More to The Story - Chapter 8 - Judges
A GOD OF LOVE BRINGING JUDGMENT ON THOUSANDS? Part 2
"Behold then the kindness and severity of God" Romans 11:22
Reflection
The following is a second quote (see yesterday’s reflection for more) from the writings of Yale theologian Miroslav Volf. I hope it helps your thinking about God as it did me.
“My thesis is that the practice of non violence requires a belief in divine vengeance. My thesis will be unpopular with many in the West. But imagine speaking to people (as I have) whose cities and villages have been first plundered, then burned, and leveled to the ground, whose daughters and sisters have been raped, whose fathers and brothers have had their throats slit. Your point to them ---- we should not retaliate??? Why not? I say – the only means of prohibiting violence by us is to insist that violence is only legitimate when comes from God . . .Violence thrives today, secretly nourished by the belief that God refuses to take the sword . . it takes the quiet of a suburb for the birth of the thesis that human nonviolence is a result of a God who refuses to judge." (Italics mine)“
In a scorched land -- soaked in the blood of the innocent, this idea will invariably die, like other pleasant captivities of the liberal mind . . . if God were NOT angry at injustice and deception and did NOT make a final end of violence, that God would not be worthy of our worship”. (See his book “Exlusion and Embrace”)
This next quote comes from theologian H Richard Niebuhr in 1934 as his critique of the liberal, social gospel of his day;
“A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”
Prayer
“Lord, once again I am reminded of the cross. You experienced the worst of human violence, exposing its horror. I deserve this, not you. Forgive me Lord. Amen”
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
More to The Story - Chapter 8 - Judges
HOW CAN A GOD WHO IS LOVE ORDER THE DESTRUCTION OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE?
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, "Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?" JUDGES 1:1(NIV)
Reflection
The following is quoted from the writing of Yale theologian Miroslav Volf. I hope it helps your thinking about God as it did me.
“I used to think that wrath was unworthy of God. Isn’t God love? Shouldn’t divine love be beyond wrath. God is love, and God loves every person and very creature. That’s exactly why God is wrathful against some of them. My last resistance to the idea of God’s wrath was a casualty of the war in the in the former Yugoslavia, the region from which I come. According to some estimates 200,000 people were killed and over 3,000,000 were displaced. My village and cities were destroyed, my people shelled day in and day out, some of them brutalized beyond imagination, and I could not imagine God not being angry. Or think of Rwanda in the last decade of the past century, where 800,000 people were hacked to death in one hundred days! How did God react to the carnage? Doting on the perpetrators in a grandfatherly fashion by refusing to condemn the bloodbath but instead affirming the perpetrators’ basic goodness? Wasn’t God fiercely angry with them? Though I used to complain about the indecency of the idea of God’s wrath, I came to think that I would have to rebel against a God who wasn’t wrathful at the sight of the world of evil. God isn’t wrathful in spite of being love. God is wrathful because God is love."
Prayer
“Lord, thank you for the reminder that anger and love are not necessarily opposites, rather two aspects of the same passion to see others experience the best life possible. Help me Lord to recognize that Your love is not beyond wrath. Amen”
HOW CAN A GOD WHO IS LOVE ORDER THE DESTRUCTION OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE?
After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the LORD, "Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites?" JUDGES 1:1(NIV)
Reflection
The following is quoted from the writing of Yale theologian Miroslav Volf. I hope it helps your thinking about God as it did me.
“I used to think that wrath was unworthy of God. Isn’t God love? Shouldn’t divine love be beyond wrath. God is love, and God loves every person and very creature. That’s exactly why God is wrathful against some of them. My last resistance to the idea of God’s wrath was a casualty of the war in the in the former Yugoslavia, the region from which I come. According to some estimates 200,000 people were killed and over 3,000,000 were displaced. My village and cities were destroyed, my people shelled day in and day out, some of them brutalized beyond imagination, and I could not imagine God not being angry. Or think of Rwanda in the last decade of the past century, where 800,000 people were hacked to death in one hundred days! How did God react to the carnage? Doting on the perpetrators in a grandfatherly fashion by refusing to condemn the bloodbath but instead affirming the perpetrators’ basic goodness? Wasn’t God fiercely angry with them? Though I used to complain about the indecency of the idea of God’s wrath, I came to think that I would have to rebel against a God who wasn’t wrathful at the sight of the world of evil. God isn’t wrathful in spite of being love. God is wrathful because God is love."
Prayer
“Lord, thank you for the reminder that anger and love are not necessarily opposites, rather two aspects of the same passion to see others experience the best life possible. Help me Lord to recognize that Your love is not beyond wrath. Amen”
Monday, November 7, 2011
More to the Story - Chapter 8
WHEN YOUR MISTAKES LAND YOU BEFORE A JUDGE
Have you ever had to own up for something you did wrong? Maybe you remember sneaking out to see an R-rated movie and then confessing the truth to your seething parents after you crept in the house past curfew. Or maybe, more recently, you lied to your boss and had to face the consequences once you were found out.
We have all had to come face-to-face with an authority and own up to what we’ve done wrong. Palms sweat, stomach twists and turns. It can feel like you’re going before the judge in a court martial.
Judges elicit a sense of fear, don’t they? They never call you in for something you have done right. We think of them as someone who harshly tells us what we did wrong. And they seem to be everywhere these days on television. There’s Judge Judy and Hatchett. Mathis and Christina. Judge Brown.
Then there are some judges you may not know. They even have a book in the Bible with their name on it. Judges. These judges appeared on the scene to help sort out right and wrong. They also helped people get out of trouble.
God’s people kept putting themselves into a never ending cycle of disobedience, discipline, declaration of wrong, and deliverance. Judges like Deborah and Gideon and Samson helped them find their way back to God.
What did the people do that was so bad they needed judges? Two things. First, they failed to put God first in their lives (JUDGES 1:28). And secondly, they did not teach their children to know God (JUDGES 2:10). These two “sins” led to their downfall and ruin.
Are you making the same mistakes they made? If so, you have a judge that can help you––Jesus. The good news is that when he “calls” you into his office after you’ve messed up, you will look up to see your judge’s face and see your savior there.
Prayer
“Lord, as I read the Story this week, help me to see your message for me in the stories of these men and women who were far, far from perfect, yet allowed themselves to say yes to you and therefore were people who lived lives of consequence. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
WHEN YOUR MISTAKES LAND YOU BEFORE A JUDGE
Have you ever had to own up for something you did wrong? Maybe you remember sneaking out to see an R-rated movie and then confessing the truth to your seething parents after you crept in the house past curfew. Or maybe, more recently, you lied to your boss and had to face the consequences once you were found out.
We have all had to come face-to-face with an authority and own up to what we’ve done wrong. Palms sweat, stomach twists and turns. It can feel like you’re going before the judge in a court martial.
Judges elicit a sense of fear, don’t they? They never call you in for something you have done right. We think of them as someone who harshly tells us what we did wrong. And they seem to be everywhere these days on television. There’s Judge Judy and Hatchett. Mathis and Christina. Judge Brown.
Then there are some judges you may not know. They even have a book in the Bible with their name on it. Judges. These judges appeared on the scene to help sort out right and wrong. They also helped people get out of trouble.
God’s people kept putting themselves into a never ending cycle of disobedience, discipline, declaration of wrong, and deliverance. Judges like Deborah and Gideon and Samson helped them find their way back to God.
What did the people do that was so bad they needed judges? Two things. First, they failed to put God first in their lives (JUDGES 1:28). And secondly, they did not teach their children to know God (JUDGES 2:10). These two “sins” led to their downfall and ruin.
Are you making the same mistakes they made? If so, you have a judge that can help you––Jesus. The good news is that when he “calls” you into his office after you’ve messed up, you will look up to see your judge’s face and see your savior there.
Prayer
“Lord, as I read the Story this week, help me to see your message for me in the stories of these men and women who were far, far from perfect, yet allowed themselves to say yes to you and therefore were people who lived lives of consequence. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
Friday, November 4, 2011
More to the Story - Chapter 7
"AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE"
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:14-15(NIV)
REFLECTION
The excerpt is from the Life Application Bible notes: I hope it helps.
“In taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, because Joshua had made a commitment to God, he was determined to set an example of living by that decision."
“The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God. The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only hand-made idols. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion—going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day."
Prayer
“Lord, all around me are people, teachings, temptations, distractions, which draw me away from you into coveting, even worshiping other things, other gods. Lord help me with the focus and discipline I need to stay in your Word, to say yes to the things which honor You and no what dishonors you."
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
"AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE"
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:14-15(NIV)
REFLECTION
The excerpt is from the Life Application Bible notes: I hope it helps.
“In taking a definite stand for the Lord, Joshua again displayed his spiritual leadership. Regardless of what others decided, because Joshua had made a commitment to God, he was determined to set an example of living by that decision."
“The way we live shows others the strength of our commitment to serving God. The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only hand-made idols. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion—going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day."
Prayer
“Lord, all around me are people, teachings, temptations, distractions, which draw me away from you into coveting, even worshiping other things, other gods. Lord help me with the focus and discipline I need to stay in your Word, to say yes to the things which honor You and no what dishonors you."
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
Thursday, November 3, 2011
More to The Story - Chapter 7
DID GOD COMMAND GENOCIDE?
Jericho
“They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it -- men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys." Joshua 6:20-21(NIV)
Southern Canaan
"Joshua subdued the whole region . . . He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded." Joshua 10:40-42(NIV)
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING
The Bible is not easy to understand. Try to remember that the Bible means what the author of a particular section of it intends it to mean. Attempt to put yourself in the shoes of the original readers, understanding what they would have understood. A good study Bible will help with this.
For example conservative scholars, who believe the entire Bible to be God’s Words to us, teach us how to read the above passage as it was intended to be read and heard. The writing reflects conventional Near Eastern hyperbolic (as in the eagles “slaughtered” the Cowboys) warfare rhetoric used also by the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians and Hittites. So, when you read the rest of Deuteronomy, Joshua and Judges you will discover that (even according to Joshua himself) there were many survivors. Terms of peace were typically offered, and the Canaanites were supposed to have been driven out little by little, while women and children were protected. Indeed the word “city” may refer to military outposts and the word for thousand can also refer to a (much smaller) “unit of people”
YET, God did initiate the destruction of people groups as a judgment on them. And the Israelites themselves were not exempt. I am therefore forced to ask myself as a middle class Christian American, “Am I any less deserving of God’s judgment. Am I complicit and therefore culpable in the sins of 21st century American culture." My answer is yes. Could America (and me with it) find itself experiencing God’s harshest judgment? What’s your answer?
For further study read;
God Behaving Badly, David T Lamb, IVP Books 2011 (the simpler of the two)
Is God a Moral Monster? (Making sense of the Old Testament God), Paul Copan, Baker Books 2011 (this is the more thorough of the two)
Prayer
“Lord, thank for the men and women who continually persist until we can all read your Word as it was written with the intent with which it is written. Help me also to be a hungry student of your Word as well. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
DID GOD COMMAND GENOCIDE?
Jericho
“They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it -- men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys." Joshua 6:20-21(NIV)
Southern Canaan
"Joshua subdued the whole region . . . He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded." Joshua 10:40-42(NIV)
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING
The Bible is not easy to understand. Try to remember that the Bible means what the author of a particular section of it intends it to mean. Attempt to put yourself in the shoes of the original readers, understanding what they would have understood. A good study Bible will help with this.
For example conservative scholars, who believe the entire Bible to be God’s Words to us, teach us how to read the above passage as it was intended to be read and heard. The writing reflects conventional Near Eastern hyperbolic (as in the eagles “slaughtered” the Cowboys) warfare rhetoric used also by the Egyptians, Babylonians, Assyrians and Hittites. So, when you read the rest of Deuteronomy, Joshua and Judges you will discover that (even according to Joshua himself) there were many survivors. Terms of peace were typically offered, and the Canaanites were supposed to have been driven out little by little, while women and children were protected. Indeed the word “city” may refer to military outposts and the word for thousand can also refer to a (much smaller) “unit of people”
YET, God did initiate the destruction of people groups as a judgment on them. And the Israelites themselves were not exempt. I am therefore forced to ask myself as a middle class Christian American, “Am I any less deserving of God’s judgment. Am I complicit and therefore culpable in the sins of 21st century American culture." My answer is yes. Could America (and me with it) find itself experiencing God’s harshest judgment? What’s your answer?
For further study read;
God Behaving Badly, David T Lamb, IVP Books 2011 (the simpler of the two)
Is God a Moral Monster? (Making sense of the Old Testament God), Paul Copan, Baker Books 2011 (this is the more thorough of the two)
Prayer
“Lord, thank for the men and women who continually persist until we can all read your Word as it was written with the intent with which it is written. Help me also to be a hungry student of your Word as well. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
More to the Story - Chapter 7
THE SECRET TO SUCCESS
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” Joshua 1:8(NIV)
REFLECTION
I spent much of this weekend with a man who has been reading the Bible with more depth and insight than I have seen in a very long time. His antennae were “up”, meaning that he was discovering passage after passage which applied directly to his life. He would then quote many of those verses from memory, not because he tried to memorize them, but because they were so pertinent to his life. He also recalled the reference.
This wasn’t just incredibly impressive to me, it also reminded me not only how relevant God’s Word is, but also how important it is. Each of us can get off track so very easily. Yet we have the written record of men and women who have trusted (and mistrusted!) God with their finances, calling, relationships, attitude, words, future and so much more.
God’s words to Joshua are as timely for you and me today as they were for Joshua 3,400 years ago.
Prayer
“Lord, I do want to get back into Your Word in a deeper, more attentive, reflective and life altering way. Thank you for the gift of the written Word. Please, Lord, direct me to practices that will bring Your Word alive in new ways. . . . beginning today. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
THE SECRET TO SUCCESS
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” Joshua 1:8(NIV)
REFLECTION
I spent much of this weekend with a man who has been reading the Bible with more depth and insight than I have seen in a very long time. His antennae were “up”, meaning that he was discovering passage after passage which applied directly to his life. He would then quote many of those verses from memory, not because he tried to memorize them, but because they were so pertinent to his life. He also recalled the reference.
This wasn’t just incredibly impressive to me, it also reminded me not only how relevant God’s Word is, but also how important it is. Each of us can get off track so very easily. Yet we have the written record of men and women who have trusted (and mistrusted!) God with their finances, calling, relationships, attitude, words, future and so much more.
God’s words to Joshua are as timely for you and me today as they were for Joshua 3,400 years ago.
Prayer
“Lord, I do want to get back into Your Word in a deeper, more attentive, reflective and life altering way. Thank you for the gift of the written Word. Please, Lord, direct me to practices that will bring Your Word alive in new ways. . . . beginning today. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
More to the Story - Chapter 7
IT TAKES COURAGE TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
After the death of Moses . . . the LORD said to Joshua . . "Moses my servant is dead. Now then . . . get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land . . . No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."Joshua 1:1-9(NIV)
REFLECTION
Did you notice that God repeated “strong and courageous” three times? Why is that? It is because Joshua was being asked by God to do something very difficult.
General MacArthur, commander of the American Forces in the Pacific in WW2, called Joshua the greatest military leader who ever lived.
Yet even he, Joshua, needed encouragement. He needed cheered on. He had fear. He needed to know that the Lord was with Him.
Jesus’ last words for us are encouraging. “I will be with you always”.
The only thing more dangerous than following God’s call is not following it. The former usually looks frightening. The latter looks safer and easier. Do you remember the previous generation who died going in circles? They were safe but they died going in circles. What is God calling you to?
Prayer
“Lord, I have fears that prevent me from following you into the “promised land”. Thank you for reminding me that when I go, you are with me. With you help, Lord, I will go. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
IT TAKES COURAGE TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
After the death of Moses . . . the LORD said to Joshua . . "Moses my servant is dead. Now then . . . get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land . . . No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."Joshua 1:1-9(NIV)
REFLECTION
Did you notice that God repeated “strong and courageous” three times? Why is that? It is because Joshua was being asked by God to do something very difficult.
General MacArthur, commander of the American Forces in the Pacific in WW2, called Joshua the greatest military leader who ever lived.
Yet even he, Joshua, needed encouragement. He needed cheered on. He had fear. He needed to know that the Lord was with Him.
Jesus’ last words for us are encouraging. “I will be with you always”.
The only thing more dangerous than following God’s call is not following it. The former usually looks frightening. The latter looks safer and easier. Do you remember the previous generation who died going in circles? They were safe but they died going in circles. What is God calling you to?
Prayer
“Lord, I have fears that prevent me from following you into the “promised land”. Thank you for reminding me that when I go, you are with me. With you help, Lord, I will go. Amen”
You can follow Pastor Jeff on Twitter @jefflampl
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