God can use anything to protect His people

At least once people became upset with Christianity for economic reasons. Acts 19 tells of a threatening situation to those whose wealth depending on making shrines to an idol worshiped in Ephesus. When they heard about the Gospel and about Paul denouncing idolatry, they feared their idol ‘Artemis’ would be “deposed from her magnificence” and they would lose their livelihood. A protest started and a crowd pushed into the theater dragging Paul’s companions with them.

But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. (Acts 19:30–31)

The Asiarchs were high-ranking civic officials in the province of Asia, an unexpected source of protection. What happened next was two hours of yelling and crying out support for Artemis, but the town clerk eventually quieted the crowd. He reminded them of their history with this idol then said,

Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” (Acts 19:36–40)

In other words, if they wanted to get rid of the Christians, they needed to be careful of not breaking the law themselves. Their fears and self-centered motivation would not stand up in a court of law. Their rioting was putting them in further jeopardy. Besides, was not their city “a temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?” If what they believed was true, then let their god take care of this ‘enemy’ or threat to their livelihood.

This story reminds me of a political situation in this week’s news. Our prime minister was accused by another political leader of several illegal actions. He reacted by threatening to sue his accuser of libel. However, the accuser is certain of his accusation so is daring the leader to take him to court. His response is much like the one posed by the town clerk. “Let the legal system decide.” If wrong is wrong, it will come out. If this is libel, that will come out.

These days it is not often that Christians are protected by law or by non-Christians. We are accused of many things, mostly that we hate or down-grade some groups of people. Our issue is not the people but their actions. What they do is against the will of God because those actions are harmful. Are we certain about our stand? Certain enough to invite a legal trial that proves our point?

The Word of God is the ground we stand on. I know that I can have personal biases too, so need to watch where my convictions come from. I also need to be certain that when I point fingers, I’m not guilty of something myself. I cannot say hate idolatry is wrong if I have my own set of idols, or hatred is wrong if I am hateful. I must always remember that when I speak against sin, that I am also a sinner.

This means the entire human race falls into the same category before God. We all sin and fall short of His glory. (Romans 3:23). Apart from Christ, none of us have any hope. In Christ, there is forgiveness and grace, new life and the promises of God. He is the only division line. Apart from Him, like Paul said, I am the worst of sinners.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You remind me often that finger-pointing has three fingers pointing back at me. I can so easily criticize others but when brought before the only righteous Judge, I am just as guilty. Without Christ, I’ve no claim. Only in You can I say I am forgiven and washed clean. Give me Your righteous attitude toward others, Christian and otherwise. You alone know the heart and You alone are able to change lives, even bring idolaters to worship only You. And as the story of the riot in Ephesus shows, You alone can protect Your people from hate and destruction.

Mercy, generosity, and dancing

Numbers 35:1–36:13; 1 Corinthians 16:1–24; Psalm 30:1–12

How many people know that many of the best parts of our legal system come from the Old Testament? One of those parts is that the law distinguishes between manslaughter and murder, killing someone without intending to do so, or killing with intent. The differences now from the way it was back in the days of Moses can be seen in this passage.

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there. The cities shall be for you a refuge from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment. And the cities that you give shall be your six cities of refuge. You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and three cities in the land of Canaan, to be cities of refuge. These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there . . . . But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death . . . . If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death.” (Numbers 35:10-15; 16; 30-31)

Today, instead of fleeing to a city of refuge, those who commit manslaughter are put in prison, a similar ‘sentence’ but not quite the same as having to stay in a particular city for a certain length of time. However, this law applied to everyone, Jews and Gentiles, citizens and those passing through. It is unbiased.

Also, today the death sentence for murder is upheld in some places, but not all. That was changed because of the danger of punishing an innocent person. However, the Old Testament law had a safeguard against that; the need for more than one witness. Further, no one could ‘buy’ his life, whereas today many murderers are allowed to plea-bargain.

I’m not involved in the legal system, nor am I a lawyer, but it seems to me that God’s plan seems both fair and just, but also merciful. If the death was an accident, the guilty party was given a decent option.

The NT reading hasn’t anything to do with legalities, but it does have something to do with the traditions that the church falls into. As a Bible student, I’ve learned that we often get two things mixed up in interpretation. We need to see the difference between narratives that are “descriptive” and those that are “prescriptive.” That is, do the verses describe what was done back then, but are not commanded for us, or do they give a pattern that we are supposed to follow? Today’s reading is one of those passages . . .

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. (1 Corinthians 16:1–3)

Paul was coming to the church at Corinth to collect an offering for the needy church in Jerusalem. He told the Christians in Corinth to give a weekly offering on Sunday so when he came, there would be no need for a special offering. He would simply collect that which had been donated up until then.

Is that descriptive or prescriptive? It isn’t a big deal, really, but if adhered to as strictly prescriptive, then a church today might box themselves in. That is, no spontaneous offerings, no love offerings without planning ahead, and you could not make a donation on any other day of the week. In this case, these rules sound silly, but there are many churches where failing to make this distinction has had adverse results in the way they do things.

I’m also learning how to read the OT in light of the NT and understanding how the redemptive plan of God fits into the history covered by the Bible. I’m also seeing how Christ is hinted at and revealed throughout – from Genesis to Revelation. I can see connections I’d not noticed before, but also am learning to distinguish between connections from my imagination and those that actually were intended by the biblical authors.

Here is an example. In the NT, Jesus said in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Some take this out of context and apply it at funerals. While it is true that God comforts those who grieve, this passage is not about mourning the dead, but mourning sin.

As I read the following verse from the Psalms, I wonder if it is saying the same thing. David wrote, “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11–12)

Is David at a funeral? The Psalm doesn’t say so. It seems his mourning is not about grief of loss or a death, but the sorrow over sin and failure to love God by disobeying His commands. But how can I know that for sure? I could do word studies and read commentaries and so on, but the best way to interpret the Bible is by paying attention to the context. Read it and see what the whole Psalm is about.

Devotional reading has a different focus than Bible study as well, yet getting the gist of the passage is important so that I think rightly about God and His will for me. For that, today’s readings show His mercy for my mistakes, His desire that I be generous, and that it is just fine with Him if I do a happy-dance because He has turned my sorrow for sin into joy at His forgiveness!