Our Stubborn Way

"And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way."

Judges 2:19

A student of the Bible ought to be a careful observer of words and their meaning.  Since God has chosen to communicate with people through His written word, it remains a primary way of effectively communicating with others.  Confusion and consternation is caused when the definition of a word used does not agree with how others define it.  Over time the meaning of words can change and some of the intrinsic implications can erode, and it is beneficial to retain the original definition of words when they have been hijacked by modern sensibilities or through ignorance.  And I am not speaking about Hebrew or Greek, for the working knowledge of our own language lays a solid foundation of understanding that can be built upon.

Even as muscles atrophy from lack of use, the definition of words can become flabby and weak.  Meaning once clearly conveyed can be slowly lost over time.  While studying Judges recently, I happened upon the word "stubborn" several times, and I looked into how it is defined and the way it is used in the Bible.  I have heard people call others stubborn as a negative trait, and the same person can use the same term to refer to themselves in a positive sense.  As is typical with words, there is a range of definitions to filter through.  The Cambridge Dictionary defines "stubborn" without passing judgment:  "A stubborn person is determined to do what he or she wants and refuses to do anything else."  The 1828 Webster's Dictionary is a bit stronger:  "Unreasonably obstinate; inflexibly fixed in opinion; not to be moved or persuaded by reasons."  The word is described as "refractory" which means, "Sullen or perverse in opposition or disobedience; obstinate in non-compliance."

Looking at the word "stubborn" from a biblical perspective, it is always spoken of in a negative sense and is often coupled with rebellion.  While people may use the word stubborn to indicate a person who is resolute, steadfast, perseverant and persistent--all good traits when applied to doing what is right--the Bible does not use it in this sense.  "Stubborn" is a good description of people determined to go their own way; it is one who is unreasonable and will not be persuaded by any evidence.   Biblically speaking, someone who is stubborn will not submit to God or His correction and remains unwilling to listen to or be moved by Him.  Psalm 78:8 says it indicates one whose heart is not right, disloyal to God and unfaithful to Him.  Deuteronomy 21:18-21 shows under Mosaic Law a stubborn and rebellious son who persisted in disobedience, who refused to be corrected of gluttony and drunkenness despite discipline, was to be brought to the elders and face the death penalty "...to put away the evil from you, and all Israel shall hear and fear."

So the next time you refer to someone else or yourself as stubborn, consider the biblical implications of this word.  It may be a badge of honour among some to be stubborn, but to me it conveys foolishness and rebellion against God I want no part of.  Knowing how the Bible speaks of stubbornness also makes me careful not to flippantly brand others of being stubborn.  In using this word I will yield to the perspective of Scripture, lest God show me to be stubborn myself--full of my own thoughts and ways with no consideration of Him.  Blessed are those who are persuaded by God's word and yield to Him, for He is truth and wisdom.

God's Pure Word

The Bible has richness and depth as the living word of God that speaks to our hearts.  Psalm 12:6-7 says, "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. ⁷ You shall keep them, O LORD, you shall preserve them from this generation forever."  When people slanderously claim the Bible has been corrupted, it is a direct attack upon God, His truth and His ability to do what all He promises.  Jesus said the heavens and earth will pass away, yet God's word will never pass away.  Even as God is holy and preserves His redeemed people forever, so he will preserve His word from those who try in vain to attack, dismiss or undermine it.

In Amos 3, the LORD through the prophet asked a series of rhetorical questions that generally all would be answered "no."  For instance, Amos 3:5 reads:  "Will a bird fall into a snare on the earth, where there is no trap for it? Will a snare spring up from the earth, if it has caught nothing at all?"  How could a bird fall into a net if the trap was not prepared or there was no bait?  Hunters are confident snares do not trip themselves, and if the trap was sprung he would be confident either a person or animal was responsible.  After asking seven of these questions, Amos 3:7 provides the point God was making with complete confidence:  "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets."

God's faithful character to communicate with His people is seen throughout the Bible.  Genesis 18:17-18 provides an example:  "And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, ¹⁸ since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?"  The problem is not that God has remained silent but people seldom believe or heed what He has said.  He told Adam before temptation came the day he ate of the tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden he would surely die, yet Adam chose to listen to his wife and the serpent who claimed eating the fruit imparted divine status.  Had Adam believed and listened to God, he would not have considered a single bite.  While God has not told us all things (for we are not able to receive all due to our limited understanding) God has communicated everything we need to know through the Bible, and in these last days God has spoken to us through His Son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2).

Before His crucifixion Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:15, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."  God's word has been carefully preserved from corruption by God, and He remains faithful to speak to His people who will hear and obey Him.  The angel wisely said to John in Revelation 19:10, "...worship God:  for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  How blessed we are to have the pure word of God in our possession, and no lies, slander or scoffing can pollute it.  As God's people by faith in Jesus, let us be those who treasure God's word by keeping it.  He has preserved it pure, and may our lives reflect the purity of our Saviour Jesus.

God Said So

There is no book like the Bible, a book read, studied and discussed more than any other.  The profound revelations of God's word provokes deep thoughts, careful consideration and personal introspection.  Over the storied history of thousands of years, I can hardly appreciate the immeasurable, positive impact the Scriptures have had on the lives of people and nations.  Because God's thoughts are not our thoughts nor His ways our ways, there are difficult passages which are hard to understand.  By faith in God who has revealed Himself, when faced with verses beyond our understanding, our thirst for knowledge is satiated by returning to what we can know about God beyond doubt.

In Yancey's What's So Amazing about Grace?, he mentioned a persistent question many people have had over the years and ways people tried to answer it:  how God decided which foods were clean and unclean under Mosaic Law.

"God's brief explanation allows much room for interpretation, and scholars have long debated the reasons behind the reason.  Some have pointed out the health benefits of the Levitical laws.  The ban against pork removed the threat of trichinosis, and a ban against shellfish kept the Israelites safe from the viruses sometimes found in oysters and mussels.  Others note that many of the forbidden animals are scavengers, feeding on carrion.  Still others observe that specific laws seem directed against the customs of the Israelites' pagan neighbors...Anthropologist Mary Douglas goes further, noting that in each case God forbids animals that show an anomaly." (Yancey, Philip. What’s so Amazing about Grace? Zondervan, 1997. page 149)

While these interpretations may have their merits, it is important to acknowledge what other Bible passages have to say on the subject.  Paul, a man raised observing the dietary requirements of the Law of Moses, after coming to Christ in faith said in 1 Timothy 4:4-5:  "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."  Paul says on God's authority every creature of God is good, having been created by Him.  Even food offered to idols did not physically contaminate the eater who ate by thanksgiving to God.  The uncleanness exposed by the Law was not particular animals, but took aim to expose the uncleanness of the human heart, our tendency to lean on our own understanding rather than walking by faith and obedience to God.  God did not provide the reasons He deemed some animals clean and others unclean--which can seem arbitrary to us.

Yet we know God does not do anything arbitrarily; He has purposes and plans in what He chooses to do and not do.  If we as parents are justified to tell our children right from wrong because we say so, shouldn't we allow God this latitude without us questioning Him or making our submission contingent on our agreement with His reasons given for why?  If God wanted to tell us why He certainly could have, and perhaps the distinction of clean and unclean animals was merely His means to reveal the uncleanness in humans who question, doubt and disobey Him rather than simply believing and obeying Him!  The New Testament shows this is the primary purpose of Law, for by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  It was never the pork or shellfish that were the problems in themselves:  the problem God's Law exposed was the unbelief, pride and selfishness in the human heart.

When I consider the Law of Moses and any passage that seems arbitrary, Proverbs 3:5-6 holds forth a principle that was relevant for Jews under Law and relevant for all today who are in Christ by faith:  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  In God's wisdom He did not explain everything or the reasons behind all His commands, and in doing so mankind was given a choice to trust God or lean on our own understanding.  Those who know and trust God are blessed beyond measure, for He is with us and shall direct our paths.

Stint on the Sideline

When my dad lived in Michigan as a teen, he suffered a broken femur during a game of "king of the hill" in the snow.  The object of the game was to stand on a heap of snow and fend off everyone else who wrestled their way to the top.  People teamed up to overthrow the present "king," and when my dad fell in a tumble of bodies his leg snapped near his hip.  Because of the location of the break, he was hospitalised and in traction for nearly two months as his bone mended.

Though an injury sidelined my dad, he came out of hospital much stronger than he went in.  There wasn't much to do with his whole leg in a plaster cast suspended in the air, but he discovered he could do pull-ups on the traction equipment.  He missed out on playing and working for months because of the leg break, yet his focus was not on what happened or that he wasn't able to be where he wanted to be:  he put in hard work through exercise because of where he was heading.  When he walked back into class the following year, he looked like a different person and ready to take on anyone.

This is a good illustration for those who feel like they have been sidelined from what was enjoyable, and it wasn't your choice.  It could be through an injury, condition, having a baby, moving house, being let go from a job, or the breakdown of a close personal relationship.  It is easy when things happen that were never our choice to lose heart, to focus on who broke our leg or ruined our lives, to fixate on what has happened rather than where we are and where we are heading.  For Christians, we realise God is with us and He is able to redeem for good what others intended for evil.  So you have been sidelined from where you want to be:  how about exerting yourself to gain strength, endurance and joy as you seek the LORD and do what you can to be ready for the next season?  When God opens the door, He will be faithful to help us walk through it--and walking means work.

Christians can learn from the diligence and dedication of athletes who suffer a serious injury, miss an entire season and work their way back to the field; we can glean wisdom from those who toil for years in lower levels of professional sport who never make it to the big leagues.  Some of these go on to coach, manage, to work in scouting and the front office.  They were waiting for their "big break" that never came the way they expected, but the LORD used their time in dusty dugouts to be part of a team in another way.  Joseph did not go to Egypt to seek fame, wealth and power:  he was sold as a slave and taken there.  He was made to serve in a rich man's house, and after he was thrown into prison he took the lead in looking after other prisoners.  In suffering his relationship with God deepened, and the LORD orchestrated an opportunity for Joseph to exercise God-given wisdom to interpret dreams.  In time he was brought before Pharaoh, was promoted to second in command, saved nations from starvation and was reunited with his family where there was food to spare.

How different Joseph's story would be if he brooded over the wrongs done him, shirked his responsibilities as a slave and rebelled against God!  Joseph did not set his sights on where he was or even where he wanted to be but looked to the LORD.  He never aspired to govern or rule in Egypt.  The one thing he wanted was to be released from prison, and in time by God's grace he was.  As a slave and in the prison Joseph continued to develop godly character, and he was useful wherever God opened a door.  So you're in traction or on the sidelines; you've been sacked and feel like your feet have been taken out from under you.  I encourage you to look to the LORD and exert yourself to seek, serve and praise Him right where you are.  Maybe pull-ups are the only thing you can do in your hospital bed, or perhaps all you can do is spiritually exercise in prayer.  But know that there is a season God has for you beyond that hospital bed, and God often provides opportunity in that bed to prepare for it.