Loving God's Enemies

"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; ²² for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you."

Proverbs 25:21-22

This proverb was repeated by Paul in Romans in the context of not avenging oneself and followed by Romans 12:21:  "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."  Jesus commanded His disciples to love their enemies, to do good to those who hated them, and to pray for those who spitefully used them.  We can show love by meeting the needs of others in practical ways, by providing food and drink when needed.  Doing so would bring burning shame upon adversaries for being enemies of those who are kind and compassionate, and God promises to reward those who show love even for enemies.  God is faithful to provide for our needs, guide our steps and will reward us by His grace.

Recently I was encouraged to consider this passage from a spiritual perspective.  There are people in the world who are enemies of God (who may not even realise it), who deny His existence and goodness, and oppose and scorn the truth of His word.  In their condition they are spiritually starving from a lack of Jesus who is the Bread of Life and the Living Water of the Holy Spirit.  What a blessing it is for God to supply wisdom from His word to speak the truth concerning Jesus on the authority of the word of God, for man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).  Man, in his natural state, drinks sin like water and has a spiritual thirst no amount of pleasure, fame or riches can satisfy.  Christians have the privilege to offer the Living Water of the Holy Spirit so people can drink through receiving the Gospel and live forever.

The spiritual implications of Proverbs 25:21-22 are held in tension with the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:6:  "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."  There are times when enemies of God will hear and receive His word, and others will disregard the treasures of God's wisdom and attack us like enraged feral boars.  Jesus said of Pharisees He deemed blind leaders of the blind, "Let them alone.  When the blind lead the blind they will both fall into the ditch." (Matt. 15:14)  We need discernment provided by the Holy Spirit to love our enemies by speaking the truth and also to express our faith in God by remaining silent until He bids us speak.  We are called to give an answer for the hope that is in us to those who ask and contend for the faith, but we are not called to be contentious (1 Peter 3:15).

Another important point Solomon made is in Proverbs 26:4-5:  "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes."  These verse compliment one another:  we are not to engage in foolish disputes and stoop to the low level of personal attacks and insults, but at the same time we are to speak the wisdom of God's word to reveal the folly of falsehoods and contradictions of worldly wisdom--which is foolishness with God.  When we speak, let us do so lovingly with the wisdom of the Bible, not haughtily spouting our own opinions or condemning others as if we are without fault.  May we speak the truth of Jesus as we follow the example of our Saviour who was humble, gentle, patient and kind.  Let us feed on God's word and drink deeply of the fullness of the Spirit so God's glory and grace will shine through us.

Stay Loyal to God

It seems a lot of large retailers I have wandered through lately aim to be a "one-stop shop."  Walmart is a good example.  Years ago there was not nearly the amount of groceries on offer like there is today with large refrigerated aisles.  From memory the only refrigerated area of Walmart I was aware of was for bait in the fishing department!  Today there is pretty much everything you need in one store that is the size of a small suburb that offers prices competitive with all rivals.  The thought is, if you can buy everything in one place, why go anywhere else?  This provides consumers the convenience of everything needed in one shop, the benefit of low prices and (of course!) provides more revenue for the retailer.

If there was a store where everything you wanted and needed was consistently provided at the lowest price, it would make sense to go there.  Benefits offered that reward loyalty are reasons why people prefer to shop at one place rather than another.  People are loyal until a much better deal comes along they can profit from.  That is when loyalty and our personal governing principles are put to the test.  Some people in California will pay more because they want an American-made product or want to support local businesses.  Others are more interested in saving money for themselves or so they can afford to support more charities through giving.  How we save and/or spend our money is often a complex, personal series of decisions.

The same can be true of the God we trust and worship.  Even as there are more shops and companies than I recognise or could count, there are a multitude of various deities that have been worshipped by mankind throughout history.  The powers of gods in the ancient world (and to this day) are often limited in scope and specialise in things like fertility, abundant harvests or protection.  The almighty God who created all things resembles a "one stop shop" in one sense, but He is infinitely superior in that He meets all our needs, is supreme in power, and is the best at everything without rival.  God is like a spring of pure, living water and all the other gods and idols combined are like a small mud puddle--a puddle that by the time you stoop to drink from it, you discover there is no water at all!  All other gods and spiritual practices were only a mirage that could never meet a single need.

God said through the prophet in Jeremiah 2:12-13:  "Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate," says the LORD. ¹³ "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water."  God exposed the folly of His people to forsake Him who saved them, was gracious and merciful to them, provided for their needs and blessed them abundantly.  They did evil in departing from Him, and they also sinned in carving for themselves cisterns (idols) that were totally unfit for purpose.  It was God who brought the rain, made their fields fruitful, caused them to bear children, and protected them from harm.  No other god, nation or person could compare with His goodness, everlasting power, wisdom and help.  It was completely irrational and foolish to abandon living water for broken cisterns that could hold no water in an arid environment.  A silly person can see how ridiculous it would be to make such a trade, yet the irony is God's people did not see it was stupid for them to forsake God who never forsook them.

We do not follow Jesus merely for benefits we hope to receive from Him but because He is God and worthy of all praise.  He is our life, and the wise cling to Him in faith in times of peace and conflict, when things are going smoothly or all seems lost.  We are the lost ones, and Jesus has sought and called us; He freely offers the Living Water of the Holy Spirit, and He gives rest for our souls.  How strange it is we would receive His gifts and grace, and after we have been saved, nursed to spiritual health and gained strength would go after false gods that could never hear, see, help or deliver us at all.  Blessed is the one who finds God to be His all in all!  Praise the LORD for His loyal love to us, that when we foolishly lean on our own understanding He continues to pursue us and calls us back to Himself to receive us.  Let's be those who, having discovered God to be our fountain of living water, are not deceived to think there could be better elsewhere and remain loyal to Him.

Shining Bright Continually

It can be challenging to find personal relevance for particular passages of the Bible when they are filled with names that are difficult to pronounce or are filled with repetitive measurements.  It can be tedious to read the technical specifications even of products we enjoy using and see the value of, and it can ring true of parts of Scripture as well.  Passages we may be tempted to skim or gloss over can contain many important and relevant truths for us to consider and take to heart.

I came across a passage like this in Exodus 27 when Moses recorded the dimensions of the curtains, pillars and boards of the tabernacle and how they were to be fastened together, as many parts were to compose one tabernacle as the dwelling place of God.  As the chapter draws to a close, Exodus 27:20-21 said:  "And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. ²¹ In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel."  God desired the light of the lamp to always be shining in the holy place near the most holy place where His presence dwelt.  Sanctified priests were called to do the work of God in the right way, bringing pure olive oil for the lamps.  From evening to morning, the priests were to ensure the lamps were tended to and burning bright all night and day.

The Law of Moses and the service of the tabernacle were shadows that pointed to Jesus Christ Who is the Light of the World.  Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 5:14-16:  "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  The lamps were to remain lit in the tabernacle, and Jesus explained the purpose of lighting a lamp is to provide light for everyone in the house.  It would make no sense to light a lamp and burn fuel while hiding the lamp under a basket.  Not only would it be a fire hazard, but everyone in the room would remain in darkness.

As born again followers of Jesus by faith, God intends for His glory to shine through us.  We are to be faithful and to be being filled with the Holy Spirit so we might glorify God now and forever.  How can we shine bright?  Verse 16 says we shine by our good works--which is much more than doing good deeds.  It is by being and becoming the people God created us to be, filled with the joy of the LORD we wear on our glad and hopeful countenance even in hard times.  We shine with praise of God for the great things He has done, by speaking blessing rather than cursing, and loving instead of hating.  We shine by walking in light of Scripture and speaking the truth, for God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

Isaiah 60:1-3 is a relevant exhortation to all God's people who are in Christ:  "Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. ² For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. ³ The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."  How glorious is the Light of the World Who shines and has risen upon us!  We are not a source of light for the world, but through us the light of Jesus shines in and through us that will be seen by Jew and Gentile, a glow that attracts people to know and glorify God.  We sometimes limit our "time to shine" to particular moments, but God's will is we would always shine bright for His glory because He is only light, and in Him is no darkness at all--even in the mundane moments when no one else is watching.  Praise the LORD for the supply of the Holy Spirit Who helps us shine for God's glory.

Seeing Clearly and Speaking Truly

"And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous."

Exodus 23:8

A bribe is a gift with strings attached given out of corrupt motives to influence or sway others away from doing or saying what they know is right.  A bribe is similar to flattery, for the heart behind both of them is insincere.  Giving someone a gift is a generous and kind thing to do, even as it can be encouraging to receive a compliment.  When the heart of the giver is corrupted and seeks to manipulate others, a gift is reduced to a bribe to gain influence.  Bribes may take many forms, and those made wise and discerning by faith in God are not immune to the negative impact of receiving them.

This verse provides insight into how receiving bribes affects those who receive them:  it blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.  A discerning person is one who sees with understanding of the truth of things, and receiving a bribe blinds us to the motivations of others, to the greed in our own hearts, and even keeps us from looking to Jesus.  Man's eyes are drawn to the gift and are prompted to please the giver in return--even more than God.  As one hand washes another, so receiving a gift incites a generosity of heart towards the giver.  This can mean turning a blind eye to the truth, and this is a very dangerous prospect when God speaks the truth and Jesus is the Truth.

The second effect of receiving a bribe is also of great concern, for the problem of perverse words goes right to the heart.  Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, and when the words of the righteous are perverted they are no longer truthful and sincere.  Half-truths and plain lies will begin to permeate our thoughts and speech:  excusing, justifying or promoting something we know is not right.  Let us not imagine bribes must only be objects or money, for flattery or public honour can be a bribe as much as anything.  There is nothing wrong with praising one who does well, but we must be careful not to receive such things as one does a bribe--and being rendered blind and perverse.

The Jews were proud to be God's special people, and Paul revealed God's people in a spiritual sense are those who live for His praise in Romans 2:28-29:  "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; ²⁹ but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God."  It was not the outer conformity of being circumcised and keeping the letter of the Law of Moses, but the ones praised by God for their faith marked by obedience to Jesus Christ.  To those Jesus says, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"  Our obedience to Jesus is not to be a bribe to get what we want from Him but a joyful duty since He is worthy and as a grateful response for all He has done for us.  May the LORD give us by faith in Jesus discerning eyes, upright hearts and words of truth to speak and live accordingly.

Better Covenant and Promises

One of the biggest problems with the Mosaic covenant was not that it was flawed, but that it exposed the flaws in people and demonstrated the impossibility of them keeping it.  God promised the Hebrews in Exodus 19:5-6:  "Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. ⁶ And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."  After Moses spoke the word of God to the people, they agreed to keep His covenant.  It wasn't long at all before they broke it, and ironically they did so before Moses descended from the mountain with the 10 Commandments in hand!

The writer of Hebrews explained how God put everything under Jesus Christ, and that He is greater than Moses and the angels:  the unique, only begotten Son of God who is both eternal King and High Priest.  The ministry of Moses was great in bringing the knowledge of God's law and His covenant, but Jesus did far greater and awesome as it says in Hebrews 8:6:  "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises."  The first covenant was dependant on people keeping it, yet the new covenant established with the shed blood of Jesus rests on Christ's obedience to lay down His life on Calvary.  The point of emphasis of the Gospel is not what we must do to be saved but on who Jesus is and all He has done to offer us the free gift of righteousness by grace through faith in Him.  God has opened up a new and living way to fellowship with God by faith in Jesus.

The Law gave no promise of eternal life, yet Jesus freely offered forgiveness and salvation forever to all who repent and trust in Him.  The promise is not limited to the Hebrews alone but to all who receive Jesus Christ as Saviour.  Revelation 1:4-6 reads, "John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, ⁶ and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."  The Law foreshadowed the Saviour Who would bring grace to us and the opportunity of peace with the everlasting God.  God promised the Hebrews in Exodus if they kept His covenant they would be to Him a kingdom of priests and a holy nation; to Jews and Gentiles alike the new covenant makes us "kings and priests" to God Who has glory and dominion forever.

John wrote of Jesus Christ in John 1:16-17:  "And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."  The covenant and special position God provided Israel remains unchanged, yet through the Gospel a better covenant with better promises has been revealed which is extended to all people by faith in Jesus.  Receiving the fullness of God personally was not on offer by the covenant of Law, yet born again Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.  We are not worthy of such privilege and access, yet let us walk worthy of this heavenly calling as God's children, sanctified and fit for His use by His grace and truth.

Recounting Victory

When we read the Bible and observe what God has done in the past, we are reminded of God's power to save today.  We glory in the LORD who previously delivered His people in Scripture, and we can also be confident in God's salvation in the future.  God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  It is we who are forgetful and need reminders of God's faithfulness to help and deliver His people.

Psalm 78:40-42 shows the awful consequences when God's people forget what God has done:  "How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! ⁴¹ Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. ⁴² They did not remember His power: the day when He redeemed them from the enemy..."  The Hebrews in the wilderness may have remembered the series of plagues God brought upon the Egyptians, but they forgot His power and redemption to save them in current distress.  They provoked, grieved and tempted God because they acted like He was distant and small, unable or unwilling to help them in time of need.  Had they remembered God's purpose in the plagues that led to them being set free in the past it could have resulted in faith in God presently.

After the children of Israel departed from Egypt, Moses told Joshua to fight against Amalek.  When the hands of Moses were lifted up Joshua prevailed, but when his arms dropped Amalek gained the advantage.  Moses was provided a stone for a chair and Aaron and Hur helped support his arms, and the LORD brought a great victory.  Exodus 17:13-16 reads, "So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. ¹⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." ¹⁵ And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; ¹⁶ for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."  Moses was directed to write down a memorial of the LORD's victory and promise to contend with Amalek until he and his people were eradicated and left without memory.

Not only was a record of God's victory written, but it was to be recounted or rehearsed in the hearing of Joshua.  Over the years Joshua would have many battles against the Amalekites, and they would continue to be thorns in the eyes of Israel for many years.  As Joshua approached another future battle with Amalek, he was to remember the time when God gave him victory in the past and take heart in faith God would ultimately defeat and destroy Amalek in the future--permanently.  This reminds me of the victory Jesus won on the cross by defeating Satan, sin and death.  Skirmishes still continue to this day in our lives, but God will see the blight of Satan, sin and death destroyed forever, even blotted out of memory.  Knowing what Jesus has accomplished and what He has promised moves us to trust and praise Him in current conflicts, knowing He is our Saviour will deliver us.  How good it is we are reminded of God's victories in the past, because in doing so we are assured of His future deliverance and ultimate victory.

Insight From Cain

It is one thing to point out the folly of those who reject God and do not believe in Him, yet it is far more relevant and needful for believers to recognise our folly so we might repent of it.  God's people were unable to enter the land of Canaan because of unbelief in God, and thus were unwilling and disobedient.  Those whose carcasses fell in the desert after the exodus from Egypt are an example for followers of Jesus today, for they illustrate our sinful tendencies that remain after being born again.  There are countless examples in the Old and New Testament that demonstrate the prevalence of sin and the sobering consequences.

One might think after Cain was called out for the murder of his brother Abel, he would admit he was guilty.  Not so!  When God asked Cain where Abel was he replied, "I don't know.  Am I my brother's keeper?"  His lying response had an accusatory tone, as if God was inquiring about a situation that was none of His business.  After God revealed He knew all about Abel's murder, instead of expressing repentance or sorrow he blamed God for chastening him:  "My punishment is greater than I can bear!  You have driven me out this day from the face of the earth!" ( quotes from Gen. 4:8-14)  Now lying and murder were not explicit commands Cain broke, and thus he did not transgress a law--but sin that lay at the door overpowered Cain, and he rebelled against God in pride.

Would you believe Christians can be guilty of the proud, rebellious attitude we see on display in Cain?  Though Cain sinned, he was preoccupied with himself and how badly he was being treated.  This is rich, coming from a fellow who just killed his brother in cold blood!  Cain painted God as the villain in his story when Cain's refusal to fear God and humble himself led to his pains as the consequence of his foolish choices, even after God warned him.  We can feel sorry for ourselves with a "Woe is me!" hopeless attitude without the second part of Isaiah's statement, "I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips..."  Isaiah owned his sin and the sins of his people, citing his unworthiness to see or speak with God in humility.  In Cain we see no contrition whatsoever:  he only felt bad about himself and lamented the curse sin brought upon him.  Cain was angry to be driven out from the presence of the LORD, yet the reality was he had spiritually checked out long before then.  What should have been a reality check to prompt repentance, Cain used as an excuse to spitefully blame God and go his own way.

When we are convicted or made aware of our sins before God, rather than trying to deflect blame on anyone else (including God) or feel sorry for ourselves, let us confess and repent of our sin daily in humility.  Just because we have fallen short of God's glory makes Him no less glorious and powerful to save.  Imagine our failure to do right being a wedge that hinders us from submission to the holy, righteous God Who is our life!  Hebrews 3:12-13 says, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  Sin is so deceitful we can come to a place of blaming and condemning God for sin we chose over Him and the consequences of sin in our lives.  God allows us to fail and fall into sin so we would realise how much we have yet to rely on Him fully.  He helps us begin to see the ugly, sinful truth about ourselves when we imagined we could overcome sin by the effort of our flesh when only God can do that.  Do not allow the ugliness of your sin rob God of His beauty and worthiness to be praised, trusted and obeyed.  

Disastrous Faith

When I played baseball as a kid, there were plenty of superstitions that went with it.  The unwritten rules of baseball are probably more extensive as the written rules--imagining things a player does or does not do can actually impact the outcome of a game.  If a pitcher is on a no-hitter, the cardinal sin is to mention it to the pitcher out loud as if they didn't know.  Even professional commentators broadcasting the game come up with creative ways to say a pitcher is on a no hitter without actually saying it.  When our team was losing a game that was reaching the end, we would don a "rally cap" and turn our hats inside out to hopefully spark an offensive outburst.  A particular bat was seen as lucky or the orientation of a helmet or random object was just the thing to help us to victory.  If it didn't work, we tried something else.  It was all good fun.

While there are people who legitimately believe the socks or jockstrap you are wearing makes a difference in your batting or pitching ability, from a objective standpoint articles of clothing do not supply good or bad luck.  The most they can do is perhaps inspire a little confidence that a hit or reaching base safely is actually possible when the team is mired in a slump.  But socks and jocks can't make decisions or swing a bat:  it is the player who must do that.  To pin your hopes upon rubbing a rabbit's foot or wearing a hat inside-out may seem safer than hoping in vain a player who has never hit the ball in a game, but it remains confidence misplaced.  It's a bit like Dumbo being emboldened to jump from great heights because he held a "magic feather" that was exposed as worthless when it was his prodigious ears that enabled him to fly.  It Dumbo didn't have those ears, a lot of circus clowns would have been squashed that day.

It is good when God reveals false supports we have looked to or trusted in rather than Him.  One might imagine God's people were immune from this tendency, yet the more they knew the more they looked to themselves as sufficient in themselves.  The Hebrews touted having Abraham as their father, the rite of circumcision, or the keeping of the Law that made them acceptable before God when His blessing was all of grace.  Jesus rebuked unbelieving Jews in John 5:39-40, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. ⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life."  The Jews Jesus addressed had great confidence in their standing with God because of their heritage, God's covenants, and the Scriptures He gave them.  Yet their confidence was misplaced because they did not place their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who did the works of God the Father among them.  Imagine missing out on eternal life because you have trusted what could not save!

Placing your faith in the wrong thing is never fun and often has disastrous results.  Pharaoh hardened his heart against the LORD and the word spoken by Moses, for he trusted idols and his sorcerers rather than the God of Israel.  Misplaced trust caused Egypt to be destroyed, brought about great loss of life, and Pharaoh lost his firstborn son along with all others who refused to heed God's word.  Rather than placing our trust in ourselves or what we can do, blessed is the man who trusts and fears the LORD Who rules and reigns over all, the only God Who redeems and saves.  Images, charms, and icons have no power to deliver us from God's hand, from our troubles and cannot protect us.  What is called good or bad luck is worthless to accomplish what God promises to do and is able to do concerning us.  Psalm 42:5 wisely says, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance."

Unbelief Manifest

Sin leads to more sin, and even the most subtle sin will reveal itself openly.  As Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."  The source of our problem with sin is not measured by words we say or things we do but fundamental aspects of who we are as a person living in a body of flesh marred by pride and unbelief.  Even a person who is born again with genuine faith in God has a soft-spot toward these subtle, sometimes latent sins that we are unable to recognise in real time.  It is only by God's grace conviction of these sins comes and we are strengthened by faith to confess them, repent of them and do what pleases God instead.  Salvation is of the LORD.

A good illustration of the consequences of unbelief are seen in Exodus 6 when Moses went to speak to the children of Israel.  The almighty God told Moses to speak to the Hebrews and inform them God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant with them.  He would bring them out from the burdens the Egyptians placed on them, rid them of bondage, redeem them, and would take them as His own people.  God promised to bring them out of bondage and the land of Egypt, bring them into the land of Canaan, and give them the land as an inheritance.  One would think God's chosen people would rejoice to hear such promises from their God, but this was not the case.  Exodus 6:9 states, "So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage."  The Hebrews experienced anguish and cruel bondage so long they did not believe even God could change their awful circumstances.

On the heels of God's people refusing to hear Moses, God said to him in Exodus 6:11-12, "Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land." ¹² And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, "The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?"  Moses did not jump at the chance to go and speak to Pharaoh,  and he cited his inability to convince the Hebrews as a reason not to do so:  why would Pharaoh listen to him when God's people would not?  Moses was burdened by failure of convincing the Hebrews when it was not his job or responsibility to make people listen or to change them:  God told Moses to speak!  The same unbelief observed in God's people who refused to listen resided in Moses who refused to speak and would also be seen in Pharaoh who refused to obey and let God's people go.  Later in Exodus we observe belief was so persistent that God's people refused to enter into the land after God delivered them with a mighty hand (Hebrews 3:19).  The writer of Hebrews makes this personal for us, for it is possible it is our unbelief that prevents Christians from entering God's rest.

See the terrible consequences of unbelief:  refusal to hear God, go and speak for God, obey God, enter the land of promise or His rest!  Praise the LORD that despite the folly of man He worked miraculous wonders to change hearts, gave His people ears to hear and hearts to obey.  God freed them from bondage and cruel oppression, and the words He told Moses to say came true.  Pharoah initially refused to let God's people go and later relented, and the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt and received their inheritance in Canaan in due time.  Real, lasting rest remains for God's people.  How faithful God was to love, provide, speak and save His people despite their unbelief and hardness of heart.  If it was up to us we would prefer to groan under a heavy burden or remain silent when it is God's will to deliver us from the bondage of sin and speak forth His praise for the wondrous salvation He has wrought by faith in Jesus.

Abiding in Peace

"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; ³⁰ for my eyes have seen Your salvation ³¹ which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, ³² a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."

Luke 2:29-32

These are the words spoken by Simeon as he held Jesus in his arms in the temple in Jerusalem.  The LORD God revealed to Simeon, described as being just and devout, that he would not see death until he saw the Christ.  He was led by the Holy Spirit to enter the temple right before Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus to present Him before the LORD according to the Law of Moses.  Many assume Simeon was an old man, but the Bible does not say this.  Simeon might have been an old fellow, but his words are even more poignant if Simeon was not advanced in years, a man grimly clinging to life, a life that from God that seemed more burdensome than a blessing.

In seeing the LORD Jesus Christ, Simeon wisely realised his life was complete:  there was nothing greater in life possible than seeing God's long awaited salvation and consolation prepared for all people.  The Light of the World finally shone forth, and the way of salvation and the glory of Israel had been revealed according to God's word.  Because we live in a day long after the arrival and revelation of Jesus in the flesh, we can miss the enormity of Christ's arrival.  Unfortunately because we are human beings made of flesh prone to boredom and dissatisfaction, what is new and earth-shaking can become old news.  We can be more excited over opening a wrapped present or eating dessert than Jesus being the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Nothing can take the glorious shine off Jesus, but our moments of clarity like Simeon had in the temple may be few and far between.

I remember a time in my youth when I was not ready to depart this world because of all I had yet to do:  I had not yet graduated from high school, had not moved out from the family home, been married or had children.  I knew Jesus Christ as my Saviour but I counted aspects of life common to people that I had not yet personally experienced of greater value than departing in peace and going to God.  Simeon is a man I admire because he too had many things yet to experience on earth and things to look forward to, yet he valued Jesus to such a degree his life was complete in Him.  Paul made it clear this is the reality for believers in Christ in Colossians 2:10 that says, "...and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power" and Colossians 3:4:  "When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."

Blessed is the one who discovers and experiences the consolation and salvation found in Jesus Christ alone in Whom we are complete, in God Who is our life.  Glory to God in the highest, for by sending Jesus to the world we receive by faith, we discover life worth living today and forever by His grace.  Whether we will shortly depart this world or God chooses to allow us remain for many years, let us rejoice to behold and proclaim His glory as we abide in Christ our peace.

Wisdom and Her Children

While Samuel was judge over Israel, the people demanded God give them a king to rule over them like other nations.  Samuel was angry the people rejected God's rule over them, and he warned them of many negative impacts of having their way in this matter.  God did as the people requested and Samuel anointed Saul of the tribe of Benjamin to be king.  After he was anointed king, we read in 1 Samuel 10:26-27:  "And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched. ²⁷ But some rebels said, "How can this man save us?" So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace."

The people were given exactly what they asked for, yet aside from a small band of men whose hearts God had touched despised and rejected him.  First the people rejected God, and then they rejected the man God set over them.  There is a parallel with Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son who was sent to the world in human flesh as a Saviour.  The people of Israel longed for the promised Messiah to deliver them from the oppression of the Romans and to establish rule over the nations with a rod of iron, yet apart from a few disciples the people of Israel criticised and rejected Jesus.  It is ironic the very people who believed God would send the anointed One and were schooled in God's word, largely did not recognise or receive Jesus Christ Whom God sent when He stood and spoke with them.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:16-19:  "But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, ¹⁷ and saying: 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament' ¹⁸ for John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."  In the illustration Jesus gave, the children playing were unhappy with everything:  they didn't want to dance to happy music, nor were they willing to mourn with sorrowful melodies.  John the Baptist--a devout man who shunned feasts and did not drink wine like a Nazarite--was sent to prepare the way for Jesus and was slandered by the Jews as being demon possessed.  His words were not believed though he spoke the truth.  Jesus went to feasts and drank wine and was wrongly condemned as a drunk!

People who wanted and needed a Saviour found excuses to reject God's messenger John the Baptist and Jesus Who is called Christ.  The point Jesus made could not be spoken against:  "But wisdom is justified by her children."  The children of Israel would someday realise the folly of rejecting God's rule and demanding a king, for God's word would be fulfilled.  Jesus is wisdom for us, and wisdom is justified by her children.  All who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God are born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and transformed by the power of the Gospel:  people afflicted by demons have been set free and healed in the name of Jesus; gluttons and drunks were granted self-control to deny themselves, to take up their cross daily and follow Jesus.  Those who followed Jesus Christ as LORD were people who loved one another despite differences, served one another, and walked by faith in God.  As the children of God through faith in Jesus we are God's heritage, and may we glorify God Who has touched our hearts by the Prince of Peace.

The Attitude of Gratitude

In a Bible passage I read this morning, the people of Egypt expressed their gratitude to Joseph for saving their lives from a great famine.  After their money was spent for food, their animals traded for food, and their properties were given for food, Joseph freely supplied seed and land for the people to profit from.  The people were entitled to receive 80% of the produce of the land to provide seed and food for their families, and the remaining 20% was Pharaoh's portion.  The people were happy with this arrangement and pledged themselves to serve Pharaoh because he saved their lives, provided land and seed, and he gave them profitable employment and a future.

The attitude of gratitude that marked the Egyptians ought to be found in God's people, for He has saved us from eternal ruin and given us everything that pertains to life and godliness forever.  Despite all God has graciously done for us, we can more resemble the older brother in the parable Jesus told of the prodigal son.  In the parable, after the wayward prodigal son came home and his father organised a feast to celebrate his return, the older brother was angry and left the party.  When the feast was in full swing and the father realised his older son was absent, he left the joyous celebration to find him and persuade him to return.  The older brothers response to his dad is recorded in Luke 15:29-30:  "So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ³⁰ But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'"

The older son refused to even enjoy the festive occasion because he obsessed over all his contributions for years and the lack of recognition he received for his faithful service.  His negative judgments of his brother spilled over to criticism of his father, and he allowed feelings of envy, anger and entitlement to ruin a feast he ought to have enjoyed--and by doing so would honour his generous father.  But the older son cared more about himself and his honour than his father.  Unlike the Egyptians who were glad to serve Pharaoh for saving their lives, having given them food and profitable jobs, the older son overlooked all his father gave him and did for him from his infancy.  He saw himself as without fault and accused his father of being stingy toward him.  This petulant behaviour sprang from an envious, selfish heart that desired his brother to be punished rather than celebrated.  Yet the party came about, not due to the worthiness of the returning son, but the goodness of the father.  The older brother was invited and urged to enjoy the party, and I am sure his friends were welcome to enjoy the feast as well.  The problem was not in the father but in the heart and mind of the son.

Luke 15:31-32 tells us the father's response:  "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³² It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"  It was right to make merry and be glad, to celebrate the return of a son who was lost but then was found.  The favour of the father extended to both his sons was gracious and loving, for neither one deserved the kindness, mercy and generosity of heart shown by the father.  The father said, "All that I have is yours."  At times the younger and older son both divorced themselves from the blessings of their father by their own waywardness, envy and pride.  One left home in the pursuit of fleshly lusts, and the other withdrew from the feast due to his own self-righteousness and anger over offences.  As children of the most high God, let us be those who rejoice in God our Father because of Who He is and all He has done.  It is God's good pleasure to give us to the kingdom, and we are entirely undeserving of any honour.  What is our service to God in comparison to all He has done?  May we have an attitude of gratitude to be included in God's family, the joy of the LORD being our strength (Neh. 8:10).  By embracing joy and gladness in service to God we honour our Father.

God Our Hope

It is fitting and good we should see God's hand at work in everything, for God is always everywhere and working.  God is able to cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and are assured of His everlasting love towards us nothing can separate us from.  By faith in Christ we can know God is for us even when everything seems to be against us.  It is looking to our Saviour Jesus--not the situation--Who brings rest for the weary and encouragement for the downcast.

While this is true, it is very hard for us to maintain this perspective in the midst of pain and grief.  In the book of Ruth, Naomi suffered heartbreaking loss during the 10 years she spent in Moab, for her husband and two sons passed away.  Ruth 1:6 says, "Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread."  See how personal the provision of God was for His people, for He visited them by delivering them from famine.  Upon her return to Bethlehem, Naomi told people not to call her Naomi (delightful, pleasant) any more but Mara (bitter) because God had made her life bitter.  She said in Ruth 1:21, "I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"  Due to her grief, sorrow and loss, Naomi blamed God for her bitterness of soul despite the food God gave His people, her loyal daughter in law Ruth, and the opportunity to safely return to her inheritance.

Another reason why we can face difficulty to trust and rest in the almighty God is due to a guilty conscience.  Some 20 years after Joseph's brothers sold him to Ishmaelite traders, they went to Egypt to buy food because of a great famine.  Little did they know Joseph had been promoted to a position of great power and authority in Egypt second to Pharaoh!  They did not recognise him, but Joseph recognised them and spoke through a translator so they did not realise he understood them.  After he sent them away with food for their family, they were shocked to find their money returned in their sacks of grain.  Genesis 42:28 describes the scene, "So he said to his brothers, "My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!" Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, "What is this that God has done to us?"  Previously Ruben, the oldest brother, reminded them how they sinned in their unloving treatment of their brother.  Though God was working through Joseph to save Egypt and his household, his brothers fearfully saw God as being against them.  Rather than acknowledging God's hand at work to help and provide for them during a famine, they suspected He was against them to punish them.

In God we always have reason for hope even when our situations seem hopeless.  Knowing God is good and for us changes our perspective when awful and unthinkable things happen.  Naomi and Joseph's brothers could not see the good God was doing because of grief and guilty consciences, yet Job blessed the LORD after he received the report of the loss of all his wealth and 10 children in a day in Job 1:20-21:  "Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."  Job grieved, yet he also acknowledged the goodness and greatness of God.  We may not have the faith of Job who feared the LORD, but we worship the same awesome God Who is able to work all things together for good and will bless us forever.

Prosperity and Success

What comes to mind when you think of being prosperous?  The 1828 Webster's Dictionary describes "prosperous" as:  "advancing in the pursuit of any thing desirable; making gain or increase; thriving; successful."  It is likely people have a range of views of what prosperity looks like, that it is gauged by financial net worth, possessions, being the boss rather than a new hire, one who owns houses and properties rather than the person cleaning them.  The Bible speaks of people who were prosperous, and the Scriptural examples fundamentally have little to do with any of these worldly metrics.

Genesis 39:2-3 in the KJV reads, "And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ³ And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand."  There are likely few who would think a slave could be prosperous, but that is exactly how Joseph was described because the LORD his God was with him.  God made Joseph to be prosperous and successful, for even in the wake of his brother's cruelty by selling him to Ishmaelite traders God worked to redeem what was intended to be evil for good--not only in the life of Joseph, but also for Joseph's brothers, household, Egypt as a nation and the surrounding countries.  When God is with us, He brings prosperity and success to accomplish everything God desires we do.

A second aspect of prosperity springs from our obedience to God.  This is plainly shown in God's word to Joshua as he prepared to lead the children of Israel into their inheritance in Joshua 1:7-8:  "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. ⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."  God was with Joshua as He had been with Moses before him, and Joshua was to exert strength and courage to keep God's law.  Reading God's word, meditating upon it and putting it into practice personally was a key to Joshua being prosperous and successful to answer God's call upon his life.

Joseph was prosperous even when his allegiance and obedience to God resulted in him being thrown into prison after a false accusation of attempted rape.  The warden with his eyes did not see God with Joseph, but he saw the prosperity God wrought in the life and labour of God's servant Joseph and gave him additional responsibility.  Genesis 39:23 states, "The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper."   How blessed are believers in Jesus Christ who is called "Immanuel" meaning, "God with us."  Because He will never leave or forsake those who trust in Him, we can be prosperous as we live in our family home, as a slave, a prisoner or leader.  Our call is to submit to God and be obedient to all He tells us, for then we will be prosperous and have success in all God desires we do by His grace.

Sold and Bought

In the Bible we see tragic examples of people being sold.  Rather than kill their brother Joseph, Judah suggested he and his brothers sell him to Ishmaelite traders who were heading to Egypt.  Esther said she and her people were "sold" to be killed by Haman's wicked decree.  God exposed the moral decay among His people in Joel 3:3:  "They have cast lots for My people, have given a boy as payment for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink."  During Paul's missionary journey to Philippi we read of a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination who brought much financial gain to her masters, having evidently been bought or acquired previously by them.

There are times recorded in scripture when God delivered His own people into the hands of their enemies in response to their rejection of Him and departure from Him.  Judges 2:14 tells us, "And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies."  God was gracious to raise up judges who delivered the Israelites from their enemies--even though it seemed only a matter of time before they went back to idolatry.  It is hard to imagine what it would be like to be literally sold by your parents for a bottle of wine or sold by God into the hands of enemies all around.

The reality was the people were responsible in situations like this, for they sold themselves in exchange for choosing sin and idols that could not save.  God said through the prophet in Isaiah 52:1-3:  "Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you. ² Shake yourself from the dust, arise; sit down, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion! ³ For thus says the LORD: "You have sold yourselves for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money."  God who allowed the Hebrews and all people to sell themselves for nothing intended all along to provide atonement and purchase lost souls enslaved to sin with His own blood--the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary (Acts 20:28).

It is the one who realises they are no longer their own, enslaved to sin and doomed without hope, who rejoice to be redeemed by the power of the Gospel and claimed as God's adopted child.  There is hope for those like Paul who realised his natural condition was carnal (of flesh) and sold under sin (Romans 7:14).  By faith in Jesus Christ lost souls are found and accepted in the beloved, cleansed from sin, and know we have a new Master and KING OF KINGS Jesus.  How blessed we are to be bought and paid once for all by the precious blood of Christ, and we have received the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:14).  Having been bought by God our Good Shepherd, we are sheep of His pasture that are protected, provided for and guided by Him forever.  Why sell ourselves for nothing when we have been bought by God Who loves us?

Curse or Blessing?

When Rebekah pulled Jacob aside and spoke of her plan for Jacob to steal Isaac's blessing (intended for his older brother Esau) for himself, it appealed to his greedy ambitions.  Though his father was blind, Jacob hesitated because he did not sound or feel like Esau:  he did not want to be found to be a deceiver.  He said, "I shall bring a curse upon myself rather than a blessing."  Rebekah replied, "Let your curse be on me, my son!"  Jacob chose to comply at the urging of his mother, and he brought young goats from the flock to prepare for Isaac.  Rebekah craftily used the skins of the butchered goats to cover up the smooth skins of Jacob.  And the plan seemed to work perfectly:  Isaac ate the food and blessed Jacob who went his way.

It only took a short while for Esau and Isaac to find out what had happened.  Jacob had scarcely left when Esau came in with a feast prepared at his father's request.  When he announced his arrival Israel trembled greatly, for he realised he had been deceived by Jacob who took away Esau's blessing.  What Jacob feared came to pass, for he was revealed to be a deceiver.  Esau hated Jacob for what he did and made his murderous intentions toward Jacob his brother known.  Rebekah heard of Esau's vengeful plot and warned Jacob of his plans.

Rebekah said to Jacob in Genesis 27:43-45:  "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. ⁴⁴ And stay with him a few days, until your brother's fury turns away, ⁴⁵ until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?"  Notice how Rebekah admits it was not she who was held accountable as the mastermind and facilitator of Jacob taking the blessing, but Jacob alone:  "...what you have done to him."  She said previously his curse would be upon her but Jacob's sinful choice left him guilty and alone.  So it is with temptation and sin:  while sin may propose a path to our desired end, it results in guilt and trouble time alone cannot undo.  Sin always brings a curse on those deceived by it.  Jacob's hope to trick his father showed he was deceived by sin himself.

Hebrews 3:12-13 says to all who fear God, "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; ¹³ but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  When we are converted as Christians, we turn from sin in repentance to Jesus who saves us from our sins.  It is possible as believers to be deceived by the lure of sin that appeals to our flesh and turn from the LORD to follow sin as master.  We are exhorted to be on guard against this.  By His grace God grants the opportunity to continue a lifestyle to repent of our sins and look to Jesus again in faith and obedience.  Jesus has destroyed the curse of sin by His atoning death and resurrection, yet embracing sin today leads to us to seek sin tomorrow rather than our Saviour.  If we find ourselves alone with our sin, it is not because Jesus has abandoned us:  it is because we have been deceived to depart from the living God.

Unbelief in God leads to the downfall of believers and unbelievers alike, and humble repentance is the posture of a small child turning from sin to the Saviour to be picked up and rescued again.  Sorrow in itself is not repentance, and efforts to stop sinning without turning to Jesus isn't repentance either.  We can't change what we have done in the past, but by God's grace He changes our hearts and grants us repentance as we seek Him.  Repentance does not blame others or sin itself but puts the blame squarely on ourselves, and those who confess their accursed sins will be those forgiven and set free by God.  God is where the blessing always is.

The LORD With Us

After David was anointed king over Israel, the Holy Spirit came upon him and the Spirit departed from king Saul.  God sent a distressing, tormenting spirit to afflict king Saul and his advisors were discerning to know exactly what was happening.  Rather than urging Saul to repent of his pride and rejection of God, they suggested Saul find a man who could skillfully play soothing music on the harp when he was troubled.  Saul agreed with their advice and amazingly David was the candidate immediately suggested.

1 Samuel 16:18 states, "Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valour, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him."  One could say David had a lot going for him:  he was a skillful musician, a brave and mighty champion, a fit soldier, well-spoken and good looking.  I expect most people would be happy for others to ascribe only one or two of these qualities to them and speak well of them to those in authority.  But the final flourish of David's description is the most important of all that we can overlook and undervalue:  "...and the LORD is with him."  All those other desirable qualities in David flowed on from God being with Him, his Creator Who fashioned him in the womb of his mother.

The LORD being with David meant he was always near the living God Who helps, strengthens and upholds His people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Joshua.  By God being with him, David was assured of wisdom, provision, protection and guidance to successfully do what God called him to do and be all God created him to be.  God was with David whether he was shepherd over his father's flocks in a field or summoned to play the harp in the court of king Saul.  The power of God to deliver and save remained constant when he faced the Philistine champion on a field of battle or his own son Absalom who usurped the throne through political intrigue.

We find this immortal phrase used by Balaam when he looked at the camp of the Hebrews and blessed them in Numbers 23:21-23:  "He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel. The LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a King is among them. ²² God brings them out of Egypt; He has strength like a wild ox. ²³ "For there is no sorcery against Jacob, nor any divination against Israel. It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, 'Oh, what God has done!'"  The LORD God was with Israel, and the shout of a king pointed to the Son of David, the Messiah Jesus Christ who would deliver people from their sins even as God saved people out of the iron furnace of Egypt.  No evil spirit, curse or weapon fashioned against God's people will prosper while God stands guard over our souls and delivers us from evil.  It is fitting the name of the Messiah and KING OF KINGS would be called Immanuel, for Jesus is God with us (Is. 7:14).

We may not be skilled musicians, mighty warriors, well-spoken or have dashing looks, but what the king's advisors said of David is true of us by faith in Jesus:  the LORD is with us.  Of all the blessings God provides His people, there is none greater than our LORD being with us.  All praise and thanks to God for His gracious and unspeakable gift, truly too wonderful for words!

Kings of Salem and Sodom

Back in school we used to write compare and contrast essays, and this approach was an effective technique to dig deeper into a subject.  This is also a viable technique to apply as we read the word of God, for it is easy to gloss over details as we carry on to the next verse or chapter without thinking things through.  While we need the assistance of the Holy Spirit to have understanding and fruitful application of God's word, the Bible remains the greatest literary work ever written.  We do well to ready slowly, thoughtfully and meditate on the words analytically.  With so much truth right on the surface, we also know God continues to reveal fresh insights that take more effort to gather and feed our souls with His wisdom.

I was struck after reading of Abram's victory by the grace of God over the 4 northern kings with their armies that sacked Sodom and took his nephew Lot captive.  After Abram and his 318 trained servants passed through Salem (which would later be called Jerusalem), he was met by Melchizedek, king of Salem and high priest of the Most High God.  He was also met by Bera king of Sodom whose people and goods Abram had delivered from the hand of their enemies.  The kings of Salem and Sodom were both royal rulers, but their interactions with Abram were markedly different--as was Abram's response to them.

Melchizedek met Abram with bread and wine to celebrate the victory given him by God and to refresh and strengthen him and his weary men.  Melchizedek gave more than victuals, for he was full of blessing and praise as Genesis 14:19-20 shows:  "And he blessed him and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; ²⁰ And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all."  Melchizedek blessed Abram in light of the Most High God he served, and he blessed God as well for delivering Abram's enemies into his hand.  It is remarkable Abram is said to be "of God Most High," for in English the pronoun "of" connects people with being a son or daughter of a person.  A man of God is one who trusts in God, and the New Testament expounds on what spiritually occurs when we trust in Jesus:  we are born again and made children of God.  It is written in John 1:12-13, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  Abram responded to the greatness of Melchizedek by giving him a tenth of the spoils.

Bera the king of Sodom approached and spoke to Abram in a very different manner.  He brought no gift, blessing, thanksgiving or praise of the Most High God.  He came to Abram with a demand as Genesis 14:21 tells us:  "Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself."  The king of Sodom demanded Abram give him his people, though ironically he was not able to deliver his own subjects from defeat and capture.  While Abram had the right of ownership of all he had taken, he refused to keep anything.  He gave the people and all the reclaimed goods from the battle to Bera, for Abram had raised his hand before the Most High God in an oath he would not give opportunity for Bera to claim he made Abram rich.  It was God Who made Abram successful in battle and in business; it was the Most High God he treasured who gave Abram everything he possessed.  Abram received the bread, wine and blessing from Melchizedek, but he would not keep the persons or goods of Sodom.

The demand of Bera king of Sodom was transactional, but the generosity of Melchizedek was all of grace.  Melchizedek made no demands upon Abram as he freely provided for his needs, refreshed his heart and spoke blessing, while Bera was willing to pay Abram off if he complied with his directive.  Praise the Most High God we catch a glimpse of His generosity, grace and goodness foreshadowed by Melchizedek we find in our relationship with Jesus Christ our LORD.  What joy, gladness and perfect peace blesses our hearts when we trust our Saviour Who loves us and gave Himself to deliver us.  Like Abram, we too can be people of God Most High by faith in Him, truly a people most blessed.

Our Reasonable Service

This morning I read Genesis 12, the passage of scripture where God spoke to Abram to leave his country and his father's house and to go to the land God would show him.  After Abram obeyed God and went to Canaan, God appeared to Abram and made a promise to give the land to his children.  Most people would be glad to see an inheritance of land that was coming to us, yet God did far greater in revealing Himself.  Abram recognised this and responded in worship.

Genesis 12:7 reads, "Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him."  In response to God's revelation of Himself, Abram's response was to build an altar to the LORD who appeared to him.  In ancient times people worshipped the sun, moon and stars and celebrated their appearance in the heavens, but God's revelation was vastly different:  He spoke with Abram, appeared to him, made promises to him and was with him.  This building of an altar was a clear shift of allegiance from all other gods to the true God Who created all things, the God who speaks, reveals Himself and makes covenants with mankind.

In Abram's day, altars were made for the primary purpose of offering sacrifices to a deity.  This act of devotion came at a personal cost because the animals sacrificed were valuable personal property.  An animal offered as a burnt offering could not be sold, no longer breed or produce milk, and even the meat and hide used for clothing was a total loss.  But offering sacrifice was not a loss, for it was a privilege to give a sacrifice unto the worthy God.  In this day of grace, it is possible this natural response of worship by sacrifice to God can be seen as unnecessary or outdated.  Christians are not under Law because Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins and God knows our hearts:  so why should we be required to sacrifice anything?

This sort of thinking misses the whole point of sacrifice:  it is not to get something but a fitting response to God and all He has given.  Paul explained to believers it is most rational to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God in Romans 12:1:  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."  It is by God's mercy we are saved, and thus we ought to rejoice at the opportunity and privilege it is to serve God as living sacrifices.  We are willing to sacrifice more than ourselves for what we love, whether it be people, pursuits or pleasure.  Sacrifice is not like making a deposit in the bank we can draw upon later, for that is akin to a bribe.  Real sacrifice is giving without demanding anything in return from God, for we delight in the opportunity to show our love for Who He is and all He has already provided us by His grace.

If we are proud of our sacrifices and think them as worthy of any mention at all, it may be we think more of our sacrifice for God than His gracious gifts to us, His word that guides us or His promises spoken to us.  It is utterly unreasonable for Christians saved by grace to be miserly when it comes for sacrifice to God, yet at our most generous we often think of ourselves and what we have in reserve.  In offering ourselves as living sacrifices, everything we have, all we earn, our time, what we do and desire are offered too, for God will not be bought off.  He does not desire the fat of rams or a heap of gold:  God desires souls who love Him, give themselves to Him, who sacrifice all and think nothing of it because they value Him over all.

Listen to the Holy Spirit

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Revelation 3:22

Today's sermon at Calvary Chapel Sydney centred around the words of the Holy Spirit to believers not to harden their hearts, and the words of Jesus to the seven churches in the book of Revelation also urge us to hear what the Holy Spirit says.  Jesus said the Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment, and He continues to do so today:  instructing, reminding us of God's word and warning us as needed.  The 10 plagues God visited upon Egypt when Pharaoh hardened his heart are a sobering illustration all people ought to take to heart if we justify continuing in hardness of heart--Christians included.

Interestingly in Hebrews 3:7-11 the Holy Spirit did not say to Hebrew Christians, "Don't be like Pharoah who hardened his heart" but not to be like their Hebrew fathers who hardened their hearts and provoked Him after He delivered them from slavery in Egypt with miraculous signs.  It is a small thing for an idolatrous, proud king to harden his heart against the word of the LORD, but it is awful when God's people who claim to follow and obey Him provoke Him by unbelief, disobedience, murmuring and complaining.  For 40 years they saw God's works firsthand, eating the manna He provided daily as His presence went before them in a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.  When God brought them to the land He promised to give them they refused to enter in, and thus He caused them to perish in the wilderness.  God was grieved with that generation because they erred in their hearts, did not know His ways, and thus could not enter His rest.

While the whole of scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit, He also spoke through Paul in 1 Timothy 4:1-5:  "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, ² speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, ³ forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. ⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; ⁵ for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."  In these last days the Holy Spirit warns people will depart from the faith because they will give heed to false doctrines, will speak lies, and their conscience will be seared.  They will lack sensitivity to the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit because they refuse to heed God's word.  Such use God's word deceptively to impose their legalistic will on others without consideration of what Jesus accomplished on the cross when He established a new covenant.  A seared conscience leads to hypocrisy, commanding others to submit to human ordinances while at the same time disregarding God's voice and the testimony of the whole Bible.

The indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to have a clear conscience by instruction in God's word, knowing God created foods to be received with thanksgiving.  Since we believe and know the truth we remain pure before the LORD even when we eat food that is not kosher under the Law of Moses, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.  People may use the Bible to this day to point out certain foods are unclean, yet God has made a new and living way to a relationship with God by faith in Jesus--not by works of the law that cannot justify a soul before God.  May we stand corrected and humble ourselves before men when we have been convicted by the word of God, and having been made to stand let us continue by faith in God, loving one another and holding fast to the Gospel of grace.