For the past three months I have been spending two days a week working through the Minor Prophets. I must admit that as I began I had no idea of what God might teach me from these often forgotten final books in the Old Testament. To be honest, in twenty-six years of preaching ministry I had only preached through four of them: Hosea, Jonah (of course, everyone preaches this book), Habakkuk, and Malachi. And, although I teach Minor Prophets as part of our "Cover-to-Cover" Bible Survey, I still felt uncomfortable with many of these books which had been part of the Old Testament canon for over two millennia.
Because God always honors His Word, my heart began to get both excited and challenged as I read and pondered biblical truth. One of the recurring themes, I found, has tremendous importance for the evangelical world today. That theme: the perils of a false religion.
Now, I know what you will respond: "I go to an evangelical, Bible-teaching church. That is certainly not a false religion." Perhaps you are correct; if so, praise God. But, perhaps your worship has become as routine as that of ancient Israel. Perhaps it is time that we listen to the prophets.
Both Hosea and Amos were prophets in the days of the Northern Kingdom. It was the closing days of the reign of Jeroboam II, a competent king who brought prosperity and peace to his kingdom. If you read carefully the account in Amos 6:4-7 one gets the picture of a people who have too much money, too much idle time, and too little purpose for living.
One of the areas of alarm for these men of God was the watering down of religion. The term used is that of syncretization. It is defined as the union of something false with something true. It was the marrying of paganism with the worship of God Himself. Hosea expresses it this way: "They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God" (Hosea 4:12). Yet these same people continued the pretense of offering sacrifices to God: "When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them" (Hosea 5:6).
Amos expresses this same truth with even more defined language: "Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings - boast of them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do, declares the Sovereign LORD" (Amos 4:4-5). Bethel was the place where Jeroboam I had built his first altar to the calf-god he appointed to be Israel's god after the division of the kingdom. Gilgal, the place where Joshua led the people in a renewal of their covenant vows to God after crossing the Jordan River, had become a scene of mixed worship. Amos is declaring that the people performed religious rites so that they could boast about them: how wonderful their worship was, how many offerings were given on a particular day; how many people came. I wonder - don't we do something similar today? We meet with other ministry leaders and compare notes: how big is our congregation; what type of worship music do we use; how big is our budget; how many people we have on staff.
But then Amos is particularly clear about how God views this syncretistic, all-inclusive, focus-on-me worship: "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps" (Amos 5:21-23). As I read these verses and others from the pens of these ancient spokesmen for God, I began to ponder what Hosea or Amos would say from God about our worship today. How much of what we do on a Sunday morning is mere ritual, done so thoughtlessly? How many of our songs are mere noise to God because we merely sing with our lips instead of from our hearts? How many of our sermons are focused on helping people feel good about themselves, rather than challenging them to become what God would desire them to be?
Friends, I don't have easy answers to these questions. But I am concerned about the direction the Church is going. Michael Horton in his masterful treatise titled, "Christless Christianity," (this is must reading) stated: "Instead of ambassadors, heralds, reporters, and witnesses, pastors become entrepreneurs, managers, coaches, therapists, marketing gurus, and communication specialists. With this transition, the focus necessarily falls on what we do and Jesus' s role is reduced to an example." He continues, "This means that much of our ministry today is law without gospel, exhortation without news, instruction without an announcement, deeds without creeds, with the accent on 'What Would Jesus Do?' rather than "What Has Jesus Done?' None of us is immune to this indictment that we are losing our focus upon, confidence in, and increasingly our knowledge of the greatest story ever told."
So, let us heed the warning from the prophets. Before society can change, the Church needs to change. It needs to rediscover its purpose. It needs to rediscover the Gospel. It needs to redefine its purpose for worship. It needs a new awakening with God!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Heat Is On in Israel
The heat is really building in Israel these days. Yes, it is one of the hottest summers on record there. Drought conditions are beginning to take a toll on some of the olive trees and other crops. Water, which is always a precious commodity even during cooler days, has become a critical issue. How much lower can the Sea of Galilee drop?
But heat is building in another way as well. As you may have heard, although many American news media ignored the story or simply tucked it away in the middle of the paper, the IDF (Israel Defense Force) was involved in a firefight with the regular Lebanese army along the border yesterday (August 3). According to some Jewish papers, the attack was a well-planned ambush by the Lebanese army, accompanied by media. The attack began when the IDF attempted to uproot several trees within Israeli territory in order to remove the branches that were interfering with the electronic detection devices. In the firefight, one IDF officer was struck in the head and died; another IDF officer was hit in the chest and is in serious condition. When the IDF returned fire, three Lebanese soldiers and one media journalist were killed. David Dolan, a former CBS reporter and now a free-lance journalist living in Israel, reported that, as a result of this attack, the Israeli military was on high alert.
Not only was there an attack on the northern border, but on Monday morning (August 2), the Israeli port city on the Gulf of Aqaba - Eilat -was hit with five Katyusha rockets. Thankfully, they caused no casualties and little damage. However, one rocket did strike the Jordanian city of Aqaba resulting in the death of one individual. This morning (Wednesday, August 4) Egyptian sources admitted that the rocket attack was launched from within Egyptian territory in the Sinai. Many suspect that Hamas was responsible.
Finally, this morning (Wednesday, August 4), the IDF killed a Gaza terrorist and wounded two others as they approached the security fence in Gaza. Just last Friday (July 30), IDF planes struck a Hamas stronghold, killing a Hamas commander. This followed a Hamas rocket attack on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, just north of the Gaza Strip.
Are these attacks mere coincidences? Was this a coordinated plan? Could this be the beginning of the next Middle East War - a war I refer to as the Psalm 83 War? Are the Egyptians involved in that war? Yes. Are the Lebanese involved? Yes. Is the Gaza Strip and Hamas involved? Yes. Is war an option on the table? At least according to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, the answer is yes. According to the Palestinian Media Watch (July 18), Abbas told the Arab leaders that "If you want war, and if all of you will fight Israel, we are in favor. But the Palestinians will not fight alone because they don't have the ability to do it."
Friends, keep your Bibles open these days because God is literally bringing many of the Old Testament prophecies to life. Can the return of the King be that far away? Can the sounding of the trumpet be near? Stay tuned as God continues to reveal His story.
But heat is building in another way as well. As you may have heard, although many American news media ignored the story or simply tucked it away in the middle of the paper, the IDF (Israel Defense Force) was involved in a firefight with the regular Lebanese army along the border yesterday (August 3). According to some Jewish papers, the attack was a well-planned ambush by the Lebanese army, accompanied by media. The attack began when the IDF attempted to uproot several trees within Israeli territory in order to remove the branches that were interfering with the electronic detection devices. In the firefight, one IDF officer was struck in the head and died; another IDF officer was hit in the chest and is in serious condition. When the IDF returned fire, three Lebanese soldiers and one media journalist were killed. David Dolan, a former CBS reporter and now a free-lance journalist living in Israel, reported that, as a result of this attack, the Israeli military was on high alert.
Not only was there an attack on the northern border, but on Monday morning (August 2), the Israeli port city on the Gulf of Aqaba - Eilat -was hit with five Katyusha rockets. Thankfully, they caused no casualties and little damage. However, one rocket did strike the Jordanian city of Aqaba resulting in the death of one individual. This morning (Wednesday, August 4) Egyptian sources admitted that the rocket attack was launched from within Egyptian territory in the Sinai. Many suspect that Hamas was responsible.
Finally, this morning (Wednesday, August 4), the IDF killed a Gaza terrorist and wounded two others as they approached the security fence in Gaza. Just last Friday (July 30), IDF planes struck a Hamas stronghold, killing a Hamas commander. This followed a Hamas rocket attack on the Israeli city of Ashkelon, just north of the Gaza Strip.
Are these attacks mere coincidences? Was this a coordinated plan? Could this be the beginning of the next Middle East War - a war I refer to as the Psalm 83 War? Are the Egyptians involved in that war? Yes. Are the Lebanese involved? Yes. Is the Gaza Strip and Hamas involved? Yes. Is war an option on the table? At least according to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, the answer is yes. According to the Palestinian Media Watch (July 18), Abbas told the Arab leaders that "If you want war, and if all of you will fight Israel, we are in favor. But the Palestinians will not fight alone because they don't have the ability to do it."
Friends, keep your Bibles open these days because God is literally bringing many of the Old Testament prophecies to life. Can the return of the King be that far away? Can the sounding of the trumpet be near? Stay tuned as God continues to reveal His story.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Of Timelines
As I sit and write this blog, the clouds are beginning to thicken and to grow darker gray with each passing minute. Right now - 6:00 p.m. CDT - it is 93 outside with a heat index of 104. Feels like the tropics. The storm clouds are gathering. The watches have been posted. The sirens are in place. It is summertime in Minnesota.
Today was our end of the month prophecy lunch. A group of about 30-35 of us meet twice a month to discuss current events in the light of prophetic truth. We have now completed our third year. Our eyes have been opened in a new way to see what God is doing in His world. We have become more aware of His sovereignty over the nations. We have not always been grateful for how God has directed - the 2008 elections being a case in point - but, nonetheless, we are confident that God is in control.
The topic for today was the continued development of our prophetic timeline. Today we waded through the book of Revelation in 90 minutes. We examined the time markers within the book, identifying three that are fairly concrete. The first is the beginning of the tribulation which is clearly defined for us, not in Revelation, but in Daniel 9:27. The tribulation will begin the moment the ink is dry on an agreement, a covenant, between the Antichrist and the nation of Israel. When will that occur? The Bible does not tell us, but there are many signs that point toward its being soon. The second concrete date is found in Revelation 11 and 13. We know it as the midpoint of the tribulation, or three and a half years after it begins. At that point, the two witnesses who have bothered the heck out of the Antichrist will be killed; the world will celebrate (you will notice in Revelation that this is the only occasion of celebration recorded during the time of the tribulation); the voice of heaven will summon these two into glory; and the Antichrist will then erect an image of himself in the temple and force everyone to worship him. The third and final concrete date is found in Revelation 19 and comes at the end when Jesus Christ comes to destroy the forces of evil at Armageddon and to claim His throne in Jerusalem.
Those are the only markers we have on our prophetic timeline. All the other events such as the Rapture of the Church, the Ezekiel 38-39 campaigns of Gog and Magog, the Psalm 83 War, and the events of the tribulation are placed on the timeline, not with a concrete absoluteness, but with an "I-think-so" based upon an understanding of the text.
While it is interesting to create and to discuss timelines of prophetic truth, the real focus is upon the various texts themselves. It is the Word of God that leads us to truth, not timelines of our creation.
If you are in the Twin Cities area on either the second or fourth Tuesday of the month, I extend an invitation for you to join us for one of these lunches. We meet from 11:30 until 1:00 p.m., or until the last question has been asked and the last comment has been made. The calendar is also posted on our website: www.vsb.net.
Keep looking to the sky. Storm clouds are on the horizon, not just for a physical storm, but the clouds that indicate the Lord is soon to return.
Today was our end of the month prophecy lunch. A group of about 30-35 of us meet twice a month to discuss current events in the light of prophetic truth. We have now completed our third year. Our eyes have been opened in a new way to see what God is doing in His world. We have become more aware of His sovereignty over the nations. We have not always been grateful for how God has directed - the 2008 elections being a case in point - but, nonetheless, we are confident that God is in control.
The topic for today was the continued development of our prophetic timeline. Today we waded through the book of Revelation in 90 minutes. We examined the time markers within the book, identifying three that are fairly concrete. The first is the beginning of the tribulation which is clearly defined for us, not in Revelation, but in Daniel 9:27. The tribulation will begin the moment the ink is dry on an agreement, a covenant, between the Antichrist and the nation of Israel. When will that occur? The Bible does not tell us, but there are many signs that point toward its being soon. The second concrete date is found in Revelation 11 and 13. We know it as the midpoint of the tribulation, or three and a half years after it begins. At that point, the two witnesses who have bothered the heck out of the Antichrist will be killed; the world will celebrate (you will notice in Revelation that this is the only occasion of celebration recorded during the time of the tribulation); the voice of heaven will summon these two into glory; and the Antichrist will then erect an image of himself in the temple and force everyone to worship him. The third and final concrete date is found in Revelation 19 and comes at the end when Jesus Christ comes to destroy the forces of evil at Armageddon and to claim His throne in Jerusalem.
Those are the only markers we have on our prophetic timeline. All the other events such as the Rapture of the Church, the Ezekiel 38-39 campaigns of Gog and Magog, the Psalm 83 War, and the events of the tribulation are placed on the timeline, not with a concrete absoluteness, but with an "I-think-so" based upon an understanding of the text.
While it is interesting to create and to discuss timelines of prophetic truth, the real focus is upon the various texts themselves. It is the Word of God that leads us to truth, not timelines of our creation.
If you are in the Twin Cities area on either the second or fourth Tuesday of the month, I extend an invitation for you to join us for one of these lunches. We meet from 11:30 until 1:00 p.m., or until the last question has been asked and the last comment has been made. The calendar is also posted on our website: www.vsb.net.
Keep looking to the sky. Storm clouds are on the horizon, not just for a physical storm, but the clouds that indicate the Lord is soon to return.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thoughts on Tish B'Av
Everyday is a special day in that each one is a gift to us from God. How often do we take a day for granted. We just assume that we will wake up in the morning and go to bed in the evening. For many of us, days become just that...days. We fight the traffic on the way to our office, fulfill our responsibilities, fight the traffic on our return trip home, swallow a meal without thinking, then head off to the gym or to a meeting of some type or other, finally ending in bed for a fitful sleep. We awaken in the morning and begin all over again.
But what if days took on a new meaning? What if there was a specialness about some of the days? Well, today, July 20, is one of those special days in Judaism. It is known as Tish B'Av - the ninth day of the month Av. Yes, I can hear what you are thinking...what does this Tish B'Av have to do with me; I am not Jewish? You are correct, but I hope that, after you hear about Tish B'Av, you will have a better understanding of why this is an important day in Israel and in Judaism.
According to Jewish history and tradition, it was on this day in 586 BC, that the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the first temple as well as the city of Jerusalem. This came as a consequence of Israel's rebellion against God and their forsaking of the covenant God had made with them. The captivity in Babylon would last for seventy years. Another temple would be built, first by Zerubabbel, then expanded by King Herod the Great. This was the temple that Jesus visited on numerous occasions, including twice when He drove out the money-changers. Jesus told His disciples that this temple, too, would be destroyed. And, on the same day - Tish B'Av - the Romans, under Titus, destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem. So both the first and second temples were destroyed on the same day...just 656 years apart.
Troubles seem to have their beginnings for the Jews on this day. On Tish B'Av in 1095, Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade which resulted in the murder of over 10,000 Jews by eager Christians on their way to liberate the Holy Land. It was on this day, in 1492, that all the Jews were expelled from Spain by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (of Christopher Columbus fame). It was on Tish B'Av that World War I began in 1914, that resulted in the devastation of Europe and set the stage for the rise of Hitler and Nazism. And it was on Tish B'Av in 1942 that the mass deportation of Jews began from the Warsaw Ghetto en route to Treblinka.
This is a day of fasting and mourning for our Jewish friends as they remember the anguish caused by this day throughout their history. On Tish B'Av, there is no eating or drinking (it is a fast day); no washing or bathing; no application of creams or body oils; and no sexual relations. As part of the rituals for Tish B'Av is the reading of the Book of Lamentations. You will remember that this book was written by Jeremiah in 586 BC as he watched the destruction of his beloved city of Jerusalem. Perhaps at least parts of this book were written on Tish B'Av.
But it is with Lamentations that I wish now to turn for a few moments. This is a book of death and destruction; of judgment because of sins. It is not an easy book to read, nor is it a particularly exciting book to teach or to preach from. Yet, almost smack-dab in the middle of this book of holocaust proportions are these words: "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young." (Lamentations 3:22-27).
Do you hear what Jeremiah is saying? Everyday is a special day because everyday is filled with the newness of God. Ordinary days with God? Hardly! They are filled with His presence and reminders of His faithfulness. Boring days with God? Hardly! They are only boring because we are not watching with expectations for those acts of God's faithfulness.
Tish B'Av - a day of fasting and mourning for our Jewish friends. But it is also a day when we are reminded that God is still faithful to His Word and to His promises. So, enjoy this day and tomorrow and the day after that, etc. as being a gift from Him.
But what if days took on a new meaning? What if there was a specialness about some of the days? Well, today, July 20, is one of those special days in Judaism. It is known as Tish B'Av - the ninth day of the month Av. Yes, I can hear what you are thinking...what does this Tish B'Av have to do with me; I am not Jewish? You are correct, but I hope that, after you hear about Tish B'Av, you will have a better understanding of why this is an important day in Israel and in Judaism.
According to Jewish history and tradition, it was on this day in 586 BC, that the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the first temple as well as the city of Jerusalem. This came as a consequence of Israel's rebellion against God and their forsaking of the covenant God had made with them. The captivity in Babylon would last for seventy years. Another temple would be built, first by Zerubabbel, then expanded by King Herod the Great. This was the temple that Jesus visited on numerous occasions, including twice when He drove out the money-changers. Jesus told His disciples that this temple, too, would be destroyed. And, on the same day - Tish B'Av - the Romans, under Titus, destroyed the temple and the city of Jerusalem. So both the first and second temples were destroyed on the same day...just 656 years apart.
Troubles seem to have their beginnings for the Jews on this day. On Tish B'Av in 1095, Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade which resulted in the murder of over 10,000 Jews by eager Christians on their way to liberate the Holy Land. It was on this day, in 1492, that all the Jews were expelled from Spain by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella (of Christopher Columbus fame). It was on Tish B'Av that World War I began in 1914, that resulted in the devastation of Europe and set the stage for the rise of Hitler and Nazism. And it was on Tish B'Av in 1942 that the mass deportation of Jews began from the Warsaw Ghetto en route to Treblinka.
This is a day of fasting and mourning for our Jewish friends as they remember the anguish caused by this day throughout their history. On Tish B'Av, there is no eating or drinking (it is a fast day); no washing or bathing; no application of creams or body oils; and no sexual relations. As part of the rituals for Tish B'Av is the reading of the Book of Lamentations. You will remember that this book was written by Jeremiah in 586 BC as he watched the destruction of his beloved city of Jerusalem. Perhaps at least parts of this book were written on Tish B'Av.
But it is with Lamentations that I wish now to turn for a few moments. This is a book of death and destruction; of judgment because of sins. It is not an easy book to read, nor is it a particularly exciting book to teach or to preach from. Yet, almost smack-dab in the middle of this book of holocaust proportions are these words: "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young." (Lamentations 3:22-27).
Do you hear what Jeremiah is saying? Everyday is a special day because everyday is filled with the newness of God. Ordinary days with God? Hardly! They are filled with His presence and reminders of His faithfulness. Boring days with God? Hardly! They are only boring because we are not watching with expectations for those acts of God's faithfulness.
Tish B'Av - a day of fasting and mourning for our Jewish friends. But it is also a day when we are reminded that God is still faithful to His Word and to His promises. So, enjoy this day and tomorrow and the day after that, etc. as being a gift from Him.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Obama and Netanyahu: A Photo Op or Real Substance?
Yesterday, July 6, President Obama welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House. Unlike the previous five visits over the course of the past 14 months, our President rolled out the red carpet for the leader of the only democratic government in the Middle East. You might remember that earlier this year, when the Prime Minister was at the White House, President Obama left him for a dinner engagement and basically told the Prime Minister to call when he was ready to talk. Tensions then increased between the American and Israeli governments.
Yesterday, however, was a piece of scripted perfection. As Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, said, there were more photographers at the White House than had been at the Academy Awards ceremony this spring. The photos of both leaders adorned with smiles and engaged in a hefty hand-shake dotted the front pages of the major newspapers around the world. This indicated that all is now well...correct?
As I have had the opportunity of reading several international papers this morning, particularly from Israel, I am left wondering at exactly what was said during their 79 minute talk. What conclusions did these two leaders reach on resolving the nuclear threat from Iran? What promises were made concerning the settlement issue in east Jerusalem and the West Bank? What timetables were established for the continuation of talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians toward a two-state solution? Reporters are unsure as to what was discussed. But the platitudes flowed freely from the lips of both the President and the Prime Minister. You might have thought that they were bosom friends.
I have a guarded caution about yesterday's meeting. I am well aware that political leaders have a propensity for telling the press and the people what they want to hear. Accolades are spoken and promises made that merely linger on the lips. The track record of the Obama Administration with regard to Israel has certainly not been consistent. He has told one thing to the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, when he visited Washington in June. Now he declares American fidelity to Israel. One would like for the real Barak Obama to step forward.
Friends, the more I read the Old Testament prophets, the more I am becoming increasingly aware that the nation of Israel will be isolated from the world community before Jesus Christ comes to claim His throne. Their only ally will be God Himself. Of course He is the best ally for anyone to have. Therefore I am not surprised at how America is distancing itself from Israel. It is part of God's prophetic plan.
Before I sign off I want to just remind you of one significant passage. It is Joel 3:2 - "I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." Did you notice that last phrase? God will judge the nations because they "divided up His land." Two states? God says, "NO!" A divided Jerusalem? God says, "NO!" Just something to think about.
I will be taking a couple of weeks off from my blog, spending some time with our family in Texas. But, remember to keep your eyes focused upon the Word of God and keep your ears in readiness to listen for the trumpet. It could sound any day. "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!"
Yesterday, however, was a piece of scripted perfection. As Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, said, there were more photographers at the White House than had been at the Academy Awards ceremony this spring. The photos of both leaders adorned with smiles and engaged in a hefty hand-shake dotted the front pages of the major newspapers around the world. This indicated that all is now well...correct?
As I have had the opportunity of reading several international papers this morning, particularly from Israel, I am left wondering at exactly what was said during their 79 minute talk. What conclusions did these two leaders reach on resolving the nuclear threat from Iran? What promises were made concerning the settlement issue in east Jerusalem and the West Bank? What timetables were established for the continuation of talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians toward a two-state solution? Reporters are unsure as to what was discussed. But the platitudes flowed freely from the lips of both the President and the Prime Minister. You might have thought that they were bosom friends.
I have a guarded caution about yesterday's meeting. I am well aware that political leaders have a propensity for telling the press and the people what they want to hear. Accolades are spoken and promises made that merely linger on the lips. The track record of the Obama Administration with regard to Israel has certainly not been consistent. He has told one thing to the Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, when he visited Washington in June. Now he declares American fidelity to Israel. One would like for the real Barak Obama to step forward.
Friends, the more I read the Old Testament prophets, the more I am becoming increasingly aware that the nation of Israel will be isolated from the world community before Jesus Christ comes to claim His throne. Their only ally will be God Himself. Of course He is the best ally for anyone to have. Therefore I am not surprised at how America is distancing itself from Israel. It is part of God's prophetic plan.
Before I sign off I want to just remind you of one significant passage. It is Joel 3:2 - "I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land." Did you notice that last phrase? God will judge the nations because they "divided up His land." Two states? God says, "NO!" A divided Jerusalem? God says, "NO!" Just something to think about.
I will be taking a couple of weeks off from my blog, spending some time with our family in Texas. But, remember to keep your eyes focused upon the Word of God and keep your ears in readiness to listen for the trumpet. It could sound any day. "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!"
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Prophet Micah and Today's God
I have been spending some quality time this week working through the Book of Micah. As I have shared with you before, my favorite book in the Bible is Isaiah. What a grand book that is! And, when I teach Old Testament Survey, I devote almost an entire evening just to Isaiah. And I have always apologized to Micah, whose book is also taught that same evening. Well, after my time this week, I just may have to rescind that apology and spend more time sharing with my students the wonderful truths that flow from his pen.
Micah was a contemporary with Isaiah. While the latter was engaged in sharing with Hezekiah and the court, Micah was out working the streets. His was a message that the laypeople truly needed to hear. It is full of judgment, yet also hope, especially as built around the Shepherd-King would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Micah also describes Him as the Breaker-King (Micah 2:13).
But, one passage that greatly intrigued me was Micah 2:6 -' "Do not prophesy," their prophets say. "Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will overtake us." ' The religious leaders are highly critical of Micah's message and demand that he stop his preaching immediately. Their reason being that what Micah is preaching is running counter to what they are proclaiming. If I could paraphrase this verse it would say, "Micah, stop your preaching immediately. You are making us look bad in front of the people."
Now, as I read this passage, my heart immediately raced toward those words of the Apostle Paul to his young colleague Timothy. You remember those words: "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" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Is that not exactly what is happening today? People attend church and want to leave feeling good. I call it "the I'm OK, you're OK" Syndrome. Don't rock the boat! Don't make people feel uncomfortable! Don't challenge their thinking! Don't encourage them to have a life-change!
Recently I read an article written by R. Albert Mohler, president of Southwest Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. The article was titled, "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism - the New American Religion." You can read the article at: www.christianpost.com. Allow me to share a few quotes from the article, which was based on research done by Christian Smith and the National Study of Youth and Religion at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).
"As described by Smith and his team, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism consists of beliefs like these: 1. A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth. (You might remember that song from years ago titled, God is Watching Over Us from a Distance - my note). 2. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions. 3. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself. 4. God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem. 5. Good people go to heaven when they die." Friends, I think that is a pretty apt description of what most preaching is like today. Let's make our congregants feel good about themselves. Let's assure them that all is well!
The article continued: "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is also about providing therapeutic benefits to its adherents. As the researchers explained, 'This is not a religion of repentance from sin, of keeping the Sabbath, of living as a servant of sovereign divinity, of steadfastly saying one's prayers, of faithfully observing high holy days, of building character through suffering, of basking in God's love and grace, of spending oneself in gratitude and love for the cause of social justice, et cetera. Rather, what appears to be the actual dominant religion among U.S. teenagers is centrally about feeling good, happy, secure, at peace. It is about attaining subjective well-being, being able to resolve problems, and getting along amiably with other people.'"
So, who is this Moralistic Therapeutic Deistic god? "In short, God is something like a combination of Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist: he is always on call, takes cares of any problems that arise, professionally helps his people to feel better about themselves, and does not become too personally involved in the process."
This is the god of today's young people. This is the god that they will bring into the churches they elect to attend as adults. This is the god they will rely upon in their hour of crisis. Yet, this god is just as pagan as were the idols that were paraded down the streets of Jerusalem during the days of Micah. Perhaps it is time for us to be as confrontation as was Micah. After all the real God did not call us to achieve success in a popularity poll. He has called us to be salt and light - salt, which irritates, and light, which exposes. Neither is particularly pleasant, but, if the world is to hear truth, we must recommit ourselves to being just that.
Micah was a contemporary with Isaiah. While the latter was engaged in sharing with Hezekiah and the court, Micah was out working the streets. His was a message that the laypeople truly needed to hear. It is full of judgment, yet also hope, especially as built around the Shepherd-King would come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Micah also describes Him as the Breaker-King (Micah 2:13).
But, one passage that greatly intrigued me was Micah 2:6 -' "Do not prophesy," their prophets say. "Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will overtake us." ' The religious leaders are highly critical of Micah's message and demand that he stop his preaching immediately. Their reason being that what Micah is preaching is running counter to what they are proclaiming. If I could paraphrase this verse it would say, "Micah, stop your preaching immediately. You are making us look bad in front of the people."
Now, as I read this passage, my heart immediately raced toward those words of the Apostle Paul to his young colleague Timothy. You remember those words: "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" (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Is that not exactly what is happening today? People attend church and want to leave feeling good. I call it "the I'm OK, you're OK" Syndrome. Don't rock the boat! Don't make people feel uncomfortable! Don't challenge their thinking! Don't encourage them to have a life-change!
Recently I read an article written by R. Albert Mohler, president of Southwest Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. The article was titled, "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism - the New American Religion." You can read the article at: www.christianpost.com. Allow me to share a few quotes from the article, which was based on research done by Christian Smith and the National Study of Youth and Religion at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill).
"As described by Smith and his team, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism consists of beliefs like these: 1. A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth. (You might remember that song from years ago titled, God is Watching Over Us from a Distance - my note). 2. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible and by most world religions. 3. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself. 4. God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when God is needed to resolve a problem. 5. Good people go to heaven when they die." Friends, I think that is a pretty apt description of what most preaching is like today. Let's make our congregants feel good about themselves. Let's assure them that all is well!
The article continued: "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism is also about providing therapeutic benefits to its adherents. As the researchers explained, 'This is not a religion of repentance from sin, of keeping the Sabbath, of living as a servant of sovereign divinity, of steadfastly saying one's prayers, of faithfully observing high holy days, of building character through suffering, of basking in God's love and grace, of spending oneself in gratitude and love for the cause of social justice, et cetera. Rather, what appears to be the actual dominant religion among U.S. teenagers is centrally about feeling good, happy, secure, at peace. It is about attaining subjective well-being, being able to resolve problems, and getting along amiably with other people.'"
So, who is this Moralistic Therapeutic Deistic god? "In short, God is something like a combination of Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist: he is always on call, takes cares of any problems that arise, professionally helps his people to feel better about themselves, and does not become too personally involved in the process."
This is the god of today's young people. This is the god that they will bring into the churches they elect to attend as adults. This is the god they will rely upon in their hour of crisis. Yet, this god is just as pagan as were the idols that were paraded down the streets of Jerusalem during the days of Micah. Perhaps it is time for us to be as confrontation as was Micah. After all the real God did not call us to achieve success in a popularity poll. He has called us to be salt and light - salt, which irritates, and light, which exposes. Neither is particularly pleasant, but, if the world is to hear truth, we must recommit ourselves to being just that.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Small People
Last Wednesday, June 16, after a day of intense grilling in the White House, the Chairman of British Petroleum, better known as BP, Carl-Henric Svanberg, stopped and delivered a statement to reporters. Then he decided to respond to a few questions. Among the comments that he made were these: "He (speaking of President Obama) is frustrated because he cares about the small people and we care about the small people. ... I hear comments sometimes that large oil companies are greedy companies or don't care. But that is not the case in BP. We care about the small people."
Immediately the media had a hay-day with that term "small people." They accused the Chairman of being insensitive to the small business owners along the Gulf Coast who have had their livelihoods either threatened or destroyed because of the oil spill. They said that this was the attitude of big-business to look out for only themselves and not to care about others. The next day, a spokesman for BP said that Mr. Svanberg's comments were due to a language barrier: Mr. Svanberg is a Swede and his abilities to communicate in English were not the best.
As I listened to the replays of his comments, I knew what he meant. And I think every American knew what he meant. It was not a derogatory term. He was not looking down upon the shrimp and oyster fisheries or the tourist shops or the restaurants that are suffering because of the lack of business. I think, in his own way - limited by language, he was saying that he truly cared about those who were suffering.
But that term "small people" got me to thinking about a statement Jesus gave to His disciples. They were coming from the temple during Jesus' final week of life. They had asked Jesus to share with them signs about the coming of the kingdom. Jesus then told them about the separating of the sheep from the goats on that last day. Listen to these words of Jesus: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:34-36). Of course that elicited a response from His disciples as to when that had happened. Pay attention to what Jesus says next: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
In this passage I believe Jesus was describing "small people." These were the people that are easily overlooked in the everyday humdrum of life. These are the people that we sometimes go out of our way to avoid, much like the Levite and priest did to the wounded traveler in the story of the Good Samaritan. These are people that we are tempted to think cannot amount to much in the world. But Jesus challenges us to care for them; to provide for their needs; to have compassion upon them.
As I have done some re-reading of the Gospels, I continue to marvel at the time Jesus willingly took for those people that were looked down upon by the elite of His day. Jesus delighted in caring for the small people of Galilee and Judea and even an outcast woman in Samaria.
Mr. Svanberg said that the people at BP care about the small people. Should we not also as believers?
Mr. Svanberg, I knew what you meant. And I am glad that you do care and I hope that caring truly flows, not just from the big pocketbook of BP, but from the heart of everyone associated with your company. And, thank you for reminding me of those words of Jesus to be mindful of the small people around us. They are very important to Him.
Immediately the media had a hay-day with that term "small people." They accused the Chairman of being insensitive to the small business owners along the Gulf Coast who have had their livelihoods either threatened or destroyed because of the oil spill. They said that this was the attitude of big-business to look out for only themselves and not to care about others. The next day, a spokesman for BP said that Mr. Svanberg's comments were due to a language barrier: Mr. Svanberg is a Swede and his abilities to communicate in English were not the best.
As I listened to the replays of his comments, I knew what he meant. And I think every American knew what he meant. It was not a derogatory term. He was not looking down upon the shrimp and oyster fisheries or the tourist shops or the restaurants that are suffering because of the lack of business. I think, in his own way - limited by language, he was saying that he truly cared about those who were suffering.
But that term "small people" got me to thinking about a statement Jesus gave to His disciples. They were coming from the temple during Jesus' final week of life. They had asked Jesus to share with them signs about the coming of the kingdom. Jesus then told them about the separating of the sheep from the goats on that last day. Listen to these words of Jesus: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:34-36). Of course that elicited a response from His disciples as to when that had happened. Pay attention to what Jesus says next: "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).
In this passage I believe Jesus was describing "small people." These were the people that are easily overlooked in the everyday humdrum of life. These are the people that we sometimes go out of our way to avoid, much like the Levite and priest did to the wounded traveler in the story of the Good Samaritan. These are people that we are tempted to think cannot amount to much in the world. But Jesus challenges us to care for them; to provide for their needs; to have compassion upon them.
As I have done some re-reading of the Gospels, I continue to marvel at the time Jesus willingly took for those people that were looked down upon by the elite of His day. Jesus delighted in caring for the small people of Galilee and Judea and even an outcast woman in Samaria.
Mr. Svanberg said that the people at BP care about the small people. Should we not also as believers?
Mr. Svanberg, I knew what you meant. And I am glad that you do care and I hope that caring truly flows, not just from the big pocketbook of BP, but from the heart of everyone associated with your company. And, thank you for reminding me of those words of Jesus to be mindful of the small people around us. They are very important to Him.
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