April 18, 2010; Joshua 16-18, Luke 19:1-27, Psalm 87, Proverbs 13:11

Reflections on Joshua 16-18

Joseph's Western Allotments Joshua 16-17

Perhaps it is fitting that the boundaries and possessions of the tribe of Judah are followed by the boundaries and possessions of Ephraim.  Such is the royal tribe of Judah and the royal tribe of Israel as the two nations split following the reign of David's son, Solomon.  Solomon's son Rehoboam of Judah remained King over Judah, Benjamin and Simeon while Jeroboam, an Ephraimite was given the remaining tribes in I Kings 12.

Although Manasseh had received land on the east side of the Jordan, they were also given land with the tribe of the sons of Joseph on the west side of the Jordan.  Although Bible maps vary, the land west of the Jordan given to Ephraim and Manasseh began on the Southeast at or near the Jordan River valley between Jericho and Gilgal.  Ephraim's southern border ran along the northern border of Benjamin over the pass of the hill country passing near Luz (Bethel), Beth-horon, Gezer, and Ekron reaching a confluence with Dan and Benjamin and angled Northwest along a western border with Dan (and for a period, Philistine territory of Judah)  The Jarkon River valley seems to act as a border between Dan and the tribes of the sons of Joseph reaching into the Ephraim territory.  According to Joshua 15:6 Ephraim's border reached the Mediterranean Sea, but many maps show Dan holding the coastline and Manasseh holding the Jordan River valley.

The tribes of Joseph shared the Eastern border of the Jordan River from Jericho on the South to Beth-Shean on the North where Manasseh met the Southeast corner of the tribe if Issachar near the mouth of the river valley coming at the base of a drainage opposite Jezreel east across the hill country.  Ephraim was separated from Manasseh about halfway up the Jordan river valley, near the mouth of a drainage that began northwest of Shechem east of the pass. Ephraim's Northern border running from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea just south of Mt. Ebal along the Kanah (Auja?) brook (Joshua 16:8, 17:9).  That line was shared as Manasseh's Southern border. 

Manasseh's western border ran along the Mediterranean Sea northward from Ephraim (or Dan) to the southern border of the tribe of Asher (some maps show Manasseh holding Mount Carmel while others show it being held by Asher. The border probably resides along the pass).  Heading around Asher's southern point (the river valley near Shihorlibnath (Joshua 19:26), the northern border continued Northeast along Asher until it reached a confluence with Zebulun near the pass of the hill country.  This border of Manasseh then followed the southern Zebulun border until the confluence with Issachar Northwest of Megido.  From Zebulun to Beth-Shean along the Jordan river, Manasseh's northern border shares the southern border of Issachar passing Jezreel and returning to Beth-shean.

In studying the Bible, it becomes apparent that many of its books are abridgments of the cumulative efforts of many writings.  This part of Joshua is certainly representative of that effort as the author has provided in depth detail of historical documents in an almost readable format.  As mentioned with Joshua 15, Joshua 16-19 documents histories and people groups - not only Israelite, but also Canaanite for posterity.  All bear witness to ancient times in this, God's historical book of life.  Although there may be discrepancies in the historical record - as there is in historical records today, one can only stand amazed that such records have been preserved through countless devastations throughout history to provide this revelation to man until the end of time.

The reading of Joshua 17:3-6 brings up the story of the daughters of Zelophehad, first chronicled in Numbers 26.  In consideration of these verses, it would appear the case of Zelophehad's daughters may have had a strong play in the major portions of land given to Manasseh, splitting the tribe into two halves east and west of the Jordan.  Certainly, considering the numerous mention of the case, their case carried significant weight in the organizations of the nation of Israel.

Another point of interest is the reference of Joshua 17:11-13 that the alottments included not only the lands and the cities, but often the people within those cities.  These people would obviously become the aliens among them and served as forced labor.  The ongoing treatment of these aliens was a tremendous concern regarding faith as referenced over and over within the Bible as the poor and needy.  Few cultures today can avoid this part of scripture as their own histories parallel Israel's in that they have consumed the land of others and the natives still reside within their cultures as a subculture.  The reservations within America and the alien communities are reflective of the aliens that resided within Israel.  The histories of injustice of colonial Europe and the America's stand in judgment upon many who consider themselves religious.  Conquest and domination have been justified biblically as bloodlusts have avoided the very heart of scripture relating to the proper treatment of the poor and the needy, the widow, the orphan, the alien, and the Levite.

Such treatment begins with Genesis 17:8 reminding that first Hebrew, Abraham, that he was a sojourner in a land not his own.  "The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."

The world's consternation with religion is not unlike Sodom and Gomorrah's treatment of Lot in Genesis 19:9 "This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge!"

Abimalech and Phicol, commander of his forces, spoke for the world relating the concern of the Children of God in Genesis 21:23 "Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you are living as an alien the same kindness I have shown to you."  If we have been blessed upon this earth, it is our responsibility to be a blessing as our offering back to its creator in praise and thanksgiving.

When Isaac blessed Jacob in Genesis 28:1-4, he reminded him of the promise of the land where they now lived as aliens and prophesied that Jacob would become a community of peoples.  Most often this is considered to be the 12 tribes of Israel, but a quick consideration of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of God and one will realize this community of peoples is much greater than those original 12 sons - it includes all of us as God is calling all men back to Himself through His covenant promises.  Just as in the days of Joshua, we are a community of aliens - new and old - together, we are ONE community being brought together under ONE God.

In Exodus 2:22 Moses named his firstborn son Gershom stating "I have become an alien in a foreign land."

There are a multitude of verses prodding the Child of God to treat the Alien within their midst with mercy and justice; Exodus 23:9 states "Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt."  In the same way, as we welcome those who are seeking welcome within the Kingdom of God, we must accept them with open arms, understanding so well what it is to be held captive by sin. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=56699155

Numerous verses chide us to show the alien special treatment as Children of God.  The treatment given them is classified of severe importance as is that of the widow and orphan.  Leviticus 19:10 states; "Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God."

Too often, the term "neighbor" is considered "brother".  However, based on Leviticus 19:34 and the second commandment given in Mark 12:31, it would appear our treatment of the alien should be paramount in our minds as second only to our love for God!  Consider the similarity of these two verses:
     Leviticus 19:34 "The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
     Mark 12:31 "The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

According to scripture, we continue to live on this world as aliens and tenants.  Our purpose is to bring in His Harvest of Souls. We are not the judges, but the workers within His vineyard! 
     Leviticus 25:19-24 "Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety. You may ask, 'What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?'  I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years (Jesus ministry?). While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.
     The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.  Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land."
     I Corinthians 10:23-25 states "Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible - but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
     Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, 'The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.'" (reference to Psalm 24:1)

So, as we work as harvesters within His vineyard as aliens and brothers, what is our produce suppose to look like as we brush elbows with one another within this Kingdom of God?  My personal guess is that as we submit our lives to our creator's will, loving the alien (anyone who is different in any way), we will find that God has already been at work and together, we will harvest those fruits of His spirit which are Faith, Hope, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, and Gentleness.  Upon careful reflection, one may note that these fruits are not only coming from the Christian community; or just the Jewish community; or just the Hindu community;  They are coming from us as we work together as aliens in this land of foreigners.

Consider for a moment that the very word "Hebrew" in its simplest English translation is "Alien".

Therefore, just as Joseph cleared land and found place and position within Egypt; just as his children cleared land and found a place among the Perizzites and the Rephaim; We too, as Children of God serving our King of Peace are numerous and possess the power of our Creator!  We too shall consume the strength of hatred and enmity that has divided mankind since the first child of Adam killed his brother.  With God's help, we shall pursue His purposes and establish Peace in our land.

Three Apportion Seven Allotments Joshua 18

Leah was quite fertile, giving Jacob his first four children in Genesis 29:31-35.  Reuben (son of affliction), her firstborn sinned and slept with Bilhah, Rachel's maid and lost his birthright bringing the wrath of his Father down upon his head.  Simeon (the Lord has heard that I am hated) was her second born and brought the wrath of the people upon the house of Jacob bringing a curse and disappointment from his father.  Hoping for the love of Jacob, she named her third son Levi (joined - lawah).  He also judged the community putting his fellowman to death and bringing mankind's wrath upon the house of Jacob which also brought a curse and separation from his Father.  Finally, in her fourth child, she refused to complain and gave him the name Judah (I will praise the Lord). 

Genesis 49:8-11 "Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father's sons will bow down to you. You are a lion's cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness - who dares to rouse him?
     The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs [Or until Shiloh comes; or until he comes to whom tribute belongs] and the obedience of the nations is his.  He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 

In the hill country of Ephraim, the congregation chose a place where the House of God (the tabernacle) would come to rest.  They set up the House of the Lord at Shiloh.  The name as used in Genesis 49 above means "the one to whom tribute belongs."  Other etymologies include "offspring"; "sent out"; and "origin".  All prophetic names for the coming Son(s) of God.

As fate would have it, there were "7" allotments still to be determined.  As we found in studying the city of Beer-Sheba (root word Shiva) in reflection from Genisis 31, this root word for the Hebrew number 7 also represents covenant or oath.  (Upon further reflection, I also find the number 7 is represented by the word Zayan meaning sword or judgment).  Here then, once again, is a sign of the covenant and the promises of God to the Hebrew nation and through them, promises from God to this community of peoples, now reflected by all men.  The second symbolism of note in this passage is the number three (Gimel) in Hebrew. 

Mark 14:58 reflects witnesses to the life of Jesus as claiming "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.' "  This root word for three (gimel) is also used in the etymology of the word Galilee!  Jesus began his ministry at 30 years of age.  He ministered for 3 years in and around Galilee re-interpreting the scriptures for the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, claiming the Love of God His Father.  He went to Jerusalem, and the temple and condemned their hatred and persecution of the prophets.  They condemned him and put him to death, bringing about the new covenant in His blood.

These three then were sent out by the community into a land not their own with a feeling of entitlement as they understood that God had promised this land to them.  Throughout the rest of history, those firm lines of borders and boundaries would be redefined as the cycles of sword and treaty, peace and bloodshed would continue.  This beginning of divisions had begun again as according to Joshua 18:10, Joshua "cast lots for them in Shiloh in the presence of the Lord, and there he distributed the land to the Israelites according to their tribal divisions."

In Joshua 22:12 "the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them." (their own brothers - all in the name of righteousness).  It was from Shiloh also that the rulers and priests chose to send the ark of the Lord before them into battle, wherin the ark of the covenant passed into the hands of the Philistines.  Following 7 years of ruling in Hebron, David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his holy city.  He then retreived the ark from Baalah (Kiriath-Baal or Kiriath-jearim) and brought it into Jerusalem.  The holy city of Shiloh resided outside the tribe of Judah and became neglected due to the wickedness of Jeroboam following the Israeli-Judah split.  The Psalmist remembered Shiloh in Psalm 78:60 "He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent he had set up among men."; and the prophet Jeremiah spoke of its demise and strongholds like it in Jeremiah 7 and 26 when men use the house of God to establish their own ends.

Jeremiah 7:3-15 "This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, 'This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!' If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless.
     Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, 'We are safe - safe to do all these detestable things?' Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!' declares the Lord.
     'Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel.  While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer. Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your fathers.  I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your brothers, the people of Ephraim.'"

Jeremiah 26:11 "Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, 'This man should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with your own ears!' "

So, what has changed?  Man is still killing man and judging man in the name of a just God!  And yet, we have had the words of Jesus Christ and his transformation of the old covenant understanding of wrath for over 2000 years.  Yet, instead of listening to Him, we have listened to men who brought us back to beliefs of exclusionary atonement and salvation by works and proper doctrines, theologies, and beliefs - which if true would condemn every last one of us to eternal judgment.  Yet, this old understanding has been destroyed in a matter of three days by Him who represented God on earth - our Shiloh - our gathering place - our Emmanuel.

II Corinthians 5:16-21 "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  No longer does "7" represent a sword, "7" represents His "peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14b.

The chapter of Joshua 18 ends with the establishment of the tribal alottment of Benjamin between the powerhouses of Judah and Ephraim.  His border passed south of the Jebusite city which would become Jerusalem, meaning Jerusalem initially resided within Benjamin territory (vs. 28).  Although Ephraim touched Jericho, the city belonged within the boundaries of Benjamin as noted in Joshua 18:21.  To them also was given Luz (also known as Bethel) although this also was mentioned along the borders of Ephraim.  As Gibeah and Kiriath-Jearim are mentioned both in the allotments of Judah and Benjamin; and as the city of the Jebusites (Jerusalem) is mentioned in different context in Joshua 18:28 and Joshua 15:63, it becomes apparent various historical documents were being used in this writing and boundary lines were not firmly established - as noted above.

Reflections on Luke 19:1-27

Salvation for Sinners! Luke 19:1-10

Known in Egypt at times as the "tree of life", the 'ficus sycomorus' grows to over 60' tall and 20' wide. In Solomon's era, sycamore tree forests in the hills above the Jordan river valley resulted in I Kings 10:27 "The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills"  As Jesus entered Jericho, (laying claim to the lowest and oldest permanently inhabited city on earth at nearly 200' below sea level), it was in one of these trees that Zacchaeus climbed to see his Christ. 

It is well documented throughout the gospels that the tax collectors were found detestable within Jewish religious custom, and that they were prominent followers in both the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus.  This story once again does not fail to make that fact known as even the crowd following Jesus was appalled that He would accept invitation - even invite such invitation - to dine with tax collectors and sinners.  This reflection falls directly within the context of Luke 18 in the routine judgment being given by the Children of God - as represented by the followers of Christ - both disciples and skeptics.

Zacchaeus reputation was not only that of a tax collector, oppressing the Jewish nation at the behest of the Roman Empire, but that he had become rich by doing so leading to the reputation of deception and skimming.  Zacchaeus justified his behavior in that he excercised philanthropy in tithing 50% of his earnings to the poor and going out of his way to compensate those he was found to have defrauded.  Jesus commended Zacchaeus behavior before the crowd noting that salvation had come to His house.  He referenced that Zacchaeus was a son of Abraham, but we are not told whether he was Jew or Gentile.  The judgmental crowd was reminded once again the purpose of Jesus ministry on earth was to "seek and to save what was lost." (vs. 10)

Ezekiel 34:15-16; "I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord.  I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice."

Hear the words of a terrorist who was out to destroy a faith He did not understand in the first century from I Timothy 1:15-17; "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen"

Open Our Eyes Lord! Luke 19:11-27

Isaiah 6:9-12 "Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'  Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."
     Then I said, 'For how long, O Lord?' And he answered: 'Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the Lord has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken."

How frustrating it is to see history repeating itself.  How frustrating to know that God could withdraw his goodness and mercy for yet another generation as we have once again soiled our garments in the bloodbath of war.  How can this be when there are Bibles so plentiful within the world that the righteous return to the battlefield in vengeance and anger against their fellowman expecting the Prince of Peace to come to rain fire down on the alien and the enemy who is our brother. 

For the Jews, it was the Romans.  They had just listened to Jesus speak of the Kingdom as represented within the house of the tax collector, yet the rumble remained that here was a conquering King on His way to Jerusalem.  Jesus had spoken over and over of the Kingdom of God and the Love that this Kingdom would revolve around, yet the bloodthirst and entitlement and dilusions of favoritism would not die.  That was bad enough then, but why now after 2000 years of chanced maturity?  One of the reasons is that our schools and theologies have bought into a final battle against flesh and blood and have interpreted scripture with these thoughts and apostacies in mind.  We have been stuck on this wrathful, vengeful God even though such thoughts confuse our minds as we consider His perfect Love and Power to bring about Peace for mankind.  We have been stuck in a Jewish first century mindset all along.  So, how can we invest the fruit of His Spirit throughout our brethren and be that generation to break the cycle and the bloodbath and establish His Kingdom of Peace once and for all so that we do not go to our graves filled with this hatred and bloodshed?

When asked about the Kingdom of God, He claimed it was here now - among us.  Therefore, perhaps it is unclear when the nobleman who is quite obviously the Christ had gone away and come back again!  As He was there presently refining His followers, there certainly was fulfillment happening throughout His ministry as He continued to chastise the people for mistaken ideologies.  For that understanding, the nobleman would have left perhaps at the Garden of Eden or following the strong presence of God at the time of Moses or David. 

Yet, this judgment continues within the Kingdom even today!  Churches are being judged, not only by God, but by our children and by our fellowman.  As disciples, we have a choice to go out into all the world spreading a Kingdom of Peace - or to despise such a Kingdom and act as the Jews did and despise the Roman rulers or those infidels across the sea.  In this understanding, each man or ministry must give an accounting before God.  If the message is not drawing a harvest into the Kingdom, it is cut off.  There is a lot of worry within our churches that our Children are leaving in droves of over 70%!  Who has considered that this is the judgment of the King of Peace Himself!  How can we produce fruit when we have cut ourselves off from our cultures and stand in judgment upon them?  What has happened to our invitations - or have we become guilty of the judgment of Matthew 23:15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."

There is absolutely nothing wrong with telling the world about our Creator who is a Loving Father who wishes Peace to men on earth with whom He is well pleased.  If we stop killing each other and blaspheming one another in His name, He will unstop His ears and shine His face upon us once again.  There is nothing wrong with big churches that draw men unto our Father!  Those ministries have obviously been blessed with talents and pounds! 

II Timothy 4:1-5 "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

Isaiah 9:5  "Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire."

Leviticus 19:34 "The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

Isaiah 45:21-25 " there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. 'Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, My mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.'
     All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.  But in the Lord all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult."

Luke 18:8 "I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
 
I ask again; What is the myth?  What is the apostacy?  Read this word of God again in the purity and light of His Love.
 
Reflections on Psalm 87

Psalm 2:1-4a "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One. 'Let us break their chains,' they say, 'and throw off their fetters.'
     The One enthroned in heaven laughs;"

Psalm 2:6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."

Why is there so much beauty in scripture regarding the peace surrounding Jerusalem in the last days as all men join together to worship our Lord as One and yet so many of His children choose to focus on the valley of Armageddon? 

Psalm 87:1 agrees with Psalm 2:6 above! The foundations of His Kingdom on earth have been set on Zion!
     Isaiah 28:15-18a "You boast, 'We have entered into a covenant with death, with the grave [sheol] we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood [false gods] our hiding place.'
     So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the grave will not stand."

Psalm 87:2 The Lord loves all who enter his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise!  Revelation 21:25 "On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there."
     Isaiah 60:10-11 ""Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations - their kings led in triumphal procession.

Psalm 87:3 as reflected by Psalm 48:2 "It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King."
     Isaiah 54:7-11 "For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer. 
     'To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,'says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 'O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires.' "

Psalm 87:4 "community of nations" (Gen.35:11) as reflected by John 10:16 "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."
     Isaiah 49:5-6 "And now the LORD says - he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength - he says: 'It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

Psalm 87:5 "all nations on earth will be blessed through him." (Gen.18:18b) as reflected by Ephesians 1:4b-6a "In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us"
     Psalm 72:16-19 "Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.
     Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

Psalm 87:6 "Keys to the Kingdom" as reflected by Psalm 69:26-28 "For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me."
     John 17:20-26 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Psalm 87:7 "My Strength and my Song" as reflected by Isaiah 12:2 "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
     Romans 15:5-13 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
     Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written:
     'Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.'[2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49] Again, it says, 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.'[Deut. 32:43] And again, 'Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.'[Psalm 117:1] And again, Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.'[Isaiah 11:10]
     May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Reflections on Proverbs 13:11

It is so easy to get bogged down in salvation theologies and end times!  But what about now!  What about living today given the knowledge of salvation and the hope of eternity?  We still need to earn a living and live in this world, right?

Allow me to reflect on Proverbs 13:11 from two realities:  1. Salvation 2. Worldly wealth.

1.  Salvation; Salvation hastily received might very well disappear when adversity or temptation strikes and hope is lost.  And yet, with an understanding and commitment towards faith building, while honoring the Love of God through a series of ups and downs in life, faith is built on a solid foundation that God's hand is always there.  We find that even those moments we must face adversity only proves to make our faith stronger.  Through such patient endurance, a faith can be built that will last a lifetime and can feed others.

2.  Worldly wealth; Worldly wealth hastily received might very well disappear when adversity or temptation strikes and hope is lost. And yet, with an understanding and commitment towards financial acumen, while honoring the Love of God through a series of ups and downs in life, wealth is built on a solid foundation that God's hand is always there.  We find that even those moments we must face adversity only proves to make our faith stronger.  Through such patient endurance, wealth can be built that will last a lifetime and can feed others.

James 1:2-8 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Until tomorrow

Rick