Author: scott

A House Divided

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16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents…20 And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only. – 1 Kings 12:16 & 20

A House for God

King David was known as “a man after God’s own heart.”  Although he had his weaknesses, David passionately pursued God.  This was a welcome trait that stood in stark contrast to King Saul’s propensity towards disobedience; God’s reason for replacing him with David.

One of the desires of David’s heart was to build a house for God.  Although God used David to unify the nation of Israel and defeat their enemies, the privilege of building a house for God would belong to David’s son Solomon.  Could he handle the responsibility that would come with his privilege?

Early in his reign, God visited Solomon in a dream and tested him by offering to fulfill whatever he might request in prayer.  God was pleased when Solomon asked for wisdom to rule His people rather than long life, riches, or the life of his enemies.  As a reward for his humility, God promised Solomon not only the wisdom that he asked for, but also the riches and honor he did not request.

And if Solomon would faithfully walk in the ways of the Lord, God promised He would lengthen Solomon’s days.

Solomon’s ultimate test; would wisdom and prosperity result in obedience?

Filled with Glory

When time came to build the house of God, no expenses were spared.  As elaborate and impressive as the Temple must have been, perhaps nothing was as emotional for the Israelites as when the ark of the Covenant was brought into the house of God.  When the ark, containing the two tablets of the ten commandments,  was placed in the inner sanctuary under the shadow of the wings of the cherubim, a cloud filled the house of the Lord.  But it wasn’t merely a cloud, it was the presence of the glory of the Lord.  Although no house can contain God, His glory was more than enough to fill His new house.

Although the priests were unable to minister in the Temple because of the presence of the cloud, Solomon was able to deliver a beautifully inspired prayer.  In his prayer Solomon blessed God, dedicated the Temple, and challenged the people.  What a great day to be an Israelite!

61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” 1 Kings 8:60b-61

Like Solomon, the nation of Israel would be tested.  Would the House of God and even the presence of the glory of God be enough to inspire long term obedience?

A Heart Divided

Solomon’s forty year reign was characterized by peace and prosperity.  He had the respect of kings and queens alike.  His wisdom and wealth were unmatched.  But despite all of his accomplishments and acclaims, Solomon did not “end well”.  When he was old he acted contrary to his own prayer.  His heart was not wholly true.  Solomon’s many wives turned his heart away from God to worship idols.

4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father… – 1 Kings 11:4

Needless to say, there would be consequences for Solomon’s idolatry.  Twice the Lord had visited him and “commanded” him to stay away from the dangers of idolatry.  He was not to go after other gods.  Yet Solomon broke the Lord’s commands; he wandered from the path of obedience.

Now God warned Solomon that the kingdom would be torn from his son and given to his servant.  Because of disobedience, a mighty kingdom would be torn in two.

A House Divided

Upon the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam was made king.  Immediately he was confronted by his servant Jeroboam with a request to make their heavy workload more bearable.  Lacking the wisdom of his father Solomon, Rehoboam sought counsel.

First Rehoboam turned to the old men who advised him to lead “as a servant” and speak kindly to his subjects.  Then he took counsel with his peers who advised him to threaten his servants and use intimidation.  Rehoboam chose the counsel of his peers.  Which brings us to today’s text from First Kings Chapter 12.

Angry with the response of Rehoboam, the Northern tribes chose not to recognize Rehoboam as their king, and instead made Jeroboam king over them.  The nation of Israel was feeling the long reach of the arm of disobedience.    They were far removed from the presence of the glory of the Lord.  What a sad day to be an Israelite.

Behold your gods

Wanting to maintain his fragile hold on his people, Jeroboam knew he would have to compete with the House of God located in Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom.  How long could he retain the loyalty of his people if they were making regular pilgrimages to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple?  His solution was to introduce the Northern Kingdom to new gods.

Taking a page out of Aaron’s playbook, Jeroboam made not one but two golden calves.  How the heart of God must have grieved when he uttered these blasphemous words, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:28b).

For the “convenience of his subjects”, Jeroboam put one golden calf in Bethel and one in Dan.  Now his people could “worship” without going into the jurisdiction of the Southern Kingdom.  To make the worship experience more complete, Jeroboam made temples, appointed priests and instituted feasts.  On his false altars Jeroboam sacrificed true worship for political power.

Disobedience is a slippery slope.  The first step can result in a free fall.  Solomon’s idolatry was coming to roost.

Desolation

The nation of Israel would be divided for two hundred years.  During this time the divided Kingdoms were often at war.  The Northern Kingdom would have twenty two kings, all of which were evil.  For two centuries, the people of Israel were yoked to Jeroboam’s golden calves.  Idols that made their burdens heavier not lighter.

In time, both of the kingdoms would be carried into captivity.  Israel, the Northern Kingdom would be captured by the Assyrians, and Judah, the Southern Kingdom would be captured by the Babylonians.  Although delivered in a different context, the Words of Jesus sound like a description of Israel.

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand…” – Matthew 12:25b

Behold Your God

We can look at the history of Israel and speculate.  What if Solomon had faithfully walked in the ways of the Lord as God challenged him?  What if the house was not divided because of Solomon’s disobedience?  Sobering thoughts considering the destruction of the Temple and the suffering and trials endured by God’s chosen people.

We can reflect on President Lincoln’s speech when he quoted the Words of Jesus about a house divided.  With a heart intent on preserving the Union, Lincoln knew the importance of maintaining unity.  As we consider his words we can hear the distant sound of the artillery in the deep seeded divides of our country yet today.  How long can we exist as a nation with all of the discourse and divisions that seem to be widening every day?

But at the end of the day, a house divided isn’t about Israel’s past, or our nations future. It is about the condition of our hearts, just as Solomon prayed at the dedication of the House of God.  Each of us must look in the mirror and ask:  Are our hearts wholly true to the Lord our God?  Are we walking in His statutes and keeping His commandments?  If not, we need a clearer vision of God.  Our God who desires that we faithfully walk in all of his ways.  All of our days.

Solomon was right when he said, “…the Lord is God; there is no other.

If only he would have stayed true to Him.

9 Go on up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
    lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!” – Isaiah 40:9

10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments! – Psalm 119:10

Does God Punish Us For The Sins Of Others?

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20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. – Ezekiel 18:20

Sin and Suffering

Living in a world of sin we are surrounded by much pain and suffering.  Like the disciples in John chapter nine verse 20, we want to associates life’s trials with sin.  In this case, the disciples specifically wanted to know if a man who was blind since birth was being punished for his own sins or the sins of his parents.  I am guessing they were somewhat perplexed when Jesus replied that the man’s blindness was not a consequence of either his own sins or the sins of his parents, but rather was a means by which God would be glorified.  While I’m thankful that God can take man’s suffering and use it for His glory, the questions remain.  What is the connection between sin and suffering?  What is the connection between sin and punishment?  If we are punished for sins, for whose sins are we punished?  Are we only punished for our own sins or does God indeed punish us for the sins of others?

We know from the Book of Genesis that with the sin of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, death was “introduced” to mankind.  With the sin of Adam and Eve, pain and suffering became a part of human existence.  Work would now involve toil.  Childbearing would be accompanied with great pain.  The process of decay was set in motion.  Because of the choice of our “parents” in the Garden of Eden, all of us will experience the consequences of sin.  Without a doubt we suffer as a consequence of the sins of others.  There are too many broken homes and scarred children testifying to the overwhelming amount of abuse and addictions among us.  But is that the same as being punished for them?  No.

The passage quoted above from Ezekiel states that it is the soul who sins that dies (for his own sins).  Son’s will not die for the sin’s of their fathers and fathers will not die for the sins of their sons.  Now to be clear, as a consequence of The Fall, both sons and fathers will die in due time.  But, as Ezekiel tells us, the guilt of the fathers will not be held against the sons, nor the sons against the fathers.  In other words, while we may suffer the consequences of the sins of others, we will not ultimately be punished for them.

What is Punishment?

Cain is the first person in the Bible to use the word punishment.  After he killed his brother Abel, God cursed him and drove him from the ground that absorbed the blood of Abel.  Accordingly, the ground would no longer produce yield for Cain and he would become a wanderer on the earth.  Although guilty of killing his brother, Cain felt his punishment was too harsh.

13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.  14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. – Genesis 4:13-14

Notice what Cain says about his punishment.  In his lament he says that as part of his punishment, he would be hidden from the face of God and would become a marked man.  Although God would put some special mark on Cain to prevent his harm from his fellow man, he was indeed driven from the presence of God.  Like his parents, his fellowship with God was compromised because of his disobedience.  Like his parents, Cain was warned in advance.  God had told Cain that sin was crouching at his door and he must rule over it.  But he did not.  Instead he let it rule over him and he murdered his brother.

Obviously, punishment is punitive in nature.  It’s purpose is retribution.  It is the inflicting of a penalty for an offense.  Punishment is being condemned for a past action.  It implies a code of law and a violation of that code.  In the secular realm, those that violate the law must be punished as a means of making them repay the debt they have incurred to those offended by their violation.  This is done for the benefit of society at large and more specifically to those offended.  Justice demands that whereas good should be rewarded, wrong must be punished.  Isn’t that how we define fairness?

In the spiritual realm, the stakes are greater.  Whereas governments may have the authority to reward good and punish evil, capital punishment is their most feared punishment.  But as Jesus warns us, our greatest fear should not be reserved for those than can “only” kill the body.  Rather it is God whom we should fear.   “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).  Although governments are God ordained and derive their authority from Him, their abilities to punish are limited.  It is God alone who metes out eternal punishment.  Final judgement belongs to Him.  He is the final Judge.  It is He who decides who will be separated from His presence forever.  As Jesus warns us, that is the punishment man should fear.

What about Grace?

While we talk about fairness and getting what we deserve, the fact of the matter is we really need mercy.  We really need grace.  Knowing our needs of such, God gave us His Son.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. – John 3:16-18

These verses tell us that if we put our faith in Christ, not only will we not be punished for the sins of others, but more amazingly, we will not ultimately be punished for our own sins.  Why?  Because Jesus has already been punished for them.  That is how we can be “saved” through Him (v. 17).  In His life, Jesus fulfilled the law.  Perfectly.  By His death on the cross, Jesus bore the penalty for our sins.  Once and for all.  In His resurrection, Jesus defeated death and eternal separation from God.

Instead of experiencing eternal separation from God, we are offered eternal life.  Life that the Gospel of John equates with intimate fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (John 17:3).  But in order to experience this fellowship, we must put our faith in the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.  Completely and exclusively.

Love’s Discipline

Just because we live under grace, doesn’t mean that God ignores our sins.  While He may not punish us for our past sins, out of love He will discipline us for our future growth (Hebrews 12:6).  As we sin, God, like a loving father, instead of allowing us to wander, will discipline us for our benefit.  Unlike punishment that is retributive in nature, the objective of discipline is restoration.  It’s motive is love driven not law driven.  Instead of being concerned with a past act like punishment, discipline is forward looking.  God wants to keep us from straying the path of obedience.  He wants to spare us from miseries that would far exceed the discipline He applies.

We recoil from discipline much like we recoil from the thought of punishment.  We often mimic Cain’s perspective on punishment; it’s too harsh, I can’t handle it.  But a wise person understands the importance of authority.  A wise person understands the importance of submission and obedience.  Likewise, a wise person understands the need for discipline, even if it is uncomfortable and perhaps even unfashionable or unpopular.  But the benefits outweigh the pain.

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. – Hebrews 12:11

Will God punish us for our sins or those of others?  NO!  Will He discipline us to diminish our propensity towards future sin?  Absolutely.  In His grace He has spared His children from the punishment of sins.  In His mercy, He wants to eliminate unnecessary consequences of sins.  Instead, He wants us to yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness.  Therefore, as His children He encourages us not to regard His discipline lightly nor to be weary when He reproves us (Hebrews 12:5b).  It is the least children can do for a loving Father.

What About These Verses?

Skeptics like to pit Bible verses against one another claiming the Bible contradicts itself.  Certainly this topic of sin and punishment is no exception.  I don’t pretend to have all of the answers, but I believe in the innerancy of the Bible and I don’t believe it can contradict itself.  Since these verses may cause confusion to the honest Bible student I thought it might be helpful to at least address them.

5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me – Exodus 20:5 (Repeated in Exodus 34, Deuteronomy 5:9, & Number 14:18)

When God gave the nation of Israel the Ten Commandments, He knew their propensity for idolatry.  While this verse does say that God will visit the iniquities of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation, He does qualify it.  It is those that hate God who will have the iniquities of their fathers visiting them to the third and fourth generation.  In other words, it is those that will continue to repeat the sin of idolatry who will be punished for it.  These generations are not being punished for their father’s sins, but rather for repeating the sins of their fathers.

Similarly, we see this in another passage often cited as a contradiction.

10 “And when you tell this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?’ 11 then you shall say to them: ‘Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law, 12 and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me. 13 Therefore I will hurl you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.’ – Jeremiah 16:10-13

Here we see the warning of Exodus becoming reality.  When evil comes their way the people ask, “Why?”.   What have we done to deserve this punishment?  Jeremiah begins his response by telling the people that their fathers forsook God for other gods whom they served and worshiped instead of the true God.  By forsaking God for idols their fathers failed to keep the law.  But God, through Jeremiah, isn’t done with His explanation.  As bad as the iniquities of their fathers were, they had done even worse.  As a matter of fact, God charges them with following their own stubborn, evil wills, and refusing to listen to Him (v. 12).

Rather than being a contradiction, this verse is a warning of the dangers of “generational” sins.  Like an addiction, certain sins seem difficult for some families to break.  Generation after generation continue to repeat the sins of their fathers.  But it doesn’t have to be this way.  God encourages us to be the generation to break the bondage.  Not just for us, but for our offspring.  As severe as His justice may be, look at the glimpse He gives of His mercy.

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:4-6

By stating that He is willing to show his steadfast love to thousands of those who love Him and keep his commandments, God is saying that His mercy knows no limit.  It certainly stands in stark contrast to the three or four generations on whom the iniquities will be visited.  I believe this is a prelude to what Paul would go on to tell us in Romans chapter five, where sin increases grace abounds all the more (v. 20).

 

It Is Finished

As a child of God, we have been liberated not only from the fear of death (Hebrews 2:14) but the fear of punishment as well.  To live in fear of punishment is to doubt the sacrifice of Christ and God’s acceptance of it.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:5

Note carefully what the Prophet Isaiah says.  We are healed by the wounds of Christ.  The chastisement that He took for our sins has brought us peace.  Peace with God.  By the blood of Christ we have been reconciled to God.  He is satisfied with the punishment of Christ.  We should be also.  God will never  punish you for the sins of another person, and if you are His child nor will He punish you for your own.  Ever.  After nailing our sins to the cross, our Judge laid down the gavel.

 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. – Colossians 2:14

As Christians, our lives should be filled with peace not fear.  We no longer have to fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  Instead, our destiny is an eternity in heaven where our souls will be united with a glorified body.  Instead of being separated from God, we will worship Him for all of eternity.  God doesn’t want His children fearing His punishment, rather, He wants to perfect us in His love.

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18

Grabbing Ankles & Grappling With God

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3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
    and in his manhood he strove with God. – Hosea 12:3

Empty Hands

Over and over we see the Prophets pleading with the Jewish people.  Hosea is no exception.  As a matter of fact, Hosea’s relationship with an unfaithful wife mirrored God’s relationship with unfaithful Israel.  Involved in such a relationship, Hosea must have intimately felt the pain of God’s heart as he penned His Words.  Words that begged for repentance and return.

As Hosea begins chapter twelve, he gives us a glimpse of the vanity of the Jewish people.  According to verse one, they were guilty of feeding on the wind and chasing the east wind and at the same time making treaties with Egypt and Assyria.  In other words, with one hand they were worshiping idols, and with the other hand they were shunning God and placing their trust for protection on mortal men.

Instead of holding onto God, both hands were empty.  How do you bless others with empty hands?

Deceiving Hands

Rather than having empty hands, the Israelites could learn a lesson from their namesake Israel, or as Hosea refers to him in this passage, Jacob.  Abraham may be the father of the Jewish nation, but it was Jacob who “built” the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen. 46:8-27).  Although Jacob had many faults, his offspring could still learn from his life, whether in the womb or in the mud.

Hosea reminds the Jewish people that while still in the womb Jacob took his brother by the heel.  Genesis chapter twenty-five tells us that while yet in the womb, Jacob and his twin brother jostled each other.  Obviously, Jacob could not have known or understood what he was doing in utero, but his action was indicative of his nature and God’s plans.  As he was born, Jacob was grasping his twin brother Esau’s heal, hence he was given the name Jacob which means “he grasps the heal”.  Not exactly flattering as this is simply another way of saying someone is a deceiver, trickster or cheater.  A title that fit Jacob well.

A Life of Deceipt

Jacob was good at using his cunning to get what he wanted.  As Genesis tells us, Jacob “purchased” his elder brother’s birthright for a bowl of red stew (Genesis 25:27-34).  Certainly, the bargain was foolish of Esau, but I’m not sure how ethical it was of Jacob to bargain with his brother who claimed to be starving.  But Jacob and Esau were never a model of brotherly love.

Later, Jacob would deceive his father Isaac to steal Esau’s blessing (Genesis 27).  Again, food was involved.  With the assistance of his mother Rebekah, Jacob prepared a favorite meal for his aging father (substituting young goats for wild game).  With goatskins on his hands and his brother’s clothes on his back, Jacob deceived his visually impaired father.  When questioned by his father, Jacob actually lied to him in order to get Isaac to give him the blessing intended for his firstborn Esau.

When Esau learned of his “stolen” blessing he lamented,“Is he not rightly named Jacob?  For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing” (Genesis 27:36a).  Being twice victimized by the heal grabber, Esau vowed to kill Jacob once their father was deceased.  Fearing for the life of her favorite son, Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother Laban.

The Bargain at Bethel

After leaving Beersheba to make his journey to Haran, Jacob stopped to rest at sunset.  As he laid on the ground with a stone for his pillow, he had a “vision” from God.  In his dream, he saw a ladder connecting heaven and earth.  The angels of God were ascending and descending this ladder.  Standing over the ladder was the LORD, who then spoke to Jacob.

As Jacob dreamed, the LORD renewed the covenant he had made with Abraham and Isaac.  The land on which Jacob was resting would belong to Jacob and his descendants.  Further, Jacob was assured that his offspring would be as numerous as the dust of the earth.  And not only would his offspring be great in number, they would also spread to the west and east and north and south.  But not only would Jacob’s offspring be blessed, God also promised that in Jacob and his offspring all the families of the earth would be blessed (remember the empty hands?).  But God wasn’t done.

After making the promises to Jacob, God assured him that His presence would not leave Jacob.  He would accompany him and protect him and bring him safely back to this place (Bethel).  God would be Jacob’s ever-present guide until all of His promises were fulfilled.  But Jacob isn’t like God.  The heal grabber’s commitment came with contingencies; IF.  IF God will protect me.  IF God will feed me.  IF God will clothe me.  IF God will bring me back to my father’s house in peace.  THEN the LORD shall be my God.  THEN I will turn this stone I am using as a pillow into His house and give back a tenth of everything He has given to me.  Do I smell red stew and young goats?  Regardless, God recognized it as a vow (Genesis 31:13).

Deceiving a Deceiver

After his “bargain” with God, Jacob continued his journey east.  Finally, he came to the home of his uncle Laban, a man after his own deceitful heart.  Laban had two daughters, Leah and Rachel.  Jacob loved Rachel and agreed to work seven years for Laban for the right to marry her.  When the time finally arrived for the marriage to be consummated, Laban deceived Jacob by exchanging Leah for Rachel.  No one likes being deceived, especially a deceiver.

Jacob would have to serve Laban another seven years for Rachel.  As he worked for his uncle, their relationship was often strenuous.  Numerous times Laban changed Jacob’s wages.  According to Jacob’s complaint recorded in Genesis chapter 31, Laban cheated him and changed his wages ten times.  But who’s counting?  Esau charged Jacob with cheating him twice, Jacob charges Laban with cheating him ten times.  When you play in the realm of deceit, what goes around definitely comes around.

Tired of being deceived by Laban, Jacob decided to play the last trick by stealing away with his family and possessions and heading back to Canaan and his family.

Grappling With God

Jacob had enough of haggling with his Uncle Laban.  He was wary of his deceit and couldn’t wait to get away.  But the prospect of returning home wasn’t so pleasant either.  He didn’t exactly leave his family on the best of terms as he was fleeing for his life.  So now he was fleeing from Laban who had deceived him numerous times only to face his brother Esau whom he had deceived.  Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Always the schemer, Jacob made a plan in hopes of appeasing Esau.  He hoped to soften him, with bribery, before he actually met him face to face.  Where was his faith in God?  Didn’t God promise He would be with him and protect him?  He left his home alone and now he is returning with a family and great possessions.  Hadn’t God upheld His end of the “bargain”?

It was time once again to be alone with God.

At the ford of Jabbok, Jacob was finally broken in the mud.  All night long this deceiver wrestled with his covenant keeping God.  All night long this self-reliant man exhausted his strength against the omnipotent.  All night long this blessing “stealer” begged for a blessing.  “Unable” to prevail against his strength, God put Jacob’s hip out of joint.  Still unwilling to let go without a blessing, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means “strives with God” or “God strives”.  The heal grabber was now a God “striver”.  God strengthened Jacob by weakening him.

Jacob’s God

It is time to heed Hosea’s words.  It is time to stop the vanity.  It is time to repent and return.  No more feeding on the wind.  No more futile treaties.  The world’s idols and the world’s Egypts are nothing but air.  Worse, they are an affront to God.  Why do we try so desperately to hold onto them?

Before Jacob was even born, God had great plans for him.  From the womb to the grave, God accompanied Jacob.  He made a covenant with him and He kept His word.  Jacob was blessed with the land and the offspring God promised him.  To this day, all the families of the world are blessed through Jacob and his offspring.

The lessons of Jacob ultimately point to his God.  His God who chose him.  His God who decided to make him a great nation.  His God who gave him natural strength.   His God who accompanied him and protected him until all of His promises to him were fulfilled.  His God who was patient with him and his deceitful ways.  His God who wrestled with him in his hour of need and made him even stronger by weakening him.  His God who blessed him and changed him from a “deceiver of men” to a “wrestler of God”.  Jacob entered the mud of Jabbok a proud man.  Israel left the mud of Jabbok with a limp.  A limp that would forever remind him that man is strongest when holding onto God.  With both hands.

Jacob’s God is your God.  He has loved you from eternity past.  He has blessed you and wants to bless others through you.  But how can we bless others with empty hands?  It is time to let go of the world and take hold of God.  With the tenacity of Jacob, resolve not to let go until God has “blessed” you; again and again.  But beware.  Wrestling with God can be exhausting.  It can be painful.  But best of all, Israel’s limp reminds us that it will always be life changing.

It is time to get on bended knees and take hold of God.  And never let go.  You know He never will.

8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God… – Joshua 23:8

Who Am I?

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14 “But who am I…?” – 1 Chronicles 29:14

Good Question

Who am I?  Is there a question man asks more often?  Is there a more important question man can ask?  Who am I?  Where did I come from?  Why am I here?  What is the meaning of it all?

Where do we look for the answers to life’s most important questions?

In today’s text, it is King David who is asking the question.  King David is coming to the end of his illustrious reign.  King David is coming to the end of his impressive life.  A man after God’s own heart; he was hand-picked by God to rule over the nation of Israel.  God’s chosen people.  The apple of His eye.  But David’s time is ending.

Great King

David was a mighty King.  He was a man of great military prowess having defeated many of Israel’s enemies.  He had it in his heart to “build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and for the footstool of God”  (1 Chronicles 28:2).  David made preparations for the building project, but God stopped him because David was a man of war and had shed much blood.  Although David would not be allowed to build the Temple, the privilege would belong to his son Solomon, whose coming reign would be one of peace.

Denied the opportunity to participate in the construction, David assumed the role of encourager.  So now, at the end of his life, David has assembled the leaders of Israel.  With a heart overflowing with passion, David desires to challenge Solomon and those who will be responsible for building the Temple.

In preparation for the construction, David gives Solomon working plans.  He also encourages Solomon that the skilled workers are ready to begin.  In addition, King David and others have donated items such as gold, silver, bronze, iron and precious stones for the temple.  What more is necessary?  Keeping everything in perspective.

THE KING and I

“Who am I?”

Before passing the torch to his son, David prays to his Father.  It is after he looks heavenward that David asks the question, “Who am I?”.  David’s question is not asked in isolation, rather it is asked in relation to His Creator.  Hence he asks the question showing a contrast, “But who am I?”  David’s question isn’t so much one of identity, but rather an expression of unworthiness.  Yet I think there is much we can glean from David’s question.  In order to understand who we are, we have to understand who God is.  Accordingly, I believe David’s question was asked in the proper context.

David’s reputation as a King is legendary.  His fame was unparalleled.  He had more wealth than he could spend.  As a leader he was greatly loved by his people and greatly feared by his enemies.  But these things didn’t “make” King David.  He did not look into the mirror for answers to who he was.

Surrounded by his family, nation, and immense wealth, David is about to return to dust.  Before his death he does not recount his accomplishments.  He does not bemoan his regrets.  He does not look around, but rather above.  Wisely, David “blesses the Lord in the presence of all the assembly.”

Looking Up

Unlike King David, so many people think they are defined by their work.  Others think they are defined by their families or other relationships.  Some think “who they are” is equivalent to their reputation.  Sadly, many think they are defined by their accomplishments; sadder yet, many think they are defined by their sins.  We are bombarded by so many lies is it any wonder so many struggle with an identity crisis?  Perhaps they should look at David’s prayer.

When David prays, he recognizes the covenant-keeping character of God.  He exalts the greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty of God.  He concedes that God owns everything in heaven and earth, including the kingdom of which God is exalted as head above all.  Further, David’s prayer stresses that both riches and honor come from God and God rules over all.  In addition, power and might are in the hand of God, and it is in God’s hand to make great and give strength to all.  Therefore, David thanks God and praises His glorious name.  Such is God…”But who am I?”

God First

Unlike God who owns everything on heaven and earth, David is merely a recipient of the gifts God gives.  Everything David has to offer is simply a return of what God has given him.  The possessions David has don’t define him, they merely reflect his dependency upon God.  David recognizes that although blessed by God, ultimately his role is a steward.

David not only recognizes himself as a steward of “his” possessions, but he also understands that his life is but a mist and this earth is not his home.  In his prayer, he refers to himself as a stranger, a sojourner, and a shadow.  Nearing the end of his life, David has no misconceptions about his mortality.  There is no substance to a shadow.  David’s time on earth doesn’t define who he is.

David owns nothing.  David’s life is brief.  But David’s prayer is not finished.  After admitting what he lacks, David offers what God wants; his heart and his worship.  David testifies that God tests the heart and takes pleasure in uprightness, and confesses that it is with an upright heart that he is making an offering to God; freely and joyously.

Created to Worship

Who is David?  A worshiper.  And so are you.

You are created by God.  You are dependent upon God.  Your life is transitory.  But your life has an eternal purpose, to offer your heart to God in worship; freely and joyously.

Who am I?  You’re not a result of evolution.  Your life isn’t meaningless.  God created you in His image to enjoy His fellowship.  More important than asking the question, is where we look for the answer.

Identity in Christ

I want to conclude by sharing a poem by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Bonhoeffer was a pastor in Germany when Hitler came into power.  He recognized the threat of the Nazi regime and spoke out against it when many would not.  Bonhoeffer was encouraged to “hide” in the United States to save himself, but refused.  He believed he could not lead his people if he did not suffer with them.

Bonhoeffer was eventually arrested as an enemy of the State.  He was executed just days before Hitler’s suicide.  From his prison cell, Bonhoeffer wrote the poem entitled, Who Am I? 

Whether the question is asked by a King sitting on his throne, or a prisoner sitting on a cell floor, we can rejoice that the answer is always the same.  Our identity is in Christ.

Who Am I?
by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Who am I? They often tell me
I stepped from my cell’s confinement
Calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
Like a Squire from his country house.

Who am I? They often tell me
I used to speak to my warders
Freely and friendly and clearly,
As though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me
I bore the days of misfortune
Equably, smilingly, proudly,
like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I myself know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
Struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat,
Yearning for colors, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
Thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
Tossing in expectations of great events,
Powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
Weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
Faint, and ready to say farewell to it all.

Who am I? This or the Other?
Am I one person today and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
And before myself a contemptible woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army
Fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine!

Right Eyes and (Dis)grace

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11 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.”  – 1 Samuel 11:1-2

Decision Time

Life is full of decisions; some more difficult than others.  Those with no discernible consequences we give little thought to.  Those with long-lasting or severe consequences we give not only much thought but hopefully much prayer to.  If we are wise we will seek out the counsel of other godly people before we make these “life-changing” decisions.  In today’s text, we see the Israelites confronted with a difficult decision.  Perhaps better classified as an ultimatum.

The Israelites often found themselves in difficult circumstances as a result of their sins.  Instead of peace, they often found themselves at war.  Now we find them harassed by their enemy the Ammonites.  Led by Nahash, their King, the Ammonites have surrounded the Israelite city Jabesh-gilead.  With limited military options and little apparent hope for success, instead of turning to God, the Israelites ask for a treaty.

No Idle Threat

According to the Dead Sea Scrolls, about one month prior to the siege of Jabesh-gilead, Nahash had conquered the tribal lands of Gad and Reuben. He was not only striking fear and dread in the hearts of the people, he was also gouging out their right eyes.  Per this account, roughly seven thousand Israelites escaped and fled to Jabesh-gilead; only to encounter Nahash and the Ammonites once again.  How they must have trembled when they heard the response of Nahash to their request for a treaty.  I will make a treaty if you concede to having your right eye gouged out.  All of you!

By gouging out the right eyes of his enemies, Nahash was disabling them.  Since most soldiers were right handed, they would hold their shields in their left hands covering much of their body including their left eye.  As they fought, they would peer over their shields with their right eye as they wielded their swords.  Hence, an enemy without a right eye was a lot less of a threat.

Disgraceful

But Nahash not only wanted to disable the Israelites, he also wanted to disgrace them as we see from his own words.  Nahash wanted to humble the Isralaelites and bring reproach on them.  He wanted to make them look weak and tarnish their reputation.  In doing so, no doubt, he would also tarnish the reputation of their God.  The Great I Am whom they seem to be forgetting.

But what kind of person would make such an ultimatum?  How evil and cruel would you have to be?

In this case a terrible enemy.  One who wanted to exalt himself by humbling others.  Specifically, Nahash, whose name means serpent.

Who would ever entertain the thought of allowing someone to gouge out your right eye?  How desperate would you have to be?

If your options are your life or your right eye, I’m guessing most of us would surrender our eye.  But are we always wise enough to understand the relative value of our right eye?

Decision Time II

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. – Matthew 5:29

Life’s is indeed full of difficult decisions.  Many with eternal consequences.  While Nahash put before the people an ultimatum, Jesus puts before His hearers a warning.  Both require a decision from their audience, but their motives could not have been more different.

Graceful

Nahash brought his army to Jabesh as an enemy looking to destroy the Israelites thus making a name for himself.  Jesus in humility left His Heavenly throne to come to earth and free men from their spiritual bondage.  He humbled himself to “exalt” others.

The evil Nahash threatened the Israelites with cruelty.  Cruelty that he had already manifested and was intent on repeating.  The perfectly holy Jesus warned His audience in sacrificial love.  A love He was about to display on the cross.  While Nahash was breathing out threats, Jesus was extending grace.

Priorities & Sacrifice

Whereas Nahash means serpent or snake, Jesus means the Lord will save, or savior.  The one common denominator is that both the serpent and the Savior put before their audiences a decision regarding their right eyes.  Specifically, do you value your right eye more than life?  Sometimes the loss of an eye represents disgrace and sometimes disgrace comes from preserving it.

While Nahash holds physical and temporal life in the balance, Christ is obviously referring to the spiritual and eternal.  Which do we value more?  What are we willing to sacrifice to purge the sin from our hearts?

Instead of giving Nahash an answer, the Israelites asked for more time.­  Time during which Saul, their first King came to their rescue and defeated Nahash, thus removing the ultimatum and the need to make a difficult decision.  Because of his arrogance, Nahash was defeated and Saul was exalted.  Nahash’s ultimatum was no more.  But Jesus’ warning is as real today as when He first delivered it.

Like the threat of Nahash, the words of Jesus are shocking.  Using hyperbole Jesus draws attention to the seriousness of sin and it’s consequences.  We know that sin originates in our hearts and maiming ourselves won’t necessarily purge the sin from our lives.  But if our right eye or right hand caused us to stumble would we be willing to sacrifice either to avoid hell?  What value would either have in hell’s fires?

How serious do we take sin and our battle against it?  Are we willing to deny our flesh to avoid giving into temptation and sinning against God?  God wants us to live lives of holiness.  Lives above reproach.  Lives that bring glory to God rather than “tarnish” His reputation as Satan desires.

Are you willing to “sacrifice” one part of your body to overcome sin?

Jesus took sin so seriously He sacrificed His body.  All of it.

All of it for us!  All of it for the glory of the Father!

In Christ the ultimate victory over sin is already won.  But until we are in our Heavenly Homes we must daily fight the sin that besieges our hearts like Nahash and the Ammonites besieged Jabesh-gilead.  It may require difficult decisions with long-lasting consequences, but we have a Savior we can always turn to.

Resolve

When the fate of the free world hung in the balance, Winston Churchill rallied England for battle.  I think the gravity of his speech reflects the fervor we should have in our spiritual battle.

“We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind.  We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.  You ask what is our policy?  I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime.  That is our policy.  You ask, What is our aim?  I answer in one word: Victory-victory at all costs, victory in spite of terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.” -Winston Churchill

No sacrifice is too great in our battle against sin.  No one knows that better than Jesus.  Heed His warning.  Accept His grace.

Holding Hands

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13 For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.” – Isaiah 41:13

Present Hand-Holding

It has been just over a year since my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Since her diagnosis, we have been reminded of our dependence upon others.  As humbling as it may be, sometimes we just need a little support.  Sometimes we just need someone to hold our hand.

Last night my parents joined us for dinner.  In order to get up our steps my mother now needs a little assistance.  With one hand on the railing, we supported her other arm.  Once safely in the house, she took my hand in hers and I guided her into the kitchen.  Not being much of a “hand holder”, it was a bittersweet moment.  I was glad I could help her, but sad that I had to.

As I lay awake in bed during the middle of the night I reflected on the evening with my parents.  Specifically, holding my mother’s hand.  When I was growing up, I was not accustomed to seeing affection displayed.  I’m not sure why, perhaps it was German pride, but holding hands, hugs, and even “I love yous” were not part of my families upbringing.  Sad to say, showing affection is not a strength of mine.  I guess you might say it is not a part of our family “trait”.

Past Hand-Holding

As I was reflecting, when I should have been sleeping, I remembered an incident from my early childhood.  My father and I had just left our family business and were going to cross Main Street.  I looked up and saw the traffic light change, and fearful of the oncoming traffic, I instinctively reached up to take a hold of my father’s hand.  What I did not realize was that he had a partially smoked cigar in the hand I reached for.  Instead of finding the protection I sought; I clutched danger.  Rather than the comfort of placing my timid hand in his strong hand, I instead experienced the pain of being burned.  Although I made it safely to the other side of the street, I did so with tears in my eyes.  Needless to say, it was not a positive hand-holding experience.  Nor was it the only experience I reflected on.

As I was entering High School, my family moved across town.  The move put us a few blocks away from two of my father’s aunts.  Aged, and with failing eyesight one of them asked if I would take care of her lawn.  Of course I would.

I remember going through the yard with my great-aunt.  Holding her frail little hand we walked through the yard as she explained what she wanted to be done.  In actuality, I think she just wanted someone to talk to.  With humility, she gave me a brief lesson in cataracts (her excuse for holding my hand), and with great pride, she gave me a long lesson in our family history.  She was so proud of the entrepreneurial heritage of our family and the contributions our family had made to our hometown.  She also shared how much she missed her long deceased husband.  My time with my great-aunt was more than just a “business” meeting.  Hand in hand we strolled down memory lane as we traversed across her yard.  How do you tell a ninety-something relative you don’t like to hold hands?  Sometimes you just need to make exceptions!!  But don’t tell my wife, for whom I seldom make exceptions.

The Circle of Life

My wife and I were High School sweethearts.  When we were dating she would ask to hold my hand from time to time and most of the time I would decline.  Not because I didn’t love her or because I found it awkward, but because I found it uncomfortable.  When I was young I suffered from extremely dry hands, which often cracked and bled.  I remember being taken to the doctor as a very young boy to get prescription strength lotion for my hands.  And then, for whatever reason, my hands did a complete turnaround.  Instead of being dried out they became perpetually sweaty.  I share this only to say, for as long as I can remember, I have been conscientious of my hands and therefore reluctant to hold hands.  Even with those I love the most.

Now, I find that holding my grandchildren’s hands is one of my greatest joys.  Just last week I walked out back on our property with my 18-month-old grandson.  It is a privilege I don’t take lightly.  Nearly 40 years ago I was walking through my great aunt’s yard, hand in hand with a relative two generations above me.  Now I have the joy of walking through my property hand in hand with my grandchildren, two generations below me.  I think I understand why my great aunt didn’t want to let go.  When they are reluctant, I’ll have to try that “cataracts line” on my grandchildren.  Perhaps my great-aunt’s vision wasn’t so poor after all.

I am amazed at what memories and emotions were released from simply holding my mother’s hand.  I am ashamed that it is an experience I haven’t had more often.  With her or any of my loved ones.  We never know how often we will have the chances.  Which is probably why I lay awake so long last night.

Holding God’s Hand

As I have stated so many times, God has created us as relational beings.  We need to be hugged.  We need to be told, “I love you”.  And as we see in today’s verse from Isaiah, we need the comfort and support of someone taking our hand in theirs.  Especially God.

God says He will hold our right hand.  When I read this verse I ask why the right hand?  My first thought was because for most of us our right hand is our dominant hand.  It is our hand of strength.  If we are going to resist it is most likely going to be with our right hand.  Therefore, to allow God to take hold of our right hand is to submit to Him.  Which is what we need and He wants.  As I said at the beginning sometimes we need a little support.

In the context of Isaiah chapter 41, God is assuring His children of His presence.  If you look back at verse 10 you see God’s promise to strengthen and uphold His children.  The illustration is literally one of a parent with a child.  The reason God holds our right hand with His left is that He is holding a weapon in His right hand.  He is our protector.  More than that, as He holds our right hand in His left, and wields a weapon in His right hand, He is defying anyone to separate His child from His hand!!

What an incredible picture.  We are little children who need help.  We need our fears alleviated.  Our Heavenly Father in perfect love and infinite strength extends His left hand to us.  He knows our needs.  He is not afraid of showing affection.  I am thankful that saying “I love you” and holding hands is a part of His family trait.

I don’t know what trials today may bring you.  I don’t know what battles you are fighting.  But I do know one thing, as a child of God you are not walking alone.  God is our helper.  Hand in hand we are traversing this earth with Him until He guides us safely home.  There we will gather around His throne and worship Him with all of the generations He has guided by the right hand.

As we gather around the throne with the saints, my guess is we’ll be holding hands.

So you better practice.  Today!!

Rend the Heavens

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64 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence—
2 as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble at your presence!
3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him. – Isaiah 64:1-4

Behold Your God

As the last snow of the season (I hope) has given way to springs first flowers, life “returns” to Mid-Michigan.  Brown lawns once again turn green.  Winter’s frozen air is thawed by the songs of robins.  The stingy oaks are finally dropping last years leaves to make room for this years.  As we say hello to Spring and all of it’s promises, we end another year of many church ministries until Fall rolls around once again.

This past year I have been blessed to be a part of a Small Group ministry using a study guide entitled, Behold Your God by Pastor John Snyder.  The study challenges us to “rethink God biblically” using a famous quote by A.W. Tozer as a springboard. The quote being, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

Obviously, what God thinks about us is more important than what we think about Him, but that is not the point here.  Like Tozer before him, Pastor Snyder wants to challenge us to remove the idols from our minds.  Those false impressions of the God of the Bible that we entertain because of ignorance or pride.

Behold Your God is a no-frills/no-nonsense Bible study.  If you want to be entertained or are looking for a self-help guide this study is not for you.  But if you want to put in a lot of work and be constantly challenged and convicted, look no further.  Each week, you are reminded of the chasm between yourself and a perfect God.  As Pastor Snyder likes to remind us, if we don’t understand the ugliness of sin and self, we’ll never truly understand the beauty of salvation.

Week after week you feel like you’re having a Job-like encounter with God, “I thought I knew you, but now that you have revealed yourself to me I see how wrong I was”.  As paradoxical as it may sound, our clearest visions of God are preceded by times of humility when we can only fall on our faces before Him.  Such humility is the soil for revival to take seed in.

Revival

As Christians, we often talk of two great hopes, revival and the return of Christ.  Throughout Church history, many great Christians such as Tozer, Loyd-Jones, Spurgeon, and others have longed for and prayed for revival.  Their love for Christ and their passion for His glory resulted in hours of fervent prayer before the God they worshiped and adored.  With a healthy “discontentment” they were not spiritually satisfied.  They tasted that the Lord was good (Psalm 34:8) and always wanted “more” of Him.

As he concludes his study, Pastor Snyder addresses revival.  Defining it as a special nearness of God.  Not a positional nearness but a relational one.  A special sense of the presence of God that diminishes everyone and everything else, putting them in their proper perspective.  A nearness that makes us question, how did I ever live without this?

Where are you at?  What God do you worship?  Is it truly the God of the Bible?  How is your relationship with Him?  Does it seem distant?  Do you recognize the ugliness of depravity and the love of God that saved you from its consequences?

How is your prayer life?  Are you praying for revival?  If so, are you praying for God to do a work in the hearts of others or your own?  Have you ever prayed along with Isaiah, that God might rend the heavens and come down?

Rend the Heavens

Isaiah’s prayer is one of passion and desperation.  A believing remnant finds themselves in exile as a consequence of their sins of idolatry and wickedness.  Now they are crying out to the God they have rejected to intervene on their behalf.

After reciting the mercy of the Lord, the prayer shifts to asking God to look down from heaven (Isaiah 63:15). But a mere look from Heaven will not suffice.  God’s presence is desired, hence the request, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down.”

Remember Isaiah’s vision of God recorded in chapter 6?  King Uzziah had died.  There was grief and there was uncertainty.  According to Second Chronicles, King Uzziah reigned for fifty-two years doing what was right in the sight of the Lord (although he did not end so well).  Uzziah was a powerful king who was now gone.  But God was still on His throne which is where Isaiah saw Him; “high and lifted up”.

When Isaiah saw the thrice Holy God, he was overwhelmed by his own uncleanness and that of his people.  So much so that he thought he was ruined.  How could he stand in the presence of such a Holy God?

Now this man who previously trembled in the presence of God is boldly praying for God to rend the heavens and come down.  As frightful as His presence may be, it is not as frightful as His “absence”.

I realize that as a child of God, we are always in His presence and indwelt with His Spirit, but do we live in relational “nearness” to Him?  Is intimate fellowship with the God of the Bible our greatest desire?

I believe the imagery of this prayer in Isaiah relates to us today.  We are exiles surrounded by unclean people too often content with our lukewarm spiritual condition.  We need revival.  We need to experience a new level of “nearness”.

We need to cry out to God to rend the clouds of sin that hinder our intimacy with Him just as He tore the barrier of the Temple curtain.  We need God to intervene in our lives as we work out our sanctification, purging our hearts and minds of the uncleanness Isiah was convicted of.  We won’t pray this prayer if we don’t have a clear vision of ourselves and a clearer vision of our Savior.

God, “rend the heavens” and give us such a vision.  Give us the hearts to desire such a prayer and the perseverance to pray it until it is granted or you take us home.

Thaw the winter of our hearts with Your nearness so we can live in perpetual Spring.

4 From of old no one has heard
or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
who acts for those who wait for him.

Should We Test God?

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36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, 37 behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.”38 And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water.39 Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” 40 And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. – Judges 6:36-40

Fleece or Faith?

How often have you heard a fellow Christian encourage another to discern the will of God by “laying out a fleece”?  Is this good advice?  I’m not so sure.  In my opinion, the temptation to lay out a fleece is similar to the echo of Eden, “Did God really say?”  Personally, I believe Gideon’s fleece test is not a sign of faith but lack thereof.  I acquiesce that it is important to discern the will of God, but testing Him by asking for a sign is another issue.

Background

Gideon lived during the difficult time of the Judges, when restraint was rare and evil abounded.  Judges chapter six begins by telling us that the people of Israel were practicing evil and the LORD gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.  As a consequence of the LORD’s discipline, their crops and livestock were ravaged by their enemies.  The text proceeds to tell us that as a result, the people were brought low (v. 6), which is a good place for sinners to be.  Finally, the people cried out to God for help.

God responded to the plea of the Israelites by sending them a prophet who reminded them of God’s faithfulness and their disobedience.  Despite His acts of mercy revealed in their deliverance from Egypt, the people responded by ignoring God’s voice (v. 10).  When the people cried out to God for deliverance from the Midianites, I’m not sure they expected to be answered by the rebuke of a prophet of God, but when suffering the consequences of our sins, what is more helpful than a call to repentance?

But the prophet’s rebuke was just the first step.  The prophet was succeeded by an angel of God who came to Gideon to raise him up to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites.  Gideon responds by questioning the angel, revealing a weakness in his faith that could not reconcile God’s promises and Israel’s current position.  If God is with us why are these bad things happening?  What happened to all of the miracles He showed our parents?  Instead of His presence and His power, God has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.

God had heard enough.  After hearing Gideon’s complaints God turns to him and commands him to save Israel from the hand of Midian.  Once again the character of Gideon is revealed.  How can I deliver these people?  My clan is the weakest and I am the least in my father’s house.  That’s the point, Gideon.  This is about God, not you.  God chooses the weak to carry out His plans.  He is not interested in sharing His glory.  But God does comfort Gideon, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man” (v.18).

Sadly, God’s promised presence wasn’t enough for Gideon.  Gideon’s faith needed a corroborating sign.  Accordingly, Gideon prepares a young goat and unleavened cakes and presents them to the angel of God.  Then the angel asked Gideon to take the meat and cakes and place them on a rock and pour broth over them.  Once Gideon had done so, the angel reached out the tip of his staff and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes.  Immediately, fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and cakes, and the angel vanished.

After this sign, God told Gideon to pull down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it and replace them with an altar to God.  When our jealous God calls us to repentance, the idols in our midst move be removed.  God is not interested in sharing our hearts or His glory.

However, afraid of his family and the townspeople, Gideon performed these tasks at night  Even Gideon’s eventual “obedience” showed a lack of faith.  Apparently, his fear of God was impeded by his fear of man.

Despite Gideon’s weaknesses, however, God was not giving up on him.  God called him a man of valor and was going to make him one.

The destruction of the idols incited the enemies of Israel.  It was time for a showdown.  The enemies who had tormented the Israelites by ravaging their crops and livestock were now uniting for battle.  Their gods had been insulted and Gideon was to blame.

After crossing the Jordan, Israel’s enemies camped in the valley of Jezreel.  “Clothed” by the Spirit of the LORD, Gideon sounded the trumpet to gather his army.  With the two armies gathered there was now just one remaining problem.  Was the salvation of Israel by the hand of Gideon really the will of God?  In a crisis of faith, Gideon once again asked God for a sign by laying out a fleece.  Not once but twice.

It is easy to look at Gideon’s fleece test and assume it is a pattern for us to follow.  But is it?  I give you this background history not to bore you but to give you the context which is always of vital importance.  My objective is not to be critical of Gideon, but to critically look at the text.

Signs or Sacrifice?

I have heard it said that because God honored Gideon’s requests instead of rebuking him that his action was honorable.  But isn’t it perhaps more likely that in honoring his request, the character of God should be exalted rather than the faith of Gideon?  How often is God long-suffering with us despite our frailties?  Perhaps instead of desiring to imitate Gideon’s fleece test, we should be encouraged to exalt the love and patience of his God.

Israel sinned against God and suffered for it.  When they were brought low they cried out to God.  God responded by sending them a prophet to prepare their hearts.  After the prophet, he sent an angel to prepare their “deliverer”.  Not content with the Word of God, signs were asked for.  Again and again.  Ultimately, how many signs does it take to convince us?  Gideon knew he was treading dangerous waters, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more.  Please let me test just once more with the fleece” (v. 39).

When Jesus, the incarnate Word was asked for a sign, His response was strong, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah”  (Matt. 16:4).  When Jesus told the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, He concluded with this haunting statement, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31).  Apparently, a weak faith doesn’t take God at His Word, but needs signs as well.  But I believe God wants us to respond to His Word by exercising faith not laying out a fleece.

In fairness to Gideon, we have two great advantages he didn’t; completed Scriptures and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  And for good measure, a clear command.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:1-2

Instead of laying out a fleece we need to sacrifice our bodies.  We don’t need a saturated fleece, we need to saturate our hearts and minds with the Word of God.  When we “know” it, we are to “test” it by obeying it.  If we are living in obedience to God’s Word, we will be living in His will; the realm of what is good, acceptable and perfect.

Gideon’s faith would eventually be commended in Hebrews chapter eleven.  While his specific act of faith is not mentioned, we are told that through faith some, “were made strong out of weakness” (v. 34).

Pretty amazing what a patient and loving God can do with someone who is humbly willing to obey His Word.  Do you believe it?

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” – Luke 11:28

A Nearing Salvation

Posted on by scott

 

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. – Romans 13:11

Sleeping?

Is anything easier than giving in to complacency?  Let’s be honest; after we’ve been around the block a few times we are more than familiar with the route.  Why not relax and let the cruise control take over.  We’ve “been there” and “done that” so many times we can do it in our sleep.  Or so we think.

But there is no checking out in the spiritual realm.  Slumber is not an option.  We don’t have the luxury of closing our eyes and coasting to the finish line.  As Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans, there is too much at stake.

Sacrifice

When it comes to the sinful nature of mankind and our need for a savior, Paul’s letter to the Romans is without equal.  Thankfully, Paul doesn’t just point out our sin problem, he also points us to the Savior.  Through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we experience the first component of salvation which we refer to as justification.  Despite the fact that we are sinners, God is willing to declare us as righteous because of the blood of Christ.  When we place our faith in Christ alone, God no longer sees our sins but rather the righteousness of Jesus who although sinless, bore the punishment for our sins on the cross.

But justification is just one part of God’s plan of salvation.  God not only justifies us, but He also sanctifies us.  He makes us holy.  He sets us apart.  In other words, He conforms us into the image of our Savior, Jesus Christ Himself.  Through the process of sanctification, God removes the “world” from us and replaces it with the “divine”.  Our sin is replaced with His Son.  Our flesh is replaced with His Spirit.  Our propensity to feed our pride is replaced with a desire to see Christ glorified.  God doesn’t just save us from, He saves us for.  Salvation isn’t a sinner’s insurance policy, it is a saint’s marching orders.

After covering a lot of doctrine in the first eleven chapters of this letter, Paul begins chapter twelve by urging us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God as a form of worship.  We are no longer to be conformed to the pattern of this world but rather we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Paul goes on to tell us that we are to humbly use our gifts in service to the body of Christ.  Service to be done in love and humility.

Signs

After encouraging us to serve, Paul then gives us some signs of a true Christian.  Our love is to be sincere.  We are to abhor evil and cling to what is good.  As Christians, we are to have a special love for one another and honor one another.  Rather than being slothful in zeal, we are to be fervent in spirit as we serve the Lord.  We are to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer.  We are to contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

If the above is too easy, Paul continues.  Instead of cursing those who persecute us we are to bless them.  We are to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  We are to live in harmony with one another.  Instead of making distinctions, we are to associate with all Believers.  We are not to be wise in our own sight.  Instead of repaying evil with evil, we are supposed to give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  As far as it is possible, we are to live peaceably with everyone.  Instead of avenging ourselves, we are to leave vengeance to God.  Instead of revenge, we are to care for our enemies.  Instead of being overcome by evil, we are to overcome evil with good.

Further, recognizing that government is from God, we are supposed to submit ourselves to our governing authorities.  God has given them the authority to reward and punish.  We are not to impede their God-ordained responsibilities.  Whether taxes, revenue, respect or honor, we are to pay those in authority what we owe them.

The only outstanding debt we are to have perpetually, is to love our fellow man.  Love not only covers a multitude of sins, it also fulfills the law.  If we truly love our neighbors, we will not wrong them.

And you thought you could go on Christian cruise control.  Not at all.

After all of these exhortations, Paul says you are aware of the time.  A new day is dawning.

WAKE UP!!!!

Now is no time for sleep, for salvation is nearer now than when you first believed.  In other words, Jesus is coming soon!!  When He returns, justification and sanctification will meet glorification.  At that time we will be completely rid of sin and conformed to the image of Christ.

Because the return of Christ is imminent there is no excuse for complacency.  Nor is there room for apathy.  We are to be working out our salvation in fear and trembling.  Take a look at Paul’s exhortations and ask yourself, are you sleepwalking in any of these areas?

Are you offering the members of your body as a living sacrifice?  Are you being transformed by the renewing of your mind or conformed by the world?  How are you doing in the area of serving in the body of Christ with your spiritual gifts?   Are you marked by a sincere love?  Do you abhor evil and are you clinging to what is good?  Would you better be described as slothful or fervent?  Are you rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation and constant in prayer?  Are you contributing to the needs of the saints and seeking to show hospitality?

Are you holding any grudges, or are you showing Christ-like love to your neighbors and enemies alike?  In sincerity do you weep with the sorrowful and rejoice with the joyous?  Are you able to live in harmony and associate with everyone or is it easier to make prejudices?  Are you wise in your own sight or seeking the wisdom from above?  Do you strive to live at peace with everyone?  Would you rather take revenge on your enemies or extend to them the love of Christ?

How is your attitude towards those in authority?  Do you recognize the fact that they are God’s agents or merely see them as your servants?  Are you more concerned with your monetary debts or with the love you “owe” your fellow man?

As I said earlier, God has saved us for a purpose.  Salvation implies a totally new way of living.  We have been given a new set of values and a new power to live them out.  Each day brings us one day closer to the return of our Savior in whose image we are being conformed.  It has been said, “Christians are not only to become what we are; we are also to become what we one day will be.”

May the nearing of our salvation motivate you and shake you from your spiritual complacency.

2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. – Revelation 3:2-3