Faith about food is practical faith…

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king’s food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (Daniel 1:8–16)

Whatever reasons people become vegan or vegetarians, I’ve never heard anyone quote this portion of the Bible. A little research offers these primary reasons:

Health because a well-planned vegetarian diet is naturally higher in fiber and lower in saturated fats and cholesterol compared to standard diets, a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, a lower body mass index (BMI) than meat-eaters, and to avoid added antibiotics, hormones, and chemical contaminants found in mass-produced meat.

Others have ethical and animal treatment concerns regarding the mass slaughter and unethical treatment of animals. Since the meat industry places a heavy toll on global resources, this can be an issue, as is resource consumption, greenhouse gas levels and water pollution.

While some religious groups refuse meat on the grounds of non-violence, and other people do not like the taste of meat, or just cannot afford it, few refuse some meats because OT biblical laws forbid some meats. Daniel wanted to obey God. His reasons were not about any of the above, and as always, God blessed him because of his desire to obey.

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. (Daniel 1:17–20)

These men had a huge impact in history. They were likely the source of what the magi did much later in following the star to Bethlehem.

Lately I’ve cut back on desserts. It is odd for me. I grew up on a farm and we always had dessert after a meal to the point that I’ve expected and even craved it, but now feel God is saying no desserts. I’m not sure why, but like Daniel, I want to obey Him.

Lord, I cannot justify stuffing myself with sugar-laden foods when it contributes to poor health with useless and even harmful calories. Your Word is for my protection and not to harm me. Besides, self-control is a fruit of Your Spirit. I lose it as soon as I say yes to what I don’t need and should not stuff down anyway. 

 


 
 

Forgiveness can be a challenge…

Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:22–28)

Years ago someone sinned against me and I struggled to forgive this person. Forgiveness is difficult enough, but that person would not acknowledge it, making it even more difficult. Finally God gave me the same thought expressed in the above passage — that God forgives for His own sake. It is who He is.

At that. I was able to forgive, for God’s sake but also for my own sake. He had given me a new heart and His Holy Spirit and forgiveness was part of that new nature. It had to be done for that reason.

The Lord adds to this and His words humble and bless my heart:

And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord God; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel. “Thus says the Lord God: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt. And the land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it. (Ezekiel 36:29–36)

If nothing else, these minor prophets show me what God is like, both holy and gracious. He loves His people but hates sin, not only because it hurts us and ruins our lives, but because it also defiles His Name. He is not like us, and if our sin is not forgiven and cleansed, we are not able to be like Him. Sin mars the image of this One who created us in His image. Many excuse it by inventing the idea we came from apes, yet others reveal it in incredible creativity and sometimes by extreme generosity. However, apes don’t build skyscrapers or invent artificial hearts or paint Sistine chapels, or fund orphanages and hospitals.

We are supposed to love, forgive, help the helpless, and display other God-like characteristics, not rob banks, shoot children, beat up our spouse, abuse, and slander, or do all that humans do that is not like our Creator. But we are not able to shed that selfishness of DIY effort. Only God can say:

Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:12–14)

He proved He could do this by coming here, dying for our sin then rising from the dead, the firstborn of many.

Jesus, because You lived and died to save me from my sin, I want to die to those old nature ways and honor You, live for You. Oh dear Lord, thank You.

 

Protected because God promises…

And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel, and say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God: Because the enemy said of you, ‘Aha!’ and, ‘The ancient heights have become our possession,’ therefore prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord God: Precisely because they made you desolate and crushed you from all sides, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, and you became the talk and evil gossip of the people, therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God: Thus says the Lord God to the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys, the desolate wastes and the deserted cities, which have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations all around, therefore thus says the Lord God: Surely I have spoken in my hot jealousy against the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave my land to themselves as a possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, that they might make its pasturelands a prey. Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel, and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I have spoken in my jealous wrath, because you have suffered the reproach of the nations. Therefore thus says the Lord God: I swear that the nations that are all around you shall themselves suffer reproach. (Ezekiel 36:1–7)

Reading the minor prophets is sometimes frightening, but mostly a comfort for it tells me what God is like in His holiness and in His faithfulness to His people. Here He declares to His prophet that no matter how badly the other nations treat them, He will not only deal with those nations, but also protect His people and cause them to prosper.

“But you, O mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon come home. For behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. And I will multiply people on you, the whole house of Israel, all of it. The cities shall be inhabited and the waste places rebuilt. And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will let people walk on you, even my people Israel. And they shall possess you, and you shall be their inheritance, and you shall no longer bereave them of children. Thus says the Lord God: Because they say to you, ‘You devour people, and you bereave your nation of children,’ therefore you shall no longer devour people and no longer bereave your nation of children, declares the Lord God. And I will not let you hear anymore the reproach of the nations, and you shall no longer bear the disgrace of the peoples and no longer cause your nation to stumble, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 36:8–15)

The NT says that all those who put their faith in God through His Son Jesus Christ are “Israel” and belong to Him. His new covenant includes these promises and adds even more. As I read and learn of what He tells Ezekiel, He speaks to me. No matter what I face in the hardships of life, or in the reproach of those who reject the good news of His redemption, He will prosper me and all who belong to His family through faith in His Son.

Jesus, You are my source of love, joy, peace, confidence, hope secured. When I die physically, I will live forever with You forever, made to be like You and never again experience the negatives of this life. You kept Your word to the Israelites, and You keep Your word to me. How amazing!

 
 

Protected even when disciplined…

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, and say to it, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you, and I will make you a desolation and a waste. I will lay your cities waste, and you shall become a desolation, and you shall know that I am the Lord. Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment, therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God, I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; because you did not hate bloodshed, therefore blood shall pursue you. I will make Mount Seir a waste and a desolation, and I will cut off from it all who come and go. And I will fill its mountains with the slain. On your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines those slain with the sword shall fall. I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities shall not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will take possession of them’—although the Lord was there— therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God, I will deal with you according to the anger and envy that you showed because of your hatred against them. And I will make myself known among them, when I judge you. And you shall know that I am the Lord. “I have heard all the revilings that you uttered against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They are laid desolate; they are given us to devour.’ (Ezekiel 35:1–12)

If I am reading this correctly, God is rebuking those who try to take advantage of His  people when they are experiencing His discipline. Such people hate the people of God so are not going to help or encourage them while they experience God's judgment, but instead use that time to hurt them even more.

This form of persecution still happens in the family of God. Those who are against Christian believers rejoice when we struggle, as if our situation proves to them that their unbelief is better than our faith. What can I do if this happens to me?

If their accusations are false that is one thing, but what if they are true? What if I sinned and God's correction became visible, even a thing for others to laugh at and put me down for doing such a thing?

If that happened to them, would they hide or deny or make excuses for it? If so, then I must openly admit my error and make no excuses. How can a anyone ruin me if I’m honest about getting what I deserve?

Making excuses is easier. I didn’t see it coming, or someone else is at fault. It is easy to plead ignorance than admit guilt.

I don’t know what happened in this OT situation, yet the passage says God was not happy with those who mess with His will. He may not expect our enemies to do the right thing or those who detest matters of faith to behave as if they did, but He rebukes them and warns them that He will make Himself known to them and will judge them.

This speaks to the reason behind His discipline of me. He will do it, but He will also protect me from anyone who is thinking how good it is to see me “finally get what she deserves” and smugly take advantage of what God is doing.

Jesus, so far this is an imaginary event yet if it were real, I can see it as a powerful statement of Your care for Your people even while You are rebuking us. Your discipline is given with love and for our good — but the harsh treatment of others is not motived by any goodness at all. May You grant discernment to see the difference so I can trust what You are doing and reject or dismiss the actions of those who want only to harm and hurt.

 

Don’t expect the pastor to do it all…

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, declares the Lord God, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. (Ezekiel 34:1–10)

Sadly, the words above could be said today about the shepherds who are supposed to be caring for their congregations. I could point out those whose appeals for money based on promises that God gives back more, and those who use false teaching for personal gain, or those who consider their work just a job. But finger-pointing can be just as sinful. What is God saying to me in this passage?

For one thing, the NT tells me to respect and honor spiritual leaders. Pray for and encourage them. If they err, privately address it with Bible and humility. I’m not a shepherd but I can feed sheep, encourage and strengthen them, tend the injured and seek those who have strayed. I can reach out to the lost and encourage other to do the same. I can also fight spiritual enemies with prayer and speaking truth to counter Satan’s lies.

I can also rebuke spiritual leaders, gently of course. When a granddaughter went to family camp with us, our pastor at the time was the main speaker. She liked what he said. After coming to church, she said to him, “How come you speak so well at camp and are such a lousy speaker at church?” While he seemed to try hard, he shared her remark with the congregation and apologized.

God Himself makes a promise about the needs of those missing out on the shepherding He intends for His people:

“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. (Ezekiel 34:11–16)

Not only that, He will judge the sheep for we are to take care of one another: “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep.”(Ezekiel 34:20–24)

Jesus, I’m glad that You are the Shepherd that takes care of us all, and who disciplines those who slack off. Help me to know and do my part and not ever think that the pastors should do it all.

Cannot hide sin…

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, the inhabitants of these waste places in the land of Israel keep saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he got possession of the land; but we are many; the land is surely given us to possess.’ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: You eat flesh with the blood and lift up your eyes to your idols and shed blood; shall you then possess the land? You rely on the sword, you commit abominations, and each of you defiles his neighbor’s wife; shall you then possess the land? Say this to them, Thus says the Lord God: As I live, surely those who are in the waste places shall fall by the sword, and whoever is in the open field I will give to the beasts to be devoured, and those who are in strongholds and in caves shall die by pestilence. And I will make the land a desolation and a waste, and her proud might shall come to an end, and the mountains of Israel shall be so desolate that none will pass through. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I have made the land a desolation and a waste because of all their abominations that they have committed. “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’ And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it. When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” (Ezekiel 33:23–33)

Our church is preaching a series on OT minor prophets. Last Sunday was Nahum and the pastor repeatedly stated that listening to the words of these prophets often make us uncomfortable. He showed also that the horrid sins they condemned were physical actions, yet Jesus later spoke of those same sins as being attitudes of the heart. In other words, if we just think adultery, or idolatry, or revenge, we are as guilty as those who act out their thoughts.
 I interact with one person who often frustrates me and I feel annoyed or even angry, but try not to express it. That sermon convicts me. So does this passage. However, my efforts require confession, not pretense. Hiding behind ‘being nice’ does not fool God.

Not only that, when unconfessed sin stirs me and I don’t deal with it, I cannot be filled with the Spirit — and therefore miss out on His input:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22–24)

I may not need to confess my anger to that other person as this person would not see it as my problem but apologize for it, but it is my sin, not hers. Making her feel guilty is not fair.

Lord Jesus, help me keep short accounts with You that my relationships with others are kept clear and without that selfish old nature always trying to have my way. Your will is always perfect and best for me and those around me.

Bondage of sin loses its appeal…

Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord. “Because you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel, when they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke and made all their loins to shake. Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush. No foot of man shall pass through it, and no foot of beast shall pass through it; it shall be uninhabited forty years. And I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the midst of desolated countries, and her cities shall be a desolation forty years among cities that are laid waste. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them through the countries. “For thus says the Lord God: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples among whom they were scattered, and I will restore the fortunes of Egypt and bring them back to the land of Pathros, the land of their origin, and there they shall be a lowly kingdom. It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations. And I will make them so small that they will never again rule over the nations. And it shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel, recalling their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.” ( )

When interpreting Scripture, it is important to consider the style used by each writer. Ezekiel wrote poetically and in figurative and symbolic language. This helps me understand this prophetic passage describing future events that have no record of ever happening. What if he is seeing Egypt as the old life of bondage and describing what will happen to that in the will of God?

Egypt ruled the people of God in a harsh way and that slavery was not the life He intended for them. However, being set free to worship their Creator was not always their response. The people set free often went back to that bondage through self-rule rather than obedience. Instead of destroying them, His plan is to destroy that realm and allow them to live in prosperity in this world with Egypt and all it represents. In Christ, that old life is a lowly force that no longer held them in bondage.

I might be stretching the image yet it is true. One day, when I see Jesus face-to-face I will be like Him — no longer trying to rule my own life or even be tempted to do that. The bondage of sin is defeated at the cross, and the result of God dealing with it means being set free from its power.

Jesus, while research does not back up this interpretation of the prophet’s words, experience does. Just thinking about all You have done and all that You are doing in my life produces a sense of lightness and joy. I do not live in that place of bondage to sin any longer because You made living there so small that its power to rule me is receding and losing its appeal. Thank You for all that You do to give me an abundant life.