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Comfort us we pray when we sometimes slip, Help us always remember that on your word we should grip! As we live out our lives keeping you ever so near, help us share Love with others as you calm their fear. Response to Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20
Responsibilities of God's Representatives Deuteronomy 18:1-8
The Levites were chosen of God. As they entered the promised land, they would be dispersed among the people. Even when there was a division between Judah and Israel, there were levites living amongst the people groups in both nations. Their alottment was to be the elect, the chosen, the representatives of God among the people. They were to be cared for by the people from their tithes and offerings. Perhaps then, they acted as cooks - as Moses had reduced the requirements for the use of meat away from the place of gathering that would be chosen.
The picture of us as children of God is similar as we may be elect and chosen to be God's representatives on earth. It does not mean we are more holy or righteous - except that our dedication to our Lord requires such sacrifice of us. It would be inappropriate for the church to require our full 10% of tithe as there are many good charities and missions within our communities which the people must also support. It is also not only the responsibility of the children of God to tithe as this is a requirement of the greater public. Therefore, perhaps due to the general nature of understanding within our cultures, there is good reason that government offers social assistance in the void of our moral codes. As mentioned yesterday, the church must be involved in government to address the administration of these funds.
As in the days of Israel, the priest became a part of the family. Just as slaves or hired hands, the public may thus support a spiritual counselor within the family, village, or communtiy.
Avoid Fortune Tellers, Understand the Past, Press On For Good Deuteronomy 18:9-22
I find verse 14 worthy of note: "The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so." Israel would see many prophets and witness many oracles - I have referenced much of what Isaiah wrote as oracles. Even Deuteronomy 18:15-22 could be considered an oracle, a divination, or a charm. The Israelites would experience such prophecy within their history, literature, poetry, and, and law. This is another reason it was so important they be fully devoted to God. There would come charmers who would tell the people that devastation would not come. Yet they found them to be false as devastation did indeed come with the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities - and eventually, the destruction of the temple and the final dispersment of the Jews of 70 AD.
And yet, there would come "A" Prophet as reflected in verse 15-16; " The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb (Sinai) on the day of the assembly when you said, "Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die."(Exodus 20:19). God promise of Deuteronomy 18:18-19 "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account."
These words found fulfillment in Jesus Christ, and God made it clear that He was the chosen child, the one to come. Luke 9:35 "A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." This witness is shared in the gospels of Matthew and Mark and a very similar experience took place following Christ's baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist. John 1:34 shares the witness of John the Baptist to this fulfillment in Jesus Christ; "I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God" (see also Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 42:1, Isaiah 53:10-11, Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 12:18, Matthew 17:5, Mark 1:11, Mark 9:7, Luke 3:22, Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, II Peter 1:17-19,
Christ himself bore witness to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18 and Isaiah 51:16 by stating:
John 8:25-29 "'Who are you?' they asked. 'Just what I have been claiming all along,' Jesus replied. 'I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.' They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.'"
John 5:24-29 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." (NASB uses the word judgment - it is good to remember we are all comprised of good and evil works. Strive for the good, for condemned, we will each face judgment for the evil within us.)
How are we to know, then, when to believe the word of a prophet? It is only after fulfillment of prophecy that we can say this is was the word of the Lord. Jeremiah and many others were approved of God as the nations of Judah and Israel fell into captivity and returned. Moses, David, Isaiah and many more were approved of God through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a life in fulfillment of prophecy and his prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple were fulfilled in 70 AD. We await the final days, yet until that day comes and we understand fully, our fate shall be unknown to man and we are required to serve for the good, trusting in the Love and power and justice of our Creator.
Jesus reflected on Deuteronomy 8:14 in Matthew 23:8-12; "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
As I speak of what is to come, I can only interpret what I read in scripture. I realize that even regarding the prophecies which have come there is a variety of interpretations. This provides for great philosophy and theology and fodder for conversations to pass the time, but the truth remains Jesus Christ even claimed no one knows except the Father. All we can do is serve him and avoid listening to divination and sorcery. What we can feel quite certain about is the truth of scripture and the inspirations it can grant. Live in the present and trust God with the future. Much of the books of the Bible have been proved true in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. We can therefore trust that His words and the words of those who were proved right in Him are trustworthy and true. The Bible can be interpreted both towards a coming time of peace or a time of coming bloodshed. We have no assurances that the time for wars is over. It is up to us to choose peace - no-one is necessarily destined for doom. Join me in pursuit of the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Amen?
Unfortunately, I hear that many Muslims attribute Deuteronomy 18 to the prophet Muhammad. It is therefore crucial to reflect on the whole of prophecies of scripture to test that theory. As this law of love continues to pronounce judgment on any who would add or take away, such a claim carries serious weight, and if it does not stand up to the whole of scripture, Deuteronomy 18 itself claims such application to be false.
Justice and Mercy Deuteronomy 19
You may wish to check out my previous commentary on "cities of refuge" from Numbers 35 on March 22. In that commentary I reflected on how the concept of cities of refuge have evolved into our houses of worship being considered places of refuge.
This indeed is one of the strong reasons for joining a family of God and finding the protection from our adversity within these walls. We can find healing and hope from one another. This again is one of the reasons that lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes, and the prides of life, should not be found there. Within the confines of faith, we are each asked to present ourselves righteous and holy so that the sinner might find grace and mercy and protection from the adversity of the world. We are asked to speak the truth in love and find the common bond. Without sounding judgmental, we can address the adversity in life and offer hope of salvation from our earthly trials in addition to the free gift of eternal life which was granted by Christ. The Love of God is a given. The structure of life and freedom from the chains of our adversity take much more time and take the love, the experiences, and the brotherhood of man.
And yet, the church cannot save a man from the consequences of his actions on earth. If the law of the land has been broken, there are few who can keep a man from paying the legislated penalty. Yet, even in prison, the soul can be ministered to, offering hope and structure for the present and future. Attempting to legislate judgment as to life and death is something best left to God. Our mortal understandings of the symbolism of the death penalty of Deuteronomy 19 stands in direct contrast to the law of "thou shalt not kill" and "vengeance is mine." Anyone who accepts the words of Jesus in addition to the Old Testament will have an even harder time justifying the death penalty as Christ addressed this in Matthew 5:38-52:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'(Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20;Deut.19:21)
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
'You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
The Law For Witnesses Deuteronomy 19:15-21
Moses ties this law of witnesses directly to the commandment to not bear false witness in Deuteronomy 19:19. The man who bore false witness would receive the penalty he intended for the other man. Jesus ties directly into this scripture as He reflects on forgiveness in Matthew 18. Don't forget the final teaching of Matthew 18 reflects this same teaching by Moses that the penalty for refusal to forgive our fellowman will require our very lives.
Matthew 18:15-20 "'If your brother sins (against you is not in all manuscripts), go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.' (away from family, there will be homesickness)
'I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.' (if you remove your blessing on earth for a season, God will honor that separation)
'Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.'"
II Corinthians 2:6-8 adds a word of wisdom and love here: "The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
This teaching is sound as Jesus finishes His teaching of Matthew 18 concerning the man who would not forgive with the following words of Matthew 18:31-35 "When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Some have also applied this teaching to the condemnation of evil spirits and afflictions that keep us separate from God. Certainly, where two or three are gathered together, such condemnation before God may take place to purify the unclean man.
Ethics of War Deuteronomy 20
1. Do not be afraid if you are sure God approves of what you are doing. He will fight your battles. There is a much greater assurance as you fight the sins of your own flesh than when you set yourself up against the sins of your fellow man.
2. The priest shall lead the pregame show. Again, there could be a much greater assurance of victory for Israel as they learned to consecrate themselves before the Lord and had assurance of the promised land against their enemies represented by mortal man. Few on earth today can compare with such promise or consecration before mortal battle.
You may seek a spiritual brother's blessing as you fight your own afflictions and sin with a greater assurance of victory.
3. If there is fear or concerns regarding entering into mortal combat, by all means, don't do it! This is not cowardly and anyone who would say otherwise is suffering the "Pride of Life". Why shirk financial or relational responsibilities based on some unscriptural code of ethics placing hate and bloodshed over the needs of family? Why is it so many soldiers aim to miss? How many are facing death and separation due to a depressed economy brought on in some sense by the very expense of hatred and war? The fearful warrior is costly and demoralizing to the team. God does not require large armies, just a few dedicated men.
4. Before you enter the battle field, offer peace. If accepted, put those people to work for you. In the case of current wars, the powerful country should not be paying for the war, the people who asked for peace should be. The war should only last until those who would not accept peaceful negotiations are destroyed.
5. Moses made it quite clear that the annihilation of whole people groups referenced only the Canaanites occupying the promised land. Such annihilation should not be considered or even thought of by the children of God.
6. Do not destroy the providence of God - do not destroy the good of creation, the sustenance of life.
Response to Luke 9:28-50
The Word of God Luke 9:28-36 (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13)
If you missed my reflections on Deuteronomy 18:15-22, go back and read it as this passage is a direct fulfillment of that prophecy.
I find it worthy of note that the 8th day is mentioned reflecting again the presence of God with man. I first mentioned this eighth day regarding the glory of God's presence in Leviticus 9. I believe it is also reflected in observation of Pentecost - the day after 7 weeks of 7 following Passover and the feast of unleavened bread.
Jesus chose 3 disciples to join him in prayer. Peter and the sons of Zebedee. (Although we know much about Peter and John's ministry, James became the first Martyr of the Apostles following pentecost. (Acts 12:2))
In my blog on Mark 9:2-13, I referred to this occurance as the mount of witness. The early church leaders were present in the three disciples; the law was represented by Moses and the prophets were represented by Elijah. The picture of these three heavenly bodies reminds me of the messengers sent to Abraham in Genesis 18:1-2 "The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground."
Peter's reference to the 'festival of booths' was quite appropriate as Moses, Elijah, and Jesus had just been talking about Christs coming atoning sacrifice. Yom Kippur (day of atonement) is followed closely by the festival of booths (tabernacles) celebrating the presence of God with us. http://www.amightywind.com/jewish/holydays.htm
In my reference to Deuteronomy 18, I listed a whole group of verses reflecting the truth of Luke 9:35 where God the Father once again confirmed Jesus Christ as the promised one to come. "A voice came from the cloud, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.'"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lb55xo0_mM
Comprehending His Kingdom Luke 9:37-50
The anger, or frustration of Jesus regarding the demon possessed boy in Luke 9:37-43 reflects the same emotions from Mark's account. The statement from Luke 9:43 "they were all amazed at the greatness of God." does not in any way claim that the crowd thought that Jesus was God. Just the week before, Luke had explained the considerations of who Jesus was: Luke 9:18-20 "Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say I am?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.'
'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Peter answered, 'The Christ (Messiah) of God.'"
Jesus had done well to give the glory to God. His oneness with the Father is something He wished upon all the children of God. (John 17:21 "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.")
Jesus turned to his disciples and reminded them of the title he always applied to himself "Son of Man" and began to teach them that regardless of all his authority and power over spirits, creation, disease, death - that he himself would fall into the hands of men and would succomb to death. The exhilaration they all felt at His miraculous ministry would not let their thoughts and minds even conceive of such an occurance - especially with the fervor of deliverance for Israel which was mounting throughout the community. They knew enough to realize Jesus Christ represented fulfillment of scripture, they just did not realize the misinterpretations that had been applied. They could not fortell the future.
As the excitement of His earthly kingdom mounted, they could not help but imagine themselves in positions of authority! Why indeed, would Jesus turn against them as He entered into his earthly glory! We just witnessed that they were not thinking of a heavenly glory, their hearts were set on power and great glory on earth. They imagined an earthly Kingdom just like people expect today. Few understand His present Kingdom which has been established for over 2000 years which coincides with God's Kingdom which was and is and is forevermore.
Whether the disciples, or even the gospel writers understood when they heard or wrote is a question that awaits an answer in glory. As Jesus began to speak of a child in response to their consideration of thrones - and then of other men casting out demons, could they have imagined - can we imagine - what His message was in answering their questions regarding the Kingdom? Unless we come in purity - and unless we accept even the worst of sinners as pure into our presence, we shall not be found worthy within His Kingdom. If we puff ourselves up over our fellowman in righteousness, we remain in darkness. If we chastise those who seek after God and perform His work, we exemplify our failure to understand.
Response to Psalms 73:1-28
The wicked and the righteous, or the righteous and the wicked. Transpositionally, we have the same theme in Psalm 73 as we did in Psalm 37. As 37 was a Psalm of David, 73 is a Psalm of Asaph. The two worked closely enough together that they are nearly referred to as a team in II Chronicles 29:30 and Nehemiah 12:46. Personally, as any avid reader of this blog will know, I struggle to separate the wicked from the righteous as far as the separation of persons go. I am much more apt to comment on the righteous and wicked aspirations within the same individual which constitute the common human being. I am certain I not only find disagreement on this issue from many people today, but perhaps also from the Psalmist we study today. However, regardless of the writer's point of view, I intend to comment on the child of God's relationship within the light of his Creator despite the wicked darkness of our travels within this world of woe.
Truly, does God bless his children who seek His face? What justification or motivation has one to avoid carnal pleasures? Those who flaunt themselves through greed and violence appear to swallow up the less fortunate, destroying lesser lives as they live out a motto of "nice guys finish last."
And yet, in addition to their loneliness and emptiness of broken relationships, they pile on guilt and self loathing. They quickly succomb to illnesses of abuse and neglect as their lives ebb away. In their fear of losing their prominence, they resort to blame and deceit and depression
Through litanies of intolerance, the rich flaunt their aptitude over their fellowman, imagining their opportunity reflects a preference of their God. Through treasure and fringe benefit, they win friends and life's comfort while they skim but the surface of a world of oppression.
To what end then shall we seek God's favor? For what purpose shall we keep our lives chaste? Is it for our vain glory? Shall it keep us from pain? The answer is yes! For through honor and chastity relationships build. Through moderation and cleanliness, body and soul remain whole!
As we stand before God, we sense the warmth of His gaze. We can fall to our knees as we lengthen our days. Surely goodness and mercy shall flow from His fountain, as we walk without faint gaining ground up His mountain.
Lord, as we consider the options we grasp the mere fact that apart from you lasting joy's but a poorly played act. Remind us we pray, Lord, that our hope lies in you and that by veering off course, death and doom will ensue.
In your presence we pray that you would guide us through life as we go forth in peace intent to end the world's strife. You are our Father, Creator, our Almighty God, To consider life without you just seems rather odd.
Comfort us we pray when we sometimes slip, Help us always remember that on your word we should grip! As we live out our lives keeping you ever so near, help us share Love with others as you calm their fear.
Draw me closer, let me fly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuSW5UdaSx8&feature=related Whom Have I In Heaven But You
Response to Proverbs 12:10
We each face the choice to celebrate righteousness or struggle through wickedness. Is there really a logical reason to choose the latter? I hope you've got somebody to Love!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bffIJDTrEM
Until Tomorrow
Rick
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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