? Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19:27 (ESV)

Cease to hear instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

If you are lost do you stop and ask for directions? I know most men don’t, but women might be as equally guilty of this poor practice. I stop and ask for directions, but I don’t always listen when they are given. I get back into the car and realize I didn’t hear a word they said. So, I take off and immediately turn the wrong way. So, too, with God’s Word. When we stop listening to God’s Word (instructions) we will eventually veer down the wrong path. People who quit reading His Word; quit listening to it preached; and, stop putting themselves in places where God’s Word is magnified, will eventually find themselves on the wrong path. Stop listening to God’s word and you will find yourself looking for God’s Word. Once I find myself lost, I find a map to lead me back.  You can’t find your way back, however, if you don’t search God’s Word.    God’s Word gives us knowledge and understanding.    Note what Solomon’s father, King David said about God’s Word and our walk with Him through it:

Psalms 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

Without the light of God’s Word we are lost in the darkness of this world. 

God Forgives; God Disciplines - Psalms 99-101

Psalms 99:8 (ESV)

O LORD our God, you answered them;

you were a forgiving God to them,

but an avenger of their wrongdoings.

The context of the them in the above passage is that of Moses and Aaron.   The previous section talks about the two of them coming to God in His holiness, in the Tabernacle of God.  In the midst of the pillar of the cloud of His glory, O LORD our God, you answered them.   So what did God say? 

The above verse is written in both synthetic and antithetic Hebrew parallelism poetry.   That simply means one line builds on another and then one contrast the other.   There are actually three lines in the verse:

Line one: O LORD our God, you answered them; 

Line two: you were a forgiving God to them,

Line three: but an avenger of their wrongdoings.  

Line two builds upon line one.   Line one states that The LORD answered them, but line two builds on line one and tells us what God answered them; you were a forgiving God to them. 

Line three then contrasts line two.  He may be a forgiving God, but an avenger of their wrongdoings.   

 God gave them two types of information.  The first was the positive and the second was negative.  Yes, He a forgiving God: 

Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV) The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.

But God will also discipline them for their sins:

Exodus 32:35 (ESV) Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made.

Numbers 20:12 (ESV) And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

Although there is no commendation for those who are in Christ Jesus, God is still not mocked; whatever a man sows he will also reap.  

Romans 8:1 (ESV)

Life in the Spirit

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

Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

God Puts The Army Together - 1 Chronicles 10-14

1 Chronicles 12:23 (ESV)

These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 12:38 (ESV)

All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king.

 In between 12:23 and 12:38 (above) there is a list of warriors who came to fight for David.  They are from each of the twelve tribes (except Levi ... the priestly tribe).  The total listed amounts to 340,600 men to fight.    That is a great number of soldiers in any time period, much less, during David’s day.  In our modern day formations there are about 1,000 soldiers to a battalions and as much as six battalions to a regiment.   So, David’s army was quite large by any standards.   If you simply Google, “how many solders are on active duty in today’s Army” you get a number slightly larger than David’s army, 450,000 (+).   This gives us an idea of the numbers David had following him.  These warriors wanted to fight for a warrior. David’s legend of killing Goliath made him a man others wanted to follow.  But it was more than that.  God put David in command and moved the hearts of men to follow him.   This is God’s way.   God had people follow Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Peter, Paul.   When God puts someone in charge He assures others follow.   Leadership is less about your skills and more about God’s power to make others follow.   

Psalms 75:7 (ESV)

but it is God who executes judgment,

putting down one and lifting up another.

Offending Man Means Offending God - Numbers 5-8

Numbers 5:5-10 (ESV)

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. But if the man has no next of kin to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for wrong shall go to the LORD for the priest, in addition to the ram of atonement with which atonement is made for him. And every contribution, all the holy donations of the people of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his. Each one shall keep his holy donations: whatever anyone gives to the priest shall be his.”

The above passage has a profound truth that all New Testament believers need to hear. 

 

The above law was given to the nation of Israel in the case of someone doing wrong to another person (the implication is that the wrong was stealing something from someone).  The person who did the wrong must confess it and then restore whatever they took, and add 20% to the restitution amount.   If the victim of the crime was no longer around (this implies time as passed) and no relatives were around to substitute for the victim, the thief was to make restoration to the priest, God’s representative.   (This not only allowed the act of contrition to move forward, it also provided much needed sustenance for those who served as priest.)   

This law shows that truth that Jesus talked about concerning the Law:

Mark 12:31 (ESV)

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

This is all needed to hear and obey, but another amazing truth that is in this passage is found in verse six:

V. 6 - When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD,

When we sin against others, we are, in essence, breaking faith with the LORD and sinning against Him.  Did you catch that?   Doing something to harm a brother is the same as doing something to harm  our God.   We are not just hurting other people when we sin against them.  We are also damaging our relationship with God.  This is another reason when the guilt offering needed to be given to the priest.   Again, the priest is the representative of God.    When we offend others, it is one thing to ask their forgiveness.  It is quite another to realize you have offended a holy, righteous God, first and foremost.   It is THAT relationship that compels us to ask forgiveness of Him and each other. 

Not the Title, But the Character - 1 Timothy 1-3

1 Timothy 3:8-10 (ESV)

Qualifications for Deacons

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.

As shown above, this passage is Entitled: “Qualification of Deacons,” in the ESV Bible.  Since the ESV entitled the proceeding verses, “Qualifications for Overseers,” this indicates, from those translators, that Deacons are on the same footing, as an office of the church, as Overseers (another name for Bishop, Pastor, Elder).   This may or may not be true.   The term, deacons, simply means to serve, to be the executioner of the commands of others.   The first people to serve as deacon in the Church were Stephan and others are chosen by the Apostles to wait on the widows of the church, freeing the Apostles for teaching and prayer (Acts 6).   There is no question as to the role of the deacon and these qualifications are in play no matter the answer to this next question.   The question is, “Are deacons to have an official role in the church, or is anyone in the church serving, at the commands of others, simply required to have these qualifications” 

Since the context of the passage is the same as in Titus, Paul seems to be giving both young pastors Timothy and Titus instructions on how to organize the church.   The question as to holding an office of deacon is not qualification's addressed.   But it seems to be a position that is given to those who hold positions that carry out the commands of another.   No matter if we make the position official or non official, the result is the same:  Someone of high Christian reputation is serving some in the church, at the bequest of authorities in the church.  Those who serve to fulfill the role of deacon are to have similar qualifications as the Overseer (Bishop).   Serving in the church, no matter the title (of if it is an official office) is to be conducted at the highest level of faith.  Those in leadership must demonstrate Christlikeness, no matter the title.  It is not the title that matters, it is the spiritual character.  

Seekers Are Healed By Jesus - John 5-6

John 5:5-9 (ESV)

One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath.

For those who believe that man has a choice to be saved or not (it is man’s free will that saves him) the above story is a compelling argument.  Jesus asks the man, “Do you want to be healed?” (The man never really says yes or no to Jesus’ question.).    Many who believe in man’s involvement in his own salvation believe this story is good evidence for their argument. 

For those who believe that God is sovereign and it is only through His sovereign grace that man is saved, must consider this story in their theology, as well.    It would, however, be noted by them that although the man might have the desire to be “healed,” that desire alone would not heal him.   When Jesus said, “Get up, take your bed and walk,” the man would demonstrate his will.  But God sovereignty would have been necessary for him to do so.   By Jesus speaking those words, it was the “word of God” that moved him.   Faith in the word of God is always necessary to save mankind.   

In this story we have these two thoughts collide.   Man’s responsibility is faith in God’s word. It is God’s sovereignty that determines if man hears God’s word.   Jesus came by that spot, at the time, to engage with the man.    Jesus sees the man condition and speaks truth to him, first questioning whether he had reached a spot of contentment in his life.  The man could have said, “No, I’m good.  This is my lot in life. I am just a worthless cripple.”    Instead that man showed some signs of discontent as he thought the reason for his lack of healing was an inability to get to the pool fast enough.   He was seeking healing through the miraculous pool.   Instead Jesus offered him God’s power.  He had to believe God’s word and that faith in God’s word was what healed him.   Faith, however, is a gift from God.   

Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

So the entire act was never about the man and all about the power of Jesus.   That is the point of miracle John recalls in this gospel.   The man was already there seeking healing but could not do it on his own.  Those who are seeking will be blessed with healing, but the healing is totally God’s work:

Psalms 24:5-6 (ESV)

He will receive blessing from the LORD

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

In the End There Will Be Judgment - Daniel 7-12

Daniel 12:2 (ESV)

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

The above verse comes at the end of Daniel and at the end of a message an angel is giving to Daniel.  This entire section of Daniel (chapters 7-12) gives us insight into the kingdoms from Daniel’s day to our day to the future kingdom of Christ.   The language is difficult to understand. The duel interpretation of what was meant for THAT day and what was meant by the same verses for a FUTURE day, can be confusing.  The above verse is an example of this.   There is no doubt that the verse is speaking about a resurrection.  The resurrection of the dead will result in the judicial prosecution of many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth.  Because it says many and not all we have a dilemma determining who the angel is talking about.   The fact that there will be a resurrection is undisputed.  The fact that those dead and buried in the earth will be awakened and will stand in judgment.  That judgment can result in one of two sentences:  1).  Sentenced to everlasting life, or, 2). Sentenced to everlasting contempt.  Since this same language is found in other portions of the Scriptures we can somewhat conclude that God is going to raise up the dead and judge them.   We can argue about the who and we can certainly all argue about the when.   But we can’t argue the fact that a resurrection is going to happen and it will result in eternal consequences.   Our faith in Christ guarantees that we will not face everlasting contempt, as we no longer face condemnation: 

 Romans 8:1 (ESV)

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

We are to rejoice in the day we will be resurrected to everlasting life.   It is, however, clear, that some will not!

Joy Is Good Medicine - Proverbs 16-17

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Because of both a heart attack at 55 and a cardiac arrest at 71, I am on a regiment of medication. Every week my wife lays out pills in piles and I dutifully take them morning and night. When I had the heart attack there was plenty of speculation as to the cause. Along with food habits and no habit of excercise, most of the advice I received was that I had to slow down and figure out how to reduce my stress levels. If I would have followed the medical "advice" of the above verse I probably wouldn't have to take the meds today. Putting yourself under stress is one sure way to "dry up the bones." This contrasting parallelism give us the wisdom that trusting in God (the real source of joy) is good medicine, while living without joy will dry the bones. The best medicine is to be controlled by the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, "joy", etc. A joyful heart comes from the fear of the Lord and trusting in Him and allowing the Spirit to rule. Without it you are under stress with dried up bones that produces a broken spirit and ... eventually a broken heart.  We don't muster-up a joyful heart.  We don't wait for circumstances to produce a moment of happenstance.   Happy is a word that comes from a root word, "hap," which means something just "happened" to produce the moment.   People get happy because some particular circumstance changed to their favor.  Happiness is not a joyfulness. A joyful heart comes from allowing the Spirit of God to work within us, based upon the truth of God, sharpening us into a deeper knowledge of and shape like Christ.   That is great medicine.   I will take heart meds the rest of my life for the way I lived without Christlike joy.  One of the "pills" I take every day, now, is to allow the Spirit of God to shape my life.   He is good medicine for a guilty and shameful soul.  

Declare His Glory - Psalms 96-98

Psalms 96:3 (ESV)

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Our responsibility each day is to fulfill the above verse each day of our lives.  And we are to do this all over our lives.  Note:

Psalms 145:4-6 (ESV)

One generation shall commend your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

and I will declare your greatness.

God’s entire creation has this responsibility, as well:

Psalms 19:1-2 (ESV)

The Law of the LORD Is Perfect

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

Psalms 50:6 (ESV)

The heavens declare his righteousness,

for God himself is judge! Selah

We are not to be afraid to this any time and anywhere.   The above verse instructs us to declare His glory among all the peoples.   We can often feel comfortable declaring His glory among our own.   We can do so in collective worship, without fail.  We can do so on Sunday.  But what about Monday.   What about Friday and/or Saturday night.  Our desire in life ought to be to declare the glory of God.