Ruth 1
Ruth Chapter 1: 1-6, 16-17 (NKJV)
"1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges [a]ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to [b]dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they [c]dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so, the woman survived her two sons and her husband. 6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited[d] His people by giving them bread 16 But Ruth said: "Entreat[e] me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."
The book's timeline is sometime in the period of the judges, as verse one indicates, possibly 1300 BC. Elimelech (whose name means My God is King) took a sojourn from his home on the west side of Jordan and went to live in Moab because there was a famine in Canaan. The word translated as a sojourn in the Hebrew text is gur, meaning to go someplace for a while, but not with the intent of making it home (See Judges 6). While in this "someplace," their sons married Moabite women.
The story of Naomi (whose name means pleasant one), Ruth (whose name means friendship), and Boaz (research by scholars finds no meaning for his name), to offer a colloquial expression, often seems like a "happily ever after" story. However, the intricacies of this book require a more profound look than a cursory read and "check the read box.” This four-chapter book, containing only eighty-five verses, is complex. It is one of only two books in the Bible named for gentiles, the other being Job. This story of friendship, kindness, love, trust, and worship of the God of Israel starkly contrasts the darkness, rebellion, evil, and brother turning against brother we read in Judges a few weeks ago.
It was customary to adopt the god of the country or king where you lived. The god of the Moabites was Chemosh, whose worship included child sacrifice. Yet, in verses 16-17, we read the familiar passage of Ruth's promise to Naomi. She swears allegiance to Yahweh or LORD and not Chemosh. She was committing her whole life to the God of Israel. Before Solomon authored the book of Proverbs, she was living Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding". She left EVERYTHING she knew, trusted in the God of her deceased husband, not the god of her people, and went to a "foreign" land, not knowing how she would find food or shelter.
She did not have the Written Word, only oral teachings from her husband's family at the time of her decision. It is important to remember that women had no rights except thru their husbands during this era. Dwell on the uncertainty of Ruth’s situation for a few moments.
We are 21st century people, and our "pagan" society teaches us to live for the moment, seek instant gratification, trust in ourselves, and be self-reliant. This list could go on to fill up more than one page. However, the Gospel of the New Testament in 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter, 2 Timothy, and Hebrews teaches us to trust in Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, to live by trusting and allowing Him to lead us rather than going our own way, and that He will never leave or forsake us. The “benefit” of hindsight allows us to look back and see how well things did not turn out when we leaned into our understanding."
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you tell us throughout Your Word, from Genesis to Revelation that you are always with us; that you will never leave us or forsake us. You make your presence known to us throughout your Word. And you continue to make Yourself known to us every day in the beauty of your creation, in songs we hear and sing, and in the deeds of others we witness and often benefit from. You speak to us in so many, many ways. We have the assurance of Your constant and abiding presence. We have this assurance because we have Jesus. We offer our praise and gratefulness to you in His Name. Amen.
2 Timothy 4
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2 Timothy 4:6-7, For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Paul is getting ready to die. He expresses to Timothy that his life has been poured out as a sacrificial drink offering. He has given his whole life to the work of God in this world. It’s been hard but God has given him the ability to persevere, to keep going, to not give up. He says that he has finished the race of life, fought the fight, all the while keeping strong in the faith. None of this was done in his own power but through the power of Jesus working in him.
As I read through Paul’s letters, we see how often he encountered obstacles. This has been especially evident in 2 Timothy. Paul has been abandoned by friends, imprisoned, tortured, shipwrecked, rejected, been in fear of his life, and yet he kept on going. I often wonder if he ever contemplated quitting. Regardless, he never did. He continued to get up in the morning and do what God had called him to do, even when it was really hard.
At the end of your life (as Paul was at the end of his), what will be your thoughts about what you’ve done for Jesus? I often say that when we are on our deathbed, all that matters will be who we’ve loved, who’s loved us, and what we’ve done for the Lord. Where do you stand in those categories?
Let’s pray…Jesus, Give us wisdom and direction in what you want us to do in this world. Guide us, lead us, reveal to us what’s next and then give us the strength and courage to do it! More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
2 Timothy 3
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2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In this third chapter, we find Paul giving Timothy advice about staying strong in the faith. The world will always be a source of temptation and evil, there will be false teachers, and there will be many challenges. He tells Timothy to stay grounded in what Paul taught him and in Scripture.
In order to not be swayed by the winds of the world (no matter what century one lives in), we have to be grounded in God's Word. God's Word is authoritative and offers us a basic instruction manual of sorts. While we don't understand every story and verse, there is a purpose for every single word.
Our vision at New Hope is to rooted in God's Word, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and reaching the world for Jesus. I just recently preached on Colossians 2:6-7, So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Just as in Paul's time, the world will bear down on us, providing all kinds of temptations and distractions. We have to commit to grow our roots down deep into Scripture so that we won't be uprooted and swayed when hardship, challenges, and temptation enter our world. Obviously, we need to do this as individuals but we also have to commit to do this as a body of believers. We meet Jesus on the pages of Scripture AND God’s Word provides a metric by which we can measure everything in our lives. It’s essential. Together, rooted in Scripture, we will be immovable.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We are so thankful for your Word. Help us be committed to being rooted in you. We need you, we need you, we need you! In Your Name, Amen.
2 Timothy 2
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2 Timothy 2:14-15, Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do you best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Besides the outside persecution that the church in Ephesus was experiencing, Paul also addresses another serious issue: in-fighting. There were quarrels and fights within the Ephesian church, literally translated "word battles", that threatened to unravel the young church. The church members were battling over doctrinal viewpoints and had formed factions. Paul encourages Timothy to plead with the Ephesian believers to basically remember who and whose they are, to remember what was most important, and to explain how arguments within the church have the potential to damage the Kingdom.
How often have modern day churches been unraveled over word battles? It's amazing to me how easily distracted we get. We forget who we represent and get pulled into doctrinal arguments that really don't matter that much. We major in the minors as some people say.
Are you currently engaged in any word battles with other believers? It's time to put them to rest.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, How we need you. Help us remember who and whose we are. Help us stay focused on what's important; we need to keep laser focus on the Good News of Jesus. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
2 Timothy 1
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2 Timothy 1:7, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
In this second letter to Timothy (and his final New Testament letter), Paul again wants to encourage Timothy, who has now been ministering to the churches at Ephesus for four years. Paul is writing this letter from a dank Roman prison cell and he knows that his death is imminent. Paul also seems to know that Timothy's ministry will only get harder once Paul dies, as the persecution is now severe and the challenges for the young churches are many.
Knowing the context in which this book was written helps us better understand our focus verse for today. Paul wants Timothy to continue his ministry without fear and there was much to fear. Paul mentions just a few of his challenges: abandonment by friends, persecution and imprisonment, physical pain and suffering. Paul knew that Timothy may eventually face similar trials.
But living fearlessly in the midst of hardship requires more than some encouraging words of advice. The only way Timothy (and us for that matter) can survive in such difficult times is through the power of God which lives within us. Remember, if you have said yes to Jesus, the Spirit of the Living God dwells within you. On our own, even on our best day, we aren't that powerful but God always is. Paul reminds Timothy that it is the Holy Spirit within him that provides the power, love, and self-discipline needed to persevere in the faith and to live abundant and joy-filled lives in the middle of puzzling and difficult times.
I don't know about you but this was a message I needed to hear today.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Fill us with your Spirit afresh and anew today. We need your power to persevere, to love, and to be the people you have called us to be. Help us lay our fears at your feet and remember who and whose we are. More of you and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Timothy 6
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I Timothy 6:1-2, All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. These are the things you are to teach and insist on.
As we close Paul's first letter to Timothy, we find more advice reflecting the time, place, and culture of Paul and Timothy, specifically regarding slaves having respect for their masters. Paul's words in NO WAY justify or encourage slavery. Slavery was certainly a reality in the Roman Empire (scholars estimate possibly a third of all people living at the time were slaves). People sold themselves and their families into slavery simply to have access to food. It was an ugly existence. But throughout Scripture, including Paul's letters, there is much talk of freedom and equality in Christ. While Paul was pretty revolutionary in many of his teachings, as far as we know, he didn't tackle the institution of slavery. He did try to create parameters around it, however, but his primary objective was to spread the Good News of Christ. I'm grateful for the many Christ-followers who came hundreds of years after Paul and did make a stand against the institution of slavery. Their courage and determination also came from their faith in Jesus and they used Jesus' teachings and also many of Paul's writings to oppose the ownership of other humans.
Slavery is still a reality around the globe. The Global Slavery Index estimates that over 40.3 million people are currently trapped in modern day slavery, the vast majority being women and children. (globalslaveryindex.org) This includes what we typically think of as human trafficking but includes forced labor around the world, including in many of our supply chains. It is a multi-billion dollar industry. As Christ-followers, we should be actively working against human trafficking and other kinds of slavery. Slave owners and human traffickers prey especially on the poor and vulnerable. Jesus clearly taught and demonstrated that every single human life has value. He lifted the status of women and children and demonstrated extraordinary love toward the poor and oppressed. Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
If you are interested in how you might join the fight against slavery and human trafficking around the globe, check out International Justice Mission (ijm.org), a Christ-centered organization that is actively working to provide freedom and justice to enslaved individuals around the world. They do incredible work. Help break the chains of slavery right now. Pray about your involvement and also how New Hope might get involved.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, You are a chain-breaker. We lift up all those who are enslaved around the globe. Help us be part of expanding your Kingdom, bringing freedom, justice, and empowerment to those who need it. These are people you created, Lord. These are people you love. Break our heart for what breaks yours. In Your Name, Amen.
I Timothy 5
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I Timothy 5:9-10, No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
In this final chapter of I Timothy, Paul is back to giving very specific instructions for how the church is to treat its people. Again, this is culture-specific and seems to be in reaction to particular situations. He wants to be sure seniors are respected, that there are specific guidelines around the care of old and young widows, that the elders/pastors are given proper reverence, and that Timothy drinks a little wine to settle his upset stomach.
Overall, Paul is demonstrating that he cares. He loves Timothy and he loves the church. He wants the church to deal with its conflicts and problems in an effective way. Sometimes, Paul's solutions seem a little odd to us in 2022 but we can be assured that Paul was quite revolutionary in his thinking. Finally, his primary motivation was to lead more people to Jesus.
What's your primary motivation?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, More of you, less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
I Timothy 4
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I Timothy 4:11-12, Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Please take some time to read through the whole of chapter 4. Paul makes some interesting and powerful statements in the beginning of the chapter about those who would leave the faith. He very astutely points out that just because someone initially commits to the faith doesn't mean they will stick with it. When things get tough, when false teachers rear their ugly head, when it is no longer convenient, then they may turn away. Paul seems to make the point that this is not an if but a when. This simply means their initial confession was not sincere. While I don't want to spend a lot of time on this topic, I think we find this in modern Christianity as well. Just because someone has said the words of a sinner's prayer does not mean they actually know Jesus or understand what they have said. Something to think about for sure and speaks to the absolute necessity of discipling and nurturing new believers.
In our focus verses for today, Paul is speaking directly to Timothy. He must have been a timid young man. Paul wants him to take authority and not allow people to dismiss him because he was younger. He needed to guide and lead the church both in his words and preaching but also in his lifestyle. Even as a younger man, Paul encourages him to lead by example.
While we give lip service to including young people in the leadership of the church, the reality is that we don't do it. We have lots of reasons for this (I've found myself giving excuses too). But God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called. If God calls one of our teenagers or young adults to be a leader, then we need to embrace them, nurture them, and give them the space to lead. While I don't think we have that many young people who subscribe to the SOAP, whoever is out there, please listen closely: You are called and God will empower you to lead! Want to serve in leadership at New Hope? Come and talk to me directly.
Let's pray...God, Send us new, young leaders. Help us nurture and guide them so that they will be the strong, faithful leaders of your church today and in the future. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
I Timothy 3
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I Timothy 3:1-4, Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
Now, in chapter 3, Paul has turned his attention to qualifications for overseers and deacons in the church. An overseer would have been similar to an pastor, someone who presides over a single congregation, probably in a house church. The deacons would have been specific people who served in the church, possibly assisting in church admin functions or in missions.
This text indicates that Paul had struggled with some strong-willed and difficult leaders in the church. It’s highly possible that some of the church leaders were bad influences, living too similarly to the pagan culture around them. We aren’t privy to the details but we do know that Paul felt the need to give some basic parameters to who could lead within the young church. They needed to people with integrity, people who were mature in their walk with Jesus, and people who were respected by their family and community.
Each church today has some kind of vetting process for their clergy. If they don’t, then they certainly should. Our process in the UMC is quite rigorous but you can be assured that our clergy have gone through a process to ensure their theological qualifications but also their spiritual maturity and integrity. The reality is that all of our church leaders, lay and clergy alike, are highly visible. Their ability to withstand the distractions and temptations of the world and stay grounded in the ways of Jesus is huge. There is so much at stake. Please take some time today and pray for your church leaders.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, We all need you. We need you to guide us, lead us, and direct us. Guide our church leaders. Protect them and help them also stay firmly grounded in you. May they be ambassadors of Jesus and be noticeably different from our culture. In Your Name, Amen.
I Timothy 2
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1 Timothy 2:9-12, I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.
Paul addressed false teachers in chapter one and is addressing issues related to public worship in this chapter, specifically the roles of men and women. Our focus verses for today may be the most controversial four verses in the New Testament. We know that Paul's writings were clearly a product of the time and culture during which he wrote. How could they not be? So how do we, two thousand years later, distinguish what is specific to Paul and Timothy's very particular situation and culture and what we are to apply to our lives and ministries today?
Most scholars agree that Paul’s statement regarding the role of women in worship in this chapter are clearly culture-specific. All Scripture is useful and applicable BUT this doesn’t mean that isn’t written in very culture-specific and language-specific ways. We have to be able to discern this; we have to take each specific situation into account when we read and interpret Scripture. We also have to look at the full narrative of Scripture. What does the rest of Scripture, including the rest of Paul’s writing, say about the role of women in worship?
First, many of Paul’s letters were written to address very particular issues in the churches. Because of that, we recognize that much of what is commanded, the specific elements, are not to be translated literally and implemented in every other culture around the world. For instance, Paul tells Timothy to drink wine for his stomach ailments (does that mean we are to use wine regularly for medicinal purposes?), to beware of Alexander the coppersmith (Alexander is surely dead but should we be wary of other coppersmiths?), to be sure that the only widows who are at least 60 years old and have washed strangers’ feet receive resources from the church (I think most of our widows today would balk at washing a stranger’s feet.) Then there is his command to slaves to obey their masters. These are all clearly very specific to Paul’s time and culture and were NOT intended to be applied universally.
Second, we have to also look at what the rest of Scripture says about gender roles in worship. In Paul’s other writings, he speaks of women as prophets and teachers. He states that men and women are equal in Jesus in Galatians. He refers to and praises female leaders in the early churches. There is definitely a clear body of evidence that, for the most part, Paul valued and included women in the leadership of the early church (probably a lot more than was common in that time and culture). In so many ways, Paul elevated the social status of women, which was abysmally low at the time.
Are there other passages of Scripture that are difficult for you and/or you struggle to understand? I would encourage you to dig into the culture and context of the text. What was the author’s intention? What cultural factors were at play? What was the specific historical context like at the time? What elements are culture- and language-specific and which elements are clearly meant to be translated into our lives today? Also, examine the Scripture within the full narrative of Scripture. What else has been included on that topic in the Bible? What is the general impression of the various Biblical authors on that topic? Then, pray.
Let’s pray…Lord God, There is so much in your Word that we don’t understand. Sometimes, things are confusing. But we know you are a God of order. We know that all of your Word is authoritative. Give us a Spirit of wisdom and patience. Help us never rush to conclusions but always bathe our thoughts and interpretations of your Word in prayer. We love you. Help us know you better and become more rooted in your Word. Amen.
I Timothy 1
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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 immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In this letter to Timothy, Paul gives instruction to his younger friend about how to lead the churches in Ephesus. Paul intends to travel there soon but expects to be delayed and thus, writes this letter to encourage and guide Timothy. But this is not a private letter. It was written to Timothy with the intention that these instructions be read aloud to the churches. It's not a very long letter, but Paul addresses a number of topics in it, including doctrine and a warning against false teachers, public worship, guidelines for pastors and deacons, moral instruction, social responsibilities, and how to deal with material possessions. This all would have been in reaction to struggles the churches were encountering.
Towards the end of this first chapter, Paul gives a mini-testimony. He speaks about being a blasphemer and a persecutor (v. 14) but Christ showed grace toward him. From a worldly perspective, there wasn't much hope for him. But no one is beyond the grace of God. In fact, Paul says that Christ's grace was poured out abundantly, overflowed, in his life.
And then, Paul makes some pretty strong, definitive statements, which we find in our focus verses today. He is responding to the deceptive and false teachers who were confusing the new believers. Read through verses 15-17 again…
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 immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Paul makes it clear that the Gospel message is trustworthy, unlike the hollow claims of the false teachers. Christ came into the world to save sinners. Thus, the Gospel message is true AND universal. Jesus came to save the whole world. The Gospel is also personal. Paul speaks of his own experience of the Gospel. He was a pretty bad sinner and Jesus even saved him. Why did God show him this amazing mercy and grace? To demonstrate his immense patience as an example to others who might believe in him.
Have you experienced the Gospel as trustworthy, universal, and personal? Do you know it as TRUE? Do you understand that Jesus' offer of salvation is for all nations, all tribes, all people? Finally, have you personally experienced Jesus as your savior? Have you said YES to Jesus' offer of grace, repented of your sins, and decided to live a life following Jesus? If not, today can be your day! Maybe you need to recommit your life to Jesus. You've wandered, you've walked away, or you've simply been going through the motions. Today is the day to make a new commitment to Jesus Christ.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, I believe in you. I believe that you died on a cross for my sins and that you were resurrected on the third day. I know this to be true. Lord, I'm tired of doing life as the world tells me to do. I want to walk hand in hand with you. Forgive me of my sins and help me focus on you and you alone. Ignite in me a passion for you. I want to live for you, Jesus. In Your Name, Amen.
Judges 21
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Judges 21:23-25, So that is what the Benjamites did. While the young women were dancing, each man caught one and carried her off to be his wife. Then they returned to their inheritance and rebuilt the towns and settled in them. At that time the Israelites left that place and went home to their tribes and clans, each to his own inheritance. In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
In this chapter, we witness the consequence of the Israelite battle against their brothers, the Benjamites. In a fit of rage, they have sworn an oath to not allow their daughters to marry Benjamites (ironic because they seem to have no issue intermarrying with Canaanites). However, once the smoke has cleared and the battles are over, their allegiance to the Benjamites begins to resurface. There are only 600 Benjamite men remaining, as the rest were killed in battle and all the women and children were also slaughtered. The other Israelites fear they will be celibate and unable to carry on the Benjamite line. They weep loudly as a group over the literal end of the tribe of Benjamin.
Their solution to the problem is brutal and violent, in keeping with the lack of value for human life which we find throughout the book of Judges. They punish those from Jabesh Gilead who failed to appear at their assembly by killing the whole village, except for the virgin women, who they give to the Benjamites in marriage. The rest of the wives were simply kidnapped by the Benjamites, at the urging of the Israelite elders. If their daughters were "stolen," then they couldn't be accused of giving them in marriage and breaking their former oath. Again, we see the treatment of women in this time and place is appalling. We move from the rape and murder of one woman (from chapter 19), to the kidnapping and rape of literally hundreds of women.
The total unraveling of the Israelite people seems to be complete. They are vicious, depraved, and worthy of death. And yet, we will continue to see God's grace shine through in the least expected ways as we work our way through the Old Testament. Tomorrow, we head back to the New Testament and make our way through I and 2 Timothy. But we will be back to the Old Covenant soon enough with the book of Ruth, one of my favorite books of the Bible!
Let's pray...Almighty God, Your patience, grace, and love for your people is amazing. We thank you for how you love us when we don't deserve it. We thank you most of all for Jesus. More of you, less of me. Amen.
Judges 20
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Judges 20:46-48, On that day twenty-five thousand Benjamite swordsmen fell, all of them valiant fighters. But six hundred of them turned and fled into the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, where they stayed four months. The men of Israel went back to Benjamin and put all the towns to the sword, including the animals and everything else they found. All the towns they came across they set on fire.
A large number of Israelites gather in response to the Levite's story. It's unclear which part of the man's story is the source of their anger and agitation but they do feel justified to wage war against the Benajmites. It appears to be a holy war of sorts against evil. What's interesting to me are the spiritual themes which have returned to the text. The Israelites gather together and assemble "before the Lord." They inquire of the Lord several times during the battles and God answers them. In the end, they give Yahweh credit for the victory over the Benjamites.
Israel has drifted far from God. They have engaged in deplorable things and allowed idolatry to be regular part of their world. In so many ways, they seem to have forgotten the ways of the one true God. And yet, here we see they haven't totally forgotten God. When crisis hits, when tragedy strikes, they remember who they are. Aren't we the same way?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Help us remember who we are in times of crisis and times of joy. Help us live like your children and point others to your love. In Your Name, Amen.
Judges 19
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Judges 19:25-28, But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight. When her master got up in the morning and opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way, there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold. He said to her, “Get up; let’s go.” But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set out for home.
This is a story about human depravity. As I read it, I can't help but hear the echoes of Sodom and Gomorrah (read Genesis 19 to jog your memory of the details). Certainly, this text in Judges serves to show just how horrific Israelite society had become. Of course, we see the worst of patriarchy throughout the passage as well: the nameless concubine with no control over her life circumstances, the acceptance of the rape and abuse of women (in order to preserve the men's honor), the lack of emotional response from the Levite when he finds his wife dead, and the subsequent disgusting murder and mutilation of the woman.
While we could probably dig much deeper into those themes, I really don't think this passage is intended to be about the abuse and oppression of women. Rather, it is intended to show just how pagan and vicious the Israelites had become. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes. They look more like the Canaanites than the Canaanites themselves do. And it's very, very ugly. Where is their faith? Have they totally forgotten God?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We need you. On our own, we get distracted, we stray, we fail to be obedient followers. Lord, help us abide in you. Hold on tight to us, even when we try to wiggle free. We need you. We need you. We need you. In Your Name, Amen.
Judges 18
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Judges 18:30-31, There the Danites set up for themselves the idol, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land. They continued to use the idol Micah had made, all the time the house of God was in Shiloh.
The Danites decide that they want their own land and they head off to conquer it. But unlike other conquests in which God clearly went with his people, the Danites seem to be totally off kilter. They are doing this on their own for their own selfish purposes.
They arrive at Micah's house (from Judges 17) and steal his priest and idols. While they don't kill Micah's family, they do find a town to attack and pillage. After burning down the town, they claim the area as belonging to them and rebuild the city. They set up the idols stolen from Micah. While they may have Israelite names, they have certainly sold their souls to Canaanite values. There is effectively no difference between the Danites and their pagan neighbors. They have turned their back on God.
Let's pray...Almighty God, How easy it is to become distracted and swayed by the ways of the world around us. Lord, I want to stay devoted to you. Help me abide in you, learn from you, and behave like a child of the one true King. More of you, Jesus, and less of me. In Your Name, Amen.
Judges 17
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Judges 17:3-4, When he returned the eleven hundred shekels of silver to his mother, she said, “I solemnly consecrate my silver to the Lord for my son to make an image overlaid with silver. I will give it back to you.” So after he returned the silver to his mother, she took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to a silversmith, who used them to make the idol. And it was put in Micah’s house.
This is an odd story in the middle of the book of Judges about an unnamed Jewish family living in the hill country of Ephraim. On the surface, the family seems devout, even God-fearing. But as the story progresses, problems begin to emerge.
Be sure to read through the whole text, as our focus verses are but a small part of the story. There is a lot to tackle here. The Jewish family seems to follow the Lord. The son's name, Micah, even means "Who is like God?" But right away, we see cracks in their faithfulness. Micah is a thief who dishonors his mother by stealing her silver. He steals 1100 shekels, which is a very large sum. When he returns the silver, the mother says that she consecrates it to the Lord but there is no evidence this is done. She doesn't take the silver to the priests at the temple but rather gives it back to her son to make an idol. Note, only 200 shekels were given to the silversmith to make the idol; we don't know what happened to the remaining 900 shekels.
Idols are clearly against God's law, as is Micah's home shrine. He also establishes his own son as priest over the shrine. When a Levite man from elsewhere comes looking for a place to stay, Micah decides to pay him to be the family priest.
From the theft to having a family priest over a home shrine, the law is blatantly disobeyed. What is the author trying to teach us through this story? Why was it included in the book of Judges? Certainly, we need to look below the spiritual veneer. People and situations aren't always what they seem. Faithfulness to God is best demonstrated through actions, not words. While they may have professed faith in Yahweh, in everything this family did, they looked more pagan than Hebrew.
If an objective observer was peeking into your own life and home situation, what might they say about your faithfulness to God?
Let's pray...Almighty God, Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. In Your Name, Amen.
II Thessalonians 3
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II Thessalonians 3:6-10, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
In this concluding chapter of II Thessalonians, Paul admonishes a group in the church who are causing disruption by refusing to work. We don't know the details of the circumstances. It's possible that this group believed Jesus' second coming was imminent, so there was no need to work and earn a living. It could also be that this group found menial labor beneath them and wanted nothing to do with it. Finally, it could be a group of individuals who had grown accustomed, possibly even entitled, to the church's generosity and did not want to have to work in return. But Paul is clear: he worked and they would work too. Whatever their motivations, this group was disruptive and creating problems within the church. They would not be allowed to take advantage of the church's generosity.
As Christ-followers, we have clear commands from Jesus to care for the least of these. Jesus fed the hungry and cared for those who had little. The early church was obviously following the example of Christ and offering food to those who asked for it. But at some point, giving can lead to entitlement. Paul was certainly alluding to that.
Many of you know my background involves extensive work with homeless men, women, and families. I've struggled with these issues but this is basically where I've landed; we are called to care for the needy but we never want to harm others by destroying initiative or creating dependency. Historically, church outreach programs have engaged in one-directional giving, things like food giveaways, clothes closets, and soup kitchens. While there is a place for such ministry, it must be limited and targeted. To see meaningful change, we must address root causes, building real relationships and working with ministries that empower people to make hard but necessary long-term transformation.
Let's pray...Jesus, We want to care for the least and lost. Give us wisdom to do it in ways that are effective and lead to real transformation. Give us the courage to do hard things. In Your Name, Amen.
II Thessalonians 2
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II Thessalonians 2:1-3, Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.
In chapter one, Paul addresses the issue of persecution. In this chapter, he addresses false teaching. The Thessalonian church was highly concerned by teachers stating that Jesus had already come. To make matters worse, these false teachers were claiming to have Paul's authority in the teaching. Paul tells them not to be "easily unsettled or alarmed," because none of it is true. Jesus will not return until certain things have occurred, a certain event must occur (the rebellion) and a certain man must appear (the man of lawlessness, possibly the antichrist).
The point of this chapter is not to make specific claims about the end of times but rather to prove to the Thessalonians that the day of the Lord, Jesus' second coming, had not yet arrived. It's obvious that Paul wants them to stand firm in the faith and not be so easily deceived. In verse 5, Paul asks them, Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? He is imploring them to remember the truth they were taught and live like mature believers, putting deep roots into truth.
I often tell my kids to "remember who and whose they are." In some ways, I feel this is what Paul is telling the Thessalonians. Remember what I have taught you. Remember who you belong to. Don't allow the distractions and untruths of the world to get you off track or lead you astray.
Friends, remember who and whose you are.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, Help us stay grounded in you. The world is full of false teachers and distractions. Help us dig our roots deep in your Word. Help us hold tight to what is true. On our own, we don't do this very well. We need you, we need you, we need you! More of you, less of me, Jesus. In Your Name, Amen.
II Thessalonians 1
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II Thessalonians 1:5-6, All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you.
We are taking a break from Judges for a quick detour into the New Testament, as we explore Paul's second letter to the church at Thessalonica. Actually, the letter is written by Paul, Timothy, and Silas, but scholars consider Paul to be the primary author. The letter opens in a similar manner as I Thessalonians, with Paul giving thanks for the Thessalonian church. He is especially grateful for how their faith and love for one another has grown despite persecution. He even says that he boasts about how they have persevered in the midst of such difficulty. He doesn't give specifics about the persecution, but we can guess it was hostility directed at Christians by both gentile nonbelievers and Jews.
Today's focus verses begin to unpack Paul's theology on the suffering of believers. First, he alludes to the fact that faithful endurance, perseverance in the face of struggle, makes them very worthy of the Kingdom of God. Certainly, endurance of hardship and persecution was seen as a virtue in early Christianity. What a change a couple thousand years make! At least in Western Christianity, we tend to balk at any kind of discomfort and certainly try to avoid suffering at all costs.
But their suffering does NOT mean that God isn't with them. Paul states that God's judgment is right. Temporary suffering doesn't indicate God's rejection; it may be character building or redeemed in some other way. God won't waste their experience but use it to grow them and the Kingdom. After all, that's what it's all about.
The second element in today's focus verses is the concept of God's justice. God is all about just outcomes. He doesn't operate in a willy-nilly fashion but is fair and consistent. According to Paul, God considers it just to punish those who persecute the Thessalonians. This might be surprising to some, as we always focus on God's love. Yes, God is loving but God is also fair. Throughout Scripture, we read about God's righteous judgment. Knowing that God will judge others fairly frees us to simply extend love and grace and not feel the need to distribute our own judgment upon others. I'll close with Paul's words in Romans 12:19-21, Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, We thank you for both your amazing love and your righteous judgment. Give us the wisdom and desire to love others and leave the judgment to you. We trust you. In Your Name, Amen.
Judges 16
Judges 16 (NKJV)
22 “However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it had been shaven.” 28 “Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray!
Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
This chapter speaks more to our faith walk than the temptress Delilah's affair with strong man and Judge Samson."
At the beginning of the chapter, he continues to astonish the pagan people with his strength by ripping the heavy wood gate off their pins and breaking the iron locks. A single human could not lift one gate, and Samson ripped off two. He then carried the gates on his shoulders toward Hebron. Biblical translations vary, but Hebron was 40 miles away with at an elevation of 2500 hundred feet, an all-uphill climb. The text does not say, "the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him." We then are introduced to the infamous temptress, Delilah, who is the demise of Samson.
When we look back at the events of Samson's less-than-stellar rule as a judge, it is easy to shake our heads at what we read, but instead of shaking our heads, we should look in the mirror. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, not coming upon us at certain times. We have the holy and divine Word readily available electronically, and as I write this Daily SOAP, I am looking at all the printed Bibles I have. As believers under the Covenant of the New Testament, we are without excuse, yet we allow our sinful nature to "get the best of us," just as Samson did. We fail to follow Holy Spirit urgings and nudges given to guide us in what we are to do and to be; all part of why none of us are here by accident and why we were fearfully and wonderfully for this exact time.
Before completing this SOAP this morning, I was on a Seedbed Zoom Advent study. Today's focus was Joseph, the most underrated and understated person in the Christmas story, who played a crucial role. J.D. Walt spoke of Joseph’s dreams of marrying Mary and what their life together would be. On the other hand, there was God's dream. We have our dreams, and then God has his dream (singular) for our life; there is nothing better than God’s dream. God says to do the hard thing; I'll help you. I thought about the difficulty Joseph experienced, and yes, Samson as well. They both did hard things, Joseph when he married Mary, .and Samson when he took hold of the pillars in Dagon’s temple. As we come to the end of this calendar year, take time for a period of self-examination and reflection and listen as Mother Teresa said she did during an interview when asked about her prayer life. Ask God to reveal His Dream for your life. We have the privilege of playing a role in the story of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a privilege to play a role in your story! This is not a part we take should lightly. We need to know, know with certainty, and not what we want or think the role to be. It will more than likely be out of our comfort zone. You want us to stretch, grow, and flourish, not stagnate and wither. It will be hard at times, but as with Joseph and Samson, You were with them and will be with us. Give us wisdom, discernment, and clarity in this process of seeking. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.