pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: deal


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Power, Revenge, and Other Evils

Readings: Judges 9, Judges 10, Judges 11, Judges 12

Judges 10:13-14 – “You have gone away from me and served other gods, so I won’t rescue you anymore! Go cry out to the gods you’ve chosen.”

In chapters 9-12 we find the stories of two rulers – Abimelech and Jephthah – who rely on self for the most part, who wheel and deal to get what they want, who leave Israel worse off than before they reigned. We also read about five minor judges who rule on either side of Jephthah.

Abimelech is one of Gideon’s 70 sons. He convinces Shechem that one ruler is better than 70. To consolidate power he then kills all of his brothers except Jotham. Jotham proclaims a fable that decrees monarchy and predicts that fire will destroy the unfaithful. Shechem rebels and Abimelech reacts violently, ultimately killing everyone and leveling the city. Fire is used to kill those hiding in the tower of Shechem. Abimelech then moves on to capture Thebez. At their tower a woman drops a millstone on Abimelech’s head, leading to his death. His lust for power and revenge leads to his downfall.

After two minor judges rule, Israel becomes unfaithful, abandoning God in favor of many local gods. The Philistines and Ammonites “bully and beat up” Israel for 18 years. The people cry out to God but God says, “You have gone away from me and served other gods, so I won’t rescue you anymore! Go cry out to the gods you’ve chosen.” The people change, putting away their foreign gods, turning back to God. God is moved to rescue Israel. Jephthah is eventually made ruler of Gilead. He who was spurned is brought back. After a little history lesson for the Ammonite king Jephthah basically says, “Let’s let God decide.” The Spirit of God comes upon him. He then makes a solemn promise to God. Even though God is clearly with him, the wheeler and dealer can’t resist. This promise costs him his only daughter. Jephthah wins an “exceptionally great” victory.

Ephraim feels left out and threatens Jephthah. Civil war follows. 42,000 from Ephraim die. A lust for power and an unwillingness to seek forgiveness leads to this tragedy. Jephthah dies and three minor judges rule next. God is not even mentioned in any of these three accounts. Evil is not far away.

Prayer: Lord God, you call us all to lead in one way or another. In our moments of leadership remind us that you are the one true God, the only one in control. Empower us to keep that perspective when temptation rises up within us. Quell the desires for status, power, control… Guide us to lead well as we follow closely in your footsteps. Amen.


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Wrestling with God

Reading: Genesis 32: 22-31

Verse 24: “So Jacob was left all alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak”.

As today’s passage begins Jacob is almost back home. He fled twenty years ago after stealing the birthright from his twin brother Esau. In the twenty years away Jacob lived in his ancestral homeland. Now he returns to Canaan with two wives and eleven sons plus many servants and large herds of livestock. Jacob is a successful man. Yet he fears the reunion with Esau. Earlier in chapter 32 he learns that Esau is coming to meet him with 400 men. Ever the schemer, Jacob devises a plan. He will give Esau a large gift of three herds, each with the message, “your servant Jacob is coming”. Jacob is seeking to “pacify” his brother Esau before actually seeing him face to face.

On the eve of the meeting Jacob sends all he has on across the stream and he remains alone on the far side. Part of Jacob is still trying to wheel and deal his way through life. But just part of him. A part also knows God. Earlier in chapter 32 Jacob also turns to God in prayer. He thanks God for blessings so far and he asks God to save him from Esau. Jacob invites God into his situation. Sometimes that is the best step we can take too. Whether our situation is something we created or if it is part of life, we too are best served by inviting God into our situation. Often the invitation is accompanied by a self-realization that our hand played a role in getting us to the point we are at. This was the case for Jacob. Like it usually is with us, this was a crossroads, a turning point, for Jacob. God accepts the invitation.

God shows up and wrestles with Jacob all night long. The length and physicality of the battle are symbolic of the change working itself out in Jacob. They wrestle all night long. At daybreak the man representing God asks Jacob to let him go. But Jacob will not simply let go. He asks first for a blessing. Jacob has come to the point of surrender to God. His life and faith will be different going forward. Each time that we wrestle with God, may it be the same for each of us.

Prayer: God of power and might, you are amazing – omnipotent and omnipresent. And yet I, at times, dare to walk against your will, against your ways. Grab hold of me too and wrestle with my heart and soul. Lead me to a quick surrender and a swift return to following you closely. May it always be so. Amen.


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Cycling Closer

Reading: Psalm 80: 1-2 and 8-19

Verses 1-2: “Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel… Awaken your might; come and save us”.

Today’s Psalm echoes the emotions and events of the passage from Isaiah 5 that we have read the last two days. God rescued the people from Egypt and led them to the Promised Land. God cleared away the inhabitants and Israel grew and prospered. All was well in the land. Then, starting in verse twelve, things head south. Israel is picked at and ravaged. The psalmist pleas for God to look down and watch over them once again.

This cycle is common in the Old Testament. Life is good when Israel walks in God’s ways. Then sin enters the people. It is usually through engagement with outside people that leads to worshipping other gods. This leads to a consequence from God. In time the people repent and return to walking in God’s ways. All is well again in the land.

In verse sixteen is the admission of guilt. The people do not like the consequence – they are perishing. Again the psalmist asks for God to rest favor upon the people, the children that God has raised up. The psalmist offers God backwards logic: “revive us and we will call on your name”. The Psalm closes with one last plea for God’s face to shine upon the nation of Israel.

When I read and consider this Psalm, it is an easy connection to my life. I journey through the same cycle. I live in close communion with God and life is good, all is well. Then I am tempted and fall into sin. While the actual sins have changed over time, the root cause remains the same: choosing my will over God’s will. This will ever remain part of who I am. It is a battle that will always be fought as long as I draw breath. All followers of Jesus Christ know this cycle, know this battle.

We also know it does not end in defeat. We have hope in our Lord. We receive mercy and grace and forgiveness. God never gives up on us, just like God never gives up on Israel. God continues to till our soil, to mature our faith. As we grow in faith, we sin less often. Our understanding of sin becomes more refined, our eyes become sharpened. We hear the Holy Spirit better and better, avoiding the sin we once stumbled into. God’s face shines brighter. Thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the journey that you have walked with me. Thank you for ever being at work within me, drawing me closer and closer to you. May I walk each day a little closer than the day before. Amen.