The why of this mess?

The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.” So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they brought the ark of the God of Israel there. But after they had brought it around, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them. So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.” They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there. The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven. (1 Samuel 5:6–12)

Just prior to this, the Philistines defeated Israel and captured the Ark of God. They put it in a building that housed their idol, but the next day the idol had fallen face down before the Ark. They stood it up but the next day it fell again and its head and hands broke off. These people realized something greater than their idol was among them.

Nearly every day in world news there are tragic stories where people have died, fearful events like mudslides, floods, fires, horrendous accidents, deadly weather, and the like. Most people react with concern, pity, outrage, or sorrow. Many will apply for aid — and get it, but stories of suffering never end.

I’ve wondered if God is behind it with a heavy hand? Entire cultures or people groups have rejected Him. Is He wanting their attention? Their fear of Him? Or do we who preach the love of God assume that good news will soften hard hearts?

I cannot surmise, guess, or assume anything, but from OT stories like this one, and from personal experiences, I know that He can make Himself known to those who mock Him with their superstitions, idols, and notions that they can overpower Him or His people with the power of their so-called gods. 

Even though we are to share the love of Christ, would sharing His wrath agains sin make a difference? even in the weather? Some say simply being thankful would change the world. 

Jesus, I know the stubbornness in my own lazy heart, even with You in my life and the power of the Holy Spirit to bring in love, peace, joy, and all goodness. Those who do not know You cannot live that way and many only turn to You when horrid things happen. I don’t blame people, even leaders, fate, bad luck, or global warming for tragic events that are the result of fists being shook in Your face. But I also do not blame God for ignoring the cries of those who refuse to receive His grace.

God honors those who fear Him

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. (1 Samuel 3:10–21)

This event took place while Samuel was still a boy. I can’t imagine having the courage to tell the high priest what God told him, but he did. Eli knew his error with his sons and his reply indicates he’d learned his lesson. Nevertheless, this man seemed to accept his fate.

One commentary says that if a believer fails and yet repents from his sin, forgiveness is there, but so might be a dreaded consequence. Eli submitted to what seems good to God. I’m not sure I’d have the courage to do that either. He lost every good thing he had. 

However, the law indicates that sin can be deliberate and with awareness, or unintentional. The OT says: “Then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there.” (Numbers 35:11) Since this provision was made for what we now call manslaughter, this indicates God looks at the heart as much as He sees the deed. Did Eli repent? Or did he simply accept this consequence of failing to discipline his sons? A verse from Solomon’s proverbs says:

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. (Proverbs 21:27)

As a Christian with knowledge of God's love and mercy, this kindness tends to be our focus, yet even the NT says these things: 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, (Philippians 2:12)
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. (Colossians 3:22)
As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. (1 Timothy 5:20)
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

Eli sinned by giving his sons no rebuke for ignoring God rather than giving Him respect, honor, reverence — and paid the price.

Jesus, honoring You is not only right, but logical. I can say, with thousands of angels, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)

Blessings for obedience?

And there came a man of God to Eli and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Did I indeed reveal myself to the house of your father when they were in Egypt subject to the house of Pharaoh? Did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? I gave to the house of your father all my offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded for my dwelling, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. Then in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men. And this that shall come upon your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, shall be the sign to you: both of them shall die on the same day. And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I will build him a sure house, and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. And everyone who is left in your house shall come to implore him for a piece of silver or a loaf of bread and shall say, “Please put me in one of the priests’ places, that I may eat a morsel of bread.” ’ ” (1 Samuel 2:27–36)

The Bible says no one can earn their salvation. However, both OT and NT are clear that there is blessing for those who obey God. This is true, not because the blessing is earned, but because living as God tells us IS the blessing. His ways cause life to be different than does living as I think best cannot do.

In other words, if I ignore God, the consequences will not be pleasing. That is why He tells me not to ignore Him. This is a bit like telling a child not to touch the stove. If that child does it anyway, the pain is not punishment; it is the result of that choice.

Eli did not discipline his sons and they did not respect him or the Lord. They suffered the consequences. As a wise preacher said, “You are free to make choices but you cannot choose the consequences.”

The matter could be about this life’s events and small or long-lasting. Or it could be about choosing to obey God with far-reaching consequences. Eli was not lost because he disobeyed or saved because he obeyed. However his life and family destiny were changed. He lost his sons and whatever heritage he may have otherwise had. How sad, and yet for little Samuel, his life was never the same… 

Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. (1 Samuel 3:9) And he did what he was told. And he was blessed.

Jesus, You remind me of regrets and second chances, of Your desire that I do what You ask for my own good, and the importance of taking You seriously. You can show mercy regarding the selfishly-made consequences, but You have the wisdom and the right to make those choices.

 

Ultimate sacrifice…

The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the Lord the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the Lord and dwell there forever.” Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the Lord establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. (1 Samuel 1:21–28)

How can I not think of God’s ultimate sacrifice when reading about Hannah giving up her only son. She prayed for him and God gave him to her and she gave him back to God. This points to God giving up His only son. I cannot assume the full reasons behind her sacrifice except that Eli’s sons were worthless men, unfit to serve the Lord or even obey their father. 
But little Samuel was not like that. Instead, “the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.” (1 Samuel 2:26) Early in life, he pointed to the One who would come.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

I often sing “Oh to be like Thee” with descriptions of the Lord such as blessed, pure, sweet, compassionate, loving, forgiving, tender, kind, helping, cheering, lowly in spirit, holy, harmless, patient, brave, enduring reproaches, and willing to suffer. All this for the sake of sinners. Sometimes I ask myself if I really want to be like Jesus. I try to sing it like a prayer, willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Or would I rather be comfortable?

Do many Christians sing such a song without realizing what we are asking? Like Hannah? She gave the most precious gift from God back to Him. For me, it is more like “the most precious gifts” including my loved ones, abilities, comforts too. Little Samuel was willing to listen and do what God asked of Him. Am I? 

Jesus, some days that kind of yielding is easy, but not always. The Father was willing to give You up that sinners like me could be forgiven and live. To be like You means to say yes to whatever You ask. Some days that kind of yielding is difficult but Your goal is to use all things for good — to transform me into being like You, even if the process is painful. Keep my thoughts on being like You, no matter what. I know my tendency to protest. 

Beware of making assumptions

On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” (1 Samuel 1:4–16)

The Canadian hockey team lost the Olympic gold medal game in the early part of overtime. Cameras went to the face of the team captain and his sorrow. Last night, that same player got a last minute tripping penalty and the opposition scored to win the game. Again, the cameras went to his face. Was he overcome by those two losses? Was he upset at his own failures? Was he thinking of four more years to try for gold again? Was he sad that he let his own team down by that penalty? 

When I tell a story, I notice that many times my listeners respond to it as they would if the same thing happened to them. Because I have the peace of God as a Christian, many times my responses are foreign to unsaved people. They are trying to relate to me, give me sympathy, or in some way identify what I’m going through, but many of those responses sound like an attempt to change the subject, or reveal they have no clue about how I think.

Elkanah responded to his weeping wife as if she had no one to love, and forget he was there for her. He didn’t understand her sorrow at all. The other wife did. That gave her more power to mock and hurt her.

Eli didn’t get it either. He saw her silent lips moving and for reasons unknown, he thought she was drunk, a total insult to her broken heart. Whatever caused this assumption, he insulted her instead of giving her comfort, at least until she explained her sorrow.

From Hannah to hockey player, I can see the folly of assuming meaning without first asking questions, yet from watching reporters say, “How does that make you feel?” I realize I can also make assumptions. That question annoys me because it seems to ignore the obvious, but the obvious that I see may totally miss the mark.

I’ve dozens of personal examples, enough to make me realize that I need to be more careful. A pastor tells of assuming the weeping women in the front row was was deeply affected by his sermon, but when he asked her about her tears, she said that her cat died that morning!

Jesus, I do not read minds or know human hearts like You do. Help me remember to ask questions and not make assumptions — as if I know more than I really know.

 

Doing justice is not about getting even…

So the people of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. The men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin, because they trusted the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah. Then the men in ambush hurried and rushed against Gibeah; the men in ambush moved out and struck all the city with the edge of the sword. Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city the men of Israel should turn in battle. Now Benjamin had begun to strike and kill about thirty men of Israel. They said, “Surely they are defeated before us, as in the first battle.” But when the signal began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven. Then the men of Israel turned, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them. Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel in the direction of the wilderness, but the battle overtook them. And those who came out of the cities were destroying them in their midst. (Judges 20:36–42)

Judges is not a fun read. Even a love for justice was overcome by human passion to those guilty of outrageous sin in the lives of people belonging to God. Too many times the text says, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” In this pursuit of justice for the sins of one tribe, the other people of Israel fell into a sinful passion and destroyed many of their kinsmen.

Eighteen thousand men of Benjamin fell, all of them men of valor. And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. Five thousand men of them were cut down in the highways. And they were pursued hard to Gidom, and 2,000 men of them were struck down. So all who fell that day of Benjamin were 25,000 men who drew the sword, all of them men of valor. But 600 men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon and remained at the rock of Rimmon four months. And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire. (Judges 20:44–48)

in the beginning, they were indignant at a great wrong and the dishonor done to the Lord. Those feelings were righteous and commendable with no reason to ignore them. However, their pure indignation became anger at the opposition to themselves, and instead of seeking justice against sin, their motive became a  blood-thirsty madness to defend themselves rather than the name of God. 

And so it is today in war, politics, and private quarrels. We can begin by being in the right, yet the original cause is often lost sight of in the process of the strife. New jealousies, hostilities, resentments, and violent feelings spring up, take possession, and instead of justice, we become a problem rather than a solution. One writer says it well: If I take it upon myself to stick up for right against wrong, I need to be very careful that no other passions mix in with the indignation against sin that comes from God.

I’m to be very zealous for right against wrong, for truth against falsehood, but be without favoritism. No matter who needs a rebuke, it must be pure and a simple zeal for God’s honor and glory, His law and His truth. Only this can make itself felt and not injure others or myself as I must serve God in truth and with with a calm, steadfast opposition to wrong, by my words or deeds. 

Jesus, Your zeal for Your Father’s honor was a consuming fire; but it went hand in hand with inexhaustible patience and gentleness towards sinners. Your severest rebukes sprang from Your hatred for sin. Your protest against wrong is as gentle as it is firm. This is what You desire from me, words that honor You yet with love and repentance in mind, not pain nor total outrage. I am also a sinner, not superior to anyone. I’m to be humble and without scorn, and must always be seeking Your honor and glory.

Love your enemies?

And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, “I came to Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. And the leaders of Gibeah rose against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They meant to kill me, and they violated my concubine, and she is dead. So I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, for they have committed abomination and outrage in Israel. Behold, you people of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here.” 
And all the people arose as one man, saying, “None of us will go to his tent, and none of us will return to his house. But now this is what we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot. . . .  (and) repay Gibeah of Benjamin for all the outrage that they have committed in Israel.” 
So all the men of Israel gathered against the city, united as one man. And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, “What evil is this that has taken place among you? Now therefore give up the men, the worthless fellows in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and purge evil from Israel.” 
But the Benjaminites would not listen to the voice of their brothers, the people of Israel. Then the people of Benjamin came together out of the cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the people of Israel. And the people of Benjamin mustered out of their cities on that day 26,000 men who drew the sword, besides the inhabitants of Gibeah, who mustered 700 chosen men. . . .  all these were men of war. The people of Israel arose and went up to Bethel and inquired of God, “Who shall go up first for us to fight against the people of Benjamin?” 
And the Lord said, “Judah shall go up first.” . . . . 
(Judges 20:1–28)

The people of Benjamin came out of Gibeah and destroyed on that day 22,000 men of the Israelites. This happened again, but the third time, after prayer and fasting, and offerings to the Lord, they asked again and the Lord said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will give them into your hand.” 

Last night our home group were asked what quality of God we would emphasize: His kindness or His sternness? Most said His kindness as shown in Jesus Christ rather than His sternness as seen in this narrative in Judges. However, I thought of Jesus overthrowing the money-changers tables in the NT and the several times His anger was expressed. God is both gracious showing mercy, yet holy and displaying His outrage at sin. 

Romans 11 tells how He uses even the sin of the Jews to show mercy to the Gentiles, and the faith of the Gentiles to reach the Jews. Then Paul declares, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

It seems contrary to God's love and mercy to pit one tribe of His people against another, yet His attitude toward sin shows up in Judges, just as it shows up in the NT at the cross where His outrage against sin combined with mercy for sinners tell me that God is both. We would not realize His kindness if we didn’t know His outrage.

Jesus, You hate sin so much and love sinners so much that the only thing to do was take our sin upon Yourself and die for it so that we could escape its grasp. Your mercy is meaningless without realizing how badly we need it.