Tisha B’av

Posted on by July 26, 2015
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Lamentations 5:18-22 — Thou, O Lord, remainest for ever; thy throne from generation to generation. Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old. But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against us.

Today, Jewish people all over the world have observed Tisha B’av — the ninth day of the fifth month. It is the saddest of days in the Jewish calendar, and commemorates five disasters to have stricken the Jewish people on this over centuries.

It is impertinent, perhaps, for one who is not a Jew to have any thoughts about such a day — but I do.

The first of the “disasters” was self inflicted. In Numbers 14 the story is told — that the people of Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, and then compounded their error by trying to go in against the Lord’s instructions. The sin of the ten spies marked the ninth of Av as a dark date forever.

More than seven hundred years later, on the ninth of Av, Nebuzaradan the Babylonian destroyed the first temple. Almost seven hundred years later, on the ninth of Av, the Romans destroyed the second temple.

On the ninth of Av in 1290, the Jews were expelled from England.

 On the ninth of Av in 1492, the Jews left Spain, expelled again.

What are we to learn from this litany of affliction?

The first thing that came to mind is that God does not forget. It will be a long time before the refusal to enter the Promised Land is forgotten. God is not petty — but His people threw His generosity back in His face, rejecting His plan for their destiny.

The second thing is that not one, but three, at least, of the disasters were self inflicted. The failure to enter the Promised Land has been covered. The destruction of the two temples surely followed the decline of temp?e religion into formalism and hypocrisy.

The third thing that comes to my mind is that disaster must be survived — a lesson that the Jewish people have learned and supremely followed.

The fourth thing is that disaster must be the occasion for contemplation and, if appropriate, repentance. It is the lesson of the Book of Lamentations, which is read on Tisha B’av. It is why fasting is part of the observation of the day.

The last thing is that, in the end, God redeems. He remembers, we survive and repent, and He redeems — but His timescale is longer than we can imagine. 

Wanted: Peacemakers

Posted on by July 25, 2015
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Matthew5:9 — Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

A few years ago I studied the gospel of Matthew in some depth and today I was reminded of the Beatitudes — the part of the sermon on the mount where Jesus talks of things that bring blessings.

One of the sweetest things about my and Myra’s marriage is the way we get to spend time talking on Saturday morning — about issues we need to deal with, or Bible passages, or just general topics that either one of us might be bothered about. Today we turned to the question of conflict. Why is it that so many people — good people — just can’t get along?

Here’s what I believe. There are some people in this world who really intend malice, intend to cause trouble — but not so many as would explain the amount of falling out that happens. Most people are trying to do the best they can for themselves and their families, just like I am for me and Myra. The trouble is that people disagree about what the “best” really is — and even when they agree about the ends, they often disagree about the means.

In the end, I think it’s all about peacemakers … the people who work to reduce the conflict in daily life.

The Beatitudes tell us some important things about how God looks at the world. First, they show who God approves of — not the rich, the strong, or the powerful, but the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemaker, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. 

Second, the Beatitudes provide encouragement for those who may not be rich, strong or powerful, but who do fall into one of the “blessed” groups. Thirdly, the Beatitudes tell us the kind of people Jesus is looking for to form His church. Lastly, they are yet another expansion of God’s covenant with His people.

Peacemakers, then, are a vital part of Christ’s church. What it is it that they do that is so important? Some people think they are concerned with peace in its widest sense — the general wellbeing of the world. It seems to me that that would be to grand of an idea. The Beatitudes are not for the great ones of the world … Then there are those that think the peacemakers are those who have resolved their own internal battle between good and evil — and so are at peace. This seems to be too little of an idea. It seems such people would be lovers of peace more than makers of peace, and not concerned — as Jesus was — with others. I think it’s simpler — the peacemakers are those who work for reconciliation. The work of reconciliation that is so important I think, is not between countries, or armies — it’s the daily work of rebuilding broken relationships between families, friends and neighbors. It’s about dealing with the problem I was talking about at the start of this piece.

The peacemakers shall be called “the children of God”. But aren’t we all God’s children? Well yes, but the phrase means something more here — it’s an idea that would be familiar to Jews. “The children of” suggests “those who do similar things to”. Reconciliation — peacemaking — is the great work of God. It is a wonderful thought — work on making peace in small things, and you are part of God’s great work!

 

Did You Expect Gratitude?

Posted on by July 23, 2015
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1 Kings 12:1-4 — And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

You probably know the story. Rehoboam responded badly to the request for “a lighter yoke” and Israel separated itself from the House of David, leaving Jeroboam to rule over the people living in the cities of Judah. But did you ever think about what really was going on?

What are the people of Israel really complaining about? The complaints are bogus — Solomon had carefully assigned the heavy lifting to the “strangers in Israel” not to the Israelites themselves:
And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work. (2 Chronicles 2:17-18)
But then maybe the people were complaining about the cost of Solomon’s Temple? That was a complaint that didn’t really stand up either.
And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 4:25)
The vine and the fig tree may be taken to represent all the produce of Israel — the people lived in prosperity enjoying, the fruit of their labors in comfort and free from fear. Not only that, but the people are shown as dwelling under their trees — enjoying, it seems, a fair amount of leisure time!

The complaints were bogus — so what was the real story? 

It was political. The first thing to notice is that the people didn’t come to make Rehoboam king in the city of David. All Israel came to Shechem to make him king. Shechem was an old center of Ephraimite power. Despite God’s obvious preference the idea of the insignificant family of David being the ruling dynasty wasn’t everyone’s favorite idea! The motive was confirmed very quickly:
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. (1 Kings 12:16)
The people’s complaints were excuses — hiding the real story — so what are we to conclude from all this? Perhaps to remember that even ingratitude cannot be taken at face value! Perhaps, too, to listen intelligently — no matter what the subject matter — for underlying messages. Perhaps even an ungrateful reception to God’s message might hide a story to explore?

The Ark

Posted on by July 21, 2015
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1 Kings 8:9 — There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

One verse today reminded me of beautiful pictures! The two stone tablets of the Law that Moses put in the ark were still there. At some time a pot of manna and Aaron’s rod were placed in the ark too, but it seems they were no longer there. Maybe they were just lost, or perhaps the Philistines took them when they had possession of the ark. However that might be, the essential things — the tablets — were still there to remind the Israelites of the covenant that bestowed blessings and duties on them, they were a symbolic reminder of God’s presence. Indeed, it seems that in early times the simpler believers, at least, believed the ark to be — somehow — the actual dwelling place of God!

The ark, then, spoke of blessing and duty — but it also spoke of mercy. Its gold lid was called the “mercy seat” Once a year the high priest was made atonement for the people of Israel by sprinkling the mercy seat with the blood of bulls and goats. 

A terrible thing happened to Israel. Somewhere — perhaps in the Babylonian exile — the ark disappeared. It was, perhaps, the Lord’s rebuke for Israel’s apostasy. Perhaps, though, it was to clear the way. The ark was a picture of something immeasurably better to come. The ark was a picture — a “type” in Biblical terms — of Jesus.

When Jesus came, there was no longer any need for a symbolic reminder of God’s presence. Now God dwells among us. When Jesus died and rose He sent the Holy Spirit. God is with us!

Jesus’s coming also removed the need for the annual atonement over the mercy seat — “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrews 9:12). Jesus tore way the veil before the most holy place, and paid — once for all — the price for every believers’ sins.

The ark makes one more appearance, “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19). It is a sign that the day will come when heaven and earth come together, the redemption will be complete and law and grace will be unified. It is one last beautiful picture!

Uniform

Posted on by July 20, 2015
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Ephesians 6:11 — Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Somewhat to the surprise of a lot of people, at the age of ten I did well enough in a qualifying examination to get a place at the best regarded middle / high school in the area where we lived. It has a dress code. Since the first day of the new school year — more than fifty years ago now — I have been in uniform. Even now, living in Southwest Florida where it truly isn’t necessary, you will find me wearing a jacket and tie most work days and Sundays. You might ask why I haven’t kicked back and relaxed. It’s pretty simple. The simple act of putting on the uniform puts me in the right frame of mind — for work or worship.

I think that’s what Paul is talking about when he talks about putting on the armor provided by God. Every day we need to get out of bed, get up and get ready. The Amplified Bible provides a great description of the armor:

Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17).

Each day we face spiritual attacks. Paul says “get yourself ready, every day, to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news of the Gospel of peace”. It’s a conscious process — day by day we need to put on each part of the armor, thinking of it’s special place in our protection.
The old English Puritan Thomas Watson wrote of our need to “provoke ourselves to duty”:

Provoking ourselves to duty, implies an uniting, and rallying together all the powers of our soul, setting them on work in the exercises of religion. A man saith to his thoughts, be you fixed on God in this duty; and to his affections, do you serve the Lord without distraction? Matters of religion must be done with intenseness of spirit. (The Christian Soldier, or Heaven Taken by Storm).

It is that “provoking to duty” that is the purpose of putting on the full armor of God. You might think I’m a little funny with my bodily uniform — my jacket and tie — but there’s nothing funny about the armor. Don’t go out without it!

Missing In Action

Posted on by July 19, 2015
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Luke 9:62 — And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
A combination of things has slowed the flow of these pieces in the last few days.
It’s been a really hectic week, and on a couple of days I’ve just about managed to get home, eat dinner and fall asleep! I’ve had a lot of different topics to choose among, too. The main thing, though, is probably that I’ve simply found some of the ideas hard to write about — which is the case today.

I heard the other day of two couples planning to divorce. Sadly, not rare these days. But there is something tragic about these two cases. I use the word advisedly — not just in the sense of a sad, disastrous event, but based on the original sense of events involving a great person destined to experiencing downfall through a character flaw or clash with fate or the nature of society.

Truly the people involved in these relationships are not great — but they were leaders in their Christian circles, trying to help others come to know, or get closer to, Jesus. They were surrounded by materialistic societies where temptation abounds. And they had, perhaps, a flaw — they were so sure that they were secure, that it couldn’t happen to them. They are, tragically, not the Christian leaders that they were.

So is that it then? Are these four people done? Have they, by succumbing to the forces undermining their marriages, turned back from the plough and declared themselves unfit for the Kingdom? I know judgmental Christians who would certainly say so … quoting many scriptures to prove that “God hates divorce”. Their theology may be sound, but it’s limited. It lacks charity and redemption.

I choose to believe that the couples of whom I write are “missing in action”. All Christians are under attack, combatants in a fierce spiritual warfare. Those who seek to provide any kind of leadership are subject to the fiercest attacks. Perhaps that’s why James warns “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (James 3:1). It is no surprise that many fail. Seriously wounded they retire from the combat, they disappear from Christian leadership.

Two husbands and two wives can’t be effective in their mission fields just now. But one of the glories of our faith is its focus on redemption. There are many encouraging stories of people who have fallen away and yet have recovered and returned to the battle. I choose to believe these folks are not spiritually dead — but only wounded, missing in action. I trust they will recover …

Rock Bottom

Posted on by July 16, 2015
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Psalm 88:1 — O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:
Over the last two days I wrote a piece about the uphill nature of the Christian life. But what about when you’re at the bottom, and there’s no way up? Make no mistake, there are God fearing Christians who have that experience. For some, circumstances just pile up, unremittingly, with no relief. I don’t know why it is, I just know that it is so — and so did Heman then Ezrahite, as this Psalm testifies.
The superscription (that’s a fancy name for the introduction at the top) says “A Song or Psalm ?for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, ?Maschil of ?Heman the ?Ezrahite.” Some clever commentators have suggested this is mixed up — that the part about the “sons of Korah” belongs to Psalm 87, and the part about “Ezrahite” belongs to Psalm 89. Well, maybe, but I prefer to take it as it reads. We can learn some lessons from it.

The Psalm was written because Heman, or someone important, is in real trouble.The psalm is a song — worshipful music is appropriate not just for the joyful times of life, but for any time. God is to be called on from the depths, and not just from the heights.

The psalm was written to be sung by the sons of Korah — an important group in the temple worship. The choir doesn’t get to choose … It sings as directed, and sings for the glory of God, not for its own satisfaction.

Now, as to the content of the psalm.

It seems there is no guilt underlying the Psalm — it is addressed to God without reservation and the psalmist is not bashful about reminding the Lord of his persistence in prayer. Despite his faithfulness Heman (let’s say Heman, though he may have been writing for someone else) was suffering from many afflictions …his soul was full of troubles and he was near to death.

He was counted with them that go down into the pit — almost like one of the lepers driven out of town. His friends were neglecting him. Distress was on him day and night … 

The psalm is mysterious. There is no explanation of the affliction. There is no explanation of why there is no relief. In the end there is no resolution. What are we to conclude from all this?

To me the very fact of the Psalm, given the circumstances, is resolution. In the very direst of circumstances, with no reasonable reason, despite long and repeated pleas, Heman turns to God again. That is faith. Psalm 88 is a beautiful testimony. When you are at the bottom, and there’s no way out, not even an uphill road … keep looking up.

 

So How’s It Going?

Posted on by July 15, 2015
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Proverbs 15:24 — The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
So how’s it going? Your day I mean … Your week, your year, your life …? Are you in one of those times of life when it seems that everything is uphill?
How do you feel about those hard times? Is God maybe not being fair to you? Or maybe you deserve what’s happening to you? Or perhaps it’s all just random? No, no, and no! God is never unfair, difficulties are rarely punishments and God is always in control!

James set the scene:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:2-5.

It’s a truth that’s well known … When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

So what’s going on? One thing is that God is working to form character. He is making us into the image of His Son. Paul writes about it in his letter to the Romans:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:1-5)

There is another thing, however. Proverbs 15:24 tells a literal truth of spiritual geography. Heaven is above, and hell is below! And even the pagan Roman poet Vergil knew that the road down is easy and the road up is hard! In his masterpiece, the Aeneid, he wrote a passage beginning “facilis descensus Averno”, that the 17th century English poet John Dryden translated as:
The gates of hell are open night and day; 

Smooth the descent, and easy is the way: 

But to return, and view the cheerful skies, 

In this the task and mighty labor lies. 

Even the non-Christians knew that a good afterlife probably involved some struggles in this life! If times are tough — embrace it. If the road is never uphill, you can be sure you’re headed in the wrong direction!

  

Just Passin’ Thru

Posted on by July 13, 2015
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Hebrews 11:14 — For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
For some reason the thought that’s been on my mind today is that we are all “just Passin’ thru”.
It’s a sobering thought — not just that we all die, although as we get older it’s an inevitable realization — but that no matter how permanent anything or anyone seems, change is inevitable.

In life there is, it seems, not much that can be relied on — house, job, friends, family, fashion, ideas … Everything changes. So what should we do? Shall we despair of committing to anything, there being no point since it won’t last? There are better ways!

There are some brave souls, it seems, who set their faces against fate and determine to make themselves a permanent marker. They build a house, or a business or a royal dynasty even — but their end is the same as yours and mine. Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote the epitaph for one such in his poem Ozymandias:

My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:

Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

Nothing beside remains. Round the decay

Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare

The lone and level sands stretch far away.

Their’s is a brave, but futile course. In most human activities not much lasts. There is a better way — the one followed by the faithful.
It’s interesting what happens when you realize that nothing material that you build on this earth has any permanent worth. It makes you turn to building spiritual things and claiming the promise of riches in heaven. That was the path followed by those the writer of Hebrews was talking about — all the people in Faith’s Hall of Fame, earlier in Hebrews 11.

Harry Ironside, in his book “Studies in the Epistle to the. Hebrews” says of the pilgrims of faith:

They left this scene without having received all that was promised, but the promises became to them very real, and they laid hold of them, and because of these promises confessed themselves strangers and pilgrims on the earth. To relinquish present things in view of future blessing is to declare openly that one is seeking a country. No one can truly relinquish this world below until he has seen by faith a better and brighter world above.

It is a glorious epitaph, and one we could all aspire too. It would turn our lives upside down — what would building for a temporary lifestyle look like?

Mentoring

Posted on by July 12, 2015
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2 Samuel 6:6-8 — And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzza put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzza: and he called the name of the place Perez–uzzah to this day.

Mentoring is an interesting thread that can be traced in the Bible — Moses and Joshua, Jesus Himself and Peter, Paul and Timothy … and — I think — God Himself, and David.

There are plenty of instances of God taking David by the hand and teaching him by experience. One key lesson was the vital importance of carefully observing God’s requirements for religion.

The ark of the covenant had been neglected for years, and David decided to bring it to Jerusalem. As the cart carrying it reached the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzza put out his hand to steady it, as one would any precious cargo. God strikes him down — and David is angry. David missed the point. The ark had been neglected, and he did well to want to bring it to a place of honor. But there were very precise rules for the movement of the ark, and they were not obeyed. Uzza, in steadying the ark treated it just like any any precious cargo — not as the most precious of all cargoes as it should have been. David’s anger with God was completely misplaced. It seems that, somehow — perhaps guided by Nathan — David learned his lesson for when, a few months later, the ark was finally moved all the details were exactly right!

The mentoring relationship is about a process, more than about an end point. It should be no surprise, then, that God had more to teach David about the relationship between the heavenly and earthly spheres of authority. The next lesson came when David wanted to build a temple. Nathan at first approved, but was redirected by the Lord, and returned His instruction to David:

Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? (2 Samuel 7:5-7)

It was not for David to take the initiative. God graciously explains His reasoning — David was “a man of blood” and, in any case, it was not yet the time. David, it seems, finally gets the point. 
David was a man after God’s own heart, and God took enormous pains to shape Him and lead him in the way he should go. The Bible is full of examples of God taking similar care over individual development. It’s a wonderful thing to me … because the same hand is at work in every believer’s life.