Actions and Outcomes vs. Love

Scripture: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. Matthew 23:2-3

Observation: Jesus has been tested by the Pharisees and now is about to go on the offensive, pronouncing woes and warnings over them. He begins with this, defining who exactly the Pharisees really are, and it sounds ... rather impressive. They sit in Moses' seat! To say it another way, the Pharisees are the continuation of the tradition and function of Moses.

At the outset, the Lord gave the Law to Moses, had Moses declare and teach that Law, by wisdom gave Moses further refinement and clarification of the Law, and had Moses act as judge in all matters concerning the Law. However, Moses was not the spiritual leader, for that responsibility was divided away from him and given to Aaron, and from Aaron derived all Priests. Furthermore, responsibilities for work and service concerning the Lord were also not part of Moses' charge, as this became the general work of the Levites. Indeed, Moses had one function, which was to declare, clarify, and interpret the Law.

This is the function the Pharisees now hold. The issue Jesus has with them is that they do it poorly, and as hypocrites. How they proceed poorly is that they create new interpretations of the Law that are not given by the Lord (these are the meaningly ceremonial actions and public-facing behaviors Jesus has called out dozens of times), and by these new interpretations they condemn everyone to failure. How they proceed as hypocrites is by prioritizing these misinterpretations but at the cost of the true core of the Law, and as a result their 'outward' behaviors comply with false laws, but their inner attitudes violate the Law.

Jesus calls out these exact things immediately. He points out that the Pharisees do things like ... ornament themselves with clothes and symbols to 'show' piety, seek honor at public feasts and gatherings, expect respectful greetings in public, and insist being addressed with titles of honor. The 'woes' he pronounces reenforce these same issues, pointing out their outward piety, but inside they have a total lack of concern for others, and totally disregard the core of the Lord's Law ... showing justice and mercy toward others, and faith toward the Lord, as expressions of love toward people and Yahweh.

Application: So often, in all our lives, we focus on actions and outcomes. This is our core training in life ... we do things that produce results. Even looking at biblical heroes like Moses we THINK that's what they do, too. We see Moses judge sin and sentence sinners to stoning, or identify a rebellion among the Jews and see thousands killed as a result. However, we also see Moses strike a stone to bring water forth ... and get punished. Moses wasn't just doing things and getting results, and when he did to that he was corrected. Moses was prioritizing his relationship with the Lord over everything else in life, and in turn was able to successfully care for the welfare of a million people for decades.

Over and over, Jesus tells us the truth about how the Lord wants our faith to "look", and it is not about the things we publicly do and the worldly outcomes of such actions. It is always about our heart. When our heart and our love are right, heavenly results occur.

Especially over the last few years, I have worked repeatedly about my heart. It was so hard and calloused ... caused by pain in life, lies from the evil one, and human nature itself. I still care how I appear to others more than I care about what is actually happening in my own mind and heart and soul. I care more than I used to about loving others, but I still care too much about appearing like I love others.

In some ways, I don't reject a Pharisaical way of life ... I aspire to it! I do outward things to look good, and thus to be worthy of judging others. Wow, what a backwards hypocrite I am! Woe to me.

Yes, I need to continue on the path of softening my heart, and knowing that my "work" in life isn't actually work, but it is to love God and love others. That will produce the outcomes the Lord desires.

Prayer: Lord, all I want to do today is to seek justice and mercy for others, and to walk humbly with you. May my actual actions overflow from my love for you and others, and from wisdom you give me about what that should produce. Amen.

Keeping God Central

Scripture: But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. He was also angry with the three friends, because they had found no way to refute Job, and yet had condemned him. Job 32:2-3

Observation: It is time for Elihu - a fourth man never before mentioned - to speak. He did not speak before because he is a young man and allowed his elders to correct Job, but seeing they do not do so he now proceeds. His reason for being angry is interesting. Yes, Job continues to declare himself innocent, to justify himself, and this has been the crux of the friends' opposition (that Job certainly has sinned ... Job's point is really that he hasn't sinned to the point of deserving the total annihilation of his life).

However, Elihu's real issue with the conversation is that the friends repeatedly "condemn" Job ... they repeatedly say he "must" be a sinful man as evidenced by this terrible punishment he has received ... however they fail to "refute" Job's claim that he is undeserving of this punishment. Another way of saying all this is that the entire conversation has devolved into an examination of Job, and not a faith-filled discussion about the Lord, and in turn about the Lord's unassailable authority. The accusers simply say "Job must be sinful" and Job responds "I'm not that bad", and no one is saying "the Lord is sovereign, there is an unknown element of the ways of the Lord at work here, and perhaps nothing that's happened here is tied to any sinful behavior". (In fact, we know this to be true.)

Elihu's anger, therefore, is based not on anyone's ability to successfully debate Job's guilt or innocence, but rather the fact that they are debating about Job at all, and not focused on discovering how the Lord may want to influence their thoughts and lives and understanding and wisdom and love for one another through the tragic events that have transpired. They have all lost sight of the fact that God needs to be central in the discussion, and not any facts that may condemn or justify Job.

Application: This is a good thought for every day ... wondering to myself "what is God doing in this situation?" Sure, it's easy to apply that question when wondering about something like the leadership transition at church. However, what about applying it to ... my wife's shoulder injury, or my struggles to meet sales quotas, or a lost driver who just stops in the middle of the road, or my son's prolonged unemployment.

Most times I eventually get around to thinking about what God may want to teach me and my family. However, perhaps that should be the first thought ... the only thought. Everything can be a way to receive wisdom from the Lord, and to exercise faith and peace and love and joy.

It isn't about me. It isn't about my family. It's about the Lord and how he can bring us into his work and his purpose.

Prayer: Lord, there is, perhaps, a new question for me to consider often every day, 'what are you doing in this situation?'. May I consider this more and more. Amen.

Deep Roots Within the 'They'

Scripture: "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time." Matthew 21:40-41

Observation: Jesus is telling the parable about a vineyard owner who is betrayed by the farmers to whom he is renting his land. When he sent his servants to collect his profits for the year, they beat and tortured them. When he then sent his own son, they murdered him. Jesus then doesn't explain the parable himself, but asks the audience what they think happens next, and "they" respond with the obvious truth ... the betraying tenants will be destroyed and the farm taken from their oversight.

Jesus concurs, but then points out ... the farm tenants are the priests to whom the Lord gave his sacred word, the promised land, and his covenant love, who in turn have stoned prophets and will soon kill Messiah ... and the priests are also the "they" who are listening to Jesus, and who just answered the question.

Application: I think this is a matter of truth ... when it comes to people of faith, we often know when we have done wrong. Yes, there are times we don't know we are violating the Lord's desires for our lives, and there are many, many times we act sinfully and are reminded by either word or conviction of the spirit of our sin after the fact. Most of the time, my experience is that believers try to repent of these occurrences (with mixed results).

However, when we are part of a pattern of wrongdoing that becomes interwoven in our lives, we reject correction, and will turn angry toward anyone who attempts to correct us. This is even true when we absolutely agree with the correction itself. We hear the truth, know it to be true, and instead of attempting to resolve our lives, we turn against the messenger trying to guide us back to God.

When our wrong actions are deeply rooted as a part of our life, correction is hard to receive, and repentance is harder. I don't really know what to do about this fact, and how to apply it to my life, but I feel it to be true, and I am open to the Lord's revelation about the deep roots in my heart.

Prayer: Lord, I am an old man, and I still have so much to learn and so much to improve in my life. I am open to instruction. I don't want to be a priest who loses your provision even when I know I deserve to lose it. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Upon Watching this for Years

Scripture: Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. Matthew 20:20

Observation: This might be one of the more confusing ways of 'identifying' someone in the bible. Besides Jesus, who is this verse about, and who is speaking? Those people are the NOT named! So, naming the actors ...

-- Zebedee (named) is a man who isn't even there

-- His sons (referenced) are James and John

-- Their mom (speaking) is Solome

Here's the deal about who all these individuals REALLY are. First, James and John - for whom the appeal is being made to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in heaven - are two of the three top leaders of the disciples. Along with Peter, they witnessed the transfiguration. After Jesus' resurrection, John and Peter will perform great miracles together, and James will be considered the leader of the church in Jerusalem and its the second martyr. Second, scholars mostly agree that Solome is Mary's sister. This makes her one of the few blood-relatives of Jesus (his aunt), and someone who likely had a place of respect in Jesus' life as he grew up. Lastly, Zebedee is therefore Jesus' uncle and father to James and John. He is referred to several times though he does not follow Jesus. He runs the family fishing business, and some believe (myself included) that he is the benefactor of Jesus' ministry, providing the financial resources needed to support not just Jesus and his family, but a significant percentage of the costs associated with this group of perhaps 100+ total people who follow Jesus from town to town.

Here's the point. James and John aren't just asking to receive a place of honor, they are leveraging every sliver of influence anyone could have over Jesus to make the request. The request is made by someone who is probably the second-most influential woman in Jesus entire collective of followers, and done so 'in the name of' the man who is fully funding Jesus' work. The implication is that answering "no" could place at risk the financial backing of the ministry, and might create an emotional rift within the followers by hurting a well-respected woman's feelings.

Application: Two days ago was my wife's last day of work, as she retires from being a pastor at our church. I'm so proud of her! However, this verse reminds me of things I've seen good members of the church try to 'pull' over the years. There are those who tithe faithfully, then make formal complaints to the pastor because they want things done a certain way. There are those who give one large gift "restricted" to do something that the church doesn't do, thus tying them to either do so with this money, or give the money back. There are those who serve well in certain visible ministries, then when they get their feelings hurt over a change the pastor wants in that ministry they leave the church while spreading rumors and lies and ill-will about the pastor. There are even those elevated to the position of "pastor" who then act to tear the church apart.

I just did the math, and over the last 14 years - when the head pastor arrived - our church has had 23 people on paid staff (+/- 1) with a "pastor" title. During that first year, two of them were the head pastor and my wife. Most left following a specific pattern:

1) They wanted to make a change to the church strategy, mission, work.

2) They were told "no".

3) They took it upon themselves as a "pastor/leader" to do it anyway.

4) They were corrected.

5) They got angry and left (either quit or were fired) and while doing so they publicly complained and lied about other pastors, often convincing some attendees to leave angrily too.

It has been hard to watch. And obviously, James and John could have done exactly this. Whether they did so knowingly or not, they were leveraging influence of both position and relationship to try to change a church (or in this case, heavenly) plan or strategy. They could have stormed off, pulled 'funding', divided Jesus' own family, and likely convinced some long-term followers to leave.

Jesus' response should be a model for all pastors ... he simply says "that is God's decision, and I am confident he says 'no'." Jesus KNEW the answer was 'no' because HE will sit at God's right hand, therefore no one can sit next to him. However, he didn't just say 'no', and neither did he explain the 'why' for not saying 'yes' ... he just said God has other plans, then addressed the fallout over the ask.

We are all blessed that James and John accepted this response, for that too is an act of strong faith.

Prayer: Lord, my wife is an amazing and faithful woman. Her work has not been easy over the years, but your blessings and rewards have been generous and loving and overflowing. May your hand be upon her during this transition, and may your love never be removed from her anointing. Amen.

God Just Doesn't Punish

Scripture:
I say to God: Do not declare me guilty,
but tell me what charges you have against me.
Job 10:2

Observation: At this time in the dialogue, Job and his friends even agree That surely Job should not be questioning the Lord. Job doesn't even (yet) declare himself innocent, but rather that he knows he isn't worthy and that he is sinful. He wishes for the mediator (Jesus, unnamed obviously) who would be the only person even worthy to talk to the Lord about his situation, and he again wishes for his own non-existence, for his state as a sinful man is indefensible.

Yet here is an interesting request ... for the Lord to pronounce his charges against Job before he just punishes him. This is interesting for two reasons. One reason is that we know the Lord is NOT punishing Job; Despite the harm that has come upon him, and the fact even Job himself acknowledges he is not perfect and thus is worthy of punishment, the changes in Job's circumstances are not a punishment from the Lord in any way. The second reason this is interesting is that Job is actually asking for something that the Lord himself will later give to Moses as a requirement of the Law, which is that, when someone is charged with sin, the charge - specifically the commandment in the law that is being violated - is to be written out so it can be clearly understood by both the judges and the accused. The Lord is without sin himself, therefore he could not violate this part of the Law even though the Law had not yet been given, and therefore (transitive property?) there is no charge against Job.

Application: I will make these broad statements about my own life. First, I sin, and at times I sin in a way that so knowingly violates God's precepts and commandments that I am deserving of punishment. Second, I have had significant hardships in my life where, maybe I wasn't sitting with open sores in an ash pile, but I was brought low to a point of depression and despair for my life and my future, even considering the alternative of no longer existing. Third, not once was there a relationship between my sinful actions that I should have been punished for, and these times of destruction and attack on my life.

God just doesn't punish people. He may test us, and he may allow hardship in order to form faith and character, but he doesn't destroy us over our sins and mistakes. We know satan is the one who attacks our lives, and then whispers to us that it is because God doesn't love us, or is angry with us, or is punishing us because we can never be good enough in his eyes.

Every day, if I asked God, "What did I do wrong today? Write out the charges against me!" ... he could hand me the bible, and I'd find, written out, what I did wrong. However, at the lowest moments in my life, if I asked, "What did I do to deserve this?" he would respond ... nothing ... in fact he wants to be with me and help me through those times of attack.

Prayer: Lord, as I said to you yesterday, I am heading into a time where I am a bit afraid of earthly failure. I know you have been with me already in this, guiding and providing all the time, and I will continue to seek your direction. I can only succeed by your wisdom and your love. If I fail, I know it will be because the evil one has attacked. May I look to you no matter what happens tomorrow. Amen.

When God Moves Closer

Scripture:
What is mankind that you make so much of them,
     that you give them so much attention,
that you examine them every morning
     and test them every moment?
Will you never look away from me,
     or let me alone even for an instant?
Job 7:17-19

Observation: The first of Job's friends speaks, and Job responds. The friend's words are actually mild and more-or-less fair, and simply say that ... God is available to pray to, and if Job reaches out to the Lord he will surely hear his prayers and offer comfort and restoration. Job isn't having it. Job has been pushed to the edge by the events that transpired, and simply wants to die. He previously cursed the day of his own birth, declared he would be better off if he never existed, and stands by the idea that he doesn't want restoration, but rather he wants release from life.

And Job concludes this thought this way, wondering why God even pays attention to mankind. God is all-powerful and created all things. He has lots to do all over the universe even without considering the lives and actions of a few billion humans. Yet God pays attention to people, even down to individual persons, even down to Job himself. God examines them, tests them, communicates with them, observes their actions and corrects them. At the very least, if Job cannot die, then certainly at least the Lord can just ignore him and leave him alone.

Application: I feel like this might be a common thought for believers. By 'common' I don't mean daily, but at some time in our journey with the Lord we all think, "Why would you even care about me?", and likely at least once we hope, "Just leave me alone, God." Such thoughts may come in times of hardship, or times when we are ashamed, but no matter what I'm betting that, for most believers, such thoughts do come.

Job wasn't just some believer. This first friend even starts the entire dialogue pointing this out, that Job is a man who has both honored the Lord and uplifted others his entire life. Job is a good and faithful man. However, diseased and alone, he feels separated from God, and in that pain he wishes for separation. Being close to God didn't prevent this pain, so why would he want to restore his proximity to God.

I get that. I've felt that, too. The lesson Job will learn - that I have learned - is that, sitting right there in an ash heap, covered in sores, his children dead and livelihood lost ... God has actually moved closer to Job, not away. God has always watched Job, but he is now right there with Job, and is about to even appear to him face to face. Job's works didn't protect him from hardship, but soon his honest relationship with the Lord will restore him.

Prayer: Lord, hardship will befall my family again. I know it. Please give us your love, and move closer to us in comfort and love, when it does. Amen.

He is Not just 'Roaming'

Scripture: The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Job 1:7

Observation: Twice the Lord asks satan what he has been doing, and satan gives the exact same answer both times ... that he has been "roaming" about the earth. He makes it sound like he is just wandering about, casually going here and there, without any intent or interaction or interest. "Roaming, going back and forth" could be the way someone would discuss window shopping at the mall, or hiking around a local park.

Yet here is the truth: That is not what satan does. First, as a creature unable to tell the truth, we know his response was not forthright. Second, we also know satan has intention in what he does. He does not just passively wander the earth, spending his time in idle leisure, casually observing mankind with indifference. No, he patrols the earth, seeking victims to tempt and torment, causing pain and havoc and sin, with utmost intent and forethought.

And God knows it. God's did ask satan what he was doing because he didn't know, and he certainly didn't ask because he thought satan might give him a straight answer anyway. God wanted to have a conversation with satan, and used the question to establish a context. Knowing that satan would mention being on earth - the dominion where he spends his time - meant the Lord could then segue into whatever topic about life on earth he desired.

Application: I know there are 'problems' with the conversation between God and satan in these first chapters of Job, not the least of which is the idea that satan even presents himself before the Lord in a peaceful manner and then engages in banter about humans. Still, this does provide a glimpse into the character of satan, and that glimpse begins with the fact that he refuses to honestly respond to a question from the Lord when he knows for certain the Lord definitively knows the answer.

Anyone who ever thinks any aspect of satan represents a true and accurate aspect of creation is just wrong. And anyone who thinks he is passively wandering around doing nothing is wrong ... the fact he says that's what he does is evidence of that.

Prayer: Lord, I know evil is actively and aggressively at work in the world. We all see the results. However, I also know your good and your love is actively at work in the world as well. May I be part of that work, in your name, today. Amen.

Every Greeting a Chance to Bless

Scripture: Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in and presented him before Pharaoh. After Jacob blessed* Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked him, “How old are you?” And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. My years have been few and difficult, and they do not equal the years of the pilgrimage of my fathers.” Then Jacob blessed* Pharaoh and went out from his presence. Genesis 47:7-10

Observation: When Jacob meets Pharaoh, the passage says that Jacob twice blesses Pharaoh, which seems a little odd given the difference in their status in Egypt. However, the *footnotes clarify the interpretation of the term 'blessed' here. These two uses may more correctly indicate that Jacob "greeted" Pharaoh, then "bid farewell" to him. Obviously, these two actions make perfect sense.

That said, it is interesting to think about the way Jacob greets Pharaoh. One traditional Jewish greeting to this day is 'shalom' or 'peace' ... declaring or offering peace upon a person, which clearly would be a blessing in any culture. As an alternative, it would have been in character for Jacob to invoke the Lord in his greeting, saying something like "thank you for receiving me, may my Lord bestow favor upon you" as either the greeting or the farewell, or even more plainly "I greet you in the name of the Lord", whereby just invoking Yahweh was considered a blessing. Either way, using the term "blessed" implies more than a simple head bow and "hello" and "goodbye", but rather indicates a very kind, very meaningful pronouncement made by Jacob and directed to Pharaoh, that declared a positive hope for Pharaoh's day if not his life.

Application: How would our world change if this was the manner and spirit in which we greeted one another? If we didn't say "hello" but instead said, "peace be upon you and your home today" ... if we didn't say "goodbye" but instead said, "may the Lord give you a wonderful day."

Yes, there are times we give each other an extended greeting or bid farewell in a way that states we hope someone has a good day or good fortune. These types of interactions often involve friends, and these types of farewells may be used when we know someone has a difficult situation awaiting them. However, imagine a world where this was just how we greeted strangers. What would happen if, upon being introduced to a stranger for the first time, I said something like, "Mike, I greet you in the peace and comfort of Jesus Christ," and when departing I said something like, "May the Lord grant you good fortune in all you do today."

I would like to say that, if everyone did this, the world would be an amazing place. The truth is, the world would look at me like I was odd, and likely even react with negative emotion over invoking Jesus and God into a conversation. This is how "the world" reacts to Jesus.

Still, it would be nice if we all just "blessed" each other as a normal course of conversation ... if our hellos and goodbyes were declarations of hope and peace and comfort and joy. It feels like that would change the course of everyone's day, every day.

Prayer: Lord, I am reminded today that just meeting people offers the opportunity to express your love and your hope simply by how I greet them. I would like to remember that and try that. Amen.

Pulled Up by the Roots

Scripture: Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots." Matthew 15:12-13

Observation: Here is something that likely most who have read the bible intuitively understand but is rarely talked about ... Pharisees aren't really a 'thing' to God or the Jewish belief faith. They aren't part of any Levitical order, nor are they part of any group of priests and Levites established by scripture. They aren't a clan of any tribe that was assigned a particular duty by Moses nor any king. In fact, the function they perform - leading by example the practices and rituals and lessons taught in scripture - is not a function that is even mentioned or assigned to any group in scripture.

Pharisees are literally a sect of Jewish scholars, whose classification and qualifications were created by Jewish scholars, with functions defined by Jewish scholars, for the purpose of ... being honored as Jewish scholars. They only formed around 150 BC, seemingly with the purpose of creating a group of people who had memorized scripture and thus could 'declare' it orally instead of through reading in the synagogue, and who then began declaring that certain rituals contained in scripture applied to everyone and not just priests and Levites.

In other words, they are not in any way established by the Lord. In fact, their existence - while perhaps well-intended as a means to offer access to the word of God - may contradict that very word, as the Lord ordered parents to teach their children about the word of God, and kings and priests to read the word aloud.

Application: I believe Jesus established his Church (capital 'C'), and thus the general approach to Christianity today exists under the Lord's plan. However, I am very, very aware that many of the structures and practices that churches adhere to are not part of that plan. This begs the question, what aspects of Christianity did the Lord plant, and which will be pulled up by the roots?

Honestly, I look at church practices in places like north Africa, China, and Persia for the core elements of Christian living that Jesus established. They meet together, share social time and meals, read and discuss the word, joyfully sing worship and praise, express forgiveness and encourage repentance for sin, uphold each other during strife and persecution, unite to express love to others, and tell non-believers about the hope found in Jesus. These are specifically the things Jesus did with his disciples and commanded them to continue.

Belief in Jesus as the resurrected Messiah and our Lord and savior of life is the definition of faith, but doing these other core things is the activity Jesus taught us to do as the response to that faith.

What didn't he tell us to do? He didn't tell us to make the study other books written by earthly writers part of our gathering time. He didn't tell us to join protests. He didn't tell us to chant in Latin. He didn't tell us to create 'constitutions' to run global organizations. He didn't tell us to wear certain clothes, be they overtly plain or uniquely ornate. And he sure didn't tell us to argue with each other over the definition of things like 'sin' and 'love' and 'worship' and 'forgiveness' and 'meals' and 'uphold'.

Yes, I have both participated in and argued about some of these things. Yes, I have been a Pharisee. I sure don't want to be, and I truly want to focus on just the work that the Lord defined and commanded. I want to see so many pharisaical practices pulled out by the root, and I want to grow stronger as a disciple.

Prayer: Lord, may thy will be done, and especially by your Church. Give us wisdom to focus on the truth you planted and the instructions you gave, and to set aside the practices and traditions we ourselves invented that likely draw our attention away from your purposes. Amen.

Classic Themes Begin Somewhere

Scripture: Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter. Genesis 42:22-23

Observation: This scene is straight out of a movie ... a group of people are talking in one language, and the protagonist understands them because he secretly knows that language but has hidden that fact, using an interpreter during their conversation ... he therefore understands their hidden motives; the audience knows he understands, and simply waits to see when he will spring a trap to catch them in deception.

Joseph does trap his brothers, forcing them to bring Benjamin to see him, and the fact is he is much further "ahead" of his brothers in understanding the situation, as they don't even recognize him in the first place. This is an archetypal 'thriller' scenario, with one person of power holding all the cards, and the reader/audience just wondering how long he'll allow the game to play out.

Application: One of the funnier things in my education is when someone who never studied literature reads Shakespear and finds a phrase or plot even that is common today, and they say "wow, that was popular even in Shakespear's day" ... and those who know say "um ... no ... Shakespear invented that, right there in this play, and everyone else copies it now."

I feel the same here, with faking out someone about what language you speak by using an interpreter when. This was written about 3,400 years ago, about events that happened almost 4,000 years ago. This is the first 'literary' reference to this. Now, maybe this wasn't unique, and maybe this was easily a ruse so obvious that others not only did it but anyone could (and still does) think of it as a plot device. Still, this is the origin of this means of gleaning information from someone through hiding ones understanding of their language.

All I'm saying is that it is fun to read the bible and recognize its influence on others, even when perhaps they don't know they're being influenced.

Prayer: Lord, you are great and wonderous and powerful and glorious, and you are also interesting. Your word fascinates me not only in how it instructs, but how it can entertain and educate as well. May I meditate on your word more and more every day. Amen.

Only One Person to Please

Scripture: Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet. Matthew 14:5

Observation: Herod is a bad king and a bad Jew and a bad man. This is rather well established by how he weakly runs his country while committing all kinds of sins, and this one verse establishes the basis for why his is so bad. Herod has no fear of God.

When it comes to John the Baptist, even today people familiar with his story would argue that either he was a prophet of God, or not. Those who would say 'no' are mostly in the mindset that there is no God and therefore there are no prophets. Herod was right there, observing how his people interacted with John, seeing that he had a following of disciples, and easily knowing that John was born of a priestly family. He had every bit of information he could need to know John was a prophet. However, this one sentence calls out the major flaw in Herod.

Herod knew everyone thought John was a prophet, therefore he was afraid to kill him because of that public opinion ... NOT because he thought John was a prophet and thus may incur God's wrath.

For Herod, the opinion of people was far more important than the commands of Yahweh. When considering killing a prophet, Herod doesn't care about whether or not it is right to kill, or if he would be cursed by God for killing a prophet, or if prophets even exist, but he's afraid "people" will get angry. When he then does kill John, he does so to please a woman, pressured by the opinions of his dinner guests who heard him make an oath, without giving God even a momentary thought.

Application: I am tired of thinking about public opinion and social issues. I've written at length about these issues. However, it bears repeating over and over again that there is an 'answer' to all of this, and there is one way that we can all properly prioritize how we interact with others in this world.

I am to do that which pleases the Lord. I am to obey his commands, speak of his love and his promises, love others in his name, and live within the guidelines of his peaceful kingdom on earth. If my thoughts and activities run opposed to those of "people", I am to consider only one thing, which is understanding what Jesus' opinion is of the situation, and then I am to think and act in accord with that. If that is opposed to majority opinion, so be it.

I have a quote on a post-it right here on my desk ... "I have nothing to prove; I have someone to please." Herod lived like a man who was trying to prove his kingliness to everyone. I want to live like a man who focuses on pleasing only Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, I continue my weak life, and you continue to forgive me and tolerate me. I thank you for your mercy and love and forgiveness. I do ask today for your spirit to be upon me as I work. May I do so for your glory, and may I remain focused only on pleasing you. Amen.

Don't Gotta be Somebody

This is a statement of fact ...

I've got nothing to prove anymore, so there’s nothing to lose anymore. You’re gonna keep on loving me for more than just the things that I do, so I’ll sing it till there’s no doubt. Nobody can count me out because I’m already somebody to you.

Laban is the Middle East

Scripture: When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods. ... "May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us." Genesis 31:19,51

Observation: Part of this topic was covered before, but it is greatly relevant here ... Abraham and Nahor were brothers, however it is most likely their father Terah did not believe in Yahweh. Most experts agree that Terah's profession was an idol-maker, which is why he moved the family to Haran (and Abraham's other brother is named Haran). The "household god" Rachel stole was likely a family heirloom originally made by her great-great-grandfather.

This of course begs the question ... whom is Laban calling upon to judge between himself and Jacob? The God of Abraham is Yahweh. However, his father was most likely a polytheist who worshipped several gods common in Mesopotamia. There is no record about Nahor's faith, if he followed his father or if he adopted his brother's singular belief in Yahweh, though it seems his ancestral line is at least familiar with Yahweh. There is reason to doubt if Labon exclusively worships Yahweh, with the best evidence against this being the existence of - and importance given to - the idol in his home.

That said, by invoking "God" not by any name at all but under the umbrella of three family patriarchs who very clearly had different belief systems, Laban is doing what he always does. He is manipulating the situation to cover all the bases, so that no matter what Jacob believes - now or in the future - this covenant will still apply. By everything he declares, Laban sets the terms of how he and Jacob are to interact, and manipulates it all so every term is in his favor. However, the net result will be harm only to himself ... Laban will die lonely, and never again see his daughters or grandchildren ever again.

Application: The complicated attitude and actions of Laban intersect interestingly with the issues in the middle east still today, especially in the contextual fact that Jacob IS Israel.

It is unclear if Laban really worships Yahweh, and if he does he has tagged on several characteristics or understandings of the Lord that are contradictory to the Lord's nature. Laban is out to swindle and deceive Jacob/Israel, going so far as to threaten Israel simply because he had the gall to succeed through hard work. Laban declares terms under which Israel can function that are very one-sided in his favor, then gets angry when Israel succeeds within the framework of that agreement while he suffers. Laban even declares that 'property' that very, very obviously and unequivocally belongs to Israel - his children! - actually belong to him. Finally, Laban calls on a vague and ambiguous version of "God" to oppose Israel, ignorant of the fact that the Lord has a covenant relationship with Israel.

In a very literal sense, Jacob is Israel. In a metaphorical yet very clear sense, Laban is the middle east. Before Jacob was even renamed Israel, God showed us the behavioral pattern of the future ... others will hate God's people and work to undermine and harm them, even when that hate is without logic and harms only themselves.

Prayer: Lord, things are about to go down in "Persia" again. I once said there were "no innocents" in Iran, but I was mistaken. I was young, foolish, uninformed, and unloving. Please forgive me. I ask you to be with the innocent people in Iran, and especially be with the Christians who believe at the risk of their very lives. I know all that happens there is evidence of your movement here on earth, and of the spiritual war satan fights to try to hurt you by harming your beloved people. May thy will be done in this conflict, as it has been done since the very beginning of attacks against your people thousands of years ago. Amen.

Upon a Place Being Cursed by God

Scripture: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. Matthew 11:21-22

Observation: Jesus spends much of his ministry in and around the Sea of Galilee to the point that, when he is in Jerusalem, most consider him to be Galilean (and if not him, at least most of his disciples). However, here Jesus does something interesting; He curses three key towns of Galilee.

Jesus declares woe over Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, stating their fate will be even worse that Sodom. They will be judged because they did not repent when they personally witnessed the acts of Messiah. He juxtaposes their future punishment to the cities of Tyre and Sidon, places not known for any special amount of faith or relationship with Jesus at all.

And what happens? Well, today, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum are archeological sites, having been abandoned and destroyed likely within 50 years of this pronouncement. Meanwhile, Tyre and Sidon are existing cities in Lebanon.

Certainly, towns and cities don't make decisions about whether or not to honor Jesus ... these are choices made by the people who live in them. However, such groups - as found in communities and towns and cities - develop a culture, and people choose the extent to which they will be influenced by such cultures when they make decisions for themselves about Jesus. What we see in Jesus is that, when a community has developed a negative culture that is so strong that when God himself walks among them performing miracles, and they reject or ignore him, the place itself is worthy of curse.

Application: I actually cry when I am in Seattle now days. It isn't the city I grew up in, where I walked along 15th and Broadway on Capitol Hill, took dates to eat ice cream at the waterfront, went grocery shopping for big meals at Pike Place, played soccer in West Seattle and Rainier Beach, Christmas shopped on 5th Avenue, visited friends in Fremont, bought unique coffee blends in the U District ... now, every place I just mentioned is a rundown cesspool with homeless tents and failing businesses by day, and empty streets I wouldn't dare walk around at night.

Has the Lord cursed Seattle due to the culture that has been fostered here, a culture that has caused literally millions of people to reject Jesus? Honestly ... I feel the answer has to be 'yes'. Can Seattle be redeemed? I know the Lord can do all things, so I know the answer is 'yes'.

Prayer: Lord, you are right to curse Seattle. It is a place that, due to influences of lost people, has corrupted many and drives them away from your light and your love. If it be your will, may your light prevail here again, and if not throughout the city then in the hearts of those you call out of the darkness. Amen.

Holding onto One's Purpose

Scripture: When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3

Observation: John sends this message to Jesus, and Jesus will answer the messengers not with a direct response, but with statements about what he is doing - healing the blind, curing lepers, etc. - which are the signs of the Messiah. Jesus then goes into a speech to everyone about who John is; John is the prophet foretold in Malechi who comes and prepares the way for Messiah.

However, John's question is curious. If John is the prophet that prepares the way, and he knew Jesus was doing great things, why ask this question? In fact, what John really asked was ... Are you, Jesus, the prophet that prepares the way for the Messiah who is yet to show himself? Or, to put it another way, John was asking ... Am I really the messenger, or was I just some guy baptizing people?

Jesus not only knew who John was, but he clearly also understood THAT was the question, and then answered it by both stating that, indeed, he is Messiah, AND that indeed John is the prophet who prepared the way. Jesus understood that, in that moment, sitting in a prison cell, John was doubting his own life's purpose.

Application: John was a great prophet, himself a fulfillment of Old Testament prophesy. His own birth was surrounded by miracles, and he was so in tune with the spirit that he recognized Jesus as Messiah even before either of them were born, and immediately upon seeing him every time in life. He knew his mission and life's purpose, and did it dutifully in full submission to the Lord's will. And yet, at the end of his life ... he doubted if it had all been true, and thought that maybe he was nobody and he had gotten the order of things all wrong.

I know I'm a nobody. There are no prophesies about my life, and no purposes spoken over my existence from birth. I wouldn't know how to hold onto my purpose and believe in it, as no such grand purpose exists.

However, that's not completely true. I have a purpose, to love the Lord, and serve him in faith and obedience. I am to be an organizer and administrator of activities that foster outreach and evangelism. And I do question that, as I have exited doing those things after literally decades of doing so. I am also to be a good and loving husband and father, though currently my kids are grown and moved away and my wife is angry with me often. Most days I sit in this room, not much bigger than a cell, doing work I don't really understand, and wondering ... did I miss something along the way?

I do have a purpose within the Lord's plan, and I need to return to it. All of it.

Prayer: Lord, as we enter a new season of faith and our walk with you, may you lead me and my family where you would have us go to serve within your purpose for us. Amen.

Trying to Understand Passive Peace

Scripture: Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. Genesis 26:19-21

Observation: Isaac has a series of interesting ... confrontations ... throughout this passage. It begins with him settled near Gerar where Philistines are settled. He pulls the ol' "my wife is my sister" ploy of his dad to avoid conflict. He lives there in peace, and in the middle of a famine he plants crops and receives a 100-fold harvest, therefore the Philistines become afraid of his power and ask him to leave.

So he leaves. Isaac moves to a nearby valley where his father had camped before, and there he takes time to unclog wells that the Philistines have clogged up. He then digs new wells, which the Philistines (who clearly didn't need the water since they clogged other good wells) claim as theirs, and Isaac just says 'okay', digs another well, and the Philistines take that one too. He will ultimately move on to Beersheba in the Negev where no one will claim what he digs. However, even once there, the Philistines will come seeking him (with a small show of military force, no less) and demand he sign a treaty with them, which he does.

Throughout all this, Isaac just passively submits to whatever others demand of him. They kick him off his successful farm, order him to leave town, vandalize his father's wells, take from him wells he labored to build, drive him out of their valley, require him to legally agree to terms of non-aggression, and Isaac ... just shuts up and complies with a shrug and a smile. Oh, and also throughout all this, the Lord blesses Isaac SO much that all Philistines are afraid of this quiet, passive, peaceful wanderer and his small family.

Application: My first inclination today, upon reading Isaac's behavior, was to find fault in a man who was such a passive pushover. Isaac is the least discussed of the patriarchs, sometimes seen as just the bridge from Abraham to Jacob. His passive nature is one of the key sources of generational friction between Jacob and Esau (Israel and Edom). He gets pushed around by others, and just takes it.

And yet ... he is blessed so richly that an entire people-group lives in fear of him and his family's campsite. They do everything they can to sabotage this one man's family, kick him out of their cities, then fearfully ask him to not destroy them.

As I examine this, I realize Isaac was the man of peace who simply knew that, if others in this world closed a door on one part of his life, God would open a new door for him. The world - and worldly people - might act in ways that attempted to harm and intimidate Isaac, but Isaac just looked to the Lord and said, "okay, where to next?"

I am one of those men who thinks I need to take action to be successful. That mindset is opposed to the Lord's model for living. I need to take action only as directed by the Lord, and above all I need to find actions that foster peace and love. If those "actions" look "passive" by the world's standards, so be it.

Make no mistake, all my worldly efforts have brought me is frustration, anger, sadness, depression, and a lack of fulfillment to the point of self-loathing. Every joy I have is not a result of my efforts, but a blessing from the Lord. From my wife, my family, my home, and the resources I have to enjoy free time ... these are all from the Lord, and they are the only parts of my life I enjoy.

I should probably become a passive man of peace.

Prayer: Lord, in this context and this realization, please guide me in my daily work. May I be transformed in alignment to your will and your ways, and not conform to the ways of this world. Amen.

Teaching About Life, not Rules

Scripture: When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:28-29

Observation: When Jesus concludes this sermon on the mount, this is what is thought of him ... his teaching is amazing, because he teaches as one with "authority", which is not how local rabbi's and pharisees teach. this generates a question about what the real difference is. We have just read how Jesus taught, so how was it different?

The answer is likely about how Jesus presented the word and then expounded upon it, not just by explaining it but taking it further and going beyond the text. Throughout the sermon, Jesus says that everyone has "heard it said" and then quotes scripture. From there, he goes beyond the scripture. Sometimes he explains what it really means, and other times he is actually going beyond the mere words to get at the heart and attitudes that required such a word of the Lord to be given in the first place. Avoiding adultery becomes a lesson about all kinds of lust; Not committing murder becomes instruction about reconciling all anger and emotional hostility; Encouraging prayer turns into a lesson about how and where to pray, because non-performative praying conveys your true heart to the Lord.

And how did rabbis teach? We don't have much evidence, but we know they often read from the scriptures - not from memory, but opening the scroll and reading in order to get it word-for-word accurate - and then spoke briefly on the meaning of the words. They would have adhered closely to the idea of avoiding adding anything to the Lord's word, and thus would never have expounded on the underlying meaning of scripture. As individuals who led public compliance with the Law, and perhaps had their lives sustained by people needing to interact with the Lord through the synagogue as assisted by the rabbi, they absolutely would not have taught about having a private relationship with the Lord.

In other words, they likely taught about "compliance" with the word of the Lord through scripted actions performed daily or regularly, and stopped short of "application" of how the word should define every action in one's normal everyday life activities. 

Application: This remains the challenge for me and most Christians ... allowing the Lord to drive my thoughts and actions every day, in everything, all the time. I always pray before meals and attend church on Sunday morning. I try more and more to pray other times, have some meditation or worship some days, and (of course) do a daily devotion. However, I still fall short of making God part of absolutely everything, like praying before meetings, seeking the Holy Spirit for guidance at work, or meditating on his word (instead of playing a game on my phone) during downtime.

Jesus' teaching with "authority" meant that his teaching was telling people how to live within the spirit and context of the Lord's word, not how to comply with the rules as explicitly outlined in the Lord's word. Obeying his teaching improves life, not just defines procedures.

Prayer: Lord, I want an amazing life, and I know that is available to me when I live a life that is aligned to your teaching every moment of every day. May I seek your will today in all actions and activities, and explicitly interact with you in all matters. Amen.

Doing Right vs. Not Doing Wrong

Scripture: All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

Observation: As Jesus teaches about the true meaning of the law, he gets to a discussion about oaths. The teaching is simple ... if you "swear an oath" the implication is that, when you are making a declaration that you are not swearing to, you could lie. In other words, by swearing an oath you are stating 'THIS time I'm telling the truth, I really mean it.'

When we decide we will prove our obedience to the Lord on a case-by-case basis, there arises a very clear conflict, which is the idea that proving compliance only in selected events makes it clear we are not complying other times. Perhaps more accurately, when someone "swears" to something they are declaring they are removing the future choice to violate their word, and therefore if they don't swear it is because they want to keep that choice available. Even if they comply with their promise, the fact they wanted to keep an 'out' is an issue.

In fact, this is what many of the elements of this section of the sermon on the mount is about ... how evil works in our hearts when we believe we have options about whether or not to be good. This applies to oaths, revenge, lust, divorce, and even violence. When we know the right thing to do and we do it, yet we keep ourselves open to perhaps making a different decision in the future as circumstances evolve, then we are really not doing the right thing now ... we are just not doing the wrong thing.

In my logical mind, I can make the case that "not doing wrong" is what compliance with the Lord's instructions looks like. Perhaps this is because of how the law is written, when we are told "don't do x" we just avoid doing x. This is the difference Jesus introduces because he tells us "do y" instead, and y is ... love others. It is also why the greatest of the commandments isn't part of the ten commandments, but is to "love the Lord your God."

Application: The Lord wants me to do what is right, not to just avoid doing what is wrong. Avoiding what is wrong isn't just "minimal compliance", but it is failure to comply because the Lord's instructions for my life is active. The instruction isn't "don't hate others", it is to love others, and when I love them I won't hate them as a byproduct of that love.

Likewise, the instruction isn't really "don't lie", it is "tell the truth". The instruction isn't really "don't curse", it is "speak kindly and gently". The instruction isn't really "don't lust", it is "honor your wife" and "respect others". The instruction isn't really "don't get angry", it is "live in peace". The instruction isn't really "don't be afraid", it is "trust in the Lord".

I need to start actively doing what is right, instead of trying to just avoid doing what is wrong.

Prayer: Lord, your teaching is so good and true. It is amazing to think that we have the ability to listen to the wisdom of the Lord and live a life you would teach us. Please forgive me when I fail to do so, and when I ignore your wisdom. May I fill my life with doing what you would have me do every day. Amen.

Confusion is the Takeaway

Scripture: When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said,
“Cursed be Canaan!
The lowest of slaves
will he be to his brothers.”
Genesis 9:24-25

Observation: There are many, many interpretations of what Ham did when he found Noah drunk, everything from simply failing to help him, to disrespecting and mocking him, to possibilities of rape and incest. Regardless of the act, Noah takes an interesting action. He curses ... not Ham, but Ham's youngest son. Since Ham was the youngest of Noah's sons, it is possible that Noah is cursing his own youngest (out of 16) grandson.

In fact, the curse does seem to play out in this manner. Two of the other sons of Ham are Egypt and Cush, and in the future they are strong nations with dynamic relationships with Israel. However, the nations from Canaan - the Hittites, Jebusites, Hivites, Amorites, etc. - are the nations Israel eventually expels from the land Canaan. In this, it seems Noah's curse was in fact targeted at Canaan, and not Ham.

Application: I began studying this issue, and quickly saw that all of this is a confusing rabbit hole. Scholars disagree about whether Ham was really the youngest child, if Canaan could have even been born yet at the time of the curse, etc. Taken all together, it seems Genesis 9 may be one of the most confusing and ambiguous chapters of the entire bible.

And maybe ... maybe ... that's the point. The flood did not restore order to mankind. It culled the population and brought punishment for certain acts, but it didn't fix anything, implement new structures, or eliminate confusion over how mankind was supposed to function. Sin, anger, disrespect, chaos, and confusion are all still present in this chapter, just like these characteristics existed before the flood.

Perhaps the takeaway is the immediate realization that the flood didn't fix anything. If that's true, then no punishment of the Lord can "fix" our world, except for the second coming of Christ. Not even a massive release of supernatural power could make people realign their lives to the Lord, until it is proven without doubt that Jesus truly rules the world, and salvation is from him alone.

Prayer: Lord, may I receive your guidance this day. I know there is no lesson to learn other than one, which is that Jesus is my Lord and savior. My faith is in you alone. May I serve you today by serving others, and may my actions only reflect your will. Amen.

Daily Death During Life

Scripture: “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

Observation: As is well known, in this exchange with the serpent Eve misquotes the Lord about the one rule they have been given, misstating the act that is forbidden. She says she will die if she touches the tree, but the serpent corrects her that she will not die, but instead will 'know good and evil.'

It is true that the Lord said they would die if they ate from the tree (verse 2:17), and the Lord's word is always true. In one sense, that curse was proved true because Adam and Eve are no longer alive on earth. However, many scholars would say the death that is this curse is spiritual, as it is now possible to sin and thus be removed from the Lord's presence. That said, there is another way they died that day ... they sought the will to know good and evil, which is the true definition of earthly hardship and death.

We know the Lord seeks to give all mankind everything good, and that the real source of sin is the act of Adam and Eve, which is to define 'good' and 'evil' for ourselves. If we would merely seek the Lord as our only source of wisdom, we would have amazing lives. When we turned away and sought good and evil for ourselves, we didn't just sin ... we died. Our lives became a mess, full of pain and sadness and depression of hard work and anger and fear and anxiety and hopelessness and sorrow. All that - every bit of those words - are now part of the lives of every person, regardless of station or status or riches. Maybe some aspects are worse for some, but we all know all about all of these negative aspects of life. That is true "death", and that was never the Lord's plan for any of us.

Application: Original sin is such a deep topic, but it can also be made very basic, and that is how I see it ... due to our decision to disobey the Lord, we will have hard lives, and while Jesus provides eternal reconciliation, faith does not protect us from hardship.

And this is true because I still sin, I still disobey, I still decide good and evil for myself and judge others by some definition I have placed in my own mind, every day. This is daily death during life on earth.

I have thought recently about what heaven will really be like ... specifically about how it works when beings that have free will are now together not because we were good but because we have faith in Jesus, and somehow don't inflict problems on each other. Perhaps this is the answer: In the presence of the Lord, we will finally accept that he is the only definition of good and evil, and will obey his words and his will instead of our own, and in so doing all bad actions will disappear. That was the way the world was supposed to work in the first place, so it makes sense that the "new heaven and new earth" would reinstate that model.

Prayer: Lord, please do forgive me when I chase my own definitions of good and evil, and especially when I know your definitions and behave differently. I would like to call upon your direction in all my actions more and more, every day. Amen.

A Promise and a Plea

Scripture: He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21

Observation: This is how the entire bible ends, with this very declaration of Jesus, "I am coming soon," and with this response ... "Amen, come, Lord Jesus."

These words are not just casual words of encouragement, followed by an offhanded choice to 'agree' to the words as a sign of faith or obedience. This is a promise and a plea. Jesus promises and declares that he will come again to the world, bringing with him the new heaven, the new Jerusalem, and the new and permanent kingdom on earth so we may live with him and with the Lord forever. As believers, we plead that this will happen, and happen soon, so we may be with Jesus forevermore, living in the perfected future within the warmth and grace and love of the Lord.

Application: I say again, come, Lord Jesus. This is a prayer I have declared hundreds of times, and I would expect that makes me average among Christians. It may not be a stretch to say therefore that, throughout history, this three-word phrase is the phrase most said, ever.

Come, Lord Jesus.

This is a plea. It is my plea. I know there is life left ahead of me and my family, and within that life are future joys that we would all like to have and to share. However, nothing can compare to just being with Jesus and experiencing the Lord's presence. Joys will be replaces by greater joys, and hardships will be removed. The greatest moment in creation is yet to come, and it is the moment that Jesus finally claims the world and all within it in the name of the Lord. And as we use human logic to track created dynamics to measure what we call 'years' and 'time' ... perhaps 2026 will be the year when Jesus comes.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for a wonderful year, full of our grace, your blessing, and your love. You have cared for me and my family far beyond what I could hope, and absolutely beyond what I deserve. May I be a better man in 2026, finding a new passion to serve you in word and deeds. I end this year by praying it again, please, come, Lord Jesus. Amen, and amen.

Turning God into a Thing

Scripture: We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God: for the bread set out on the table; for the regular grain offerings and burnt offerings; for the offerings on the Sabbaths, at the New Moon feasts and at the appointed festivals; for the holy offerings; for sin offerings to make atonement for Israel; and for all the duties of the house of our God. Nehemiah 10:32-33

Observation: Under the system of tithes and offerings established by the Law, the people are to bring forward four types of giving. One is the tithe, or one tenth of everything they produce. Another is the first fruits, a gift of the first harvest of the year and the firstborn of the flock every season. A third is any kind of offering associated with events, which can range from the birth of a child, to the participation in one of the annual feasts, to the commitment and admission of sin. Finally, the fourth is a 'goodwill' or 'friendship' offering, which is just whenever someone feels like they want to give more to the Lord.

It appears Nehemiah replaces that fourth type of offering here, and introduces something Jesus will address ... the "temple tax". Verses 34-37 discuss the recommitment to the other three types of offerings, then verses 38-39 review the logistics of all the collection of offerings, declaring that the people "will not neglect the house of the Lord." However, nowhere is there discussion of random friendship offerings. The people do not commit to just loving the Lord so much that they feel they want to give him even more. Therefore, Nehemiah implements - as the very first recommitment to offerings - a tax of a third of a shekel (~$550 in today's money) per male, so the procedures within temple can operate and the building can be maintained.

It is no wonder this was a controversial tax. It isn't part of the Law, and by being a significant fixed amount it doesn't 'scale' based on an individual's ability to pay (like the tithe or first-fruits do). However, the largest issue might be that it changes the relationship people have with God. Instead of giving to the Lord out of love and relationship, they now give out of obligation; Instead of giving to the Lord because of who he is as the eternal and loving sovereign creator, they now give to a building because it needs maintenance and supplies for weekly rituals almost no one ever sees.

In other words, it seems the temple tax represents the idea that ... Yahweh went from being the most important being in the universe, full of love and mercy and hope ... to being the most important building in Israel, full of crumbling stone and day-old bread.

Application: It is interesting that this 'tax' becomes the one the Jews question Jesus about, and that Jesus ultimately pays via a miracle. As God incarnate - and the son of God - Jesus knew what relationship with the Lord meant, and it didn't mean taking care of a building.

What "thing" have I turned God into? In what parts of my life has an object - and perhaps caring for that object - become a proxy for actually interacting with, and carrying about my relationship with, the Lord? Perhaps my home and my family, though I am confident that I don't really care for them, but the Lord cares for them perhaps despite my efforts.

This is a good lesson to keep in mind. My heart should always be pointed toward the Lord, and not toward the "stuff" I have that may even be from the Lord. I must spend time every day maintaining my relationship with the Lord, and not focused on "keeping" the blessings he provides.

Prayer: Lord, you have been with my family and I throughout this Christmas season, and I thank you. I love you greatly, and I don't say that to you nearly enough. May I keep you not just in my heart, but in the very front of my mind, every day. Amen.

To Live by the Crystal Sea

Scripture: And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God. Revelation 15:2

Observation: As the "seven bowls" are about to begin, John sees both the seven angels but also this gathering of the faithful who "been victorious" during what seems like the tribulation. They are standing beside a "sea of glass glowing with fire". This is a great sea that doesn't just look like liquid water that moves and reflects light, instead it appears more solid yet it also shimmers with an intensity.

This is the crystal sea of heaven. It is peaceful because it can never roar or rage with the energy of waves. It is beautiful in its purity and splendid reflection of dancing light. It is vast and thus still projects the strength of the great power of the ocean.

Application: Laurie and I have talked about "where to live" in heaven, and she is firm that she wants to live near "the crystal sea". I never knew this was actually in the bible until today, as I guess I've always overlooked it. This is a sea of both beauty and purity, but also calm and strength. It portrays the wonder and greatness of an ocean as we would understand it, but without any of the dangers we might think of related to flooding or storm waves. And it is uniquely capable of reflecting light in a manner so grand it makes it seem that it's "glowing with fire", and of course the source of light in heaven is the Lord himself.

I may still want to live by the river of life that flows from the throne, but I doubt I'm good enough for such real estate. I could live by the crystal sea.

Prayer: Lord, today I discovered your great sea in heaven. What more do you have to show me next year, in my next reading of the bible? Your word is new every day. Amen.

A Rare Rant and Commentary

Scripture:
Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Proverbs 31:6-7

Observation: These proverbs offer guidance for kings and leaders, especially warning them to remain focused on their leadership and obligations and not be distracted by vices like 'wine and women'. These two verses allow for the drinking of beer and wine by those who are not leaders, so that they can be distracted from their hardships. In this manner, it is clear that the issue is not that taking of such items are sin (for the bible could not declare 'let them do sin'), but rather that such actions do distract and numb those living in misery, and leaders should not be numbed to life.

Application: I am going to discuss something I rarely do. While I often express frustration with the 'political direction' of our modern society, I almost never discuss what I know about government activities based on my 25 years working in and with governments. If anyone reads this and doesn't want to read a political commentary, I invite you to ignore the rest of this post.

Related to this biblical verse, I will say two things:

1) At least at the local level in the U.S., there is no such thing as a "major conspiracy". Due to both their structure and collective intelligence, government could never, ever pull off a major conspiracy (though individual leaders could cover up their own activities).

2) There ARE actions the government performs that they do openly and publicly, and then convince the people of altruistic reasons they did it, when in fact they did it for more sinister purposes that support their own goals.

(Somehow, "the people" are convinced of exactly the opposite ... that there are huge conspiracies being masterminded by local politicians and leaders, but that everyday policy changes performed openly are generally good.)

I will declare here and now ... the legalization of marijuana falls into #2. Politicians know that marijuana has two side effects. First, it relieves general pain. Second, it affects brain function in a manner that decreases motivation to action. The net result of these is ... if you make marijuana available to those who are struggling in life, they are less likely to be angry toward the government about it because they aren't motivated to action, and don't feel the hardship so acutely. As a result, such people don't take action against local politicians who, instead of addressing issues of homelessness and meth epidemics, legalize marijuana so everyone can just cope with their terrible lives.

Instead of helping the poor and destitute, our local politicians have provided those who are in anguish and are perishing access to the modern chemicals so they can ignore their poverty and misery. They did so because then fewer people complain and they can get reelected. And make no mistake, looking at local political jurisdictions, there is correlation between a) widespread and massive homelessness, b) greatly relaxed policies and laws pertaining to drug use, and c) the dominance of one party - and especially its incumbents - in elections.

I am not saying that politicians were obedient to Proverbs 31 by following its advice, giving such chemicals to the poor and dying while avoiding its use themselves! I am saying that, for 3,000 years, political leaders have understood those who live in hardship can be subjugated through chemical means, and for some reason the majority of people are okay with that.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive my judgment. May your church, myself included, find ways to help and serve the poor and the broken and the destitute more and more, as you have commanded us to love others. This is the work of the church, not the government, so may we be your hands and feet and heart every day. Amen.

Prayer and Worship Come First

Scripture: Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices. ... On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid. Ezra 3:3,6

Observation: King Cyrus has ordered the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and when they Jews arrive they take inventory of who has arrived to help and the materials they have to work with, and ... instead of initiating construction, they initiate worship and sacrifice.

They know this is an act that could land them in trouble, as it will be seen due to the smoke, and they are effectively defenseless from anyone who may oppose their return. However, the Jews also know that they must thank the Lord for their return, and they cannot be successful in their endeavors without the Lord's blessing. For this reason, the returning leaders and priesthood first implements sacrifice.

Application: The acts of these first Jews returning to Jerusalem are a positive lessons about pursuing the Lord's will. Yes, I am to do as the Lord wishes, but central to that is initiating such pursuits with a heart of worship, thanks, and honor to the Lord. Instead of charging head-long into my earthly work, I always should take time to honor the Lord, pray, and worship.

I do this okay on days I do my devotions, but that is only about half the time. On other days, I just jump into what I'm going to be doing. It would be better to at least spend time in prayer every morning, and to pray again before beginning any significant activity.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us your instructions for the way to live a good life, and it begins with something I absolutely want to do, which is just to put you first in my heart and mind. May I seek you first every day. Amen.

Answering the Prayer of Wrath

Scripture: The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Revelation 8:4-5

Observation: As we are told of the 'end times' playing out in heaven, we see the opening of the seventh seal creating a short respite, followed by an angel who presents incense before the Lord, then hurls the fire of the alter and the incense censer down upon the earth. There is first a connection made between the censer of incense and the alter. Both are now together, creating smoke and a pleasing aroma that is rising before the Lord, and we know that the smoke that rises from the alter in this way is actually created by prayers. It is our prayers that rise before the Lord, and they are now intermixed with this censer of incense and together create a great natural attack upon the earth.

Application: Without getting into side issues like the timing of events, there is something about this assault on the earth that "feels" important. Several of the seven seals/trumpets/bowls produce natural disaster on the earth, but only this action described during an intermission involves explicitly intermixing the source of the heavenly action with ... prayers of the faithful believers.

That is what happens here (I think). The angel presents the censer of incense, and intermixes it with the prayers, then together launches that upon the earth. There is an implication here that the introduction of these disasters is, in some way, an answer to prayer.

If so, I totally get that. How often have a looked at our society today with diminished hope, and prayed that the Lord would just show up not with tenderness and love, but with wrath and fury and judgment? How often have I prayed that the Lord would appear with so much power and authority that his existence was no longer up for debate, and instead all non-believers would cower in fear? How often have I prayed that it would be great if the Lord just 'ended it'?

I think there are a LOT of prayers that we believers say that actually wish the Lord would hurl an attack on the earth with great thunder and lightening from heaven. We may vary in our idea of what that would produce - fear, belief, or even merciful death - but we do pray for it. It is interesting to think that there is an angel prepared with exactly the right combination of tools and materials to actually answer those prayers someday ... maybe soon.

Prayer: Lord, as our prayers rise to you today and every day, they will include prayers seeking your wrath upon the evil and unbelievers of earth. We see so much of this every day, along with so much pain, that we would rather just have it end and be called home, and having that happen through an undeniable expression of your ultimate power and authority feels right. May thy will be done in heaven and on earth. Amen.