Spiritual Blinders

Scripture	Observations/Paraphrase	Application
Jeremiah 7	September 2, 2009
Jeremiah Speaks at the Temple 1 The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,2 “Go to the entrance of the Lord ’s Temple, and give this message to the people: `O Judah, listen to this message from the Lord ! Listen to it, all of you who worship here!3 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “`Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land.4 But don’t be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the Lord ’s Temple is here. They chant, “The Lord ’s Temple is here! The Lord ’s Temple is here!”5 But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice;6 only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols.7 Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave to your ancestors to keep forever. 8 “`Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie!9 Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours,10 and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again?11 Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord , have spoken! 12 “`Go now to the place at Shiloh where I once put the Tabernacle that bore my name. See what I did there because of all the wickedness of my people, the Israelites.13 While you were doing these wicked things, says the Lord , I spoke to you about it repeatedly, but you would not listen. I called out to you, but you refused to answer.14 So just as I destroyed Shiloh, I will now destroy this Temple that bears my name, this Temple that you trust in for help, this place that I gave to you and your ancestors.15 And I will send you out of my sight into exile, just as I did your relatives, the people of Israel.s‘ Judah’s Persistent Idolatry 16 “Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, and don’t beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you.17 Don’t you see what they are doing throughout the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?18 No wonder I am so angry! Watch how the children gather wood and the fathers build sacrificial fires. See how the women knead dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. And they pour out liquid offerings to their other idol gods!19 Am I the one they are hurting?” asks the Lord . “Most of all, they hurt themselves, to their own shame.” 20 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I will pour out my terrible fury on this place. Its people, animals, trees, and crops will be consumed by the unquenchable fire of my anger.” 21 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Take your burnt offerings and your other sacrifices and eat them yourselves!22 When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them.23 This is what I told them: `Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’ 24 “But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.25 From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets—day in and day out.26 But my people have not listened to me or even tried to hear. They have been stubborn and sinful—even worse than their ancestors. 27 “Tell them all this, but do not expect them to listen. Shout out your warnings, but do not expect them to respond.28 Say to them, `This is the nation whose people will not obey the Lord their God and who refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.29 Shave your head in mourning, and weep alone on the mountains. For the Lord has rejected and forsaken this generation that has provoked his fury.’ The Valley of Slaughter 30 “The people of Judah have sinned before my very eyes,” says the Lord . “They have set up their abominable idols right in the Temple that bears my name, defiling it.31 They have built pagan shrines at Topheth, the garbage dump in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they burn their sons and daughters in the fire. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing!32 So beware, for the time is coming,” says the Lord , “when that garbage dump will no longer be called Topheth or the valley of Ben-Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter. They will bury the bodies in Topheth until there is no more room for them.33 The bodies of my people will be food for the vultures and wild animals, and no one will be left to scare them away.34 I will put an end to the happy singing and laughter in the streets of Jerusalem. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard in the towns of Judah. The land will lie in complete desolation.	Jeremiah receives another message from God.  He is told to go to the entrance of the temple to deliver this message.  All who worship there are to listen to the message – this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: God says, “even now, if you quit doing evil, I will let you stay in your own land.  But don’t be fooled by those who promise safety, simply because the Lord’s Temple is here. The chant:  “The Lord’s Temple is here!  The Lord’s Temple is here!” But God says he will only be merciful if they stop their evil thoughts and deed and start treating each other with justice; only if they stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if they stop murdering; and only if they stop harming themselves  by worshiping idols.  Then, he will let them stay in this land that he gave to our ancestors to keep forever. “Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here.  That is a lie!  Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal – and all those other new  gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me on my Temple and chant, “We are safe!” – only to go right back to all those evils again? Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves?  Surely I see all the evil going on there.  I, the Lord, have spoken! Go to the place at Shiloh where I once put the Tabernacle that bore my name.  See what I did there because of the wickedness of my people, the Israelites.  While you were  doing these wicked things, says the Lord, I spoke to you about it repeatedly, but you would not listen.  I called out to you, but you refused to answer.  So, just as I destroyed Shiloh, I will now destroy this Temple that you trust in for help, this place that I gave to you and our ancestors.  And I will send you out of my sight, into exile, just as I did your relatives, the people of Israel. Don’t pray for these people anymore Jeremiah.  Do not weep or pray for them, and don’t beg me to help them, for I will not listen to you.  Don’t you see what they are doing throughout the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem?  No wonder I’m so angry!  Watch how the children gather wood, and the fathers build sacrificial fires.  See how the women knead dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven.  And they pour out liquid offerings to their other idol gods! Am I the one they are hurting?, asks the Lord.  Most of all, they hurt themselves, to their own shame. So, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I will pour out my terrible fury on this place, it’s people, animals, trees, and crops will be consumed by the unquenchable  fire of my anger.” This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Take your burnt offerings and your  other sacrifices and eat them yourselves!  When I led your ancestors out of Egypt, it was not burnt offerings and sacrifices I wanted from them.  This is what I told them” ‘obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!” But, my people would not listen to me.  They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts.  They went backward, instead of forward.  From the day your ancestors left Egypt until now, I have continued to send my servants, the prophets — day in and day out.  But my people  have not listened to me or even tried to hear.  They have been stubborn and sinful – even worse than their ancestors. Tell them this, but do not expect them to listen.  Shout out your warnings, but do not expect them to respond.  Say to them, “This is the nation whose people will not obey the Lord their God and who refuse to be taught.  Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.  Shave your head in mourning. and weep alone on the mountains.  For the Lord has rejected and forsaken this generation that has provoked his fury.” The people of Judah have sinned before my very eyes says the Lord.  They have set up their abominable idols right in the Temple that bears my name, defiling it.  They have built  pagan shrines at Topheth, the garbage dump in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they burn their sons and daughters in the fire.  I have never commanded such a horrible  deed; it never even crossed y mind to command such a thing!  So beware, for the time is coming, says the Lord, when the garbage dump  will no longer be called Topheth until  there is no more room for them.  The bodies of my people will be food for the cultures and wild animals, and no one will be left to scare them away.  I will put an end to the happy singing and laughter in the streets of Jerusalem.  The joyful voices of the bridegrooms and brides will no longer be heard in the towns of Judah.  The land will lie in complete desolation.	The more I read Jeremiah, the more I am convinced that his message, the message God gave him, applies to today.  It fits the culture, the country, and the Church.  But I can also see how the people of his time rejected the message, and how the people of our time are rejecting it too. God says, turn back now, and you can still be saved. Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. I’m sure that when Jeremiah gave this message to the people, they looked at him with dismay, shock, and confusion: “What do you mean?  Adultery? Idolatry? Lies?  What?  We aren’t doing any of those things.” But, as if it weren’t enough for them to be blind to their own errant behavior, they rebutted with a classic statement: “Besides, we are the Lord’s chosen.  He would never destroy us – He already promised the Messiah through us.  We have the Temple to prove it.  He will protect us, because we have the Temple!” But Jeremiah says, don’t be fooled by these words.  No matter how much they chant – “We are safe!”  They aren’t. I can almost excuse their spiritual blindness.  The leaders, and their followers, are good, upstanding citizens.  They are well-behaved, prosperous, well-dressed, and affluent.  They use the right words and vocabulary, they are good leaders, and from all points of views, they keep the law.  However, it is their soul that God sees. Through Jeremiah, God says, your souls are corrupt.  You are thieves, liars, adulterers, and idolaters.  You sacrifice your children, you steal from the widows and orphans, you offer your sacrifices to false gods. But again, the people recoil in shock.  They defend themselves and deny any wrongdoing. How do I know?  I’ve seen it – I’ve experienced it. Yes, they are good people.  They rule the city with great tact and zeal, but they are not walking with God in a way that He desires.  They give their offerings, go through the rituals, and they do everything right. But God says, it isn’t your offerings and sacrifices I want; it is your heart and soul. The people do things right, but they aren’t necessarily doing the right things. The people in my Church say, “We have the truth.  We are God’s remnant people.  He will never destroy us.”  In fact, they have a quote to prove this: “It will appear as if the Church is about to fail, but it will not.” egw But, unfortunately, they use this quote to defend their poor behavior, actions, and attitudes. In the meantime, the tithes and offerings go to administrative costs, buildings, and perks – but the local churches suffer in disrepair.  Pastoral FTEs are cut, but buildings continue to be erected.  The politically conservative, claim to be on God’s side, but oppose any legislation that would provide for the poor, the widows, and the orphans.  While church attendance, and overt sabbathkeeping is done  right, people do whatever they want behind closed doors. They murder people with their words, they lie about their motives, they lie about their political scheming, they lie about others.  They sacrifice their children for their own selfish pursuits.  They worship at the idols of TV and pop culture.  They dine at restaurants, becoming fat, and sleek. The worship centers are a den of thieves. It is fascinating to see the similarities. But God says, don’t expect them to hear.
Prayer

Father God.  Help us.

Original

Created for God’s Glory

Scripture	Observations/Paraphrase	Application
Jeremiah 4	August 19, 2009
1 “O Israel,” says the Lord , “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. 2 Then when you swear by my name, saying, `As surely as the Lord lives,’ you could do so with truth, justice, and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the nations of the world, and all people would come and praise my name.” Coming Judgment against Judah 3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns. 4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord ,s or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. 5 “Shout to Judah, and broadcast to Jerusalem! Tell them to sound the alarm throughout the land: `Run for your lives! Flee to the fortified cities!’ 6 Raise a signal flag as a warning for Jerusalem: `Flee now! Do not delay!’ For I am bringing terrible destruction upon you from the north.” 7 A lion stalks from its den, a destroyer of nations. It has left its lair and is headed your way. It’s going to devastate your land! Your towns will lie in ruins, with no one living in them anymore. 8 So put on clothes of mourning and weep with broken hearts, for the fierce anger of the Lord is still upon us. 9 “In that day,” says the Lord , “the king and the officials will tremble in fear. The priests will be struck with horror, and the prophets will be appalled.” 10 Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord , the people have been deceived by what you said, for you promised peace for Jerusalem. But the sword is held at their throats!” 11 The time is coming when the Lord will say to the people of Jerusalem, “My dear people, a burning wind is blowing in from the desert, and it’s not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain. 12 It is a roaring blast sent by me! Now I will pronounce your destruction!” 13 Our enemy rushes down on us like storm clouds! His chariots are like whirlwinds. His horses are swifter than eagles. How terrible it will be, for we are doomed! 14 O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts? 15 Your destruction has been announced from Dan and the hill country of Ephraim. 16 “Warn the surrounding nations and announce this to Jerusalem: The enemy is coming from a distant land, raising a battle cry against the towns of Judah. 17 They surround Jerusalem like watchmen around a field, for my people have rebelled against me,” says the Lord . 18 “Your own actions have brought this upon you. This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart!” Jeremiah Weeps for His People 19 My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain! My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still. For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets and the roar of their battle cries. 20 Waves of destruction roll over the land, until it lies in complete desolation. Suddenly my tents are destroyed; in a moment my shelters are crushed. 21 How long must I see the battle flags and hear the trumpets of war? 22 “My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the Lord . “They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!” Jeremiah’s Vision of Coming Disaster 23 I looked at the earth, and it was empty and formless. I looked at the heavens, and there was no light. 24 I looked at the mountains and hills, and they trembled and shook. 25 I looked, and all the people were gone. All the birds of the sky had flown away. 26 I looked, and the fertile fields had become a wilderness. The towns lay in ruins, crushed by the Lord ’s fierce anger. 27 This is what the Lord says: “The whole land will be ruined, but I will not destroy it completely. 28 The earth will mourn and the heavens will be draped in black because of my decree against my people. I have made up my mind and will not change it.” 29 At the noise of charioteers and archers, the people flee in terror. They hide in the bushes and run for the mountains. All the towns have been abandoned— not a person remains! 30 What are you doing, you who have been plundered? Why do you dress up in beautiful clothing and put on gold jewelry? Why do you brighten your eyes with mascara? Your primping will do you no good! The allies who were your lovers despise you and seek to kill you. 31 I hear a cry, like that of a woman in labor, the groans of a woman giving birth to her first child. It is beautiful Jerusalem gasping for breath and crying out, “Help! I’m being murdered!”	The Lord says that Jerusalem is welcome to return at anytime.  Just throw away the idols and don’t stray anymore. If you do so, with truth, justice, and righteousness – you will be a blessing to the nations of the world – and all the people will come and praise my name. God says this to Judah and Jerusalem.  Don’t waste your seed among thorns.  Surrender your pride and power.  Change your hearts, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire. Shout, and sound the alarm!  Run for your lives, flee to the fortified cities.  Flee now, do not delay.  Terrible destruction is coming from the North. A lion stalks, headed your way to devastate your land.  Your towns will lie in ruin – no one will live in them anymore. Put on clothes of mourning and weep with broken hearts.  The fierce anger of the Lord is upon us. In that day, the leaders will tremble in fear.  The pastors will be struck with horror.  The prophets will be appalled. But, the people have been deceived.  Peace was promised, but the sword is at their throats. A time is coming, “My dear people,” a burning wind is blowing – not a gentle breeze, it is a roaring blast sent by God – “Now I will pronounce your destruction.” The enemy rushes down on us like storm clouds.  Fast, swift, and terrible.  We are doomed. Oh Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved.  Don’t harbor evil thoughts.  Your destruction will be announced from the hilltops. Warn the surrounding nations and announce this.  The enemy is coming from a distant land, they will surround us.  My people have rebelled against God. “Your own actions brought this upon you – this punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart.” Jeremiah weeps and writhes in pain.  My heart pounds – I cannot be still.  I have heard the blast of the trumpets – and the roar of the enemy’s battle cries.  Destruction rolls over the land.  Everything is destroyed and crushed.  How long must I witness this? My people are foolish – they don’t know me, says God – they are stupid children without understanding.  They are clever enough at doing wrong, but have no idea how to do it right! I looked, and the earth was empty and formless.  There was no light from the heavens.  The mountains and hills trembled.  The people were gone, the birds had flown away.  The fields had become wilderness.  The towns were in ruin – crushed by the Lord’s anger. The Lord says, the whole land will be ruined – but I will not destroy it completely, says the Lord.  The earth will mourn – and the heavens will be draped in black – because of God’s decree – and he will not change His mind. When the people hear the approaching army, they will flee in a panic.  The will hide in the bushes, run for the mountains, and will abandon the cities.  Not a person will remain. God asks, what we are doing.  We act like we’ve just plundered someone.  We dress in beautiful clothing, put on Gold jewelry – but our primping will do no good.  Our lovers will be our enemies. I hear a cry – a painful cry.  It is beautiful Jerusalem, gasping for breath and crying out: “Help!  I’m being murdered.!”	God doesn’t hold grudges.  He just wants whaat is best for us.  Like a parent, if our child quits  doing naughty things, we embrace them and send them on their way. If they don’t stop making poor choices, we have to find methods to convince them that continuing on that path is not a good one. I see here, the promise given to Abraham, re-spoken.  The blessings from God were not so much for the benefit of Israel.  God wanted to bless everyone on Earth – and He chose Israel to exemplify that relationship.  Ultimately though – it isn’t for the people, it is for the glory of God.  I’m not sure why we make this about ourselves – it is about the two great commandments: 1) God, 2) others. He continues to call us out of the danger zone.  To let go of the pride and power, and change our hearts – this is where the real change needs to take place. Jeremiah, from God, continues to try and wake the people up.  Shout and sound the alarm – run for your lives! At the very least, we can mourn for our sorry state of affairs. Jeremiah paints a vision of the future.  Leaders, pastors, prophets will all be terrified.  But why not now? He says the people have been deceived.  They’ve been told that peace is their destiny, but there is a sword to their throat.  EGW says that in these last days, there will be people who proclaim “Peace, peace,” but to avoid them. It seems as if those who get elected in a political system, have to cry peace, peace.  Those that tell the truth, Like George Bush, Sr. did (eg; he will raise taxes), will not get reelected.  Those that portray a vision of growth, safety, freedom, and prosperity – well, they are the ones who keep their positions. I am amazed that a church that teaches end-time events as a part of their core and substance, does not understand the implications of these end-times?  They seem to think that everything will be fine until Jesus comes.  They seem to think that there is nothing they must do to prepare for His return.  Just keep on doing what we’ve always done – and we’ll go home with Jesus in the end. But God is telling us here to cleanse our hearts so we can be saved.  We must proclaim the warning and quit rebelling against God! It is our own actions that has brought this upon us. Jeremiah weeps in pain.  This passage has caused me pause.  Jeremiah portrays his emotions deeply.  I don’t know if he was this expressive verbally – I certainly am not.  However, inside, this passion shouts from my soul. But somehow, in shouting that we need to awaken and that we need to make changes has led people to decide that I don’t love them.  This has been one of the most troubling and confusing issues for me. If I didn’t love them – from God’s heart, why would I care. But this is where I get my answer.  Even God says they are foolish and stupid.  If He thinks that, why do I believe I can get through to them. The whole earth is doomed.  But we will most likely wait until the last minute and we will cry out – “I am being murdered!”
Prayer

Dear God, help me to speak more clearly the repentance that must occur.  Teach me to be more patient with those who don’t get it.  Help me to change my heart and motives and to follow you always!

G

Original Post here.

What Advantage?

Encounter the Word

“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be there God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7

1. How close, or far, do you feel from GOD? What kind of life do you wish to have with Him? Why?

* I am too far away from God, closer than most, but too far away. He seems elusive right now. It seems as if there are forces conspiring to keep me away.

* I want a walk with God like Elijah had.

* I like the fact that Elijah was always aware of God’s presence, His plans, and His agenda. I need that.

2. What type of crowd do you feel most comfortable being with? What type of people do you feel GOD cares the most about?

*  I feel most comfortable with a crowd that is eclectic, casual, and free from the constraints of the past. Willing to do whatever it takes to experience God.

* God does NOT play favorites. He loves us all equally. The unchangeable pharisee and the broken street person, the sinner and the saint – we are all His children and He loves us all unconditionally!

3.  Take a moment. What type of God encounter do you desire? What would it be like for you to be in His presence?

* I desire the kind of encounter that rocks my world. I want to be touched like Isaiah was when he encountered God in the temple (Isaiah 6).

* Whenever we read of biblical encounters with God, we find that the people immediately fell on their faces, they were ashamed of their sinful nature, and they wept. However, God in His mercy, lifted them up, blessed them, encouraged them, and gave them purpose. That is what I want.

Scripture:

Romans 3:1 – Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew?

Observation(s):

One could ask this question in many frameworks or world views. What is the advantage of bing a __________________? Jew, Christian, Baptist, Buddhist, politician, woman, man, tall, short, healthy, Adventist, American, Amer-Asian, et cetera?

When we realize that we’re all on the same plane, and we are all equal in God’s eyes, we come to understand that it isn’t our position, race, world view, ethnicity, or behavior that determines God’s love for us. Whether we accept His love or not, it does not stop Him from loving us.

Ultimately however, if we don’t receive the love, we can’t be loved. So, the supply is there, but if we don’t demand it, we don’t receive it.

Application(s):

For me, what does this say. It says that I need to stop being judgmental. It isn’t what a person is, it is who. Who they are, or better said, who are they? People are children of the loving God!

And if this it true – and it is – then I have to treat all people with equal respect. If I call myself a “friend of God,” then I must treat all of God’s children with love, respect, grace, acceptance, and joy. Isn’t this what it ultimately means to love my neighbor as much as I love myself.

Prayer:

Father God – continue to draw me into this ideal. Teach me to love others, as much as I love myself.

Thanks.

Acceptance

Scripture:

Numbers 10, 11

Psalm 27

A psalm of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
² When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
³ Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.

Observations:

There is a common theory dancing through the courts of Christian culture.  In an apparent rebellion of dysfunctional church hierarchies, we, the church, has moved to a more democratic structure.  While this certainly fits a progressive governmental process, it isn’t modeled in the Bible.

Last week, at a leadership gathering, one of the people asked, “Well,” he said, “Can’t God speak to us as well as He can to you?”

Now, there’s really no easy way to answer that question without coming across as arrogant, power-hungry, and maybe even dismissive.  But the fact of the matter is, God works through leaders to accomplish His purposes.  Sometimes these leaders are in official capacities (e.g. David as the King of Israel), and sometimes these leaders are “unofficial” (e.g. Jonathan when he and his armorbearer attacked the Philistines).  But one of my favorite examples of how an unofficial leader operates, in the face of the annointed leaders, is when David refused to attack Saul, when they were in the cave.

I have no doubt that God brought me to Columbia County to lead.  I have no doubt that I am imperfect, and I’ve made mistakes (for which I’ve repented and asked forgiveness).  But it is quite apparent to me that others don’t see this so clearly.  I don’t believe it is my place to correct them.

Applications:

I really relate to several of Moses’ laments in the above texts.  First, he asks God “why did he have to bear the burdens of these people?“  Then, he pleads with God to deal with these folks.  But, it isn’t until much later in Moses’ maturation process that he pleads with God to take him, in order to atone for the sins of the people.  I see this as the capstone of Moses’ spiritual growth.  This is where he begins to represent Jesus.

Until I can learn to absorb and deflect the complaints, attacks, and gossip of the people, I’m not their leader.  Until I can be willing to suffer for their sins, I am unable to stand in the gap for them.

Prayer:

Father God, continue to humble me, break me, and teach me.  Give me strength, courage, and hope.

It Hurts, Doesn’t It?

Scripture:

Exodus 29:1,4-9  -  Dedication of the Priests

1“This is the ceremony you must follow when you consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests…

4 “Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle,^[a] and wash them with water. 5 Dress Aaron in his priestly garments—the tunic, the robe worn with the ephod, the ephod itself, and the chest piece. Then wrap the decorative sash of the ephod around him. 6 Place the turban on his head, and fasten the sacred medallion to the turban. 7 Then anoint him by pouring the anointing oil over his head. 8 Next present his sons, and dress them in their tunics. 9 Wrap the sashes around the waists of Aaron and his sons, and put their special head coverings on them. Then the right to the priesthood will be theirs by law forever. In this way, you will ordain Aaron and his sons.”

Observations:

As God was giving these instructions it is clear, to me, that he wanted the people to have respect and reverence for the tabernacle, the priests who served, and the ceremonies associated with the tabernacle.  There is clearly nothing ordinary about this situation and God is quite clear as to who these men represent and how they and the ordinances are to be treated.

Yet, as I read the New Testament, I don’t see any parallels between the apostles and these ceremonies.  The apostles were regular men, often with side-jobs, who happened to have been called by God to serve, preach, and lead.  There were no priestly garments; there was no tabernacle; and there wasn’t any great deference given to these guys – except for the fact that were respected for their obedience and character.

In today’s society we have created an odd blending of the old and the new.  We don’t do a seven day festival, the priests are not supported directly from the offerings, and our modern spiritual leaders don’t wear and ephod that receives direct communication from God.  On the other hand we do bestow a special title and hold them up on a pedestal.

The same with our “tabernacle” – our “tent of meeting.”  We no longer slaughter animals in the tabernacle, God’s shekinah glory no longer dwells in a building, and our “priests” no longer present sins directly before God as mediators for the people.

I’m not sure where we got our current structures, but most of it seems based on tradition, not biblical guidance.  While respect and reverence are always important, it must be understood that God does not dwell in a physical building.  If anything, He dwells in our hearts.  This is why our bodies are considered the temples of God.  he dwells in our church body too – not the building.

My role as a spiritual leader is not put above any of the other spiritual gifts, it is just one more part of the body that keeps the body alive and thriving.

Applications:

Yesterday I had an interesting encounter with a man who is apparently suffering from mental illness.  So many times things like schizophrenia and other diseases take on religious and spiritual connotations, as they did with my friend yesterday.

As my friend shared with me, I was struck by the confusion and cacophony of logic that was coming from him.  He apparently believes that he is either God, Jesus, a prophet, more than a prophet, or a special messenger from God.  As I listened to him, I prayed.  And I just listened.  There was no need to argue, no need to correct him, nor was there any reason to provoke him in any way.  I just listened.  I was sad.

After he left, I began to work on today’s scripture.  I remember this moment clearly.  I walked out to my truck to get my reference Bible – I was at Starbucks.  The text for today has to do with the “hate” we will experience from the World, the culture, the society of unbelievers.  As I reached into my truck I felt something powerful in my soul.

It was as if I had this tremendous compassion for a lost world.  Not just lost people, though that too, but for a society that is careening off the edge of God’s original plan.  I suddenly felt courageous and bold.  I felt a need to stand up for what is important.

It is one thing to be tactful and to build relationships, but it is quite another to speak out, in season, and out of season.  It is important to be wise and gentle, but it is also important to speak the word at all times.

Last week while having lunch with a friend, the conversation turned to our new president.  I expressed some excitement at the integrity and forward progress that his administration is making.  But my friend wasn’t excited.  He talked about how bad things are and how its going to be very rough in the near future.

It was right at this moment that I made a compromise.  I was caught off gaurd and not prepared.  It was a golden moment to talk about human solutions versus God solutions.  But I remained silent.  I wasn’t ready.

Yesterday, I knew I needed to be prepared to speak up, in season and out.  I know I need to be always ready.

Prayer:

Father God, thank you for insight in this area.  Teach me how to always be ready.  Teach me how to reach out to an unbelieving and hurting world.

I am a Friend of God’s

Phillips, Craig, and Dean have a song out there called, I am a friend of God’s.  I have appreciated and enjoyed singing the song so much at Common Ground’s worship experience that I finally downloaded it and added it to my iTunes/iPod collection.

A few months ago what struck me about the song was how honored I am to be His friend.  But just yesterday it struck me that with this friendship comes responsibility.  God is crazy about all His kids – everyone, every human, everybody that has ever lived.  So, as God’s friend, that puts me in the position of respecting and honoring these people – regardless of who, what, how, when, or why they’ve done anything.

If you asked me to watch your kids and I ignored their needs, abused them, or just showed dislike or indifference towards them, I would not be honoring our friendship very well.  Even if your kids are snot-nosed little brats, because of our friendship, I would most likely love them dearly.

But am I doing the same with God’s kids?

Even an employee would treat most of God’s kids better than I do most of the time – even if it is just to keep from getting fired. I need to at least treat “the least of these” as well as a hired daycare worker.  But I don’t even do that.

It suddenly hit me last night that it is a privilege and an honor to care for and to love God’s kids.  All of them – regardless of race, creed, color, ethnicity, socio-economic class, education, breeding, addictions, problems, health, wealth, or whatever – God loves each of us greatly and equally.  It is my duty, right, responsibility, and honor to humbly serve them the best I can.