Month: May 2024

Posted on

The Boast of Nations.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power. Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. Give victory to our king, O Lord! Answer our cry for help. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

King David writes this Psalm after achieving some miraculous victories over a few enemy nations, the Ammonites and Syrians. A main adversary, Hadadezer, had battled with Israel several times, but finally when this General fell, there was a long season of peace. 1 Samuel 10:19, “When all the kings allied with Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they surrendered to Israel and became their subjects. After that, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites.”

Israel had become powerful enough to accomplish peace in the entire region. David writes this Psalm, not to acknowledge his military might or ability – NO! David, as an experienced warrior recognized that Israel’s victories were because of the God they served. And, with a certain amount of humility David writes, “the Lord rescues his anointed king.” Then, he very poetically pens these famous words that would be quoted many times over in times of uncertainty – some nations boast of their chariots and horses… David knew that God had favored him and it was useless to pretend it was because of some amazing number chariots and horses.

Samuel mentions at one point that David had captured a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. There is no doubt that David had a massive arsenal of weapons and soldiers to go with them – maybe multiple times the number he captured. So, as the apex warrior of the ancient world, David knew how many chariots, horses, men, spears and swords he had in his massive army. But here in the Psalms he admits, it wasn’t his accomplishments, it was God’s victories and to boast in anything else would be foolish.

David’s success as a warrior would eventually prevent him from building a “home for God,” the temple. God said David’s hands were too bloody, and they were! (1 Chronicles 28:3). But here, David gives high praise and acknowledgement of God’s protection and fulfillment of promise to David and his legacy.

Prayer

​Dad,
Throughout our human history you have had rulers, kings and presidents rise to and fall from power. Some, you promoted and put in place, some you allowed to reign and wield their authority in wild and wicked ways. These rulers, mostly men, have been a mystery as to why some have been allowed to use and abuse their charisma and influence over nations. Whether we have good or godly leaders or tyrants and narcissistic, it is hard to understand your will and your ways through their time in power. The cycles of good or bad rising and falling continue to frustrate us. However, even though I do not understand, I do trust you. Even when I cannot see the reason, nor its end, I have faith in you and know that you are always just, true and right. Amen.

Posted on

Wisdom or Weakness.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul reminds the churches in Corinth that he didn’t show up to impress them with wisdom. Rather, Paul showed up with humility. What gifted orator would show up and hide their greatest gift? Paul would. And, he did. I am reminded that Paul gave more of his authentic self than he did his authoritative self. Paul had the credentials in both top level learning, having been trained by the best of the best rabbi’s – Gamaliel. However, Paul’s body bore the credentials of an outcast, a rebel and persecution – just read 2 Cor. 11:16+!

The interesting thing about Paul’s teaching approach to the Corinthians, is that Corinth is was oozing with wisdom, learning and endless philosophical debates. Mars Hill was known for its impromptu gatherings of the sharpest minds in the Roman Empire. It would be like pastoring in Berkeley, Boston or New Jersey. Contrarily, Paul did not come to impress, he came to empower. Corinth didn’t need another windbag, brainiac. The city needed someone who LIVED the gospel, not just knew it.

It’s the struggle with the old churches in the United States today – filled with knowledge about God, but limited in the behavior of a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led people. Paul knew the churches didn’t need better lectures they needed better examples of the godly life. Paul would purposely forget everything except Jesus and his crucifixion. Jesus dying in this manner of a criminal and not using the power of God for his own will and ways was considered to be weakness! Paul came in this weakness, this timidity and trembling. His messages weren’t dripping snappy sayings or meme-filled sound bites, they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit! Paul wanted the church needy and dependent on the same – the power of God.

How did Paul get this power? Through faith and obedience. By being led into synagogues and streets where the message of Christ was not accepted and he was beaten for delivering it. Paul went where the Holy Spirit directed even if he didn’t see results (ie: Troas or Crete). He determined to go to Rome to deliver the gospel to the Caesar himself, even though he was warned that it would mean imprisonment. The power of God came through humility of being poured out for the cause of Christ. It wasn’t impressive at all!

Paul knew what we should know today, people are not impressed by our memorized orthodoxy! But people will listen to our orthopraxy. We can explain love, spell love, define love and tell stories about love. But if we do not love, it’s just noise. It’s not preaching without good theology, but it is preaching out of humility and God’s power. Even the Corinthians, with all their heady, pride-puffed lives could see the difference. Paul did this so the church would not trust in human wisdom, but in the power of God.

The church still has a lot of name and claim it, church growth promises. Seven steps to get people in the front doors. Five steps to closing the back doors. Three steps to next steps. Get in, get saved, get pumped, get involved and just keep showing up to do church. The promise is that your church will grow. Was this Paul’s plan with the churches he planted? What was Paul’s sermon content while in town? What was Paul’s church growth instructions? I don’t think it was clever and persuasive training. Paul worked in the outdoor mall during the week and had hundreds of conversations with shoppers and other business owners. He was a tent maker by the week, went to synagogue on the Sabbath and church on Sunday. He preached Christ is risen in both places. He shared his own testimony of being a hitman for God, persecuting the very people that he would come to know as the Church. And in synagogue he would often be thrown out for heresy. And in churches he would be confronted as fake, a money grubbing charlatan. This is where Paul would practice the gospel!

Prayer

​Dad,
We have really over complicated Your Church. We’ve systemized the Spirit. We’ve worked at perfecting our message and methodology rather than our humility and dependency on Your Spirit doing the work of changing our human hearts. Do I come in humility as I lead or speak? Am I thinking about tickling ears, scoring amens, or hearing the occasional praise of “good sermon pastor?” Do I show weakness? Do I show a heavy heart for those I know are broken and going through excruciating relationships or physical problems in their bodies. Help me Oh Lord to depend more on your power than my own. Help me to lean on Your wisdom rather than my own. Help me live the gospel LOUDER than I speak about it. Amen.

Posted on

Storm sleeping peace.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭35‬-‭38‬ ‭NLT

Mark’s gospel, with its raw and punchy language, tells a progressively radical truth that Jesus has power over all things – proving He is God.

Jesus has healed the sick, kicked out demons and here he has power even over nature itself! It’s just my opinion, but open water in daylight is a delight. However, open water at night is a fright!

Whether it’s lake or sea, creepy things happen on the water when it gets into the bewitching hours of the night. Some of the disciples were seasoned fishermen, but even then, they respected the lake, especially at night.

Lake weather is tricky. The water can be like glass in the morning, but by three O’clock the winds can often create white capped waves. I was once in lake storm as a boy with my grandparents. We had a nice sunset cruise and had finished dinner out on Lake Mohave. It was dark, but my grandfather didn’t seem at all worried. Then, out of nowhere the wind turned into a squall. The waves were coming in and even over the boat. Grandpa had to head for shore as quickly as possible. He was scared that we would capsize! We spent the night at some random folks campsite. I’ll never forget it.

In this passage, as Peter tells this story to young Mark, the lake storm was fierce! It describes enough of the scene that anyone who’s been in a boat, in a storm like this, knows how terrifying it is. Then suddenly the story shifts to Jesus. It was Jesus’ idea to cross AT NIGHT. Where is Jesus and what is he doing? He’s sleeping in the stern on a pillow! The tumultuous storm with wind and wave, the men yelling out commands to row and bilge out the water as it came into the boat. Jesus was at peace – asleep.

The disciples woke Jesus up, not because they thought he could help, but because they were shocked that he seemed so disengaged with what was happening. They asked him, “Don’t you care?” They weren’t just being dramatic they thought this was the violent end to their life! The paraphrase would be, “how can you sleep as we go to our deaths?” Ouch, that’s gotta hurt! Jesus heard their fear and a complete lack of understanding about who was in the boat with them that night!

Jesus woke up and spoke to the storm. He spoke to the winds and waves! He spoke to nature itself like it was some petulant pet who had just misbehaved. ”he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. How is this supernatural miracle different from the others? The other miracles were of flesh and spirit – healing and exorcism. This was of the wild and irrational forces of the earth itself!

Commanding the wind to stop is a miraculous feat all on its own. But Mark tells us that even the waves stopped their motion! Jesus spoke two very cool Greek words to the wind; “siópaó” be quiet, and “phimoó” muzzle it! The wind obeyed its master and immediately “kopazó” grew weary of its gale. The waves also submitted and became greatly “galéné” calm. I’m not a physicist, but I’m pretty sure that stopping the wind and wave in motion is impossible! I can kind of see how the wind would die down quickly, but stopping waves in motion? How’s that work?

The object lesson of Jesus power over all things is certainly apparent because the disciples instantly feared Jesus more than the storm and asked “who is this guy?” Who is this, that wind and sea might obey him? God was in the boat. God was in the storm with them. And, when God made nature match his own internal character and emotion of PEACE, we should understand how powerful he really is! Are we capable of being calm in life’s worst storms? Is God with us? Why do we still fear? Can we have storm sleeping peace?

Prayer

Dad,
You are my peace in the middle of the storms that quickly arise all around me. Jesus did not have the disciples avoid the storm, Jesus took them through it. That’s how it is, right? Not peace avoiding the storm. It’s peace within the storm? When I am overwhelmed with fear, I need your peace that surpasses my understanding. Amen.

Posted on

Our Grand Globe

Reading Time: 2 minutes

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. See the ships sailing along, and Leviathan, which you made to play in the sea. Psalms‬ ‭104‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Psalmist often writes about God’s majesty and compares it to the grandness of the oceans of the world. I never get tired of looking out over the vast beauty of the sea! Whether I sit and gaze from a cliffside perch, dig my toes in the sand where the waves continually crash upon the shore, or look out from the bow of a ship sailing the deep blue depths where the horizon goes on forever. It is always an ominous moment. And, because I agree with the Psalmist of who created the massively vast ocean, I too am overwhelmed with God’s creativity.

Imagine sailing a great ship in ancient days and seeing a Leviathan, a giant sea creature playfully rise from the water and then disappear. Terrifying right? I have a tremendous respect for both the water and the beasts that live within it.

These are the visions and feelings the Psalmist wants us to emote about the grandness of God in all His glory. By the way, science has scoured the universes as far as they can telescopically see, searching for life out there somewhere. Our culture is obsessed with aliens and other life forms beyond the blackness and twinkling stars in the night sky. So far… nothing. Are we so unique and alone in creation. Is the earth deemed the “dark planet” as C.S. Lewis proposes in his space trilogy books? I don’t know.

However, I do know that God created a beautiful planet and determined to create us and give us this place to work, live and play. Even with its ominous dangers of places on the earth, and the even more dangerous humans who are broken and inhospitable, this place is still amazing. I agree with the author of this Psalm, what a great God we serve and what a glorious variety of things He has made.

Prayer

​Dad,
This place, this spinning, floating miracle is absolutely stunning to behold and explore. And the myriad of creatures and variety of plants are spectacularly amazing. From the mountains to the valleys, the deserts and the seas, we enjoy the beauty of all your creation. Thank you. As I fly past my five second neighbors on the highways of my city, I am also reminded of the individual beauty and wonder you created in every human being I see. Thank you for them as well. Let everything and everyone that has breath praise you for your unending beauty and grace! Amen.

Posted on

Unity in Diversity.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our recent sermon series we’ve been going through the image of God in us and through us. Our identity is reflective of God because He made us in His image. The Apostle Paul calls this out often within his 13 letters to the New Testament churches.

Here in Corinthians, Paul makes the case that even our body, made up of thousands of individual parts, make up one body. No part tries to outdo or take precedence over another. All our parts operate in total unity. Paul does not mention this, but the fact is Cancer is so dangerous and deadly precisely because it organizes rogue cells to commandeer control of the body. One cell becomes rebellious, seeking to destroy healthy cells by converting them to join their revolt.

Paul makes the unity object lesson, to point out the kind of unity believers should have in Christ. He uses two ethnic and two societal examples. Some are Jews, some Gentiles – both have been baptized into one body, one Spirit. Similarly, some are slaves, some are free – yet still we come into sharing the same Spirit. The Church is the one place where true diversity should exist!

The Bible doesn’t exalt or eliminate one ethos over another. All are created in the image of God, therefore ethnic groups should be celebrated. When culture aims to divide, bringing conflict and violence to obtain power of one over the other, the Bible aims to have unity within diversity because we are all one, all equal, all image-bearers of God.

Prayer

​Dad,
You know I absolutely love the beauty and wildly extravagant differences, not just in our humanness, but also in Your Church. Really, no two churches are alike! Yet we share the most important aspect of our existence – Christ! I do believe, going forward, it will increasingly critical for us to in unity on the basics of belief instead thrashing our differences in public spaces. And for those who are out of sync with the truth of the Word, I trust that you will separate them out in the end. Thank you for Your Church. Thank you that it is unstoppable in reaching across the thresholds of hell and snatching people from the gripping lies of the enemy.

Posted on

Waiting for Finality.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. ‭‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is among Joel’s most famously quoted prophecies. It however follows after the great and dreaded Day of the Lord. “You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed – vs.26‬-‭27‬. One promise God made to Joel that caught my attention. And God says it twice! ” Never again will my people be shamed.

Oh, my heart aches when I read this because I have only known a history of God’s chosen people, Israel being shamed. I know God is NOT referring to a nation, because throughout all the stories in the Bible, Judges, Kings and leaders have eventually failed. But still God promises a remnant, the “root of Jesse.” A few that God uses to rebuild a people set apart for Himself. And yes, because of Christ, we were grafted into the tree, and have become the children of God.
But still, the Jewish people, within the bounds of Israel or scattered throughout the world, are still living in shame.

I believe there are cycles that we go through, global cycles of pain, healing and restoration. We are in a very precarious cycle even now. The global and local scene is chaotic, unpredictable and violent. I know one thing – EVERYONE starts looking up! Modern culture seems to respond in a science+fiction (Sci-fi) manner, especially in media.

The writers, philosophers and producers start looking for hope in space, hope in technology, hope in scientific breakthroughs, and hope in human ingenuity as well. They will look for anything EXCEPT the creator for answers. But they all feel it, they all sense – just like we do, that we are in another cycle of instability. My hope is not in Sci-fi. Oh, I find it interesting. I’m even curious who these characters are talking to when they speak of aliens, gods or human heroes.

My hope is in God! My hope is not only in the fact that He is real, and He created us. It is also in the fact that God keeps His promises. He has proven this in His Word, the Bible. But not only that, which is really all that is necessary, God has also proven Himself to me personally! I have God’s Word + my experience in relationship with Him.

So, although it’s entertaining to see people scramble for answers in space, religious experiences or hang their hopes on humankind’s ability to fix or save itself. I’m betting my life on God. I don’t want or look forward for the END OF THE WORLD, but I do know it’s coming. Everyone knows it’s coming one day. What comes after that? It’s all in the book – the Bible.

Prayer

​Dad,
Robin said something last night that really hit me. Everyone is looking for the kingdom without The King! Everyone wants to be happy, wants peace and fulfillment out of this life. Everyone wants to be known, respected and feel valued. However, it’s within our human stubbornness to seek these things outside of You. “Oh, we want the good life, just without God!” Looking for other answers is like chasing shadows. Believing there is a way, a truth and a life outside of You is just a big fantastic, fabricated lie. We are so human. I’d ask for you to show Yourself in plain sight, but I know you’ve done that over and over. You are not hiding and neither is Your truth. Help us. Break our stone hearts and trade them out for hearts of flesh. Amen.

Posted on

The Teacher’s Shtick.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every great speaker or teacher has a shtick, a method, a way of setting them apart from the others in their profession. Rabbi’s told stories and they are really good at it. Think of a Andy Griffith giving Opie a life lesson or helping Barney learn how to be Sheriff himself one day. Mark writes about Jesus’ shtick, His go to method of teaching truth woven in with miracles and stories. Mark uses the word, parabolḗ, parable – which literally means to cast alongside. A well known teaching aid used in ancient times and still used today.

Parables are amazingly helpful when a real life object lesson, illustration or story is presented alongside the lesson to be learned, thus “casting additional light” which is often fictitious or metaphorical, but sometimes true itself. What makes this chapter even more unique is that Jesus tells three seed parables, but throws in a light or lamp illustration as well. This lamp parable gives a spotlight not only on the multiplying effect of truth, but also what these teaching aids do to help us listen, process and eventually learn how to apply truth to our everyday life.

Jesus profoundly says, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more.” Jesus used another linguistic trick here, playing a word alliteration game to help us remember. He uses the Greek word “metron” (measure) three times in rhythm driving the point home – use the measurement of how well you listen to measure how its usefulness to you. Then, Jesus will use that same measurement to decide how much MORE he gives you. Jesus gives us more truth, more understanding based on our listening capacity and our ability to put it into practice. It’s a compounding reinforcement of truth.

Let’s say we go for a walk in the woods and I want to teach someone survival skills. As we start out I say, “Look at those flowers over there.” Then I say, “The flowers are purple today.” The listener may think nothing of it. But after a bit more walking, I say, “Look at those flowers over there,” and ask, “What color are they?” The learner may say, “orange,” or “yellow.” Then at the end of the hike we stop and look over a field of flowers with many beautiful colors. I tell them that some are good for food, but others are poisonous. Then I ask, “What color was the first group of flowers spoken of at the beginning of the walk?” The ones who listened would remember their color? Did you remember without having to look back a couple of sentences? What if I told you that your survival depended on your knowledge of the color of the flowers? Let’s say the purple flowers are safe and eatable, but the others are deadly. Truth would be compounded into very useful information should you be stranded without food.

Jesus also highlighted a known necessity for learning – a healthy curiosity. The curious listener is a lifelong learner! Mark makes a profound observation in his gospel of Jesus’ life. Mark says, “In public ministry, Jesus never taught without using parables.” God wants us asking, seeking and knocking. God answers when we do! But maybe God answers to the measured level of our listening.

Prayer

​Dad,
I’m pretty sure that people only see the Bible as a means of knowing You, learning about Your will and ways. And, that’s true. But Your Word, being a lamp and light reveals not just spiritual truth, but also knowledge and wisdom of how the world works, how life itself works. Your Word goes far beyond just teaching us about yourself, it does just as much to teach about ourselves and others as well. Help me Oh Lord, not just be a multiple measured learning, but a compounded effective teacher as well. Amen.

Posted on

A Titan for Titus.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him. ‭‭Titus‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul introduces himself in this letter to his other “true son,” Titus. He does so in such a unique way. Paul’s business card would say he’s a “Slave of God,” and “an Apostle of Jesus Christ.” A (doulos), bond slave. And a (apostolos), commissioned messenger. Paul certainly lived and led a life that exemplified both of these titles. Paul, writing from Corinth, had two young men specifically chosen to Pastor churches that were struggling in their theology and practice. Both Ephesus and Cretan churches had gone off course. Both churches had allowed judaizers and dissidents to destroy the unity in the churches.

Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus and Titus to Crete. Both Timothy and Titus had served with and under Paul in the Corinth churches, so they were not inexperienced when it came to wacky theology and massive influence of powerful, societal and religious cultures in these cities. Paul’s charge to Titus was to begin work on setting up godly leadership within the church to help him Pastor. He wanted Titus to get things back on track of the church, living the gospel and being Jesus to the city. They had to get rid of these influencers who continued to propagate a heretical theology. Namely those who would add anything to the gospel, with a Jesus+ circumcision or food rules or separation of worship between Jews and Gentiles.

Paul immediately writes to tell Titus how to find and setup godly leaders, establishing local church governance by ordaining presbyters. It is here that we find how to bring order and unity into a church that will help it flourish in the community. Appoint (presbýteros) elders in each town. It is interesting that Paul’s biggest concern is the proper structure of leaders and leadership instead of church policy and procedures. Jesus, nor Paul gave a godly template for how a church should be organized or structured in its decision process, democracy or levels of authority. It is clearly up to these elders or leaders as to how the church should come together, make corporate decisions and effectively do the gospel.

Today churches are free to choose several different ways of “doing church.” However, they are all instructed similarly on how to choose its leaders. Why did Jesus not leave us a church template on how to “do” church or how to make unified decisions. Why didn’t Paul leave us a governance model? Could it be that the Church should depend on individuals listening and following the Holy Spirit, keeping in mind that Jesus is the true “head” of the Church. Every pastor, elder, presbyter is an under-shepherd to the great Shepherd! It is well known that a good leader means there will be a good organization. Great leader = great Church. Bad leaders not only lead poorly, they also allow dissension, disunity and division to happen. And unqualified or poorly prepared deacons do similar in church as well. The model of choosing godly leaders IS the template for corporate structure.

People may struggle with this leadership model, complaining about top down authority structures or having too much power at the top. Whether folks decide to deconstruct their faith or just quit attending a church, refusing to be a part of the internal change that needs to happen. We must remember, this how God chooses to structure His church. I don’t know if it’s possible to LOVE God and hate or even dislike the Church. It’s still God’s Church, that will never change.

Prayer

​Dad,
I’ve always wondered why the Bible hasn’t been more specific about how the Church should work, how it should look. Then I realized that any kind of structural methodology would not be flexible enough to work in New Testament times as well as today, or even the future. Like our own lives, you want us to lean into and be led by the Holy Spirit. That makes is so much more adaptable and simple over all the years. We are the ones that make things complicated! Thank you for Your Church – through all the highs and lows of change, it will not fail. It will accomplish your will. Amen.

Posted on

Holy Flair.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord. Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord. ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭28‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ll bet most of us would not think of God as consummate ancient fashion designer, would we? A Pastor friend of ours, Emily, told our church, “God is into timing and details,” Isn’t that the truth!

God gave Moses the buildout specs on the temple as well as the official priest-wear, when they were on duty. Earlier in chapter 28, God told Moses, “Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.” Not only for Aaron, but for his sons as well. And God commanded that they use the finest materials available – “give them fine linen cloth, gold thread, and blue, purple, and scarlet thread.” There was extreme detail given to Aaron’s breastplate, the beautifully ornate focal point of his uniform. However, the breastplate wasn’t just for aesthetic design only, no – it was practical as well. “Then, with great skill and care, make a chestpiece to be worn for seeking a decision from God. Make it to match the ephod, using finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. Make the chestpiece of a single piece of cloth folded to form a pouch nine inches square. Mount four rows of gemstones on it. The first row will contain a red carnelian, a pale-green peridot, and an emerald. The second row will contain a turquoise, a blue lapis lazuli, and a white moonstone. The third row will contain an orange jacinth, an agate, and a purple amethyst. The fourth row will contain a blue-green beryl, an onyx, and a green jasper. All these stones will be set in gold filigree. Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal.”

The chest pieces’ purpose: seeking a decision from God! In the myriad of detail, God had them place two unique stones and gave them names. God named the onyx gemstones! Urim and Thummim, in Hebrew, Urim means “lights” and Thummim means “perfection.” These objects were used to illuminate God’s perfect will when He was sought for answers.

These were not just Jewish Jibbitz! No one really knows what color the stones were because sadly, they disappeared when Israel went into Babylonian captivity and were never seen again. Modern images show one of them as white, the other black. Since God spoke directly to Moses, he had no need of these stones. From Aaron on through the High Priest’s role, this was a part of the job – discerning God’s will. These gemstones became a serious part of a holy decision making process. They were only sought in dire situations and only in a ceremonial process through the High Priest.

Fast forward to the New Testament. Jesus disciples had to replace Judas who was lost because of his betrayal. Acts 1:26, “Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.” Did casting lots replace the ancient decision process on determining the will of God? Possibly. It seems that both lots and the gemstones were used in the Old Testament, Proverbs mentions “lots” as well in 16:33, 18:18.

For today, casting lots or using some priestly technique of using the onyx stones is frowned upon. The best way to make decisions today for the believer is to simply seek and ask the Holy Spirit for help. James says, ask for wisdom. It is far more important to learn how to seek and wait for the guidance from the Holy Spirit than to throw out some stones, dice, sticks or use fortune cookies to determine our plans and next steps in following Jesus. God is not a gimmick, and the Holy Spirit is not a scratcher!

Prayer

​Dad,
I know that seeking, waiting and listening is not a perfect process. It feels fraught with a lot of selfishness, self-reflection and even self-doubt. Yet, this is what you’ve asked to do – ask, seek and knock! After learning your ways, it does become a little easier to ferret out my own motives, and begin to see your desires. It’s strange to reach a conclusion with a sense that the decision often goes against, or at least bristles my own will. I have made plenty of decisions against my own will, only to yield to your will. I guess that’s the point, right? However, I know that even when I do not choose your will or have made awful mistakes in big life decisions, your grace is sufficient to catch me, rescue me and get me back on the right path. Thank you for freedom to choose your will, your ways and your plans for my life. I do not take any of this for granted. Amen.

Posted on

Young men’s folly.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave. Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Proverbs sets up this interesting discussion about the dangers of womanly trickery. Whole chapters discuss her wily ways, alluringly, setting and snapping the death trap for men – young men in particular.

If Proverbs was a training manual for young Jewish boys, then these topics became salacious reading material. And, I’m sure there were secret whispers on the backside of the local synagogue. When I read these Proverbs, as a young man, I remember having visions of sleazy, vegas-strip like scenarios. I could viscerally feel the ick as I imagined some boy, wide-eyed and mesmerized, being lured in like a deer led to his demise. It was creepy, but appealing in a dangerous sort of way.

Proverbs 7 reads like a dirty magazine hidden under the mattress. I had not been to Vegas, nor visited a wayward women’s establishment nor a strip club. I have no personal experience with these awful, misguided, rights of passage. However, I no longer believe the wisdom writers and their teachers were attempting to mentally or visually tantalize the young souls of men.

Wisdom is saying something much deeper, much truer than blaming all the temptations on the temptress. I now believe EXACTLY what these verses propose. The woman’s name is Folly!

There are basically four words for foolish in Proverbs. One, in this description, is (kesiluth) stupidity! It’s the most benign of the four. It just means unlearned, unaware. Wisdom is the cure for stupid! However, we are fortunate because this verse contains the second most common word for foolish, (pethiyyuth) simple. It comes from the root word, (pathah) spacious, wide or open. As it pertains to a fool, it would mean, easily enticed, deceived or persuaded.

The warning doesn’t just come from the context of the young man being stupidly unaware and easily manipulated. It also comes with the voracity of this personified woman. This kind of tempter, is a (hamah) a predator who growls, and roars boisterously! There is a brash confidence to consume the innocence of their prey. There is far more than the sexual escapades of youth being allured by foolishness. Foolishness can be anything that deters, distracts, disengages a young man’s attention from doing what is right.

It may not seem as dangerous as succumbing to the seductive whispers of sexual freedom, but there are other temptations that lead to death. There are dares, bribes, and arrogance that surge in a young man’s soul. The triple-dog dare to lick the frozen pole. The bribe to try the latest social media challenge to huff, swallow or handle some untested experiment, experience or drug that puts one in an early grave. The rush of arrogance to be a somebody in demented group-think challenge of speed or reckless behavior.

The invitation to “come in with me,” isn’t always from a woman named Folly! It’s just as often a voice challenging a young man to prove himself by engaging in stupidity! And, the Proverb is 100%, accurately true – little do they know that the dead are there. And Folly’s guests are all found in the grave!

Our young men need Fathers. Our young men need mentors. I have seen more than just a delayed adolescence over the past several years. I have seen an extension of the folly season continue on into someone’s 20’s and 30’s. No wonder Wisdom BEGS us to listen. No wonder Wisdom constantly goes out searching, seeking for the simple so they might not become easy prey for the predators of foolishness.

Remember young men, the war for your heart and mind is real. Don’t be the casualty of folly! I have always recommended the Apostle Paul’s advice in 1 Cor. 15:33, “bad company corrupts good morals.” Get out while you can. Run from Folly. Embrace Wisdom.

Prayer

Dad,
Help us! Rescue us from ourselves and those who prey on the innocence of our youth. You found me and saved me. Pour out Your Spirit on our young men all over the globe. Meet them, Father them, as you have done for me. Amen.