pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Timeless and Eternal

Readings: Psalm 145:8-9, Joshua 6:17-21, Micah 6:6-8, Isaiah 2:4-5

Psalm 145:8 – “The Lord is merciful and compassionate, very patient, and full of faithful love.”

Today we wrestle with the violence of the Bible. It is fairly common in the Old Testament. But the brutality and totality shock us today. While this violence has no place today, the timeless character of God is the lasting truth that we can stand upon today, tomorrow, and forever.

In Psalm 145 we read, “The Lord is merciful and compassionate, very patient, and full of faithful love.” These are traits we associate with God, words enfleshed by Jesus: merciful, compassionate, patient, loving. In the next verse we’re reminded that these good qualities extend to “everyone and everything.” This is the God we know and experience personally.

Then we turn to Joshua 6. These verses are part of the conquest of Jericho, just as Israel is beginning to take possession of the Promised Land. As the walls are about to come down, these are the instructions: “The city and everything in it is to be utterly wiped out as something reserved for the Lord.” That is what happens. All humanity and all livestock – all slaughtered. This atrocity turns out stomachs and rightly so. And it also reflects a common practice in the world at that time. Other people groups also practiced this, known as “the ban.” It was a way of eliminating outside influence and of giving the first fruits of battle to God (or to gods) as a holy and pleasing sacrifice.

In Micah 6 we see God’s timeless desire for humanity. Instead of offering God huge or voluminous offerings, the prophet reminds us that God requires justice, faithful love, and a humble walk. These traits reflect the divine call to love God and neighbor. Turning to Isaiah 2 we get an end game picture. One day war, still a present reality in our world, will be no more. Swords and spears will be turned into tools used to care for one another. All will then walk in the light of the Lord. One day.

Prayer: Lord God, walk with us and guide us as we read and process what happened at Jericho and at other times in the ancient world. Lead us to understand that these events were specific to that time and culture. Draw us to your timeless and eternal: good, justice, love, mercy, peace, grace. Keep these arching over our understanding of you and your word. Amen.


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What a Day!

Reading: Zephaniah 1-3

Zephaniah 3:15 – “The LORD has removed your judgment; he has turned away your enemy. The LORD… is in your midst.”

Zephaniah proclaims the coming “day of the Lord.” Those who are humble and seek the Lord will find refuge in God. Those who relied upon themselves, their idols, their wealth and power – they will have nowhere to turn. Judgment will fall on the surrounding nations and then upon Judah. Zephaniah concludes with hope. He speaks of a time after judgment, when all people will “serve God as one.”

Zephaniah begins with judgment for the “world.” God will “eliminate humanity.” The prophet is likely referring to the small world surrounding Judah. He is speaking of and to God’s people. God’s hand will stretch out against those turning away instead of seeking God. Those in power will be punished for their violence, greed, and pride. It will be a horrible day, a day of “fury… distress… desolation… destruction… darkness.”

God encourages the humble to gather and to seek righteousness. They may be “hidden” on the day of the Lord. Zephaniah then turns to Judah’s neighbors next. Gaza, Ashod, Ekron, Philistia – doom is coming. Moab and Ammon will be made like Sodom and Gomorrah because of their taunting and boasting over Judah. Cush and Assyria will perish. And then in chapter 3 the focus shifts to Jerusalem – the city that wouldn’t listen and wouldn’t accept discipline. God will “rise up as a witness” against Jerusalem, pouring out “the heat of my anger.”

In verses 9-20 we read of the restoration that will follow. All people’s speech will change. They will call on God’s name and will “serve him as one.” Their shame will be removed along with their pride. A humble and powerless people will seek and find refuge in God. The lame and the outcast will be exalted. Judgment removed, enemies no more, Israel will know, “The LORD… is in your midst.” All will be restored. What a day that will be!

Prayer: Lord God, one day judgment will fall. As a God of justice and righteousness there will be an accounting. But as a God of love and mercy, a day of healing and restoration will follow. In the end, the world will be as you created it to be. Thank you, Lord. Amen.


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Required… Good…

Reading: Micah 5-7

Micah 6:14 – “You devour, but you aren’t satisfied; a gnawing emptiness is within you.”

Today’s reading begins with a messianic prophecy: “As for you, Bethlehem… one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out of you.” This ruler will “stand and shepherd his flock” – all in the strength of the Lord. Micah declares, “He will become great throughout the earth.” But first, Assyria will invade and then they too will be defeated. The few survivors, the remnant, will be “amid many peoples.”

Micah then expresses God’s judgment against Israel’s neighbors. God will “exact vengeance” on those who don’t obey. In chapter 6 God brings a “lawsuit” against Israel. God first invites them to remember all that God has done for Israel. Then a question is asked: What does God require? Is it the sacrifice of 1,000 rams or the giving of torrents of oil? Is it sacrificing a first child for one’s sins? No, Micah says, God has told you what is required and good: “to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.” Here he summarizes the whole Torah in these three simple yet difficult actions.

Israel is far from this standard. Wicked scales and bags of false weights betray their greed. Violence and dishonesty shows their true hearts. Verse 14 describes the state of their souls: “You devour, but you aren’t satisfied; a gnawing emptiness is within you.” This all sounds much like our day, where many chase after idols and pursue more and more and more.

Micah feels doomed and alone. Yet he declares that he will keep watch, that he will wait for God’s salvation. For Israel there is a price to be paid, but there is also hope. God will show Israel “wonderful things.” God will pardon their iniquity and show “faithful love.” God will have compassion on them. We, like Micah did, await the fulfilment of these words with hope and with faith. And as we wait, may we do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with the Lord our God.

Prayer: Lord God, we know well the truth of exile – the result of our attempts to satisfy our own hungers leave us far from you. We also know well the price of these decisions – a growing emptiness in our souls. You long to redeem us, to forgive our sins, to restore our relationship with you and with one another. So guide us into a humble walk, to a place of surrender – both of our sins and of our hearts. Shepherd us, your people. Amen.


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When We Choose

Reading: Obadiah

Verse 15 – “As you have done, so it will be done to you.”

Obadiah condemns Edom for its attitude and for its behavior. The nation of Edom is proud. It rejoices when its ‘neighbor’ is defeated. They choose to then join in the plundering and violence. Edom kills those who escaped Babylon’s swords and they sell the refugees as slaves. There is much for God to condemn and judge concerning Edom and their choices.

There is a long history between Edom and Judah/Israel. These peoples are descended from Jacob and Esau. In real life there was great tension between these twin brothers. That tension persisted down through time. Perhaps today we’d say there is ‘bad blood’ between these two nations. Today, when one side or the other suffers or falls or experiences some defeat, there is often rejoicing on the other side. When long held animosity and tension lie just beneath the surface, that can flow out and lead to things like Edom did to Judah.

This same reality, this same scenario also scales down. We see it between the police and inner city residents. We see it between gangs who compete to thrive upon people’s weaknesses. We see it between neighbors and family members who refuse to even speak to one another. We see the tension there, just beneath the surface, always there. Then, at times, it rises up, it erupts, it shows its ugliness. Such was the case with Edom when Judah fell to the mighty Babylonians.

God declares to Edom, “As you have done, so it will be done to you.” About 750 years later a relative of God’s would share this same sentiment. He encouraged those who saw each other as less than to choose love over hate, empathy over apathy, compassion over condemnation, welcome instead of exclusion. Funny thing is this: when we choose love, empathy, compassion, welcome, grace, forgiveness… it is also said: “As you have done, so it will be done to you.” May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, it can be hard to choose not to celebrate when a rival loses, to not rejoice when an ‘enemy’ falls. It can even be tempting to join in, to pile on, to release those old, bad feelings. These are the ways of the world. This is not your way. As your children and as your examples in this world, use us to choose the better way, to speak and act and think in ways that reveal your heart for all people. Amen.


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On the Tablets

Readings: Proverbs 6 and 7

‭Proverbs 6:20-21 – “My son, keep your father’s command; don’t abandon your mother’s instruction. Bind them on your heart for all time.”

Chapters 6 and 7 share some common themes: keeping close the wisdom given to us and avoiding the adulterous “other.” This “mysterious woman” and no “handsome man” speak of the culture and time in which these words were written. Both chapters also urge us to write wisdom on our hearts – the core of who we are.

Chapter 6 begins with the dangers of allowing our word (or our integrity) to stand for another who may lack these things. The author contrasts the hard-working ant with the lazy person. Only one leads to poverty or disaster. Chapter 6 also includes a list of behaviors “detestable” to God. This list includes lying, arrogance, causing conflict, and senseless violence. One could add adultery too. The author writes, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap and his clothes not get burned?” What a wise question!

Chapter 7 begins with the encouragement to hold tight to wisdom, to bind it on our hearts. Most of the chapter deals with the “mysterious woman.” The writer notes that the “naive young man” falls to her words of seduction, which leads only to shame and death. This chapter notes that this woman lies in wait at every corner. And at every age and stage in our lives. The lies that she tells just change, working on our particular weaknesses at moment in our lives.

Writing God’s will and ways on the tablets of our hearts, keeping them ever before us, is essential to our walk of faith. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, your words written on our hearts remind us of the path we are to walk. Empower us with the Holy Spirit’s guidance so that we do not walk the path that leads to death. Hold tightly to our hand as we seek to walk in faith and trust. Amen.


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The Good Path

Readings: Proverbs 4 and 5

‭Proverbs 4:23 – “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.”

Today’s two chapters focus first on loving wisdom and then on avoiding the “mysterious woman.” The author encourages his sons to “let your hearts hold my words.” If one holds onto wisdom then she will guard one’s life. She will protect those who love her. Following these words of wisdom will lead to a long, good life. Therefore we are to love and guard and protect wisdom. The wicked, though, they “eat the bread of evil” and they “drink the wine of violence.” These destructive appetites must be fed. They lead to “deep darkness.” But the way of the righteous is light that gets “brighter and brighter.”

In 4:23 we read, “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.” In ancient thought the mind was the center of emotions, thought, reason. We are to guard these. This keeps us focused “straight ahead.” It keeps us walking on paths that are secure. The way of the wicked would be crooked and filled with obstacles that would make one stumble.

Chapter 5 focuses on the “mysterious woman.” Although her words “drip honey” and can be enticing and alluring, in fact they are “bitter as gall.” To get involved with this woman is to lose one’s strength, wealth, and reputation. This path leads to “bitter ruin.” The good path involves “drinking from your own cistern.” This is keeping true and faithful to your spouse. We are called to rejoice in this relationship. If we do not we are warned that we will be “caught… in the ropes of our own sin.” In Romans 6 Paul speaks of these “wages of sin.” They lead to death. May we choose instead the good path of life.

Prayer: Lord God, the way of temptation and evil is wide. It leads to sin and death. Guard our hearts and minds, O Lord. Lead us, your sons and daughters, to choose you and your ways. These lead to life. Guide us to your path, O God. Amen.


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Place of Rest, Strength, and Refuge

Readings: Psalms 60-63

‭Psalm 63:3 – “My lips praise you because your faithful love is better than life itself!”

Today’s Psalms provide a great and familiar pattern. Psalms 60 and 61 are prayers for God’s help. Psalm 62 confesses that God alone is the source of the strength that we need. Psalm 63 is a song of confidence in God. We often experience this movement in our lives. We cry out in the storm, God’s strength gives us a way through, we praise God.

Psalm 60 is a communal plea for help. Israel feels rejected – even though God once claimed Gilead, Manasseh… David asks God for a “flag” to rally around – a champion who will lead Israel to defeat the enemy. He closes with a plea for help against Moab, Edom, and Philistia because “human help is worthless.” How true. Yet how often do we try to win the battle on our own?

We enter a more personal plea in Psalm 61. The lament begins “When my heart is weak”… then God can be the rock, refuge, and tower of strength. The author longs to be in God’s “tent” (tabernacle.) The Psalm closes with a prayer for the king to live long and to be “enthroned forever before God.” Thoughts of dynasty echo here.

A shift comes in Psalm 62. God is the psalmist’s place of rest. God is his or her rock, salvation, stronghold. Then there is a reflection on life beginning in verse 9. Life is but a breath. So don’t trust in violence or in wealth. Trust in God’s faithful love and strength because God “will repay everyone according to their deeds.”

Most of Psalm 63 focuses on God’s power… David searches for, thirsts for God. David recalls encountering God in the sanctuary. With rejoicing he declares, “My lips praise you because your faithful love is better than life itself!” He finds joy when he meditates on God’s word. Then there’s a hard right at the end – destroy my enemies! Alas David.

Prayer: Lord God, be with us all of our days. When we or our community is suffering, be our strength and our place of rest and refuge. Guide us to place our trust fully in you alone. Only you can bring us through. Draw us into your presence and guard our hearts from evil thoughts. Justice is yours alone to hand out. Walk with us, O God, our rock and our stronghold. Amen.


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Just the Beginning

Readings: 2nd Samuel 11, 2nd Samuel 12, 2nd Samuel 13, 2nd Samuel 14

2nd Samuel 11:1 – “In the spring, when kings go off to war, David sent Joab.”

Today begins the downward spiral of David’s reign. It sure begins simply enough. Instead of leading the troops on the annual springtime conquest, David stays behind. David sees Bathsheba as she bathes. Long story short, he sleeps with her and she becomes pregnant. In an attempted cover up, David brings Uriah to town. Given two opportunities to go and sleep with his wife, Uriah does the right thing. He is sent back to the battle front carrying his own death sentence.

God sends Nathan to confront David. He tells a simple story that is really the story of rich David and poor Uriah. David is very angry. Nathan responds, “You are that man!” David recognizes his sin and God forgives him. But the child will die. Soon Solomon is born. David goes out to lead in finishing off the Ammonites.

The next step downward involves two of his sons – Amnon and Absalom. Amnon is in “love” with Absalom’s sister Tamar. Using deceit Amnon arranged an opportunity to rape Tamar. Disgraced, she ends up back in Absalom’s house. Revenge is plotted and executed. Absalom flees to a foreign land.

Joab, a wise man, orchestrates Absalom’s return. These two are cut from the same cloth. Similar to how Nathan drew David in, Joab uses a woman to draw David in. This story also turns and in the end, Absalom is restored to David’s presence. But this is just the beginning of the stories of violence, revenge, and murder. The sword will not leave David’s house.

Prayer: Lord God, today we see how power can corrupt, can be twisted, and can be used for evil. When we are tempted to use our power in these ways, reign us back in. Remind us of the righteousness that you call us to. Bring us to the path that you want us to walk. Amen.


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Mercy Over Violence

Readings: 1st Samuel 21, 1st Samuel 22, 1st Samuel 23, 1st Samuel 24

1st Samuel 23:14 – “Saul searched for him constantly, but God did not hand David over to Saul.”

Photo credit: Shane Rounce

Today we read about Saul’s pursuit of David and his soldiers. David first goes to the priest at Nob, Ahimelech. He gets bread and a sword from him. The priest knows nothing of the conflict between Saul and David. One of Saul’s servants, Doeg, is there. When Saul finds out that Ahimelech helped David, Saul summons him and his whole household. He pleads his case. But in anger, Saul orders their deaths. It is Doeg that slaughters them all, save one son, Abiathar. He escapes and reports everything to David. David invites him to stay with them.

The Philistines attack a nearby town and David inquires of God about defending it. Yes, yes, God says. David’s soldiers aren’t so sure. They’re in hiding. Following God’s direction, though, David and his soldiers attack, winning another decisive victory. He then flees into the wilderness. There, David and his soldiers are almost trapped by Saul, but another Philistine invasion draws Saul away.

Continuing to move, David evades Saul. And then David has his chance. Saul ducks into a cave to relieve himself. David and soldiers are hiding deeper in that cave. He sneaks up and cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe. David refuses to attack or kill Saul, the Lord’s anointed. David comes out of the cave and calls out to Saul. He explains the choice he made. Saul realizes that God is with David. He acknowledges that David will be king. Saul asks David to spare his family when he is gone. For a second time, David extends mercy. The violent one is humbled by the one who is merciful.

Prayer: Lord God, lead me to be a person of mercy. May my choices always be on the side of love. Amen.


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In Those Days…

Readings: Judges 17, Judges 18, Judges 19, Judges 20, Judges 21

Judges 21:25 – “In those days there was no king in Israel; each person did what they thought to be right.”

Photo credit: Nick Fewings

I got done reading today’s five chapters and just thought, “Wow…” Could Israel’s downward spiral get any worse? I read the last verse in Judges and thought, “How true.” Yes, God is consulted and at times God is actually present, but overall their actions are about as far from righteous and holy as they could be.

We begin with Micah setting up his own sanctuary, finding a wandering Levites priest to be his priest. Dan’s search for land brings spies into contact with this Levite. They end up abducting him and they take all of Micah’s sanctuary things for themselves. They find Laish – a happy little community living in their own little corner of the world. They totally wipe Laish out and take the area as their own. They set up their own sanctuary there.

That same Levite marries a secondary wife from his hometown of Bethlehem. Traveling home from retrieving this wayward wife, they stay in Gibeah. In a scene reminiscent of Lot’s experience in Sodom, the secondary wife is given to the depraived Benjamites, who leave her for dead. The Levite takes her body home, cuts it into 12 pieces, and sends it to the 12 tribes, basically asking, ‘What are you going to do about this?’ Benjamin refuses to give up the men of Gibeah and civil war ensues. 50,000 Benjamites die and 40,000 Israelites die. The Israelites burn down all the Benjamite cities, killing everything. The 600 men who escaped to the rock in the desert are all that is left of the tribe of Benjamin. Sitting in the brink of eliminating one of the 12 tribes, the rest of Israel pledges to not let any of their women marry a Benjamite. Their solution to saving Benjamin is to massacre the one community that didn’t participate in all of this horrid violence, except the virgins. These are given to the men of Benjamin. But they’re not enough. So they steal a few more wives from the unsuspecting Israelite community of Shiloh – while they are worshipping the Lord.

Indeed, “In those days there was no king in Israel; each person did what they thought to be right.”

Prayer: Lord God, what total and utter depravity. It makes me shudder. It is hard to fathom how far the people of God have fallen. You have a presence – allowing just enough guidance to one day work good out of all this horrid history. I am thankful that you always have a plan, even in the midst of such as this. Amen.