Jeremiah 6

 

In this chapter, there are two points that Jeremiah brings first: that the people have ears but don’t hear, and that they refuse to hear. Often, we would be tempted to say that these are the same things, and often they are. However, I have noticed in my life that there are people who hear a truth and reject it, but there are also people who may hear something with their ears, but something in their minds prevents them from seeing the application. It’s like the gossip that hears a message on talebearing and wishes that the hairdresser were there to hear the message. The person has ears, but they don’t hear. This inability is more frequent than we want to believe. It is the mind’s defense or the ego’s defense against having to face uncomfortable truths. This is part of the reason that the Bible warns us that we can’t trust our own hearts. It is the reason we need to submit to God and one another. Without someone or something pointing out our failings, we might not see them. What we need as Christians is to have ears that are willing to hear, even or perhaps especially when it is uncomfortable. 

Photo by kyle smith on Unsplash

Joshua 15

 In my previous Bible Reflections work, I commented on how to find a husband for your daughter. As I read through this today, nothing else is really standing out to me. Yes, I realize these words and descriptions are important for those who make maps and study deeper into the history of the region. Today, this passage isn't moving me. However, I am reminded that just because it isn't moving me today, the information in here may help me later. 

There is also a nagging voice in my mind saying, "The Bible wasn't just written for you." This reminds me that, as exciting as the Bible is, there are parts that don't speak to me as much as others, and I need to be okay with this. I am, after all, not the center of the universe. This is just another way for the Bible to remind me of that. 

Photo by Jeremy Thomas on Unsplash

1 Corinthians 1

 "17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

We could focus on the fact that Paul talked about preaching the cross, which is vital, but what I want to look at is Paul's comment that Christ didn't send him to baptize. When we read Matthew 28:19, part of what has been called the Great Commission was to baptize, so what is going on? The logic here is that baptism is a sign of conversion. It is a sign that God is doing or going to do something special in the life of this person. Paul looked at the work of an Apostle was to proclaim the truth, not seek an outward sign of conversion.  Conversion came, and Paul did baptize some, but that wasn't his purpose when he spread the gospel. 

This is where later "Missionary" (I use that word loosely) missed the mark. They were focused on baptism and even forced baptisms. They didn't preach the truth and let God change the heart. They used force and coercion to make people to become converts, but not true believers. Even today, there is a push to get "converts," baptisms, and new members, but are we missing the true calling that Paul is speaking about? I think we are. We proclaim, and God does the important work. An interesting note is that in the early centuries of the church, they didn't baptize people or allow them to take communion until they finished a long catechism process.  I wonder if we would be wise to do that today?

Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash

Proverbs 14

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down (verse 1).

The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways and the good rewarded for theirs (verse 14).

In both these verses, the person gets the reward of their labor. The good will receive good, but the one who tears down will get ruin. Yes, in life, others can change what happens to us, but ultimately, the reward we get from God will be based completely on our actions. There will be no one else to blame when we stand before God, and often even in this life. We have choices to make on how we respond to bad things that may come to us, but how we respond isn't normally anyone else's responsibility; it is ours. Choose Wisely.

Photo by Trang TRIEU on Unsplash

Joshua 14

 

Why was Caleb able to believe then and now that God could give the land? It was because he had a different spirit (Numbers 14:24). That spirit was, I believe, the Spirit of God in his life. He didn't see things in the natural but through the eyes of the Spirit, through the eyes of faith. It was this that gave him the promise, and it was this spirit that gave this man the victory here. 

It is the Spirit in our lives today that will give us victory. Not victory in the temporal thing, but victory in the truly important spiritual aspects of our lives. Lean into the Spirit.

Photo by 卡晨 on Unsplash

Joshua 13

 

Verse 13 names cities that will become a problem later. We aren't given the entire reason that they were not destroyed, but it could have been that they were left because there was enough room for the time, and later generations were to deal with them. What I noticed, which will be a problem, is that these pagan nations aren't just living on the nation's edge but among them. This is where Israel will begin to have trouble. They will allow pagan worship and practices in their midst. In most nations today, there is an understanding of religious freedom, but Israel was supposed to be ruled by God; therefore, pagan worship within its borders was treason. Even today, there are places, like churches, where I can't help but think that pagan practices are just as bad. 

Photo by Sabine Krafczyk on Unsplash

Jeremiah 5

 God often speaks against the leaders, both spiritual and political, but here in this chapter, God is speaking to the people. The people are rejecting God. The common people aren't innocent here; they are just as corrupt as the leaders that we read about in other places. The chapter ends with the sad words:  “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way." 

Photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash