Take Two: 1 Corinthians 16, Proverbs 28

In the final chapter, we see a characteristic feature of Paul’s letters. In the final verses, he gives a laundry list of things to consider or do. A couple of these verses stand out.

In vv.1-2, Paul instructs the church to take a collection weekly of freewill offerings so that they proceeds can be used for relief in Jerusalem. Bear in mind that there are ethnic differences between the Corinthians and the believers in Jerusalem. This can remind us that we should be concerned…not only about ourselves, but also about those who are believers who are not like us. The regular collection of the offering informs the practice related to our Acts 1:8 offering at church…where we don’t take the traditional annual offerings for foreign and home missions; rather, we give regularly throughout the year to the cause.

V.9 also struck me. Paul was remaining in Ephesus (v.8) for a bit because a door to ministry stood open for him. Also…there was significant resistance to him and his ministry.

NOTE: These two things often go together. Great opportunities carry with them great challenges. The greater the potential impact from the Kingdom, the greater the resistance from our spiritual enemy. Now…let’s remember that many believers think that obstacles and challenges are “signs” that they are not to pursue a particular course fo action. This is not the biblical perspective. God does not always use circumstances to reveal His will to us. It is a less than mature theology that claims that if things aren’t going well…then we must be outside of the will of God. [Hey...that'll preach.].

The final verses are vv.13-14. This was the theme for my recent talk at our men’s advance in the Fall of 2010. As men…God calls us to be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, “quit ye like men”– for my KJV friends, be strong, and let everything we do be done in love.

It was good to read this again and consider what each fo the five admonitions mean in their context. Bottom line…we are engaged in spiritual work and the weak do not prosper. If we are to glorify God, we must act like men and finish the course before us.

Proverbs 28:5 is the takeaway today. “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all things.”

Tomorrow, I want to return to the OT and pick up the very short book of Lamentations. I hope you’ll join me there!

Take Two: 1 Corinthians 2, Proverbs 14

This chapter is slammed with truth about Paul’s approach to ministry. Remember that there is contention over the elevation of wisdom (cultural standard) and emphasis on spiritual gifts (hey look at me, I am______ ). The proponents of this emphasis, in order to be effective, are necessarily required to demean Paul in order to elevate themselves. By bringing him down in the eyes of the people…they become the new “go to” guys in the church.

Paul’s approach? He reminds them that he intentionally did not use great rhetoric or culturally advanced “wisdom” arguments in establishing the church. he did not get into the theoretical approach that epitomized so much of their culture; rather, he preached Christ and Him crucified (v2). The gospel…was the approach, substance, and goal of his ministry.

He did this, so that the faith of the people would be in Christ, not in any man or any group of men (v.5).

NOTE: There is a natural reliance on self. Worldly wisdom is something we can understand, appreciate, and even master. The spiritual realm is outside of our control. As such, we value and will default to thinking “naturally” when possible. We look for causes we can quantify, logic we can understand, and effects we can control. God works…just the opposite.

V.6 is powerful. To the “mature” (that is, mature believer). the message is wise. More often than not, what is needed in our Christian circles is not more rhetoric or more information…but application. How are you living the gospel? Does your belief in God and man’s sinful nature and need for salvation compel you to share the gospel? If not…you don’t need more information on the atonement…you need more application of what you know. Otherwise, you will end up with a PH.D. in “Atonement” and lost neighbors going to hell.

Paul doesn’t pull aside the spiritually mature and change the message…to preach deeper truths; rather, he says that their maturity allows them to find wisdom in that which is “simple” to others.

The rejection of “wisdom” as an approach to ministry also has a “culling” effect. The natural man cannot understand that which is spiritual. Therefore, he rejects the gospel and pursues some other approach. Why? Because it makes more sense to him (vv.14-15).

Now no follower of Christ ever sets out to “cull” the natural man from the spiritual person. That is God’s business. However, we must understand that at times, the natural man rejects the spiritual and thus…culls Himself. We don’t have to change what we do to gather this person. We MUST approach him in a contextual/missional way…and we MUST remove every obstacle to the gospel (except a bloody cross)…but we leave the results beyond that…to God.

Proverbs 14:26 is the takeaway today. “In the fear of the Lord, there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.”

Take Two: Jeremiah 52, Proverbs 12

The prophesy we reviewed yesterday was given to Zedekiah in the fourth year of his reign. This chapter is the historical account of the siege that led to his downfall…five years later. This is not all that the prophesy entails…since it gives an overview of the destruction of Jerusalem, the captivity of the Jews, and the fulfillment of the prophesies made to Jehoiachin.

As I read it, my mind traveled back tot he construction of theTemple…when the appliances were made for Temple Service. It was overwhelming to hear of their destruction. It was overwhelming to hear of the burning of the Temple, the destruction of the homes, the city, and its walls. (And I wasn’t there nor am I Jewish.) Yet…knowing that God instructed the construction of the City and the Temple as a place of communion with Him and a place that bore His Name to His glory…it hurts nonetheless.

QUESTION: Does it “hurt” us when the glory of God is stolen due to sin? Are we bothered when we consider that God’s blessings are torn down and those who looked at the testimony of God from the outside…are left to think that God is less glorious than they previously considered.

APPLIED: In a very real way, God’s glory is stolen in the world…in our community…each time we allow sin to reign and tarnish the Name of God. Each time a church makes a choice to “not” depend on God, His Name is tarnished. Each time a church acts from its own will rather than according to His…God’s Name is tarnished. Ultimately…this leads to the destruction of the church…and a watching world makes an assessment of the power of God as a result.

[NOTE: I am drawing a parallel between the church and Jerusalem rather than the individual and Jerusalem for reasons that seem obvious to me. The issues in Jeremiah are about the "people" and the "community," not the individual. While I could speak of "The Church" as the Body of Christ that is visible in the world including all believers, I am speaking of the local congregation. As a Baptist (my particular tradition) each local church makes decisions autonomously, therefore it is the closes parallel in my religious culture to the fate of Jerusalem and the outcome concerning the Temple.]

When we look back over the past 52 days for us (and decades for Jerusalem in Jeremiah’s account) we must remember the turning points that were available if only the people would repent. If their leaders had called them to repent rather than falsely prophesied that everything was going to be fine. If their kings had trusted God rather than themselves, their advisors, and cultural wisdom. If the people had turned back to holiness and purity rather than embracing sin alongside of their religious worship…which led to more outright expressions of idolatry.

God’s desire was for Jerusalem and the Temple to be a glorious testimony to His Name and a place of peace and fellowship/communion with Him. When the people forsook Him…He removed Himself from the equation and brought judgment against the City and its people. Ultimately, His Name was preserved since He is glorified in justice as well as in mercy. Yet…His heart was burdened and it grieved the heart of God to judge His people.

Do not believe though that this is the end of the Story. 600 years later would bring the advent of the Messiah…and a new covenant. At a time yet to be revealed, there would be a restored and new Jerusalem which would descend fromt he heavens and in it, the people of God would commune with Him without separation forever.

The choices we make today determine our hope in this coming city. Our repentance brings this hope close, while our rebellion drives it away. It will come…but we will not participate if we harden our hearts and stiffen our necks against the yoke of God.

I pray that we would be open to Him and yielded to His hand. I pray that God would be glorified through us, not in the exercising of justice against our sins. Either way…He will be glorified, but I pray it is in how He uses us to magnify Him in our witness, our walk, our worship, and the way we manage the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to us.

Proverbs 12:2 is the takeaway today. “A good man will obtain favor from the Lord, but He will condemn a man who devises evil.”

TOMORROW…we return to the New Testament in 1 Corinthians. See you there.

Take Two: Jeremiah 51, Proverbs 11

For those who absolutely loved the six verse chapters earlier in the book…it’s time to pay the piper. This extended prophecy was given to Zedekiah in the fourth year of his reign.

NOTE: Don’t forget the context. God was to use Babylon as His instrument of judgment…not because He was beholden to them, but because His people had sinned. Their rise and rule…was limited from the first day (Jeremiah 25:12). God did not approve of the idolatry and evil of Babylon. He also did not approve of the idolatry and evil perpetrated by His own covenant people…so He punished them. He used the evil Babylon as His instrument, but He took full credit for His work.

As resolute as God was about using Babylon against His people, He would be just as resolved about Babylon’s punishment. Every day that they oppressed and destroyed…stole and despised…only to laugh boldly and pridefully…God stored up His wrath. Every act of oppression was remembered and God swore vengeance (vv.24, 36).

The prophet sent God’s message to Zedekiah by the hand of Seraiah. Once the message was read, the scroll was tied to a rock and thrust into the waters of the Euphrates (vv.59-64). As the scroll would sink, so would Babylon.

NOTE: The sovereign control, resolve, and power of God cannot be overlooked. This message was read and destroyed. There was no turning back. It would be finished.

APPLIED: If God is this resolute…can one continue to resist His will? Can one run from Him? Can one TRUST Him to fulfill His promise toward the righteous? Can one trust God to extract vengeance and administer justice, thus freeing a victim to release their oppressor?

Yes He is, Yes you can, Yes He will.

Proverbs 11:20 is the takeaway today. “The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His delight.”

Take Two: Jeremiah 50, Proverbs 10

The next two chapters deal with the Babylonians and the prophecy against them. The Babylonians had been an instrument used by God to bring His people low; but, they were not a righteous people that God raised up. They had, for centuries, been a dominant power in the region (even the world) and God used their domination to accomplish the purpose He had for His people.

God’s use of Babylon is not an affirmation of their lives and lifestyle. He did not “bless” their idolatry, their plundering…or their self-sufficiency. So, using the new power from the north (the Medo-Persian Empire), God would plunder Babylon, destroy all of its pride and arrogance, and set His people free to return to their land.

God’s approach to humbling His people is prophesied to work. Their prophetically future condition is described in vv.4-5. They will weep and mourn and seek only after God. They will inquire of Him the way back to Zion and turn their faces in that direction.

NOTE: What a powerful picture of repentance. It doesn’t become more clear than that. They call out to God and ask for the way home..turning their direction there.

The same God who gave His people over to Babylon would not bring His people home and judge their oppressors at the same time (vv.17-20).

APPLIED: What does it take for repentance to come? In your life or in our church, our community…what does it take? Does God have to raise up a Babylon to oppress us? Do we have to lose everything? Do we have to be broken by Him to come low…or will we yield?

The same outcome is available for those who yield as those who are broken. God has promised to provide an inheritance fit for us; and, He has promised to fit us for our inheritance. To yield is to honor Him…and it is to reduce the suffering we and those around us endure in the process.

Proverbs 10:10 is the takeaway today. “He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined.”

BEWARE of those who work in the shadows, who conduct their affairs in the corners of the hallway. Their actions are not righteous, but cause trouble in the midst of the assembly.

Take Two: Jeremiah 49, Proverbs 9

This chapter contains several “judgment” accounts against nations around God’s people. some commonality of their circumstances connect the themes.

• Each of these nations were proud of themselves. They had come to rely on their wealth, intellect, military might or strategic location. They would look at Judah and “hiss” at their downfall according to the judgment of God; however, they would not escape their own judgment.

The Scripture teaches that God judges His own people…but He is the righteous judge; therefore, He judges all peoples, not only His elect.

NOTE: Some might say (as they look into Christianity from the outside, “I won’t become a Christian because I cannot abide by the standards.” The problem with this is view…is that God holds all to the same standard, only Christians meet the standard (perfection) by God’s grace. Perhaps the greatest illusion of all is the belief that by avoiding God, a person somehow excuses himself from God’s standards. Firend…God created all people and provided redemption for all who believe. He is not willing that any would perish but that all would repent.

• Each of these nations were to be brought low by God, who would completely bring about His conclusion. He then promised that He would one day restore the bounty of the land.
• God’s instrument in all of this: A powerful nation that carried out the will of God…not as a righteous holy war…but as a nation that sought to conquer.
• Finally, God is not softly suggesting the outcomes in these stories. He is declaring the outcome. Nothing is suspect for Him. He is not waiting to see how things go. He already knows. He knows the end from the beginning. He will bring this to bear.

Proverbs 9:8 is the takeaway today. “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you.”

Take Two: Jeremiah 48, Proverbs 8

This is the prophesy against Moab. The Moabites were arrogant toward God (v.42). The people had become dependent upon themselves…they were self-sufficient. They trusted in their abilities, their abundance, and their activity. They were self-made people. They looked at the benefits of God’s grace as an anchor, a source of strength and ignored the One who provided the strength (v.7).

As I read the account of the Moabites in this prophesy, my mind turned to our nation as a whole and our lives individually to some degree. This is not a new issue. Man has sought self-reliance since the beginning. Whether those separated from God or those called by His name, a desire to be “captain of our own ship, and master of our own destiny” wars within.

God though is not ever up for discussion. He does not draw power from our belief in Him. He is…whether we acknowledge Him or not. Such for the Moabites.

In their self-sufficiency, they rejected His influence…but God’s sovereignty was not negated. He would destroy their self-sufficiency and destroy the peoples who had rejected Him. He also promised to restore the fortunes of Moab in “the latter days.”

I am reading an interesting book at the moment where the author focuses on this element. He details that a prevalent part of God’s redemptive plan is the restoration of His creation to bounty, blessing, and beauty. Such is the promise of God toward the land of Moab.

Self-reliance is the pinnacle of idolatry. It is worship of self as provider, sustainer, and object of affection. In self-reliance, no object is seen as beautiful or sufficient…the worshipper elevates himself to just that role.

Recovery from this state is possible due to God’s grace. It requires an acknowledgement of the truth of the gospel…that none of us controls anything and that none of us stand with merit before God. We are helpless before Him and we cry out…asking for His gracious provision, sustenance, and leadership in our lives.

Proverbs 8:13 is the takeaway today. “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride, arrogance, and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate” [says the personification of wisdom...that is the Lord]. To not fear the Lord is to display arrogance…and to display arrogance is to not fear the Lord. Arrogance (biblically speaking) is not how one communicates with others, but how one relates to the Lord. In my estimation, the most arrogant thing one can do, is to act unbiblically.

Take Two: Jeremiah 47, Proverbs 7

One observation from this chapter on the downfall of Philistia. The prophesy is given that a power from the North will overwhelm and conquer Philistia (v.1) and will do so as an instrument of the Lord (v.4) because God has ordered it to be so (v.7).

Much like yesterday, I ponder the thought that the action of God is certainly just…but that He chose to use a wicked nation…not His chosen people…to accomplish His will.

When we consider that God is sovereign and that He also has a plan and purpose for His own people…are we at all concerned that He sometimes chooses to accomplish His purpose using others as His instruments?

For some…it is ok that God uses others to fulfill His will. They are okay with the fact that God may use welfare or food stamps to feed the hungry. However, God has given the responsibility to care for the needy to His own people.

Within church circles, it is okay to some that God uses other congregations to win hundreds while they never see ONE decision for Christ in a year.

I would confess…I don’t fully understand that. While I don’t LIVE for the fruit of evangelism (decisions for Christ), I do long for those decisions as a result of my obedience in sharing BECAUSE I want to give something to my Jesus who died for all so that all might come to repentance and be saved. I do not see myself in competition with other Christians or my church in competition with other churches, but I must say…if others around me are being used of God to glorify Him in bringing souls into the Kingdom…I want to as well.

The fate of the Philistines is tragic and should evoke feelings of sorrow from us. At the same time, we should be overwhelmed with shame that when God looked for an instrument to carry out His people…He went to a pagan people and not His own…because they were more useful to Him.

Proverbs 7:25 is the takeaway today. Often times our best offense is a good defense. Sin is tempting and persuasive so we must be diligent to guard against the temptation, or we will likely be sucked in. Referring to the personification of temptation, “Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths.”

Take Two: Jeremiah 46, Proverbs 6

This chapter opens a list of prophesies regarding “the nations” (v.1). It begins with Egypt which, at one time, was the world’s superpower but would be defeated soon at the hands of the Babylonians and according to the will of God (v.10, 25). This action by God is just because of the wickedness and idolatry of the Egyptians. His chosen instrument of justice: The Babylonians.

NOTE: I think this is difficult as a concept for believers to embrace. The idea that God would use unbelievers or evil peoples for a just purpose…stretches our imagination. The truth of His doing so is consistent in Scripture…but the fact that God might overlook us (His people) and use those who are not His people to accomplish His purpose…challenges us. We even ask “How can God use evil for good? Is He not then affirming the evil itself?”

Remember that whatever God does and however God does it…is good and righteous and just. He is the standard of good. Joseph said that his brothers actions were intended for evil but God used them for good. He used kidnapping, abuse, deception, false charges of rape, and a coming drought…to elevate His chosen servant to the second highest position in Egypt and through him…saved Israel. This cannot mean that God affirms rape or deception or kidnapping. It simply means that God uses whatever and however He wishes to accomplish His purpose…and that is good.

NOTE: I know this is hard for some to swallow…but this is why I challenge everyone to read these more difficult passages of Scripture. God is deeper than the average believer understands. He is.

The pictures used by Jeremiah in this chapter are vibrant. The Egyptians scurrying about…raising up armies…preparing for battle…and then stumbling over themselves in retreat in the face of the Babylonians.

A word of hope exists here though for the Egyptians and for God’s people by extension. Egypt is a “pretty heifer” which is about to be stung by a horsefly/gadfly. This will inflict pain but will not be fatal (v.20). Afterwards, it will be returned to its former condition (v.26).

As one commentator noted…if the Egyptian situation was temporary, then Judah/Israel could rest in the fact that their situation was temporary as well.

APPLIED: Where are you with God and what is He doing to gain your attention? Has He determined to use an unlikely instrument to accomplish His will…because you were unwilling or unavailable? Are you struggling under the weight of judgment…assuming it is permanent? Are you distant from God because you feel He has mistreated you?

Commit today to be His instrument and to declare His goodness in every action and every situation. He alone is your Salvation.

Proverbs 6:19b is the takeaway today. In the strong language of the writer, there are 7 things that God hates and are an abomination (v.16) “…and one who spreads strife among the brothers.”

Take Two: Jeremiah 45, Proverbs 5

This short chapter (of only 5 verses) does not appear chronologically. In the “timeline,” the events of this chapter occur after the dictation in chapter 36 (605 BC).

We first met Baruch in 32:12, when Jeremiah gave him the deed to bury in the ground as a sign that God’s people would again possess the land after the exile. We do not know much beyond that of his life…other than the fact that he was close to Jeremiah, came from nobility, and, in this chapter, seems clearly to be distressed.

In vv.1-3, Baruch has cried out that his life is increasingly worse. Jeremiah, aware of his complaint and under the inspiration of God answers for God.

vv.4-5 simply state that God is the one who built and God will destroy. God erected and He will now tear down. He will also spare Baruch’s life.

NOTE: Let that settle in for a moment because it is not much of an encouragement by our standards today. It is, however, a sober and accurate view of everything in the world.

We can surmise that Baruch was hopeful that his labors and suffering would yield MORE for him than it would appear to. (This is a pretty “human” response.) We can also conclude that Baruch was faithful to the Lord, but had some fantasy of personal gain or glory in the back of his mind.

APPLIED: This connects for many who serve in God’s Work today…present company included. I don’t know any pastor who doesn’t want, in some measure, to lead a successful church. I don’t know any Sunday School teach who hopes to decline in attendance or interest. The fact is…we all want to be considered successful to some degree. This is not wrong; however, it is on the edge of becoming prideful if we slip over the line and begin to think more of our headlines than the fulfillment of God’s purpose.

God’s response reminds us (pointedly) that God has a purpose, is fulfilling that purpose, and we are privileged to participate in it in any way He sees fit. If God destroys what He created, who are we to allege wrongdoing?

The New American Commentary cited a quote by Bonhoeffer which summarizes this passage nicely:

The best summary, however, is from the words of the German pastor D. Bonhoeffer, who, in the face of Nazism, lost his life. He said: “When a person has completely given up the idea of making something of himself … then one throws oneself entirely into the arms of God, then one no longer takes seriously his own suffering, but rather the suffering of God in the world … I think that is faith.… How is a person to become proud of success or to go astray at failures when one shares God’s sufferings in the life of this world.”

APPLIED: What in our lives needs to be adjusted to more greatly reflect the principle related in this text?

Proverbs 5:6 is the takeaway today. [The adulteress] “she does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it.”