pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Much Lament

Reading: Ezekiel 27-32

Ezekiel 28:18 – “Therefore, I will bring fire from your midst. When it has consumed you, I will turn you into dust on the earth.”

Photo credit: Greg Rakozy

Most of chapters 27 and 28 are a lament for Tyre. Tyre had it all: beauty, trade, allies, wealth, abundance. Until God took it all away. Their prince was arrogant, saying, “I am God, I rule the seas!” God conceded that his wisdom and discernment were great, making him rich and powerful. But the claim, the pride – too much. Because the prince exalted himself, God declared, “Therefore, I will bring fire from your midst. When it has consumed you, I will turn you into dust on the earth.” At the end of chapter 28 we find a prophecy against Sidon. There will be a plague followed by the sword. Into this land, God will gather Israel. There they will build houses, will plant vineyards, and will live in safety.

Chapters 29-32 bring judgment against Egypt. God will set hooks in the great crocodile, flinging it onto open ground. Egypt is condemned as a “flimsy crutch” that splintered or broke in times of need. Because Pharaoh also claimed divinity – he created and owned the Nile, God will make Egypt an utter ruin – the most ruined place anywhere. God will one day regather Egypt, but it will remain lowly. Nebuchadnezzar will conquer Egypt and carry off its wealth – “wages for his army.”

In chapter 31 God compares Egypt to Assyria – the tallest of trees. There was no equal to Assyria in Eden, God’s garden. And yet Assyria fell, going down to the underworld. Assyria’s allies went along too. Elam and Edom and Sidon are there too – laid among the uncircumcised, those slain by the sword. Many arrogant and evil nations will come to a bitter end. Much Lament will be shared.

Prayer: Lord God, open our ears today to these warnings against being arrogant and greedy and selfish. When we get to thinking we’re king of the roost, remind us that we’re not. Humble us, bring us down to where we should be. Guide us to walk in your will and way. Amen.


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To What Extent? How Far?

Reading: Romans 9: 1-5

Verse 2: “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart”.

Have you ever been in a situation where you wished you could take someone’s place? Or have you ever been in a situation where you’d give anything to change the final outcome? Maybe someone you love lost a child and you’d take that child’s place in a heartbeat if you could. Perhaps things could have been done or said differently and that person wouldn’t be estranged from the family. I’d guess that almost all of us have been in these situations or have heard stories of others who were in these or similar situations.

Paul is right there with us. In verse two we read, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart”. You can feel his pain. Paul grew up in a Jewish home and became a Pharisee, a scholar of the Jewish faith. Paul knows what all of “my own race” know – the covenants and prophecies, the law and temple worship. They have the faith that has been longing for the Messiah. They know the stories and scriptures that point to Jesus as the Messiah. But they will not recognize him as the Savior, as the one, as the Messiah. To one who does accept Jesus as Lord, it is hard for Paul to understand how the Jews do not. Paul believes in Jesus Christ so strongly that he is willing the be cursed to hell, to trade away his salvation for the sake of the Jews believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul is willing to take the place of that child. Paul is willing to do anything to change their unbelief.

Paul’s willingness should be our willingness. Like the men with the treasure in the field or the pearl of great worth from last week’s Matthew 13 passage, we should be willing to give up anything or to do anything to see another come to Christ as Lord and Savior. As we ourselves ponder those we know and perhaps love who are living outside of a relationship with Jesus, to what extent are we willing to go so that they may be saved? How far?

Prayer: Lord, we know that at times the cost of faith might be high. The question I wrestle with is how far am I willing to go to bring another to Jesus Christ. Work within me to expand the range of what my answer truly is. Ever push the boundary, Lord. Thank you Jesus. Amen.


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Amazing Love

Reading: 2 Samuel 18: 31-33

Verse 33: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I had died instead of you”!

David experiences something no parent ever expects to experience. One of his children dies before he does. No one wants to bury a child. It just seems unnatural. For David, this is the second son he has lost. The first son who died, Ammon, was murdered by Absalom. Ammon had raped his half-sister, Absalom’s sister. David did not punish Ammon for the rape so Absalom took matters into his own hands, avenging his sister’s shame. This act also went unpunished by David. So it was not a total shock that the fiery and arrogant Absalom was leading a rebellion against his father, King David.

Even then David’s first reaction when it comes down to a fight is to try and protect Absalom. David’s army gains a hard-fought victory. It is a costly battle – over 20,000 die that day in the forest of Ephraim. News comes first of the great victory. The messenger is elated to share the news that the Lord has delivered all who rose up against the king. David cares not but only asks about Absalom. The messenger replies, “May the enemies… all be like that young man”, letting David know that Absalom was killed. The Word then says, “The King was shaken”. David went to mourn this personal loss, crying out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I had died instead of you”! The victory on the battlefield is meaningless to David because Absalom died. Like all parents, David wishes he could trade places with his child.

The love of a parent for a child is on vivid display here. The pure love models the love that God has for each of us. Yet it is pale by comparison. God sent His own Son to die for others. God sent Jesus knowing that Jesus would endure the cross to bring forgiveness of sins and hope for eternal life. God incarnate, God in the flesh, sacrificed Himself for the sinners. That death had to pain God the Father deeply. But the greater love for you and me prevailed. As a parent, this would be so hard to do – especially when He had the power to stop it. The atonement, the sacrifice, had to be made. It is an amazing love revealed in God the Father. Thanks be to God for the amazing love for all of His children, imperfect as we may be. Thanks be to God.