Only One Lord

When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. But they forgot the Lord their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. And they cried out to the Lord and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.’ 
And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the Lord your God was your king. And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the Lord has set a king over you. If you will fear the Lord and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well. 
But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you and your king. Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the Lord will do before your eyes. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the Lord, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking for yourselves a king.” So Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. (1 Samuel 12:8–18)

Last night a Christian woman from another country said that there only poor people went to church and served the Lord. She was surprised to see that here, many church goers are well off, at least in comparison to her home. While wealth is relevant, we agreed it can be an idol and is a barricade to faith. The NT even says that the love of it is the root of all evil.

These OT people had another idol. Instead of wanting to love and obey God, they were willing to follow a “get ourselves a king” movement:

And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the Lord your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” (1 Samuel 12:19–25)

This indicates that we can have human leaders but they do not overrule our God. And yet no one wants be in trouble with their government. How often do we need to make a choice? Jesus, it seems our leaders are separating Christians from "law-abiding" citizens by labeling some of our beliefs as evil, even a crime. How we need courage and endurance as we follow You. 

 

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.

 

A long, sad story. . . .

So 600 men of the tribe of Dan, armed with weapons of war, set out. . . . and came to the house of Micah. . . .  Then the five men who had gone to scout out the country of Laish said to their brothers, “Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved image, and a metal image? Now therefore consider what you will do.”. . . . And the five men who had gone to scout out the land went up and entered and took the carved image, the ephod, the household gods, and the metal image, while the priest stood by the entrance of the gate with the 600 men armed with weapons of war. . . .   And the priest said to them, “What are you doing?” And they said to him, “Keep quiet; put your hand on your mouth and come with us and be to us a father and a priest. Is it better for you to be priest to the house of one man, or to be priest to a tribe and clan in Israel?” And the priest’s heart was glad. He took the ephod and the household gods and the carved image and went along with the people. So they turned and departed, putting the little ones and the livestock and the goods in front of them. When they had gone a distance from the home of Micah, the men who were in the houses near Micah’s house were called out, and they overtook the people of Dan. And they shouted to the people of Dan, who turned around and said to Micah, “What is the matter with you, that you come with such a company?” And he said, “You take my gods that I made and the priest, and go away, and what have I left? How then do you ask me, ‘What is the matter with you?’ ” And the people of Dan said to him, “Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows fall upon you, and you lose your life with the lives of your household.” Then the people of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his home. But the people of Dan took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire. . . .  And the people of Dan set up the carved image for themselves, and Jonathan the son of Gershom, son of Moses, and his sons were priests to the tribe of the Danites until the day of the captivity of the land. So they set up Micah’s carved image that he made, as long as the house of God was at Shiloh. (Judges 18:11–31)

Reading this result of worshiping idols makes my heart heavy. All this did for them was conflict and murder. Their gods did not do for them what the true God does for His people. This truth is repeated dozens of times in the OT and the NT:

“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has he not given you peace on every side? For he has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and his people. (1 Chronicles 22:18)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:3)
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Knowing inner peace is the epitome of the peace God gives. It is a peace that does not depend on circumstances but on a faith relationship with Him.

A current example of the need for peace in human hearts is on this week’s daily news. Gangs are destroying parts of Mexico and putting terror in the hearts of many who live or are vacationing there. Both those burning vehicles and buildings, and the people hiding in their hotels need the peace of God. What gods are they worshiping? 

And I need this amazing peace too, even just watching this violence on the news.

Jesus, You are the Prince of peace. You said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27) How we need You to give us this inner peace so that our world can experience the freedom of no more conflict. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

Keep away from idols…

There was a man of the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Micah. And he said to his mother, “The 1,100 pieces of silver that were taken from you, about which you uttered a curse, and also spoke it in my ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it.” And his mother said, “Blessed be my son by the Lord.” And he restored the 1,100 pieces of silver to his mother. And his mother said, “I dedicate the silver to the Lord from my hand for my son, to make a carved image and a metal image. Now therefore I will restore it to you.” So when he restored the money to his mother, his mother took 200 pieces of silver and gave it to the silversmith, who made it into a carved image and a metal image. And it was in the house of Micah. And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:1–6)

This one stumped me until I read the last line and the consequences. So far, most of the “therefore” passages have been consequences that had some virtue in them, but not this one. It reminded me of a radio preacher who told someone that she could choose whatever she wanted but she could not choose the consequences.

Micah later took in a traveller who claimed to be a “Levite” but may not have been. Eventually Micah paid him to be his priest, thinking that the Lord would prosper him because he had is own priest. In the above passage, he also had stolen money from his mother, paid it back, and she used part of it to make idols. He had a shrine and ordained one of his sons to be his priest. The Word of God describes all this as “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

Our world still has that happening. We watch leaders making moves that seem right to them and appalling to their people. Or the people go along with it because “it seems right” only to later moan because of the results.

This OT book is describing modern times, both politically and spiritually. There are hundreds, even thousands of belief systems and according to the Word of God, all but one of them is “doing what is right in their own eyes.” Even those who claim to be Christian think that salvation is a matter of doing “good works” and even having their own priests.” I talked with a cult member this week who boasts of numbers and having the right heart, yet his Savior is his organization and not Jesus. Did he ever hear Jesus say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”? (John 14:6)

The world is full of idols, not always carved or made of metal. Some show up in what motivates life:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

John ended this letter with warnings to test the spirits and finished with these words: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)

Jesus, we got up early to watch a sporting event involving our country, but I’ve no intention of making an idol out of this or anything but You. I may miss the first part of the game, but spending time with You means being an overcomer, a winner. I shudder at stealing money from a family member, or giving it back so they could make idols, or considering anyone my priest but You. Yet I know these dangers and thank You for the saving power to say no to such worship. Thank You for loving me into Your kingdom.

Nothing is impossible with God

And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:1–5)

This barren woman was startled, even fearful, when told by an angel that she would have a son and not an ordinary son. He would begin to defeat Israel’s most powerful enemy, the Philistines. It would be a long battle. After many defeats and efforts, they were ultimately subdued by King David around 1000 BC but continued to exist as a distinct group until that came to an end around 604 BC when Nebuchadnezzar finished their existence as a culture. However, since the name of Palestine comes from their name, perhaps the desire of that earlier enemy for Israeli land still exists.

As I read the above passage for personal application, two responses produced two emotions. One is that God prepared this woman to raise a child who would be a fighter for God. Sometimes his methods were wild and got him into trouble. He eventually died, taking with him many of those enemies. I know a bit about how she would feel as she watched him grow up and how God used him do those things he did. 

While some believe this is folklore, at least one researcher says, “the stories portray Yahweh working secretly, through human actions, with all their ambiguity, and openly, in direct answer to prayer, to defeat Israel’s enemies and the enemies’ god.” 

I tend to agree. I’ve also seen God use seemingly idiotic things like having sinful people deal with sinful people. I cannot judge God by the actions of such people. He had a plan and picked a most unlikely person to fulfill it. The NT backs this up.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–31)

My other response is that I was told how to raise my children, but as a new Christian did not realize how foolish it was to think that my way would be just as good. I’m thankful that they live decent lives and do good, but regret not paying closer attention to the Lord. At the same time, I know that He can do whatever He wants with anyone’s life, so am able to trust Him with my family, including grandchildren and great grandchildren. That means my regrets always need to be replaced by trust. Manoah and his wife were not perfect parents, and Sampson was a far from perfect son, but God did what He wanted and blessed them anyway.

Jesus, I know how easily I can slip from faith to thinking I can earn Your favor (or miss it) by the way that I live. This is the biggest error of sin — supposing that “if I only knew better” would make me better instead of remembering that Your blessings are neither earned or deserved.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8–10)

 

History does not need to keep repeating itself…

And the Ammonites crossed the Jordan to fight also against Judah and against Benjamin and against the house of Ephraim, so that Israel was severely distressed. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have forsaken our God and have served the Baals.” 
And the Lord said to the people of Israel, “Did I not save you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the Ammonites and from the Philistines? The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you, and you cried out to me, and I saved you out of their hand. Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.” 
And the people of Israel said to the Lord, “We have sinned; do to us whatever seems good to you. Only please deliver us this day.” So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the Lord, and he became impatient over the misery of Israel. (Judges 10:9–16)

For months I’ve been thinking that the Lord is saying to this world the same thing He said to His OT people. They turned from His care and did their own thing, then ran into trouble and cried out to Him. He said they thought they had ways and means to live well without Him so He refused to bail them out.

Many in this era have ignored God, even insist that He does not exist. And as we watch things fall apart, it seems God is saying a similar thing: “You want to run your own lives? Let’s see how that works for you.”

The Israelites were distressed, but at least they recognized why they were having problems. They confessed their sin and begged God to deliver them. Were they sincere? Or were they trying to manipulate God? Only God knows motivations and the heart, but He took pity on them and sent a deliverer. However, the narrative of Judges revealed how this scenario kept repeating itself as the people “did what was right in their own eyes.”

And this history keeps repeating itself. The only way to have a genuine change of this cycle is true repentance which involves a change of mind and heart regarding sin. It is not merely saying I’m sorry because I got caught or was facing the consequences. However, it is also a gift from God, not something I can do apart from His mercy.

When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18)
Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

While God tells us to repent, I know from personal experience that I might feel sorry for sinning, but any change of life is not a “work” that I can do to earn favor with God. If I could turn from sin, I would not need Jesus. He said, "Repent and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15), indicating that recognizing my need for a Savior is the first step toward receiving God's mercy. This requires faith in what Jesus has done to secure my redemption.

Repentance is also a lifestyle and the key to spiritual growth. The NT makes clear that Christians are delivered from the penalty of sin, yet all our lives God is at work to deliver us from the power of sin — and repentance is part of that process.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1 John 1:7–2:1)

When first saved, my mentor had me do a Bible study on sin. God revealed so much of it, and keeps revealing it. I am not fully like Jesus, yet that is His goal. If I sin and merely make excuses, or ignore it, or try to explain it away, then I am throwing a monkey wrench into the transformation process.

Jesus, You died to save me from the biggest sin of trying to live my own life without You. You live to transform me into Your image (Romans 8:28-29) and repentance is so vital to make that transformation possible. Help me to always be honest with You regarding sin and thankful to You for the gift of repentance.

Is there good news in bad news?

When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field. Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city. And when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you may do to them as your hand finds to do.” (Judges 9:30–33)

When a leader becomes evil and angers God, there are usually others who support them anyway. Just reading the world news shows this is still true. Zebul gave Abimelech what he thought was good advice. It was followed and with ‘success’ in that this man destroyed many people. However. God used his decisions to destroy him.

Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it. But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in, and they went up to the roof of the tower. And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. (Judges 9:50–57)

As I read and listen to current events, this OT story helps me to pray. I do not know the will of God but I do realize that many ‘leaders’ are making decisions that destroy people and the places where they live. Will God turn their own decisions against them? It is possible, and stories like this one give me confidence that God can use anything to serve His purposes. Even in the deaths of many, is He turning people to faith in Him? We hear those things, but not in mainline news. 

Sadly, even Christian news websites focus mainly on bad news rather than the greatest good news of all. Instead of glorifying the Lord, many of the stories are about the failures of humanity and of Christians to live for Christ, or about liberal groups that do not promote the gospel at all. Could these mean that His return is near? I don’t know, but all of it burdens my heart to pray more.

Yet You know, Jesus, the difficulties I’m having with prayer. It seems the hardest work of all, especially because I’d rather do just about anything else. Keep at me and block the discouragement and distractions. Help me see that the size of the needs are nothing compared to the power and grace of You.

When marking my x at the polls…

Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’ “Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him as his deeds deserved— for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian, and you have risen up against my father’s house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.” 
And Jotham ran away and fled and went to Beer and lived there, because of Abimelech his brother. 
Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. And the leaders of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountaintops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. (Judges 9:14–25)

This is a parable telling how choosing an unworthy person to be a leader is not a good idea. It is difficult to understand the details of this narrative, but various authors helped me see:

• A lowly bramble could destroy a noble cedar, just as the lowly-born Abimelech could ruin the lords of Shechem.
• We must not be deceived into judging the fitness of a man for any post by the eagerness with which he seeks it. 
• For myself, I need to never be motivation by self-seeking in any part of life. This is a low and dangerous sin that will bring harm to me and dishonor the Lord.
• But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (James 3:14–16)
• Weakness is better than selfish power as it encourages trusting in God’s strength. 
• Better have no king than a bad king. As a good government is the first blessing of a nation, so a bad government is its greatest curse. 
• Entering blindly into needless obligations will open eyes when these activities begin   to cause harm. 
• It is easier to confer power than to withdraw it from an ambitious person. 
• There is one King under whose leadership all people can be secure and rest: 

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. (Isaiah 11:1–5)

Jesus was mocked as King of the Jews, yet Revelation 1:5 calls Him “the ruler of kings on earth” who is seated on an eternal throne. Blessed are those who have positions of authority and who listen to this One who rules over them. 

Lord and King Jesus, ‘kings’ who do not listen to You are obvious, yet You are King and can use their decisions for Your purposes. You can set kings up and take them down. May leaders in this world fear You and pay attention to Your Word. May “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” This pleases You because You desire all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

When Less is More…

Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’ ” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained. And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” (Judges 7:1–4)

Imagine a congregation of 32,000 people being attacked by an enemy bent on destroying them. They are eager to win this battle but more than half of them went home. Was it because they were “fearful and trembling”? Not according to the Lord who sees the heart. He was aware of their tendency to take credit for what God had done. He knew the reason; they were afraid of losing. 

This translates to fear that God was not big enough to deal with this enemy? And I remember the NT verse that says “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

After that the Lord reduced Gideon’s army to 300 men who passed His unusual test of how they drank water. These went against “The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.” (Judges 7:12)

God is asking me to pray for what seems to me a huge issue and a large number of people. Me? Is there anyone else? Has He recruited an army or just me? My hubby sees the need so he is praying? Are we the only ones? 

I can pray for wars on the other side of the world and for cult members and large groups, and I often say, “We have a big God” and He is. Perhaps this one seems  more challenging because it involves people I can see and touch, people I’ve had meals with and spent time with. In any case and no matter how often I try to put it in God's hands, He tells me to keep praying.

Jesus, persistence in prayer is a challenge for ADHD me. I get distracted by what I think is easier to pray about rather than stick to the problem at hand. Grant me a heart that cares and pray with increased desire to see You work a miracle in this situation.

In a war…

When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.” Then the men of the town said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.” But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.” Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar. (Judges 6:28–32)

This week God opened my eyes to a serious problem in Christian lives. As I realize the importance of glorifying the Lord in all that happens, I’m also seeing how so many speak of their accomplishments as if they did it without Him. Maybe they did. Or maybe they take the praise that should be offered Him. Whatever is happening, it feels like the Holy Spirit is punching my stomach.

I’m hearing the Lord telling me to make this a matter of serious prayer because this is spiritual war. At that, I’m faltering and the above passage gives a glimpse at why. When anyone goes after false gods, the enemy will contend and try to stop them. But this enemy is not easily routed. The NT gives rules for war:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20)

I cannot do this in my own strength. In fact, that counters the very lie that I pray against, the lie that so many fall for without even realizing it. This enemy is not other people. Even that is another lie that messes with Christian soldiers who are at war. These enemies use it to get us upset with one another instead of their tactics.

I need to wear the armor God gives me: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace with God, faith as my shield so God is not doubted, the helmet of salvation to keep my head from the lies to counter that reality, and wielding the sword of the Spirit — the Word of God. Bible truth, His righteousness, remembering the purpose of the Gospel, not deviating from what God says when bombarded by the enemies’ weapons.

The liar tells me stuff like: “You are too old for this” or “You will have time for nothing else” or “This will drain you” or “You really don’t know what you are doing.” And Jesus merely says, “Just do it.”

My role is not proclamation but prayer that God's people will hear Him, listening and obeying with all their heart, but also accepting their own weakness and if they are relying on Christ, they will say so rather than speak as if all their blessings are their own doing. That could mean hard trials for them and for me, but also gentle nudges. Most of all, it means trusting God myself as I pray.

Jesus, You keep showing me Your power and challenging me to share Your glory when I talk with others. I cannot want this obedience for others without doing it myself. This means tearing down the altars of false gods and contending with them and who knows what that could mean. I’m even feeling much like a new recruit with a task way too large for me.

Choosing the right god…

And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. So the land had rest for forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died. (Judges 3:7–11)

The world news troubles me. So do local events. The Bible speaks of God's power through His people, but sometimes His people are crippled by fear, anger, personal loss, and a host of life’s responsibilities and distractions that we neglect to plug in to God for His instruction and guidance.

When talking with other Christians, I often hear about their problems. That is okay for I consider listening and caring is important, but I also consider their words as prayer requests, even if they are not given with that designation.

That lack bothers me because it seems as if the people with the problems have forgotten the power and love of our great God. In the above passage, this was happening and God was not happy about their lack of faith in Him. I could pray that He grant them greater ability to trust Him, but that is not what He does about their need. Instead, He sends them into captivity. Interesting is that the meaning of Cushan-rishathaim is “double-trouble.” After years of more stress under this enemy, He raised up one person to get them out of their mess.

Othniel’s name comes from a root word meaning “force of God” which honors the One who sent him. This one man went to war and overcame double-trouble. Like much of what God does, we are not told how this happened, but it did, and the people had rest for forty years.

The NT passage that comes to mind is this one:

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:1–10)

The problem in both passages is God's people serving other gods. In the OT it was the Baals and Asheroth. In the NT it is the world and its fleshy and selfish desires. We may get along nicely for a little while but if motivated by the old nature a long time and as a group, it will eventually wind up as a form of slavery — fighting with one another — unless God raises up someone who honors Him.

Jesus is the force of God to save us from ourselves. And if we neglect Him. We will wind up in slavery to our troubles. Yet in grace, He still fights to set us free. My option is: Have my way and run my life accordingly, or fight alongside Him in prayer for God's will to be done — in my life  and in those who are serving the god of self. That could include a few years of slavery to make it happen, but after that — peace.

Jesus, I see You neglected by many Christians who have not yet humbled themselves to Your Lordship or live according to Your direction and voice. Their goals and aspirations are worldly and I know how easy it is to fall into wanting the wrong things. I tremble at the responsibility of stepping out of this sin and as an Othniel, going to war as Ephesians 6 describes our war against false gods, so that Your people can have peace, yet if this is what You want, grant me all that I need to be faithful.

Promises, promises

I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’ “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 
Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods, for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” 
But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 
And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the Lord.” 
Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” 
And they said, “We are witnesses.” 
He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 
And the people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.” 
So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem. (Joshua 24:13–25)

This conversation sounds familiar to me. How many times have I wanted to do the right thing, failed, made a promise never to do that again, but did? Yet best intentions and trying harder do not work.

This morning, my hubby and I talked about shared experiences where we admitted our sins AND our helplessness. Instead of promising to do better, or ‘never again’ we knew that was folly and admitted only our inability and weakness — only to realize over time that sin was no longer happening in our lives. How did that happen?

We agreed is that no one wants to feel useless or helpless. We want to be able to do the right thing, but as Joshua said, we are not able to serve the Lord — not in our own strength or initiative or ability. Instead of saying “I can do it” — the only way to be able to do anything well is plead with the Lord not to remove our weakness but to help us embrace it:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

Often we say that God's ways are not our ways, and these verses make that clear. I ask to be powerful and He asks me to admit I am not. He asks me to do the impossible when I ask for power. but the secret to being able is admitting that I’m not able and never will be on my own. Most certainly, His ways are not mine.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

Jesus, You are teaching me something many others think is sheer nonsense. You want me to pray for Your strength as I realize my weakness, but not in despair but in joy because I know You will surprise and even shock me with the wonder of how You answer those prayers. How glad I am that I can’t do a thing without You. 

Praise God, not me…

And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you. Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you. (Joshua 23:3–13)

Before opening my Bible, I sing worship songs. Today, one of them was “Count Your Blessings” and this reading tells me how to lose them and how to retain them.

Losing them has been easy. Disobedience does it. So does being more aligned with the goals and ideals of this world than with God. Instead of clinging to Him, if I think those gods are more important, or even if I assume I can be ‘godly’ by my own efforts, the blessings slip away. Not that they are gone completely, but my ability to enjoy them or even count them alludes me. I’m thinking more about what I don’t have than what I do have.

Last night someone told me of presenting an unusual solution to a difficult problem. He was surprised that it was accepted and that it worked. I asked what would happen if no one wanted to try it. He said that he would have to come up with something else.

In my life, when no one listens to me, I pout, feel inadequate, quit, and feel sorry for myself. Clearly, it is possible to count blessings when they seem to be missing, but I’ve not learned that yet. Not that the solution is hidden — the psalmist knew it:

All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning. If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed the generation of your children. But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. (Psalm 73:13–17)

This one and other passages tell me to remember and dwell on what God says, not on what people do. It is easier when people do bad things to other people, but when I am treated as if I don’t know anything or no one listens (and I know I spoke truth) that is my challenge. 

Joshua’s words are a diagnosis. He warned about the idols of this world and one of them is recognition, being respected, appreciated, put on a pedestal. This is the rub — for one other song that I sang this morning was “Let Jesus Christ be praised” and this is the response that ought to come from my heart when I feel neglected or ignored.

Jesus, I tell others to praise the Lord and not boast about themselves as if I have this response to life myself. But that is a vain thought. Help me honor You all the time, even when others do not, even when I am dishonored. Who am I to be listened to anyway? It is You who deserve all glory and praise. For shame that I want it for myself.

 

Aggressive in spiritual battles

Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.” Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. (Joshua 14:6–14)

The reason God was pleased with Caleb and rewarded his efforts seems obvious; this man did what God wanted, following Him with his whole heart. However, because the Hebrews had this thing about names and the meanings being important, I looked up the names mentioned to see if there was more to this than the obvious. 

I discovered that Caleb is from a root word meaning doing something with force. This man vigorously went after the enemies of Israel. This made me think about the prayer life of many Christians today. Our enemies are not flesh and blood, so we fight them with prayer:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:11–13)

This familiar passage is about wearing spiritual armor and defeating the forces of evil with constant and vigorous prayer, boldly and confidently winning over them in forceful determination, like Caleb.

Wondering why Caleb’s father was mentioned twice, I looked up him also. His name means to be prepared and with a change of direction. Amazing how God speaks to me through this. I’ve prayed for salvation for other for many years. Lately God is giving me direction to pray against the Liar who keeps people in darkness. This is one more reminder: change the direction of how I’m fighting the enemy and be prepared for war. Ephesians 6 gives specific attitudes and my dozens of books on prayer do the same. I need to be ready for battle and do this with forceful determination.

One thing stands out. Joshua says Caleb was given what he asked for because of his persistent determination and whole-hearted obedience. Answered prayer isn’t because I talk God into something but because He has talked greater obedience into me.

Jesus, this is really important. Some of my prayers seem totally impossible requests, yet You continue to surprise me with doing what I ask. Yet I also realize that if I am not being obedient, You work on me. Your priority is not always on those things I pray for but many times on my attitude and love toward You.

Death for sin

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was hidden in his tent with the silver underneath. And they took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. And they laid them down before the Lord. And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor. (Joshua 7:22–26)

Yesterday I glanced at this passage and spent some time thinking how it points to NT truth. Achan had sinned by taking spoil from a battle and did a forbidden thing; he hid it for himself, angered God, and the price was death.

In the NT, Jesus paid the price for my sin. Sin is simply living for myself and doing whatever I want that is contrary to the will of God. 

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)

Honesty must admit the extent of sin and its power to rule a person’s life, even a seemingly good person, if their lives are not motivated by faith. It is easy to take the spoils of our battles and the trinkets of this world for ourselves. According to the Word of God, this deserves death.

However, Jesus’ death set me free from the penalty I deserve. God hates sin and it must be punished, but He sent Jesus to take that punishment, unlike Achan who showed his lack of faith by his actions. There is another NT death though, the death of my old nature. 

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; (2 Corinthians 5:14)

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:3–10)

These passages stress the importance of saying no to sin because it is the way that my identity and relationship with Christ is made visible. Sin is the actions of a dead person, someone separated from God and the life of His Son. God put that nature to sin to death, but if I don’t obey Him, I might as well be under a pile of rocks.

Achan’s sin ruined the power of God’s army against their enemies but also robbed God of His glory by choosing his own way instead of obedience. 

Jesus, when I obey You, You are exalted. People see You in action and marvel. But I must die to my ways and consider the old me dead and useless. This means humility, not pride, and saying no to all my ideas and plans so I can hear and obey You. 

 

Discernment needed…

The Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.” In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the Lord takes by lot shall come near by clans. And the clan that the Lord takes shall come near by households. And the household that the Lord takes shall come near man by man. And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.’ ” (Joshua 7:10–15)

This event illustrates an important truth: my sin affects others who follow Jesus. The entire OT congregation could not stand before their enemies because one person took from those enemies a forbidden item and therefore created a vulnerability that ruined their power.

Move up to the present time. What do Christians ‘steal’ that is supposed to be devoted to the Lord? Time? Sabbath rest both spiritual and literal? Possessions? This page is not long enough to list all that belongs to God that we could put on our own list, whether it be tangible stuff, or actions, or His glory.

This is convicting. Could it be that when I see a Christian or a congregation that has gone off the rails and is doing their own thing because they see in me something I hold for myself that belongs to the Lord — so they assume it is okay?

The NT term is stumbling block. It means doing something that I have faith (or not) to do and others copy me thinking that what I’m doing is okay for them, but it is not. Worse, I then criticize them for their actions.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:10–19)

The reasoning behind this instruction is that all of us are to live by faith, not by copying the way others live…

The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:22–23)

Not every believer understands their freedom in Christ as I do. If they copy me instead of heeding God's voice, that is sin. 

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:9–13)

Not that what I say or do is always a stumbling block, but I need discernment, and listen to God, act in faith, and keep short accounts. I also need to speak up or shut up,  depending on what He says.

Jesus, grant me great love and discernment.

Exiting wandering, entering spiritual growth…

And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you (all your enemies). Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is passing over before you into the Jordan. Now therefore take twelve men from the tribes of Israel, from each tribe a man. And when the soles of the feet of the priests bearing the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off from flowing, and the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.” So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those flowing down toward the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho. Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. (Joshua 3:10-17)

It is not likely that I would connect this event with Christian baptism, but one of my commentaries does. The link is in the details. Baptism enters believers into a covenant with God by a declaration to be dead to the world and alive to serve Him. For most, it is a turning point and a change of focus. Those who are baptized enter into a life of both blessing and warfare. At the same time, those who believe but do not take this first step seem to remain in wandering.

The commentary says baptism introduces us into new obligations and entitles us to claim the aid of God in our conflict with evil. In other words, it is the starting-point of our sanctification and this is God's work. He alone parts the waters for us to cross from the world into His kingdom. That world can drown all human effort, but declaring our faith enables us to have success in our war against our own and God’s enemies. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

This does not mean baptism gives us anything. This power is from Jesus Christ alone, not our actions apart from faith. Also note that before this event, the people were guided by a pillar of fire and a cloud. Now they would be guided by the Ark of the Covenant. The Law was dark and uncertain in them but faith in a coming Messiah gave light. Now our guide is the person of Jesus Christ, a “better hope.” (Hebrews 12:18-24) The humanity of Jesus reveals the One who is unseen and we can follow Him as we enter into His promises and experience His presence.

Crossing the Jordon when it was overflowing magnifies God's glory and my inability. He is like that — powerful to be with me when I need Him most. Yesterday’s sermon was one of those times. I’ve felt so inadequate in several areas and the preacher pointed to each one and to the adequacy of Jesus Christ and His powerful ability to deal with my enemies, such as fear and hopelessness. What joy to know that He knows just what I need.

The times of trouble are the times when He manifests His power. It is then that He makes His will most “plain before my face.” Both Churches and individuals are apt in their prosperity to say, “I shall never be removed.” But in adversity I run to God in humility, and He makes me a way through the deep waters. “The swellings of Jordan” abate at His presence. “The overflowings of ungodliness” are defeated by His word. When He speaks, sorrow and distress flee away. When I am grieved at life’s events, He makes “straight paths for my feet” to overcome my disappointments and despair.

Thank You, Jesus.

Key to Success

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:1–8)

In this study of ‘therefore’ as a word about consequences, God is showing me how the OT points to Jesus and NT truths. That is, the OT events point to a greater reality. This passage is another one of them.

Moses and Law remind me of the promise of a Messiah and that God’s people wanted to obey but continually failed to keep the law. Then the death of Moses changed leadership. Joshua. Because Moses died, Joshua was given leadership into the land of promise. And I know this does not point to heaven but to a difference in their lives.

Joshua means “Jehovah saves” — another phase in the history of redemption. If I look at it as part of a salvation journey, it points to being set free from slavery to sin and learning how to walk in that redeemed freedom. It takes a lifetime and without the power of Christ, I cannot do it, just as the OT people of God struggled in their battle to live out the will of God in the land He gave them.

Again, this is not heaven. If it were, there would be no enemies and no battles, no lessons in how to live in total surrender to the God who saves. This is why He told Joshua and He tells me that He will be with me. All blessings are mine, and no one can take that from me. Obedience is vital to my success. So is reading and thinking about God's will day and night.

Fear and becoming down-hearted are my enemies so He adds: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9–10) This is not about emotional stability but about remembering and knowing that He is with me — all the time and wherever I am.

Jesus, Your presence is always with me, like the air around me. If I forget that, my life goes sideways or upside-down. It is never Your fault for You are faithful to Your word. May I alway be mindful that You never leave me alone. You are my strength and my obedience, my Savior and success.

Two kinds of Consequences

Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” And Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy. (Numbers 20:4–13)

While this passage could mean that Moses ‘lost his salvation’ because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, the rest of the Bible makes that interpretation impossible. With that in mind, I have to consider the symbolism or types used by OT events to point to NT realities.

The promised land can point to heaven but another and even better way to look at it is that it points to the fullness of life in Christ. In other words, if I disobey God as Moses did, my sin results in broken fellowship with Him, a loss of joy and peace, and perhaps other things.

In Moses’ situation, he got to see the land but not enter it. These passages say nothing about repentance, only about separation and the loss of going into this promised land of plenty. 

That very day the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 32:48–52)

The NT has a difficult passage that this Moses incident reminds me of — that those who see the results of redemption and know what God wants, but reject it, will not be able to repent and go to that land or have eternal life. In the same way they are disobeying what they know, as Moses did. But the difference is that Moses actually trusted God and enjoys eternal life, but those talked about in this NT passage only saw the promise of new life in this world but rejected it:

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4–6)

This is hearing God but refusing to obey Him. I know at least one person who is dangerously close to this consequence. She knows it all, has even confessed errors, but holds back on acknowledging what Christ has done on her behalf. My hope is that because contempt is not yet visible that she is still thinking rather than hardening her heart.

Jesus, Your mercy is awesome. For this person and others in the same situation, I pray Your patience and grace would prevail and they would say yes to what You have shown them, lest they perish and so they become “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” because they finally say yes to the light You have given them.