A time to reflect

 This week is a time to reflect on the reading and journaling you have done over the last 25 weeks. Our reading will begin again on July 1, 2024. 

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Isaiah 26

 I have heard it said by someone about their family and others about their employer that they "know where the bodies are buried." Hopefully, the people I was hearing were speaking metaphorically but originally it wasn't that way. A person would have an understood agreement with a criminal element that if they left them alone then they wouldn't tell the authorities where the bodies of the victims were hidden. The thing about it is the earth is normally really good about hiding bodies. I won't go into detail but usually, someone buried isn't going to be seen again. However, there is coming a day when according to the last verse of chapter 26 that won't be the case. There is coming a day when God judges the world that all the bodies are going to be found. The earth, nor anywhere else, will keep the truth from being discovered. 

This is a reminder that though we have never killed a person and hid a body, that no sin will be hidden from God. The solution therefore is to lay it before God and ask for mercy because it's better than way. Like my mom used to say, it's better for you to tell me the truth now than for me to find out the truth later. Mom typically did but not always. God always will find out, because it was never hidden from him in the first place. 

Job 21

 Listen to me. This is the request Job makes to his friends. It is the request secretly said in the hearts of many a person because what is happening in this world is usually that people don't listen. People prepare to answer rather than listen. Not just in political debates but in life. We are so busy trying to prove our point that we aren't listening to others. Job says in the second verse that if his friends would listen that would be the consultation he wants. The question for us, of course, is are we listening? 

Acts 1

 

As I write this I have just started the book Follow the Healer by Stephen Seaman*. In the very beginning, Seaman points out the scripture I had read and I believe preached on before Acts 1:1, but today his words inspired me to write. Seaman pointed out that all the great teachers of the world finished their work or I would add their work is done as they are dead. Jesus' work only began at his death and resurrection. His work continues today in us because He is in us.  We are called to bring the good news, heal the sick, and proclaim deliverance. We are the continuing ministry of the Savior and Healer.  

The question is, of course, Are we following a teacher or a healer? I would say we should be following both. Does this mean miraculous healing? Yes, I think it does, but what is easier healing a body or healing the soul? I think Jesus hinted that the body is easy (Matthew 9:5), which is why perhaps we don't see as many physical healings, but that is a different subject. What I will say is that we are called to bring the entire ministry of Jesus to the world. A ministry of transformations spiritual, mental, and physical. 

*I can't say at this point whether I will agree in part or entirely with his ideas. I suspect I will agree mostly with them. However,  this is my disclaimer. 

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Proverbs 5

 As I read this chapter, I consider the warning that indulging sexual desires outside of God's plan will lead to other people becoming enriched. One might think how is that, but when we consider the amount of money that is being made in the sex trade and pornography, we have to admit the money is coming from somewhere. It is coming from those who have chosen not to follow God's plan. It is coming from the people who are addicted and from the sex slavery that is taking place in the world. This is true about any addiction however, it makes one willing to give our wealth, our time, and actually our lives into the hands of someone else. We give our lives to people who don't care about us. How much wiser is it to put our lives in the hands of God.

    

Exodus 3

Do we send people away free but empty? I noticed at the end of this chapter God promises not just to give freedom but to provide finances for them. God not only gave them freedom but in a very real way a means to start a new life. He didn't just break them out of jail as it were but gave them the money to start living again. Later we will see in the Law that God will command when slaves are set free they are to be given funds to start their new life. Even spiritually Jesus offers the only Spirit to help us once we have been freed from our sins. To put it another way, God doesn't just free us, he gives us what we need to live free. 

Now it's up to us to see how we can apply that to our life and how we treat others. So what are you going to do? 

 

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Exodus 2

This chapter's last verse says God looked at the Israelites and was concerned for them. This sounds a bit like God may have been ignoring them up until now, but as we see the picture of God unfold in the Bible that isn't true. However, from our perspective, it definitely feels, at times, that God isn't paying attention. When God is prepared to move, he moves with knowledge and concern. The second part is what get my attention. God isn't moving just because of the covenant but He is moving because he is concerned. God cares what happens to us. A great picture of this is Jesus weeping over Jerusalem even though he knew they would reject him. God is concerned and that is why He moves. To say it another way, God is moved to help when the time is right and because he loves. 

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Isaiah 25

 

The promise of Isaiah 25:8 is found complete in the final work of Jesus. Paul said in1 Corinthians 15:54

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” In Hebrews 2:14–15 it says, 

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." And finally two places in Revelations. Revelation 20:14, "Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. Revelation 21:4 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” What a promise and it is coming. 

Job 20

 What Zophar says could easily be placed in many a prophetic book or even the book of Proverbs. Like the other comforters, every word is true about the wicked but is not true when applied to Job. I have commented before that it is easy to apply to someone, whose life has seen misery, as "deserving it." Yes, there are times when we add to our own miseries, but often what happens to us is beyond our control. Life is by in large difficult, not easy. 

We have like Job's comforters believe that if we are decent people everything should be good. However, it has only been in the last hundred years that large numbers of people live lives of relative comfort. We have come to expect that an easy life should be the norm and something is wrong when it isn't but it never has been easy. When you look at areas outside the developed world life is normally a struggle just to stay alive. Life is hard and therefore we shouldn't be as discouraged when life goes wrong and never assume that is someone's fault for hard times. 

Side note: I'm not saying we shouldn't strive to have the largest number of people enjoy this easier life. We should want it, but understand this hasn't been the normal state of affairs for humans so don't blame, as it were, the victims. 

Luke 24

 On the first day of the week, everything changed, but the disciples couldn't believe it at first. It is also good to note that the first people God sent to be witnesses to the resurrection were women. The people who were considered at that time as an unreliable witness. God sent angels to women. God entrusted the message to people that the surrounding culture didn't trust. God again is using people, most people wouldn't. As Paul would say in 1 Corinthians 1:27, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

Do you feel weak and foolish? I do sometimes. Good, this means God might especially use you. 

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Psalm 20

 

This is a psalm of David that the priest and the people would sing for him probably before a military campaign. This psalm is actually a prayer. This prayer asks God's favor on his leader. This as I have mentioned before may be prayed with a person in mind, a spiritual leader. 

The other thing that is said is that the person singing will rejoice when the leader is victorious. This reminds me of Paul's admonition in Romans 12:15a to "rejoice with those that rejoice." I have found that sometimes it is hard to rejoice in the success of others especially when we didn't get the victory. It may be fallen human nature to sulk when others win, but that isn't what God wants for us. He wants us to rejoice when other people get victory. 

As I write this, I am reminded that I was NOT elected for a position I wanted at a meeting, last week. I was and still am a little sad, as I really wanted to fill that position. However, I look at the people that were chosen and I am glad for them. I know that those who were elected will do a great job. This being said I have to imagine that rejoicing for others might be hard when if we feel that the person isn't going to do a good job. When this happens we need to pray and let God work it out. Starting out let's make sure we are at least rejoicing for our friends and allies. 

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Exodus 1

 

What we see here in Egypt is a change in Pharaohs. This new Pharaoh from a new dynasty doesn't know about the history of why these Israelites were in Egypt. What he sees is a large number of strong independent people who don't fit in with the rest of Egyptian culture. He judges them, I guess, on the condition of his own heart. He thinks that this group might join with their enemies to gain either more recognition or power. It's what most groups did and still do today. If he had learned their history and knew they were to go to another land he might have helped them and instead of making an enemy gained a friend. Of course that didn't happen and God knew it wouldn't. Thus the story of the Exodus begins with the assumption that Israel will do evil. 

The lesson here for me is that we need to guard our hearts so we do not make the same mistake as Pharaoh. Let's not assume that others will do evil. This doesn't mean we need to be naive about the brokenness of people but it does mean we need to obey the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

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Genesis 50

The last verse of Genesis ends with Joseph in a coffin in Egypt. He isn't buried or hidden away, his body is serving as a witness that God has a plan to take the people out of Egypt. We know that God will eventually take the people out of bondage. I wonder if the people had been listening and willing that they could have avoided the slavery of Eygpt. If they had been seeking God fully and had seen the body of Joseph as a sign that they were not meant to stay in Eygpt forever life might have gone easier for them. This of course is a question we will never know. However, it causes me to think that if I'm doing a better job following God's plan and living in the promised land was God's plan for Israel, then maybe it could save us from some pain. 

So are their signs telling you that you're not supposed to stay where you are? Or perhaps it's not moving locations but something else? Pray and see. 

Isaiah 24

 

I'm not about to deny the devastation that is prophesied here. God will bring on what will seem to us as destruction. However, if you have ever watched a remodeling show on TV or done some of the work yourselves, you know that even in trying to save the good it looks like you are destroying everything. 

However, just because this utter destruction seems to come, there is no reason for us as Christians to add to that destruction. I'm not utterly convinced that the ideas put forth by some environmentalists are even close to accurate, but what I do see in Scripture is a call to be responsible for the world God has given us. We can't add to the problem and then say it doesn't matter because it's all going to be destroyed anyway (it isn't but a deeper look is a discussion for another day). Yes, much will be destroyed but even if everything is that doesn't mean that our current level of responsibility is less. We should be responsible for all that we have been given and treat it well even if God is going to destroy it later. We are after all called to be stewards of God's world, not abusers.  

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Job 19

 "How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?" 

As I read this I remember the old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me." This was taught to kids to use to handle bullies but the truth is the words are a lie. Words hurt. Words are very powerful. This is why Proverbs 18:21 says "Life and death are in the power of the tongue." Job's comforters are using theirs and he is feeling crushed. The takeaway from this for me is to be careful with my words. 

One last old phrase, "Make your words soft and sweet for you never know which one you may have to eat."

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Luke 23

 

We are Barabbas. No, not literally, but in a way since we who deserve death have been given life for Jesus takes our place. One can only wonder what Barabbas did with his life. I haven't done historical research to see what traditions say, but for this article that is a good thing. Having a question is what we need because we have to face the decision as to what we will do now that Jesus has taken our place. We can choose to go back to the way things were before, they didn't end well, or we can choose to walk a different route. 

I have chosen to walk a different way, but the thing that surprises me is how often I'm offered if not the old way but ways that are just as destructive. However, when the challenges come I return to the realization of Peter when he was asked by Jesus if the disciples would leave, "Where can we go? You alone have the words of eternal life."

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Psalm 19

In the past, Rabbis would take their student on completion take honey on a spoon, and put it in their mouth. It was expected that the graduation student would spit it out and say I don’t want that I want more of God’s Word. 

It may sound strange but early in their training, the rabbis would take a spoonful of honey and put it in their students' mouths. Those students were supposed to hold it there as they read the Scriptures. It was to remind them that the Word of God, as said in Psalm 19:10 and other places, was to be sweeter than honey. One Bible teacher I know actually encourages his students to have something sweet or something they really enjoy, like coffee, beside them when they study the word of God. This like the practice of the Rabbis reminds the person that the Word of God is good even when the subject matter doesn’t always feel good.  As one Bible teacher I know said, the Bible is honest about the evil and violence that takes place but doesn’t glorify it. 

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Genesis 49

 

Here is the first hint in the Bible that Judah's family is going to be anything special. Israel/Jacob says that the scepter will not depart from the tribe. This is the case after David there was always the promise that someone from his descendants would be the Messiah, the ruler of not only Israel but of the world. Truly the scepter isn't going to leave Jesus' hands. 

Genesis 48

What is Jacob doing? The interesting thing that is happening here is that Jacob is giving Joseph his inheritance as the firstborn son, the double portion. Jacob blessed each of his sons (the next chapter) and instead of blessing Joseph, he blessed his two sons. If you look in the Bible there is no tribe of Joseph. There are the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The Bible speaks of the 12 tribes but Jacob/Israel actually creates 13. We will see later how this unfolds but it is an interesting development and clearly, it is the will of God. 

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Isaiah 23

 

As I read this I noticed that though Tyre is facing the judgment, there are a whole group of others that are affected. This is the case, we may think that our actions don't bother anything else but more often than not we touch more lives than we realize. It is clear a major city with a harbor being destroyed would affect others but you and I are more of a harbor than we might realize and what happens to us will change the lives of others for good or evil. Here it was for the worse. 

Job 18

 Bildad makes it very clear that the way of the sinner/wicked will end badly. If you take this scripture out of context, everything Bildad is saying about the fate of the wicked is true. The wicked will eventually face judgment and destruction. However, as we have pointed out before in context Bildad is wrong, Job isn't an evil, wicked man. Again I'm reminded we need to be careful when judging others. This is why God gives such strict warnings on how and why we do it and what happens when we do it wrongly. 

Luke 22

 I have asked people why Peter cut off the ear of the high priest's servant? The answer is that he had a bad aim. Peter wasn't aiming for the ear but the head I'm sure. Peter and the others misunderstood Jesus' words that the time was coming for them to gather swords and thought this was the time to fight. Jesus stopped any fight and with that to me, it seemed that everything went out of Peter. It may have been possible that he wasn't sure what Jesus was up to and in the turmoil of it all, Peter did the very thing he said he would never do, forsake Jesus. 

There are times when life feels full of uncertainty and it is during those times that we can fall into sin and actions which we previously thought impossible. The key is to know that we may be weak and protect ourselves. The first mistake Peter made was he was alone. When we are discouraged and alone trouble finds us easy prey.