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The Zeal of the Lord Almighty

Isaiah 8-9

Psalm 110

Revelation 5

-Devotion by Daniel Smead (MN)

Isaiah eight and nine are sometimes seen as part of a bigger chunk in Isaiah, between his commissioning (six), and a set of oracles against nations (from thirteen on). During this time King Ahaz ruled in Judah (2 Kings 16). In 734 B.C. Judah was attacked by King Pekah of Israel (capital, Samaria) and King Rezin of Aram (capital, Damascus), who were allied against Assyria. Judah had not joined their alliance, and they may have been trying to force Judah to do so, or to remove a potential local threat. They failed to take Jerusalem (Isaiah 7:1), and afterward Isaiah met with Ahaz. Isaiah tried to convince Ahaz that if he was calm, and stood firm in faith, all would go well. In that talk Isaiah predicted the birth of Immanuel (meaning “God is with us”), as a sign related to the fall of Samaria and Damascus. We tend to think more about the second fulfillment of that prophecy which has been revealed to us, in the birth of Jesus. Ahaz simply ignored the sign, and became Assyria’s vassal.

Chapter eight predicted the birth of a son for Isaiah whose name meant “Quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil,” referring to Assyria’s soon-coming attack. In this case Isaiah said the king of Assyria would plunder Damascus and Samaria before the child could say “my father” or “my mother.” The name of the boy’s brother, which meant “A remnant will return,” offered hope that a remnant would return to the land, but it was only hope for those who first accepted the prediction of being exiled. Isaiah knew that in all this God was using his family as illustrations, he even commented: “Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel” (8:18). Isaiah kept on giving a mix of messages about current issues, and ones for centuries down the line – even prophecies that are not yet fulfilled. The fulfillment of his short-term predictions gave added weight to his words about later issues.

Several verses in the chapters are more familiar due to being quoted in the New Testament, but I want to key in on some of the best known, in Isaiah 9:6-7: “For a Child will be born to us, . . . And His name will be called . . . ” It is hard for us to imagine how the original recipients of this prophecy would have felt about it. They were being offered a ruler who would establish justice and righteousness. Someone who would be known for bringing peace. Perhaps they knew about the promise of David’s throne, and the rule of his family, lasting forever (2 Samuel 7:16) but now they are hearing that a single descendant will be able to fill that role. Through the history of Judah, the Bible’s descriptions of its kings only show about a fourth of them coming out as basically positive. The rest get negative judgments, sometimes abysmally bad. (The northern kingdom had it worse, not one of their kings ended up with a positive description. Though while kings are influential, their influence is not complete. In Elijah’s time, with very poor leadership of Israel, God reported having seven thousand in the nation who hadn’t worshipped Baal; 1 Kings 19:18.) But here we are told of a king who would be as positive as these verses declared and then never need to surrender his role.

These are beautiful, and astonishing, promises to receive in any time. They make a huge contrast with men like Ahaz, who even looted the Temple to help him pay tribute to Assyria, and busted apart its furnishings. How would all of this come about? “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (9:7b) Actually that statement appears twice in Isaiah, here and in 37:32, where it refers to the restoring of a remnant in the land of Judah. What is this zeal? My Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon tells me this word means “ardour, zeal, jealousy,” apparently it can be somewhat negative when used about human behavior, but has a different feel when applied to God’s actions. The definition also says “from colour produced in face by deep emotion”; we are talking about someone getting worked up about things. I like that.

How is it that the world was changed, for Isaiah 9:6-7 to come true? Because God is passionate about the Messiah.

How is it that a remnant always is restored, maintaining continuity and carrying forward the work of God’s servants? God is passionate about the people of the Messiah.

How is it that you can trust in forgiveness, renewal, being given purpose, and placed in the family of God? God is passionate about you.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the passion you have shown in reaching out to us. You took the first step – and you probably took the second as well, and maybe on through the thirtieth. There were so many things that had to be set in place for us to get to where we are, and you zealously saw to it. You put in the effort, took the time, and made the plans. You even gift us with strength to help us do our parts. You are such a blessing. Help us to approach you with freedom, and confidence. Please help us to feel a proper zeal in those areas of our lives where that is appropriate, to be strengthened with your power, guided by your wisdom, and always encouraged in your love. In the glorious name of Jesus, Amen.  

REflection Questions

  1. Do you find that it adds meaning for you to consider Old Testament prophecy alongside the history it relates to? Can you imagine receiving a similar message about current situations, and how it might be treated?
  2. For hundreds of years many people, who knew Hebrew quite well, read texts like Deuteronomy 6:4 alongside Isaiah 9:6-7 and apparently were unfazed. For them not to see a conflict does not prove what meaning any text has, but we should be able to pause before rushing into (or trying to rush someone else into) a position. What possibilities do you normally consider when confused about a scripture? (I would include even looking at multiple versions of the Bible.) Are there methods you think you should consider incorporating? Others you consider less justifiable, or off limits? In what situations would you feel that you must seek someone else to think about the text alongside?
  3. Are there areas in your life where you think you need the gift of God’s zeal? Are there any changes you need to make so that you are more ready to receive it? Who are you prepared to cooperate with, zealously?
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Message of Hope

Scripture of hope from Isaiah 4:2
Isaiah 3-5

Psalm 109

Revelation 3

-Devotion by Jerry Wierwille (NY) – Jerry seeks to help believers understand the Bible better through teaching, resources, and the REV Bible, an online translation and commentary being worked on by One God believers through Spirit & Truth Fellowship International.

In the short chapter of Isaiah 4, Isaiah presents one of the most hopeful pictures in the first section of Isaiah, which has been filled with warnings, threats, and impending punishment from their rebellion against Yahweh. While chapter 3 ended with Jerusalem being pictured as a city devastated and humiliated after experiencing Yahweh’s judgment, that is not the last word Isaiah has for the city. The beautiful city of Jerusalem, once a city filled with confidence, wealth, and social prestige, has now been decimated and brought low. Yet, Isaiah now speaks about how that judgment is not Yahweh’s final word for His people. Beyond the devastation and destruction, there is purification, restoration, and renewed fellowship with Him.

The opening words of the chapter offer us a difficult imagery: “Seven women will take hold of one man in that day, saying, ‘We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothing, only let us be called by your name. Take away our reproach’” (4:1). This verse continues the judgment of Yahweh described at the end of chapter 3, where many of Jerusalem’s men had been defeated and fallen in war. What the imagery conveys is that the devastation would be so severe that the normal social order would be disrupted. Women would provide their own food and clothing and desire to bear the name of their husband just to avoid the shame and humiliation associated with their circumstances.

And so, Isaiah’s message of distress continues, bringing to a climax the weight of the consequence for Israel’s disobedience and sin. Israel’s rebellion, injustice, pride, and corrupt leadership described in chapter 3 have now left such deep wounds throughout the nation, unraveling the very fabric of their society.

But then the tone of Isaiah’s message changes dramatically. Next, he says, “In that day, the Branch of Yahweh will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be for beauty and for glory for those of Israel who have escaped” (4:2). While the phrase the “Branch of Yahweh” is likely a messianic reference, here it also introduces the imagery of new life growing out of the devastation. This begins Isaiah’s message of hope: what appeared ruined and broken is not beyond Yahweh’s ability to restore. Where there had previously been only judgment, destruction, and barrenness, there will be growth, renewal, and life.

This is one of the great themes that will continue throughout the rest of Isaiah’s prophecy. Yahweh may discipline His people, bring judgment upon them, and show them His displeasure with what they have done, but His purpose is ultimately for their repentance and restoration. Yahweh does not desire to destroy His people. He is working to redeem them, bring them back to Himself, and restore them in the land. But judgment involves removing what has been corrupt so that something new can grow in its place.

The emphasis of verse 3 is on the “remnant” of those living in Jerusalem. Part of Isaiah’s message of hope is that not everyone will be destroyed. Those who remain are described as “holy.” This does not necessarily mean that they were more righteous or better than everyone else. Rather, Yahweh is endeavoring to create a purified people who belong to Him from the ones who are left.

That becomes even clearer in the next verse: “when the Lord will have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and will have purged the blood of Jerusalem from its midst by the spirit of justice and by the spirit of burning” (4:4). In the preceding chapters, Isaiah had described Jerusalem as polluted by arrogance, injustice, violence, and bloodshed. But now, he says that Yahweh Himself will act to wash away that pollution. The imagery is quite severe because Israel’s problem was severe. Thus, Yahweh’s cleansing is described as both a “washing” and “burning.”  Both of these images communicate the act of purification. Some purifications require water, and others require fire. The basic message is that Yahweh will remove the impurity of His people so that they will be a new people. He does not cover over the corruption of His people or pretend it is not there—He takes it completely away.

But this reality will only come after Israel has responded to Yahweh’s rebuke. This is an important truth that we should understand as well. We often want Yahweh to restore us without first confronting what needs to change in us. We want peace without repentance, healing without self-examination, and renewal without surrendering. The truth is that the same God who comforts us also corrects us. And His correction is not devoid of His love. It is precisely because He loves His people that He refuses to leave them unchanged…He refuses to leave us unchanged.

The greatest blessing of restoration is therefore not simply that Jerusalem will become prosperous again, and people will dwell in peace and safety. The greatest blessing is the presence of Yahweh. But this can be easy for us to forget sometimes. We tend to count blessings according to our improved circumstances. We pray for problems to disappear, finances to improve, relationships to heal, or uncertainty to come to an end, and so on. Nonetheless, these are legitimate concerns, but Isaiah directs our attention toward something greater: the ultimate gift that Yahweh gives to His people is Himself.

Verse 5 says that “over all the glory will be a canopy,” and verse 6 continues, “There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.” Yahweh’s presence becomes a form of protection for His people. He is pictured as a canopy and pavilion creating shade from the burning heat of the sun and shelter from storms and rain. The people who had previously trusted in national leaders, their wealth, outward beauty, military strength, and/or social status are now being taught where true security and strength is found—in Yahweh alone.

The pattern that Isaiah is addressing here is a pattern that still speaks to us today. There may be things in our lives that Yahweh needs to remove because they have become substitutes for Him, or our attention has become more devoted to them than Him. There may be attitudes, habits, or priorities that need to be “washed away” or “burned up.” Yahweh’s work in us can sometimes feel very uncomfortable because purification requires a change to take place. And we all know how much people enjoy change.

But Isaiah 4 reminds us that Yahweh’s purpose in purification is not to take things away in order to deprive us. Rather, He is preparing His people for something better—a life of holiness, renewed passion, filled with His presence, and marked by His love and protection.

So, when Yahweh exposes something in us that needs to change, we should not resist Him and justify neglecting it. We can trust that the God who cleanses is also the God who restores. The God who removes our false securities and our false loves is also the One who becomes our shelter and strong tower.

Our greatest hope must not be that life will be easy and smooth sailing every day, but that Yahweh will be with us through it all. And when He is our refuge, even the heat of the day and the storms of life cannot take away the security and confidence that comes from dwelling in His presence.

Reflection Questions

  1. “We want peace without repentance, healing without self-examination, and renewal without surrendering.” Have you responded to Yahweh’s rebuke? Are you asking for the good stuff without giving up the bad stuff?
  2. What do you need to be purified from? What has Yahweh already purified you of? What would you be without this cleansing?
  3. Have you considered Yahweh to be the biggest gift He can give? In what ways can you accept this gift today? In what ways will this gift be fully given in the Age to Come?

Prayer

Dear Yahweh, I praise You for Your holiness and Your perfect plan including judgment and purification. I want Your love which incudes Your correction. I confess and repent. I do not want to hold on to things, ideas, behaviors, or attitudes that keep me distanced from You. I want You and the good things You have for me both now and in Your coming kingdom. Help me daily become more of what You want me to be, do, and say, while sharing this message of hope with others as well.

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Above All

Job 36-37

Psalm 101

*1 Peter 4

-Devotion by J.J. Fletcher (MN)

At the beginning of chapter four Peter says to “arm yourself with the same way of thinking” aligning this directive with Jesus suffering in the flesh. While Jesus’ suffering was likely to exceed what these Christians endured, they were still facing a culture that might ostracize, if not outright persecute or kill them.


Peter points out distinctions in how the gentiles live according to the flesh (perverting many things that God intended for good), and how we as believers are to pursue the will of God – this means among other things giving up things that might feel good or make us feel like we belong.


We’ll home in on what Peter writes in verses 7-11:


“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:7–11 ESV)


Considering the coming kingdom (which is immanent, but we don’t know when it will come): Exert Self-Control! Many times, we see this attribute called for in the life of believers (at least 18 times in the ESV). Looking in the letter of James (which I preached from yesterday), lack of self-control can lead to self-deception. When we allow our thoughts to be clouded by worldly things or self-centered behaviors, we are going to miss what God would have us do. By being sober (or clear) minded we can think critically, and we need to think clearly so that we can be effective in our prayers. Jesus gave us a model by which to structure our prayers, but our prayers are not meant to be mindless or rote… We need to be looking at things through the lens of God’s spirit, which allows us to see things that our physical eyes cannot see. Think back to 1 Peter 3 where it says a man should live with his wife in an understanding way as not to have his prayers hindered – the way that we think, live, and act has a direct impact on how we pray and the effectiveness of our prayers.


We’re instructed to love one another earnestly, because love covers a multitude of sins. (Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13). “…in the face of extreme social hostility, love will be necessary for spiritual survival. For Peter the primacy of love is accompanied by a qualification, and this qualification is a partial citation of Proverbs 10:12 similar to James 5:20—’love covers over a multitude of sins,’ rather than magnifying the faults of others. After all, love is patient and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5)” (J. Daryl Charles, “1 Peter,” in Hebrews–Revelation, vol. 13 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition).

How does the Church expect to thrive if we let piddly little things (or even larger disagreements) get in the way of caring for each other? How are we to expect to overcome the world through Jesus if we don’t exercise with others the grace that we have been shown (we all kind of stink at times, to put it mildly)?

We need to show hospitality in a world that is oft inhospitable to Jesus’ way of living. If we’re inhospitable to other believers, they might find hospitality in places that will draw them away from the grace of God. We shouldn’t grumble when we have an opportunity to be hospitable, but rather see it as an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus (Genesis 12 says Abraham was blessed to be a blessing, and through grace and mercy we’ve also been blessed to be a blessing as well).


In everything we do we need to do so viewing ourselves as representatives of God, as ambassadors of the kingdom, and imitators of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-8).


Reflection Questions

  1. How does my life look like the life of Jesus and how does it look different?
  2. How does hospitality with fellow believers prime me to be hospitable to those who I disagree with?
  3. Am I doing well at being self-controlled? What are my biggest obstacles to living in this way? Who can I ask for help or be accountable to help me in this endeavor?

(originally posted for SeekGrowLove on Oct 10, 2022)

Prayer

Dear God, You are worthy of all my praise. Thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ. I want to become more and more like him. Show me where I fail, strengthen my self-control, guide me in thinking and doing what is right and loving better.

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The Peaceful Tongue

Job 22-24

Psalm 98

James 3

-Devotion by Makenna Landry, née Cisler, a 2021 ABC graduate. Makenna is a licensed pastor of the Church of God General Conference working to service God by teaching His word and supporting His people through all aspects of life. She has two children, a passion for helping people, and loves Disney. She spends her time writing and enjoys playing board games with friends and family. 

Key passage: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18 (ESV) 

James 3 starts off by making the claim that not everyone can be a teacher. This is similar to the lesson I wrote on 1 Timothy that not everyone has the right to understand or focus not on scripture but on other things that tickle the ears of the listeners. This warning from James ties into the passage of Job. Job’s friends are trying their best to help Job and Job refutes them at every turn. At the end of Job, we see neither party was in the right. Job and his friends hold an example to us to be careful what we say to others. 

This is why the entire chapter of James 3 is so important. It teaches and guides us on how we can speak to others and what wisdom we should pass along to others. 

Let’s break down the chapter. 

James 3:5 (ESV) says, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”

James is not telling his readers that people should have low self esteem and a bad view of themselves. He warns against pridefully honoring yourself over others. This can be seen more as bragging about your accomplishments instead of humbly celebrating victories. 

James 3:8 (ESV) but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

This verse is pretty doom and gloom! It feels helpless and like we are in an endless maze. So the question arises what does that mean? What does it mean that the tongue is a restless evil that cannot be tamed?

You know how sometimes when you stub your toe really hard you cry out in pain. Some people swear others have swear alternatives like “gosh darn it”, “holy cow”, or “great googly moogly” (can you imagine someone actually saying that besides Major Monogram from Phineas and Ferb ha!). All these phrases and words, a lot of us have used in place of curse words. But does that make it good to say it? When I was young and really into the phase of finding alternative expressions from curse words, my mom shared a piece of advice that still shapes how I speak and talk to this day: any word used poorly becomes a curse word. When our intention is to express anger and pain towards an individual or object our words are no longer from God but from the evil that plagues this world. 

No matter how hard one might try not to use the socially deemed words with bad meetings, our heart behind anything we say reflects whether or not the words are bringing glory to God. This might not even be the words we say but the tone we say it in! Our language abounds in ways that we can be rude to others. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t try. We will mess up and we won’t ever be perfect, yet we can be reminded by James to try our best to tame our tongue. 

What are some ways you might be cursing in your life? Do you use curse words, do you use alternative curses, or does your tone reflect one of judgment and anger? What are ways you can work towards taming your tongue?

When we consider shaping the things we say to God, we have to consider what would bring Him glory. That’s why I started the lesson with James 3:17-18. It brings into the view the focus of our hearts and words. Wisdom is not just something we impart to others but something that should be imbued in our very being. Our thoughts, words, and deeds should be done in wisdom. 

From James 3:17-18, what does it look like to have wisdom in the way that we speak?

Psalm 98 is a great reminder of the heart behind our words to God. James is specifically focusing on our words to others, but Psalm 98 can be an example of the heart behind the words we say. 

Have you ever heard someone say, “I can’t sing so I make a joyful noise”? I know many individuals who have said it to me and they are some of the most joyful worshipers I have ever seen. To give them credit they also can sing a lot better than they think.  But worship isn’t about perfection. It’s not about a big band, special lighting, perfect pitch and harmony. 

When we worship God with Him as the focus, we are taming our tongue. The more we align ourselves with God’s goodness, faithfulness, and lovingkindness the more our words are shaped to reflect Him. Singing praise to God fills us with holy thoughts and focuses our attention on the one we should be following. 

Further QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

How can worship help you tame the tongue?

What are ways you can bring glory to God through your words?

How did you relate to the individuals in the book of Job in today’s reading?

PRAY:

Father in heaven may glory be brought to You in my words and deeds. Help me tame my tongue and speak gently to those around me. You have made all things and Your love endures forever. Be gracious to me and show me how to be gracious to those around me. In the name of Jesus Christ, my savior and mediator, amen. 

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Oops!

Matthew 27 & Mark 15

Devotion by Rick McClain (Michigan)

Yesterday’s devotion was written to those with a strong faith.  Today’s devotion is written for everybody else.  Perhaps, some of you are a bit wobbly in your faith and have drifted away from God.  Some of you may not have decided yet to live for God instead of yourself.  I suppose it is possible some of you have no interest in becoming a Christian, but I am guessing most of those folks wouldn’t be reading this.  In Matthew 27, we read about the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross and the crazy events that happened right after he died.

Strangely enough, it was the religious leaders that schemed to find Jesus guilty so they could put him to death.  It’s not easy finding someone guilty when they never have done anything wrong in their life, but they managed to concoct a way to make it happen.  They believed in the Old Testament scriptures, but somehow ignored the many writings about a messiah that would be coming.  They also saw miracles, or at the very least heard about them from many others.  All the signs were there for them to easily accept the fact that Jesus was indeed God’s son, but they chose not to believe.

In verse 50, Jesus cried out and then died.  At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, the earth shook, rocks split, and the tombs broke open.  Here is the craziest part of all:  bodies of holy people who had died were raised to life and started walking around town where many people saw them.  Can you imagine what that scene must have been like?  I’m sure there were people flipping out all over the place, including those who had put Jesus to death.  In verse 54, the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened.  It says they were terrified and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”  Oops.  Just minutes after they had crucified Jesus, they realized they had made a big mistake, but there was no going back at that point.  There was no do-over; they were clearly warned, but they chose to not believe.  I’m sure they felt terrible about their decision.

So, what does any of this have to do with you?  Well, you have a decision to make as well.  You must decide if you are going to live for God or live for yourself.  It’s a big decision so don’t take it lightly.  You can choose to ignore the signs if you would like, the same way the religious leaders ignored the signs 2,000 years ago.  Look at the incredible masterpiece called creation and try to justify that it happened completely randomly.  Read the Bible and try to convince yourself that all the ways the Bible has been proven to be accurate are just a coincidence.

Maybe you actually do believe in God, but you are putting off the decision until later.  Risky, risky.  You may die today, losing your chance.  Moreover, Jesus says he is going to come back like a thief in the night, meaning a lot of people are going to be surprised when that day happens.  In fact, on that day, I think the most said word of that day will be ‘Oops’.  A lot of people are going to regret they blew their chance.  Don’t let that be you.

Reflection Questions:

If you are not saved, what is holding you back from making that decision?

If you find yourself on the outside looking in after Christ returns, what thoughts will be going through your head at that point?

(Originally posted for SeekGrowLove on Dec 23, 2023)

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Multiple Masters

2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28

Following Jotham, king of Israel, his son Ahaz became king of Judah at age 20. He had the ability to continue his fathers’ example of leading his people in righteousness. Instead, he copied the ways of the nations around him in order to appease them. He trusted alliances over God, altered God’s temple to suit foreign tastes, and led Judah into deeper sin.

God became furious with Israel as they continued to worship other gods and idols. All throughout the country they created altars and burned incense and practiced what other nations practiced. Even after being with Israel through tribulation, the people would not walk with Him in his promise.

In 2 Kings 17, we see Hoshea become the king of Israel in Samaria. He betrayed the king of Assyria, and therefore Samaria was invaded and overtaken. During this time the Israelites are still worshipping all sorts of gods, and were therefore handed over to foreign forces. When Assyria resettled Samaria, different cultural groups continued to further the practices of their gods in the cities in the land of Israel. It turns out that that doesn’t go so well for them, and so we come to this situation where they are worshipping two masters at once:

“They worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods in accordance with the customs of the nations from which they had been brought.” (‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

And this continued on and on through generations:

“Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did.” (‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Jesus in Matthew 6 says that you cannot serve two masters, and that is supported right here in Israel’s history. In the pursuit of worldliness and spirituality where there was none, the kingdom of Israel served two masters (or more) and divided itself. The Israelites had issues with the Assyrians and their war, but that doesn’t mean that they had to adopt customs in order to succeed. God’s judgment in both cases of Ahaz and Hoshea wasn’t just about their political failure. It was about their spiritual betrayal. Worship had become self-centered, cultural, and hollow. And because their hearts were divided, their kingdoms fell.

There is a warning here for us: half-hearted worship invites whole-hearted ruin. When we try to mix our faith with the ways of the world, our foundation cracks. God calls for our full attention and our full faith, not just a little here and there when we care to be available between him and the appeasement of the world. 

However, although God sent the people of Israel away, they still came back. This is also a reminder that when we fall or when we stumble there is still hope. In fact, God’s discipline of the nation of Israel in 2 Kings 16-17 wasn’t just wrath to be wrath: it had a purpose. It was a call to return. Eventually, that worked out. In that sense, we are very similar. God calls to us to be with him, however, do we ignore the call and continue the ways of the world, or do we rest our faith in the eternal rock?

To give you a solid answer to that question (no pun intended), here is 2 Kings 17:15

“They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless.”(2 Kings 17:15 NIV)

-Colby Leggitt

Discussion Questions

  1. Are there ways in which I’ve compromised my faith for acceptance or comfort?
  2. What would it look like to worship God with my whole heart today?
  3. Where is the line in adopting the ways of the world before it interrupts our walk with God?
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Loving Money

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 9-10

Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5

New Testament: Philippians 4:7

In chapter 5, again the theme of oppression from 4:1-3 resurfaces in Solomon’s observations of the world, and along with that the issue of wealth, which is often procured by oppressive means in society. But this time Solomon addresses it as it pertains to a systematic form of oppression. While individuals can oppress others, Solomon now proclaims that one should not be amazed at all the oppression and denial of justice and righteousness that goes on in the land because such widespread oppression and injustice is caused by the corruption that exists within the structural hierarchy of government that protects those who perpetuate it.

Often corruption is allowed to remain because it exists at multiple levels, each person watching out for the others so that their oppressive regime can remain in effect. In the following verses, Solomon will proceed to give seven reasons for the pointless pursuit of money in one’s life.

FIRST reason: wealth is both addictive and unfulfilling (v. 10).

Greed is never satisfied; there is always room for more. The question is, “How much money is enough?” Do you have “enough” money? Most people would say, “no.” But no matter how much money one has, they will never be satisfied because they will have the desire for more. Therefore, whatever goal you set for yourself in life, whether it’s a million dollars or whatever, once you reach that, you will not be happy stopping there.

There are a few things that we can truly say people are never satisfied with, no matter how much they have: money, power, and pleasure.

SECOND reason: more wealth just means more people to consume it (v. 11a), and THIRD reason: wealth doesn’t benefit the owner (v. 11b).

The person whose wealth has increased, has also increased the labor force with which to sustain the wealth. As the possession of the owner multiplies, he must hire more help to manage it. And so, he grows wealthy, but as wealth is produced, it is then given to the workers. And so, because of this natural consequence that accompanies wealth, the owner doesn’t get to enjoy his wealth except to watch it pass through his hands as others consume it. The fortune that is amassed is met by a large household and expenses that need provisions to keep running, and therefore, the owner finds no advantage for himself.

FOURTH reason: wealth robs the owner of peace and rest (v. 12).

The main premise that Solomon argues from is that the rich do not sleep well. He doesn’t explain the mechanism behind why this is the case, but perhaps it is because rich people are always concerned about their money: what to do with it, how to multiply it, will they lose it, etc. The endless possibilities for projects, purchases, & property surround him every day and follow him into the night where they do not permit his mind to be at rest, and thereby, enjoy deep and rejuvenating sleep.

FIFTH reason: hording wealth is an unhealthy behavior and causes harm to the owner (v. 13).

Why is that? Isn’t it a good idea to save up money? Well, the answer is “yes.” But it appears that Solomon has in mind someone who is accumulating money for the mere sake of its accumulation, that is, for a big number in the bank account. He doesn’t specify why this behavior is detrimental to the owner, but since the money is never used, it does not benefit the owner and brings him no tangible joy or pleasure. Perhaps the problem lies in the owner’s incessant worrying or anxiety that it might be stolen by robbers or is so concerned about it that he or she counts it all the time to make sure they haven’t misplaced or lost any of it. Whatever the specific reason might be, the principle that Solomon is warning about is to not make money a treasure to be kept hidden and stashed away. Money is meant to be used and to be a blessing for the needs of life that it provides.

SIXTH reason: foolish choices in business can lead to bankruptcy (v. 14).

The problem that Solomon identifies is that a person can’t rely upon wealth for security. It may or may not be there in the future, as it can be lost through some unknown misfortune. The evil that is being attributed here to wealth is the fact that after it was accumulated, it was then suddenly lost. And now there is nothing to pass on to the next generation.

SEVENTH reason: wealth will disappear at death (v. 15).

Death will deprive a person of all their wealth. You might be the wealthiest person alive, but when you die, you go back to being flat broke!

On top of the fact that every person begins and ends their life in the same way, the person who seeks to find meaning in life by earning money is filled with “darkness” and with “much frustration, sickness, and anger” (vv. 16-17). Darkness is likely a metaphor for the gloom of isolation, anxiety, and joylessness that is experienced when money is your goal in life. It is a life wasted in pursuit of nothing, and the years spent running after the dollar will reward you with heartache, disappointment, and regret.

It is probably impossible to paint a more depressing outlook on life, but such is the way that Solomon sees it if you try and squeeze meaning out of money. It will only leave you empty and disillusioned.

The bottom line is that we can’t serve both God and money (Matt 6:24-26), and as Solomon showed, money is a cruel master that will do nothing but disappoint in the end.

-Jerry Wierwille

Reflection Questions

  1. Can you give an example of a time your own pursuit of money (and perhaps what it could buy) left you empty?
  2. What do you see as the problems created by money or a chasing after money or loving money?
  3. Do your financial decisions reveal that you are loving and serving God or money?
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An Investigation of Pleasure

Old Testament: 1 Chronicles 3 & 4

Poetry: Ecclesiastes 2

New Testament: Philippians 4:1-4

Solomon continues his investigation of the meaning of life by testing the pleasure of wine, building projects, music, sex, and philosophy. During his inquiry into pleasure and construction, he says that he did this while “wisdom remained with me” (Eccl 2:9).

But what sort of “wisdom” is Solomon espousing as having employed here? The wisdom that Solomon is describing is having his rational faculties still active and functioning. He is not referring to the divine wisdom which the Book of Proverbs is so focused on. Rather, “wisdom” here is Solomon’s maintaining his investigation on proper grounds and with his mind intact. Solomon is not talking about drunkenness or alcoholism. He wished to test enjoyment, but within certain boundaries, without losing himself and thereby preventing himself from acquiring the answer he set out to find.

His investigation was whether pleasure in various forms was a solution to the emptiness of life and the question of ultimate value. And thus, Solomon was seeking to determine if rational indulgence in one’s desire would result in satisfaction and meaning in life.

One question we could ask is why is wine part of pleasure seeking for Solomon but not cheesecake, chocolate, or ice cream? Of course, he didn’t have access to those things, but there is something particular about alcohol that makes it relevant to Solomon’s case.

One of the benefits for why God made wine is that it is said to “make people’s hearts glad” (Ps 104:15). This appears to be the beneficial purpose that Solomon is seeking to test. But ultimately it did not deliver what he was looking for. And the same result was discovered with regard to building, music, sex, and philosophy.

While money can’t buy happiness, it can buy food, fun, and frivolous things.

Why do we sometimes attach such meaning to things, as though if we don’t have them, then life is somehow incomplete, or we are missing out? The funny thing is that people are not likely to say that the meaning of their life is found in the things they own or could own. But practically speaking, many people act in ways that suggest that their money and their belongings play an excessively important role in how they view their success and wellbeing in life.

But money comes and goes and so do things. Can you imagine losing everything? It’s possible. It is possible that one day everything could be gone. Burned, stolen, wrecked, or bankrupt. You could end up with nothing. Would your life feel empty if you lost everything. I am not asking if you would feel loss, of course you would experience loss, everything’s gone. But would you feel empty now that everything you worked for has now vanished, and it is as if you never did any work your whole life. You have nothing to show for the years you labored. I think we all might struggle to not place undue significance on our money and possessions.

And so, after all these considerations Solomon concludes, “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and make his soul enjoy good in his labor” (Eccl 2:24). While Solomon didn’t find the meaning of life in these activities, he did see that there is an enjoyment that a person can have in them. However, that enjoyment is elusive if it is not done from a heart that acknowledges it is a gift that comes from the “hand of God” (Eccl 2:24).

We must recognize that even the simple pleasures of life, while not providing ultimate meaning and lasting value, are still good things that God gives to us. Working hard and partaking of the fruit of our labor, and being able to provide for ourselves, our families, and our friends, can bring joy if done with the proper mindset. “For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy” (Eccl 2:26).

-Jerry Wierwille

Reflection Questions

  1. What brings you pleasure? Have you ever felt like, or acted like, these activities or things were the meaning of life? What might that look like?
  2. Are there pleasures that don’t come from the hand of God? If so, what are they?
  3. What do you think of verse 26?
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Hungry Kings and Unlawful Bread

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 21 & 22

Poetry: Psalm 68

New Testament: Galatians 2

In the beginning of our reading today, we have a strange interaction. If you want to remind yourself, 1 Samuel 21:1-6 is the focus. David is running from Saul, so he goes to the priest, tells him his companions are hungry, and asks if he can have any bread. The priest responds by offering the consecrated, holy bread. David and his companions eat and they are on their way. 

The strangeness comes to play because

David lies about what he is doing, 

David realizes that his interactions with the priests led to their deaths,

and David, nor his men are supposed to eat the bread. 

Time would fail us in trying to understand if David was justified in lying to the priest about his true intention; that is, not to do Saul’s bidding but to run from him. 

David wants to make up for the slaughter of the priest, both by housing the survivor and no doubt by desiring to build the temple after he becomes king. (He had many reasons to desire to build the temple.)

The strange part I want to examine with you is that David and his buddies weren’t supposed to eat the bread. The Bread of the Presence, or the showbread, is commanded to be placed in the temple regularly.(Exodus 25:30) While there are different theories on *why* God commanded there to be bread, the name “bread of the presence” or “presence bread” indicates that it was meant to be set in the presence of God always, to remind the priests that God’s presence is in this place, and God is the one with whom we should wish to dine. Leviticus 24:5-9 describe the use of the bread; it was to be a covenant of the people forever and to be eaten by Aaron and his sons. Yet the priest does not ask David (who he knows is not a priest) if he was a priest, but simply if he was clean. David, who we know has lied before this point, may not have known, but answers in the affirmative. 

Did David sin? Should he be punished for this?

A good question. 

Why did Jesus use this story to justify “working” on the Sabbath?

A *better* question. 

In all three synoptic gospels (Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5), Jesus and his disciples are going through fields of grain and picking the heads and eating it. The Pharisees declare this is too much work; things like picking up your mattress, lighting a fire, walking more than a set amount, all considered too much work, based on the Torah and later tradition. 

What does Jesus say in response? Yes, my disciples eat grain, but David ate the consecrated bread. And yet, though you would call him unlawful, that is not what God saw. 

See, Jesus says, “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”. (Mark 2:27)

“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Luke 6:5)

“Something greater than the temple is here.” (Matthew 12:6) 

What do we do with that? Let me give a few quick thoughts. 

The Bible is a strange book. We’ve talked about how it is more complex than we give it credit for, it is also strange. This does not mean there is no application, but you might need to think for a bit to see what God is saying. 

What God is saying through the story of Christ referencing David and his companions becomes clearer we we recognize that we can’t pull stories out of their context. First, Jesus is saying that the laws that were intended to give a nation of slaves rest and worth beyond what they produce were being used by the religious elite to control them. (“The Sabbath was made for man.”) We can only know this by knowing that the pharisees were trying to determine the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any and every action. But more importantly than the cultural context, the written context shapes what we should see in this story: Jesus goes on in every version of this story to heal a man on the Sabbath, a man with a withered hand. It’s pretty clear that “working” on the Sabbath, doing the good things God places in front of us, healing the sick and saving the dying, is not work that takes a back seat, but is the very thing God might be calling us to do. 

Finally, Jesus is Lord, even of the Sabbath. Jesus changes everything. As his follower and apprentice, his interpretation of the Bible is the one I want to use, and his way of living out the commands of God, even if that changes them, is the way I want to live. If Jesus says that doing good is lawful, then I will do good on every day, whether or not it is my Sabbath. 

May you eat the bread of the covenant in the presence of the Lord. 

-Jake Ballard

Reflection Questions

  1. The Lies of Abraham, Jacob, and David : Abraham lied about Sarah, Jacob lied about Esau, and David lied about his mission. Why do you think the Bible records the lies and failures of the patriarchs? One of the Ten Commandments is “thou shalt not bear false witness”, the Hebraic equivalent of lying; does the Bible condone it here and prohibit it elsewhere? 
  2. Finding Your Sabbath: Saturday is probably not your day of worship, and you might even work on a Sunday. But do you have a Sabbath? Do you take a day away from the hurry of life, from the bustle of doing, completing, competing, overcoming, achieving, and instead find solace in simply being? The Sabbath, the work-and-rest pattern of life, was given by God to man, because humans are worth more than what they produce and what they achieve. How would you like to live out the gift of Sabbath? Pick a day and let it be a day of rest.
  3. Lord of the Sabbath: Jesus as Lord lived out the commands of God, but also would change them; he made foods clean and abolished the need for sacrifices as much as he kept kosher and celebrated Passover. Jesus is greater than the temple and than the Sabbath. Have you honored the Lord of the Sabbath by both resting when you need to rest and working when he calls you to work? Have you honored the Lord of your life by living the life he showed you and empowered you to live?

If you would like to know more about rest and about the elimination of hurry and are in your 20s and 30s, consider attending the Young Adult Getaway, June 9-12, in Sevierville, TN. Get more information at http://www.yagetaway.com

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The Marriage Supper of the Lamb AND The Great Supper of God

Old Testament: Ezekiel 31-32

Poetry: Psalm 104

New Testament: Revelation 19

     At the start of Revelation 19 heaven rejoices over God’s actions regarding Babylon the great. Soon we hear about the coming of the marriage supper of the lamb, and John is informed that the bride is clothed in fine linen which “is the righteous acts of the saints” (v. 8). He is also told to write that those who are invited to the wedding supper are blessed. This feels a bit like when Jesus commented in 16:15 “I am coming like a thief,” drawing our attention forward to coming attractions rather than remaining in sequence with events.

     The voice which spoke about the marriage supper came from God’s throne, and hearing it speak caused John to fall and want to offer worship. John is corrected for this and told that only God is to be worshipped (v. 10). But it seems like in this case he made an understandable error. Throughout Revelation voices come from a variety of exalted sources, among them angels, strong angels, mighty angels, an angel standing in the sun, the Temple, the altar, and the horns of the altar. For John it may have been like experiencing holy surround sound, never knowing where the next proclamation would emerge from. Maybe degrees of grandeur are indicated by who spoke from where, giving different impacts to their statements. It wasn’t always clear to John what the intention was.

     The message of the chapter proceeds, announcing the arrival of Christ, and of the armies of the world gathered for Armageddon. In fact, the word “Armageddon” is only named back in 16:16 where its origin is explained. Here the battle is previewed as “the great supper of God” – a supper for the birds, to eat the carrion it will provide, in contrast to the wedding supper of the lamb (v. 17‑18). With Jesus on the move there is no contest (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Jesus seems to be given credit for the entire victory: the gathered forces “were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.” That is, except for the beast and the false prophet. Those two are removed from the scene and dropped into the lake of fire, receiving their punishment for serving the dragon and for deceiving the nations.

     The description of Christ includes having “a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself” (v. 12). Note that this mirrors part of Christ’s letter to the third church, Pergamum. There Christ said he would give overcomers a white stone with a new name written on it, which only the recipient would know (2:17). (That same letter identifies Christ with the sharp two-edged sword, shown in John’s opening vision sticking from Christ’s mouth, much as in chapter 19; 1:16; 2:12.) I like the idea of these names which are known only to oneself. I wonder if I am being fanciful in thinking this new name involves having a sense of your own identity. You won’t need to share that with anyone else. There will be no need to. There will no longer be self-doubt, rivalry, jealousy, any of the potential bitterness that plagues our current lives. It will be a wonderful time. I hope to see you then.

     Lord, I look forward to the day when your kingdom has come on earth as you now reign in heaven. You have been waiting for a long time, allowing more people to be saved through the grace of your son. May your glory and your majesty be shown in my life while I wait for that day. Let me be empowered and enthused to perform righteous actions that will please you. Let me set my mind on the things of the Spirit, live as your humble servant, and exalt you. Let my light so shine before men that they will glorify you. Let me present my body as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to you. Renew my mind, so I may prove what your will is. Thank you, my God. In Jesus’ name I pray these things, Amen.

-Daniel Smead

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you ever think about the fact that it is our opportunity, and honor, to clothe the bride of Christ in righteous acts?
  2. Who are some of the people you want to sit with at the wedding supper of the lamb? What do you think you will talk about there?
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