Good Lessons from Bad Examples

The context of the book of Judges is a time marked by everyone doing what was right in their own eyes.  The focus is primarily on God's people who lived just like the heathen nations round about them.  Chapters 17-18 of Judges tell the story of Micah, a Levite from Bethlehem, and men from the tribe of Dan.  All the characters in the passage are unethical and immoral in their relationship to God and one another, everyone aiming to benefit themselves at the expense of God or their fellow man.

Micah's religion was what we call in Australia a "dog's breakfast" because from a biblical perspective it was an absolute mess.  Micah embraced what many people still do today, imagining God would bless and benefit him because of his twisted efforts to honour Him.  Because he did not know God, Micah did not walk in the way God laid forth in the Law of Moses.  He made idolatrous images in violation of the law along with an ephod and consecrated one of his sons as his priest--until the Levite came along.  Micah hired the drifter and grifter Levite, believing God would certainly do him good because he had a Levite as his priest (who was not a qualified priest at all!).

Micah was looking for God to do him good, and the Levite who wandered to find a place (and was treated like a son by Micah) was only too glad to take a better deal with the tribe of Dan after they stole Micah's gods.  The men of Dan were pleased to steal Micah's idols and illegitimate "priest" after he had extended hospitality to them, and then they attacked Sidonians to take their land for themselves.  Every person and group was out for their own interests without thought of others or God, and the heart of mankind has not changed at all.  One of the best sermons I ever heard was taken from these scriptures, titled 10 Shekels and a Shirt by Paris Reidhead.  He used this passage to point out the utilitarian appeal of a modern presentation of the Gospel that is like a Levite pretending to be priest--the offer of forgiveness without repentance, salvation without faith marked by obedience, and appeals to selfish motives rather than the glory of God simply because He is worthy.

How different things would have been if Micah had trusted and believed in the one true God Who is good!  Instead of looking for a place the Levite could have been blessed to serve at the tabernacle where the presence of the LORD dwelt among His people.  The tribe of Dan could have been content to receive their land by lot as an inheritance from God's hand, be satisfied in abundance, and give rather than steal.  How different for the better we would be if we learned from their bad example!  It is good for us to understand that in the worst examples in scripture we can catch glimpses of ourselves so we might repent of our sin and choose to do what pleases God.  And if you haven't heard that sermon yet, it is well worth your time.  Not only will it provide insight into Judges 17-18 but challenges all to examine our hearts so we might humble ourselves before God and by faith and obedience to be more like Jesus. 

The Profitable Worker

Christians are blessed to have the word of God preserved for us, the Bible translated into a language we speak and can hold in our hands.  A great wealth of information can be gleaned from those who have gone before us as we are guided by the Holy Spirit to discern and proclaim the truth.  Like the children of Israel during decades in the wilderness rose early to gather their daily portion of manna, we can open God's word and gather a spiritual feast for our souls.  We have learned man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

The purpose of eating food is more than enjoying flavours, textures or feeling satisfied by filling our bellies:  it is to provide necessary nutrition for the overall health and well-being of our bodies.  One reason why we are discerning to eat a balanced diet is so the whole body will benefit, not just our taste buds.  Drinking water may not be our favourite flavour, but it does promote the health of our body.  There are foods or drinks we choose to avoid because they are detrimental to our health.  When we open God's word to read and study it, it is vital we do so in a profitable manner so our personal lives and the Body of Christ will benefit.

Paul made it clear not all study had beneficial results as we see in 2 Timothy 2:14-16:  "Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. ¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness."  When we are contentious and divisive over controversial doctrines or passages, it is of no profit to anyone.  Instead of edifying and building each other up by faith in Jesus Christ, such striving can lead to our ruin.  How many people have been lifted up with pride by their knowledge like the Pharisees who would not even acknowledge their sin or need for salvation by Jesus?  We are to be diligent to present ourselves approved of God as we rightly divide the word of truth--not seeking the approval of men.

Even as unbelief in God prompts us to ask the wrong questions, we Christians can exert more effort to prove others are in the wrong rather than submitting to God ourselves.  We can straddle our hobby-horses and spend our energy running around trying to get others to affirm our points or agree with our view, and what does it profit?  It pits people in the church against one another; it causes division and discord that God hates.  Sound, biblical doctrine well-applied will result in godly living as Paul later wrote in 2 Timothy 2:22-24:  "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife."  As we labour in the word of God, let us be diligent to present ourselves approved to God without generating contentions or strife with others.

People's dietary choices or even the version of scripture they prefer can be a touchy subject, but let us avoid foolish and ignorant disputes in our gatherings, families and friendships.  Let each be convinced in their own mind according to the liberty God has supplied us by His grace outlined in the scripture.  In our study and lifestyle may we pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace united with those who seek the LORD.  There will be temptations to enter into foolish and ignorant disputes, and it is a shame for all who entertain them.  Those who rightly divide the word of truth will recognise these doubtful disputes and avoid them by God's grace.

Confidence God Is Able

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commanded His disciples to show humility and grace rather than demanding retribution under the Law of Moses.  In the Law, God commanded legal retribution ought not to exceed the offence, like an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth.  Rather than retaliating for wrongs suffered, Jesus bid His followers to do good instead.  He said in Matthew 5:40-41, "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. ⁴¹ And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two."  The Romans oppressed the Jews as second-class citizens, forcing them to carry burdens for up to a mile.  Jesus directed His disciples to go beyond what was required by faith and obedience to Him.

A disciple is not greater than his master, and because Jesus is our Master we ought to follow His example and walk in His steps.  One attribute of God is He lovingly does far more than we could ask or imagine as it is written in Ephesians 3:20-21:  "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."  God is not only able, but He delights to do glorious things on our behalf continually.  Nowhere did the Law of Moses make a provision or a promise God's people could be filled with the fullness of God and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, yet Jesus through the Gospel revealed this reality.  How awesome is God and His wondrous ways!

Philemon is an example of someone who obeyed the command of Jesus to "go the extra mile."  After his slave Onesimus ran away, Paul shared Christ with him and he became a born again Christian.  Paul sent Philemon a letter asking him to receive Onesimus back as he would as if he was a welcome guest like Paul himself, now a fellow brother in Christ.  Under Roman Law Philemon had the legal right to brutally punish, torture, sexually exploit or even kill a runaway slave.  Paul politely wrote to Philemon, not because he was afraid Philemon would treat Onesimus poorly, but because he was confident Philemon would walk in obedience to Christ and do good.  Philemon 1:21 says, "Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say."  Confidence in the godly character of Philemon, Paul made his request to receive Onesimus known.

Do you appreciate God does exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think?  Only a fool would not!  Those who love, fear God, and place their confidence in Him ought to seek Him in prayer and make our requests known to Him.  Even when our prayers are short-sighted and limited in scope, God is faithful to go beyond what we ask because He is gracious, merciful and good.  As children of God and servants of our glorious Saviour, let us be those who happily go extra miles (without keeping tabs of other's wrongs or our "rights") as He leads and strengthens us to take the next step.  Our confidence that God does above all we ask or think moves us to pray more rather than less.

Peace Without Anxiety and Fear

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

John 14:27

On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus was the least troubled or anxious person in the room among His disciples.  Jesus was not troubled or afraid at all in the face of certain excruciating death because He was not alone, for His heavenly Father was with Him.  As Paul wrote in Ephesians 2, Jesus is our peace Who has reconciled sinners to God through His sacrifice on Calvary, yet even before He died and rose again He freely gave lasting, perfect peace to His faithful followers.

In light of the peace Jesus gave His disciples He said, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  There is no trouble or fearful situation a person can experience that can overwhelm the peace Jesus gives.  By faith in God according to the revelation of scripture, we are given ability from God to choose to trust Him rather than being slaves to anxiety and fear.  I am reminded of another time Jesus gave a similar command to Peter in Luke 5:4-5:  "When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." ⁵ But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."

Peter was a fisherman and knew very well how to lower the nets from the boat.  He was a pro at untangling, repairing, and using nets in his livelihood so the problem Peter faced was not physical:  it was a matter of the will.  Jesus direct Peter to lower the nets to catch fish after he had fished all night and did not catch a single one.  It is likely Peter knew the best times to fish, and the deeper water in the middle of the day was not the prime place or time to fish.  What moved Peter to lower the net--rather reluctantly it seems--was only because Jesus told him to.  The ironic thing is after Peter obeyed Jesus he was unable to draw the net into the boat because it was miraculously loaded with fish, and the net began to break.

Luke 5:7-8 reads, "So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"  Isn't this amazing?  Peter by himself was not able to haul in the catch of their fish and even two boats were not able to stay afloat under the weight!  Peter was so astonished by what Jesus did he realised the folly of doubting Jesus or His word.  Instead of condemning or mocking him Jesus said, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men."  The one who fears God Who loves us drives out all fear, for He is our Peace.

As Peter was told to let down the net, Jesus says to His disciples:  "Let not your heart be troubled; let your heart not be afraid."  The question is, will we submit our will to His voice and obey even when we are tempted to be troubled or afraid?  Will we justify being anxious and panicked when He has given us His peace and left it for us?  Jesus Himself said in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  On our own such weighty peace is impossible for us to receive by the power of our flesh, yet Jesus has given us the Helper, the Holy Spirit who anoints and empowers us to do God's will.  Our feet slip and hands grow weary; we cannot comprehend what God could accomplish in our struggle, yet those who wait upon the LORD He will gird with strength and an abundance of peace that is frankly astonishing.  Let us trust and rejoice in our glorious God and Saviour who is our Peace without anxiety and fear.