I Samuel 4:1-11 - The Ark of the Covenant Captured

I Samuel 4:1-11

When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies." (verse 3)

Message: The Ark of the Covenant Captured

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: The Philistines and Israel are in battle at Aphek. 4,000 Israelites lost their lives on the battlefield (v. 2). The elders of Israel wonder why the Lord has allowed Israel to be defeated by the Philistines (v. 3). The respond by taking the ark of the covenant from Shiloh thinking it will help them defeat their enemies (v. 3). Hophni and Phinehas were there with the ark and the people went there to get it and bring it back (v. 4). 

Arriving back at the camp, all the people shouted when the ark arrived (v. 5). The Philistines wondered what the noise meant, but then they realized the ark had arrived (v. 6). Now the Philistines were afraid thinking God had arrived in the camp (v. 7). They spoke "Woe to us!" And they spoke as if this represented gods because multiple gods is all they knew and guessed the ark represented multiple gods (v. 8). And then the Philistines encourage one another to defeat the Hebrews lest they become slaves to them (v. 9). Interesting how the writer of this book extolls the behavior somewhat of these Philistines, helping the reader understand the victory or mindset of the Philistines. It says 30,000 foot soldiers of Israel now perished and the ark of the covenant was taken and Hophni and Phinehas died (v. 10-11).  

This is an interesting passage that does not record victory by the Israel but instead successive defeats, even after the people bring the ark into their midst. 

In verse 3, the Israelites believe that God has allowed Philistines to defeat Israel. God is sovereign meaning to me that he works all things out according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11). But in response to this, the people believe they can take the ark, bring it to them and they will be safe. In Joshua 6, the ark is used in leading up to the battle at Jericho, but at the direction of the Lord. Here, Israel simply thinks they can grab the ark, bring it to them and they will be safe. But it doesn't work out like that. 

Life is not as easy as 1-2-3 and going with the formula and all works out. And yet we try. We hate to suffer and hate when bad things happen. I was speaking to a friend who is having trouble meeting his living expenses and made the comment - "I want to know how to pray to break the hindrance to receive money." He is looking for the formula with God. He sees that God is the way but he is discouraged because he thinks he needs to simply find the way to make things work out the way he needs them to work out. Tabletalk remarks today that Israel did not have the right heart. I wonder. Could it be that no matter what we do we can't force God's hand? Could it be that we can try to do the right things but ultimately we must trust God. All I know is it is hard. We hate to struggle. My friend seems like he is on the brink of homelessness if he doesn't start making money. 

In this lesson, I learn that God is sovereign, but that sovereignty does not always mean our lives are without complication. In this passage, it mentions 34,000 Israelites that died. That's an easy number to write, but a hard idea to accept. Any loss of life is difficult to understand. 

Summary: Israelites and Philistines are in battle with the Philistines as the aggressor. The Philistines win, twice, with Israel false believing that securing the ark of the covenant will make them victorious. 

Promise: God's ways are not our ways. We cannot simply do things to earn his favor, we surrender to Him and learn to accept what He provides. 

Prayer: Father God, this passage is difficult. It is hard I suppose to see the outcome of this war and the loss of life, though the losing army are the only numbers mentioned. Lord, we are a people that hates hard times and we obviously only want good things to occur. When they don't, we think we can come up with possibly the right formula to make things work out right. Sometimes I think we do this, simply to make things work out the way we want. I suppose it is normal. This passage of scripture is interesting, for I am not sure there is a big application other than you have purposes we do not see or understand. All I can continue to do is trust in You. And thank you for the eternal home I have with You. Teach me this. I keep trusting. I keep believing. I keep praying. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Leviticus 10:1-3 - Reverent Worship

Leviticus 10:1-3 - Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the Lord spoke, saying, 'By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored.'"

Message: Reverent Worship

Time: There is sufficient evidence that Moses penned Exodus and Leviticus including references to Leviticus by New Testament authors. Its name means "pertaining to the Levites" and its purpose was to instruct the Israelites on right living and proper worship. The most likely time for this is 1446 BC. The book communicates that receiving God’s forgiveness and acceptance should be followed by holy living and spiritual growth.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Leviticus is a book that often describes rules concerning sacrifices. As such, it is a book today that I hardly read. I suppose it is in the clean part of my Bible. Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and so fulfilled these sacrifices once and for all. Yet, there are principles in the book that remain pertinent to our lives today. 

The passage selected today concerns the story of Nadab and Abihu. Aaron was the older brother of Moses. He had two sons: Nadab and Abihu. They were all in the line of Levi and therefore had the responsibility of leading worship. What is interesting here is they decided on their own to offer an offering to the Lord. This offering was described as "strange." It was offering a fire he had not commanded. And God consumed them by fire and they died. And the lesson being that people need to be careful as to how we follow the Lord's commands, in this situation, regarding worship. 

Let me break it down a little further because at first glance this does sound shocking. I was looking at Ellicot's commentary ((1819-1905), an English theologian who wrote a commentary on the New Testament in 1878 and then was editor, meaning he wrote some but mostly compiled commentaries of other writers on the Old Testament in 1897.

He says:

(1) They each took his own censer, and not the sacred utensil of the sanctuary. 

(2) They both offered it together, whereas the incense was only to be offered by one. 

(3) They presumptuously encroached upon the functions of the high priest; for according to the Law the high priest alone burnt incense in a censer. 

(4) They offered the incense at an unauthorized time, since it was apart from the morning and evening sacrifice.

In other words, they didn't show respect. God had previously told them what they needed to do in regards to worship, but they didn't do it. They were not careful in how they acted. This is interesting and yet, I am not sure I am very careful when I show up to worship. I don't think Abihu and Nadab intended to be disrespectful. 

Summary: We must take care to worship God with reverence, according to God's word. 

Promise: As you attend worship, endeavor to remember who God is and to approach Him with reverent thanks for His goodness to you.

Prayer: Lord, it hits me hard that when I show up for Sunday worship, I struggle dealing with personal desires and miss sometimes the heart of worship. I get distracted by the showmanship Lord. I get critical. And I am not sure my actions and my heart are into it. Help me Lord. Help me to truly worship and have a deep heart for it. Teach me Lord what I need to do. Thank you for our church and the emphasis they place on it. 

Mark 12:38-40 - Religious Men Who Prey on the Needy

Mark 12:38-40
38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”

Message: Religious Men Who Prey on the Needy

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is now teaching. He is teaching in some ways like he hasn't before. He is on a mission and he is conveying His message. The religious leaders of the day have asked their questions and He has responded, but now he puts forth his message starting with showing the scribes that He is Lord, He is Messiah, He is more than a man.

Jesus is speaking now directly to the large crowd. The previous verse had stated - And the large crowd enjoyed listening to Him. They enjoyed it and so he kept speaking. When Jesus first entered Jerusalem he cursed a fig tree. While the tree appeared to look like a tree of fruit it was actually not producing any fruit at all. He proceeded to go to the temple and discovered that the temple was not being used for its intended purpose, but was instead being used as a means to earn money and/or exchange goods, a sort of storefront. Jesus confronted the leaders, but they are not accustomed to being questioned and they did not respond well. What followed was a series of questions against Jesus.

Jesus now takes this moment to talk about religious positions, most notably here, the scribes who use their religious position for personal gain. As James says the teacher is held to a higher standard and in many ways it is the teacher -- looked upon and attention focused on -- that is tempted to live as a person that is very different from others. Jesus could have spoken about anything here, but He chose this message and I think that is significant. After pronouncing that he is more than a man, that He is Lord, he then addresses those who lead others in the faith and how those leaders should not conduct themselves. I have had a years-old conversation with an atheist who lives outside of London and one of his first and main complaints is this - the often appearance that the clergy or priests are above him or of greater value than him. They put forth this separate idea, but also a separate and better idea. This is what Jesus is talking about here.

Beware of the scribes - Beware of the scribes, but more completely, beware of the religious leaders among you. We need to stand guard over those that put forth the idea that they are the leaders, the religious leaders.  The scribes who like to walk around in long robes. The first thing that we see in a person is often their dress. Why is it that religious people always have to put on their best clothes and go to church? Perhaps it is meant as a form of respect. But even in a day when we are becoming more casual, certain groups continue to walk around in their best clothes door to door. I am thinking of the Jehovah's Witnesses. They appear at our door in nice clothing. They must know that the average person answering their door is not going to be in nice clothes but they make sure they appear this way, perhaps to display a person of authority. Businessmen and leaders and Mayor's wear suits each day. It seems to be a sign of authority. Right here, Jesus addresses this and says beware or look out. Take notice. As in, there could be a problem here with the fact that they are walking around in long robes. This was a rich robe in the day which reached down to the ankles and was adorned with fringes. The scribes took pleasure in this type of display. We feel good when we dress up. And in this casual time that we live in those that are dressing up are standing out even more.

The scribes also like respectful greetings in the market places and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They wanted to hear the public acknowledgements from people. Again, important people are noticed by everyone. When they walk down a corridor or path or make an entrance people notice. There is no problem with this. This is normal, but the scribes problem was not that this simply occurred, but that Jesus says they liked it occurring. They liked the greetings, the chief seats, the places of honor. I think that one of the things that people loved about Abraham Lincoln was that he was a simple man. He was different from the leaders of the day. He stood out - yes, but he was like everyone else. Nowadays, our president often comes from very prestigious means and families.

I'm noticing that in these descriptions from Jesus he does something interesting. He tells people the motives of the scribes. I notice these words that he uses - walk around, like, devour, and for appearance's sake. They are not simply adorning themselves or hearing these acknowledgements because it is a normal thing. They like it. They enjoy the notoriety. They devour people. They are doing this for appearance. Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. He gets to people's motives. And that is what we need to be leery of, or beware of. Beware of those people that like these things.

The scribes also devour widows’ houses. They took an individual who was suffering a loss and didn't know how to tend to her property and affairs because the man as the leader of the home had taken on that role. And now they sweep in and devour the widows' house. They possess the property by deception. The problem here is greed or avarice. Like the movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels where men often took advantage of a woman's wealth, this is what scribes would do. They used their position to meet the selfish need of their own for acquisition. It is fine to have things, but Jesus isn't simply addressing this. He is rather addressing the motives of these men.

for appearance’s sake offer long prayers - We are impressed by a praying man. Prayer, public prayer is difficult and somehow we value those that can do it. And praying to God is simply one of the highest desires we have. These scribes offered long prayers. Again, it was another way to say that they are different. A long prayer can be good, but it can also be done in such a way to focus more on the person making the prayer than the One we are addressing. And Jesus condemnation is that their long prayers are given for appearance's sake. Jesus is getting at people's motives.

And in all these things is a promise, but in this instance not a good promise - these will receive greater condemnation. Paul will say that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Jesus himself states, however, with this individuals that there condemnation will great. People may trick others and may pretend to be more godly than they are, but people will never mislead God. Condemnation speaks of judgment or damnation. The problem is that they used religion to deceive. They took something set apart for God and used it for their personal gain and Jesus says that their judgment will be greater than those who did not act in this way or have this special position. 

Summary - Jesus confronts head on religious leaders and anyone that uses their position as a representative of God for their personal gain - that gain may be monetary, but Jesus focuses more on a person's motive and that they do these things to have a power over others. Jesus has spoken much about the Power of God in people's lives. God has the power. If God calls people to ministry, people must understand that they are there only to reflect Him, not to gain things personally. Jesus has proclaimed himself to be more than a man and now he comes head on to those that lead others in this regard. 

Promise: Let God take care of outcomes. He knows. He knows people's true hearts and we can trust Him to take care of those who use religion for their personal gain. 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for this message. Lord, I notice this often in leaders and it sickens me and it is good to know that you notice it and that you will deal with it in Your way. I can trust You for outcomes. I can trust You for results. As people, we need to be careful in our roles as we lead people. Guard us against those that use their position to their own advantage. 

Mark 9:38-41 - On the Side of Jesus

Mark 9:38-41
³⁸ John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” ³⁹ But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. ⁴⁰ For he who is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.


Message: On the Side of Jesus

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface - Jesus continues in Capernaum and continues with the thought that as we desire to be great ourselves and also we desire to have God in our life, being there for others, serving others, and receiving little people as valued people, as no different from the powerful is what we must do.

It's interesting in this study of Mark, to see the disciples and what Mark is emphasizing repeatedly, the teaching from Jesus that is sort of the Opposite Way of how people see their lives. The disciples in their discourse thinking about who among them is the greatest means that they see themselves as a a separate or distinct group. They are unique. But, more than being unique, they think of themselves as special. And this special feeling makes them feel like they are on a higher plane than others. And the danger here now in John's words was that what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples, namely that they need to lean on God's power and trust God's power and live life in Jesus' name was reserved for the disciples. But it is not.

John said to Jesus, Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name. So the disciples saw that someone outside of their circle was attempting or trying to cast out demons in Your name. Obviously, someone had understand Jesus' teaching. In describing the scene John gets it right. What Jesus is saying to them over and over is to cast out demons and do things in His Name, in the name of Jesus. And here is someone that is doing that. 

Yet, John has a problem with this person and thinks possibly that he isn't allowed to do this because
we tried to prevent him because he was not following us. Wow. This person shouldn't be doing this because he is not one of us. The complaint was not that he "was not following you, Jesus" but that he "was not following us." And yet he was following Jesus. But, the man was clearly bearing fruit, so this is how he should be evaluated. 

Today, I think of an application in this message as to how we often will align ourselves with a denomination or type of church and then think that only those people in that church are following the Lord. And if a person is outside of that church, and therefore not part of our church, then they are not doing it correctly. But Jesus says to look at the fruit. Let the fruit of the person be the guide and not what group they are involved with. 

Thus, Jesus says, "Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me." If a person does something in the name of Jesus then he will be incapable of speaking evil of Him. Again, Jesus says to focus on the fruit. Is the fruit correct? Is their motivation correct? I wonder at times if people that belong to different sects that we know on a whole to be wrong are still wrong. I know in my faith there is certain terminology that I expect to hear in people and when I don't hear those words I often don't think they are true followers or followers of Jesus at all. Yet, Jesus says words that are similar to the words of James in his book when he says that faith alone, without works is a dead faith (James 2:17). Our lives of faith will have works. 

Jesus then speaks For he who is not against us is for us. Psalm 115:1 has these words that Chris Tomlin, the worship singer, crafted into a song: Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory. There are two kinds of people, those who are for Jesus and those who are not. This really is one of those teachings from Jesus that I struggle with because he is focusing on works and he is saying that if people say they are for me, then they are, they are not against me. I struggle because of the divisions us in Christendom, specifically the conservative ones view those who are more experiential in their faith. I mean, Jesus here sort of points out a bottom line thought, and that is, "are people for me? Do they act in My name? If so, they are for me and we shouldn't be trying so hard to make them out to be people who are not following after him. I think it is okay to debate over their theology, but we should not be so quick to say they are not for Jesus. 

Jesus says For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. But are there boundaries on essential matters? Yes, and yet, I don't understand sometimes followers who seem to be truly following Jesus even if the leaders of the church or organization they are in are leading them on a different course. This can be a tough lesson. 

Summary - As they continue in Capernaum, John the Apostle mentions to Jesus that someone is casting out a demon in Jesus' name and yet that person is not part of their group. Jesus calls out and says that being part of their group is not what sets people apart as followers of Him or being for him or not followers or not for Him - but instead the issue is are they doing things in Jesus' name. Are they acting in God's name? Thus, we need to look at the fruit, the people group they are in.  

Promise: I learned these words from reading the book of Numbers - Be Careful. I need to not be so quick to judge others as being wrong, focus on their works and then talk to them about their faith. But, don't quickly turn them away because they belong to the wrong group. 

Prayer: Lord, the message that you preach is a message that is an opposite way sort of message. It is different from the way I am often trained in the world and that world training includes how different religious sects train me. Lord, teach me the truth in this message. Teach me what it truly means and how I should view other people in my life. Lord, I want all people to know you and I stare often at their theology rather than their works. Help me to start with their works and then make a bridge to discuss theology. I think of the online ministry I am involved in and this is tough, because we only know from people what they share. Again, help me in what I think about others, to be true to You and Your Word.

Mark 8:11-13 - A Generation that Sought a Sign

Mark 8:11-13
11 The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Leaving them, He again embarked and went away to the other side.

Message: A Generation that Sought a Sign

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface: Jesus, after spending get-away time in Tyre and Sidon and Decapolis area also heals a demon possessed daughter and a blind man. Prior to this Jesus was emphasizing to his disciples and even the scribes the focus on the heart of man, as the Pharisees continued to emphasize the outward works. Jesus is really concerned about the heart. He spends time with many people, who have come from far away to see Him and then he takes care of their need to eat, using what has been provided, multiplying it for what everyone needs. He then leaves, with the disciples on a boat to the district of Dalmanutha.

I haven't done an entry in 2 weeks, simply allowing the other parts of life to fill up my time. We were on vacation for 6 days attending a wedding in Atlanta for my wife's nephew, but in general I have not been prioritizing time in the Word. Therefore, it is taking me a moment to get my mind wrapped around this text. In general, I think Jesus is trying to continue his message of repent and believe pronounced after his baptism. He is willing to teach many things along the way, often dispelling people's assumptions about Him or the way they have previously been trained to think of God.

After feeding the 4,000 he goes with the disciples to the town of Dalmanuthu or Magadan, in the region of Galilee. Mark mentions that as Jesus came into the City, The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him. The Pharisees arguing with Jesus was not uncommon. Jesus continues to share with the Pharisees the idea of the inside, the inward, motivations rather than the outward. But, this goes against their thinking. And it goes against our thinking today. We still live most of our life and judge life based upon what we see.

Thus, they were seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. For them, having Jesus was not good enough. I often think today if people could just see Jesus then they would believe, but many would still not be changed. Here he was living and working in people's lives and yet, many were still not convinced. Here, they were somewhat demanding proof.

Jesus' response: Sighing deeply in His spirit. I think it is great how we consistently get to experience in the Gospels, the humanity of Jesus. Jesus was fully human and even though he was God he thought and expressed himself often as a human. And this is an example. Undoubtedly He was amazed that people who had already seen or heard directly from those that had seen Jesus remained unbelieving. He must have realized that nothing he says will be good enough. This is the tragedy in life often, that people are sometimes so set in their ways that change or seeing something differently is not possible. We become conditioned to think and believe a certain way. And so this is Jesus' response. There was a stark difference in people for the healing he had previously performed were coming from people that did believe in him. Where these Pharisees clearly did not believe.

Summary: Jesus, even after all he has done, still receives words of unbelief from so many. And this reminds us that some people have a stubborn spirit and will only change as the Lord softens their hearts. Jesus here is in the town of Dalmanuthu, in the area of Galilee and this reading has the Pharisees questioning him, again.

Promise: Nothing we can do or say can convince those that have hardened their hearts to believe in Christ. Only God can overcome it.

Prayer: Lord, soften hearts. My heart breaks for people to not be convinced of you. My heart breaks when people think their physical needs must be met first. Lord, you have healed us eternally and have saved us today, tomorrow, and for all time. Lord, for those that do not follow you, I pray that their hearts would be softened by You God. I continue to pray Ezekiel 36:26 for many - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Mark 7:5-8 - Prophetic and Apostolic Tradition

Mark 7:5-8
⁵ The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” ⁶ And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
⁷ ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’

⁸ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

Message: Prophetic and Apostolic Tradition

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - In Mark 1:15 are the words from Jesus - The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel. Jesus initially calls a few to be his disciples and later expands it to 12. He will send out his disciples to speak this message of the kingdom of God. Along the way, Jesus performs many different types of miracles: physical healings, spiritual healings such as forgiveness, power over nature. There is the clear testimony of His power throughout these pages as He shares his message with the masses but also intimately with his disciples showing always his reliance on God and the power of God in people's lives. Jesus has become very popular in this area as many are coming to him to experience Him, to experience God. At the beginning of Chapter 7, Mark pauses a moment in his gospel to bring attention to the Pharisees and their attack on Jesus for doing things that are contrary to the laws and traditions they have followed. Jesus permits his disciples to eat without clean hands. 

As I saw in my reading at the beginning of Chapter 7, the Pharisees are following Jesus around, perhaps checking on him, but also disapproving of his actions. Mark mentions how one attack was related to not following traditions, not necessarily the Moses law, but traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation through the rabbi's. I think of faiths that have traditions like these, such as abstaining from caffeine or other types of abstinence issues. Thus, the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” Jesus uses this as an opportunity, hopefully to go beyond the mere act of washing one's hands prior to eating, which isn't a bad thing and something that is still encouraged to this day, to focus on the "why" of what we do. 

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’

Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.

The concern by Jesus here is that the Pharisees are going to great lengths to purify themselves outwardly in hopes that this rituals would make themselves acceptable to God. If they kept enough rules, thus sacrificing one's own desires, then through the rule keeping they would be set apart as worth unto God. And this is chiefly what Jesus is counteracting in his message. Paul sums it up well in Romans 2:28-29 - A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. Obviously, at this point Romans had not yet been written so Jesus brings us back to the words of Isaiah in 29:13 which conveys the same idea that simply speaking or doing something outward is not what Jesus is looking for, but rather a change of heart. 

In addition, the commandment of God comes to us from the written word of God. It is this word that we must hold onto....and nothing else. Nothing overrides the written word of God.

Summary - Jesus is speaking of the importance of a heart change. I don't think he is diminishing the importance of keeping oneself clean, but he is emphasizing that we all need to make sure that we don't get caught up in rules and outward appearances and forget the real issue is the motive of one's own heart.

Promise: We must not change Scripture to make it fit our man-made traditions.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, help me to focus on what is on the inside. Yes, the outward matters and I knew my best to exemplify in my life the best in my obedience, but overall, I need to focus on the inside. This is where evil resides and can outpour evil onto my life. 

Mark 2:27 - The Purpose of the Sabbath

Mark 2:27
Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
Meaning: The Purpose of the Sabbath

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

As I have said, Jesus is teaching here in these verses, and telling his people, his followers, even us today lessons. It is interesting what he is teaching and what Mark is communicating. Thus far, the theme I have seen is that Jesus is letting us know that His message is new, different, unconventional and he is expressing overall our need to turn to Him and embrace Him and trust what he is saying. Along the way, it is the Pharisees or those that are known to be religious that are asking the questions. Yesterday, the issue was harvesting for grain on the Sabbath or doing any work on the Sabbath and once again the point is not that it's not good to take a rest, but if there is a need, breaking a code of conduct will not separate man from God. We are not asked to follow a set of rules, but we are called to follow Christ.

Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." In Jesus' day, in our day, we tend to look at the religious men, the pastors and teachers and hold them high on a pedestal as the pious men of our day. In Jesus' day and today, the orthodox Jewish people not only say that no work can be done on the Sabbath (recently, I've noticed 7th day Adventists also follow a similar code), but they make a very complete list of what constitutes work - from turning on the air conditioner to driving a car to preparing a meal. For the pharisees tying or untying knots or writing more than one letter of the alphabet were defined as labor that would break the Sabbath commandment.

I admit that often I am a hot or cold person that sometimes lives in extremes. I over-analyze application sometimes and in so doing miss the principle and get too focused on the practice or what should not be practiced. I've always struggled with concepts and understanding them and instead side on actionable items. And this was the problem often with religious zealots in that they over-looked the principle and became more obsessed with what constitutes labor or work on the Sabbath. They lived in fear of perhaps doing something wrong. Like yesterday, obviously a person should not spend their entire Sabbath continuing to harvest the field, but if they had a need for nourishment, was their a problem with picking a little grain. The concept was yes, we need to rest from our labor and trust God, but that doesn't mean necessarily that we can't do anything that constitutes work.

Thus, this could be what Jesus meant when he said The Sabbath was meant for man. God gave us the Sabbath so that we could rest. Rest is easy to understand today because we have so many opportunities to rest and we can rest very easily. In fact, we often rest every evening and then for bulks of time on the weekend. But, in Jesus' day rest was not possible for to survive you had to be always working. But God knew the importance of rest and so he instituted a day for it. The principle was that we need to remember to take it easy. As a person, I don't often take off a full day only because resting happens throughout each day often. Thus, it is not the purpose of the Sabbath to then make a list of what constitutes work and what doesn't. To me, that falls into legalism.

Promise: I am to love the Law of God. But, if it becomes fear or their is concern too much in its breaking, then I miss the point. The reality is obedience to the law is never completely possible. So failure will occur so I need to be more focused on what God is teaching me through the commandments versus getting obsessed with obedience to every detail of it that I conjure up.

Prayer: Lord, thank your for this lesson. I admit being a person that gets bogged down in the details, out of fear that perhaps what I'm doing is breaking the law. Help me to realize why you gave us rules and that I will never be completely obedient to those rules so why do I work so hard to make sure I am. You know me better than I know myself. Teach me to trust you. And help me as a Father, as I relate to my children and teach them that I help them see the principle and don't get too caught up in details.

Romans 14:23 - Faith and Acting Against Conscience

Romans 14:23 - But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Message: Faith and doubts and acting against conscience

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:  

Verse 22 of Chapter 14 ends with a blessing for those that have their freedom in Christ, but this is not the last word. Paul, rather, ends with a word of warning for the Christian, reminding me once again, the meaning of sin in my life. I think it is so important that sin is at the head of the table throughout our life because self-righteous thinking is so easy to fall into. 

This chapter started with a word to the person who may be weak in faith ("accept the person weak in faith"). 

Doubts are often the result of internal thoughts. The opposite of doubt is faith. The Christian needs to walk by faith (and not sight). In verse 14 is the remark that "nothing is unclean in itself" and this could make the immature Christian believe that his choices or actions will not come under scrutiny. If the immature Christian is engaging in something in which he has doubts, then he is not operating by faith. And therefore it is sin. 

This is key. An act can be committed and yet be unclean for one person and sin for another person. The key is whether it is done by faith or with doubting. 

From TableTalk, "Paul is saying that the attitude of the heart can make an action that is not objectively evil into a sin for those who are convinced that it is wrong." My desire should be to please God in all things. So, my choices must mirror this, but more importantly my attitude, my thoughts, are to mirror this desire. The Christian's motivation at all times is to please God. 

RC Sproul states, "The sin not (inherent to the act)...the sin is doing something that we think is evil." 

As a Christian, I must be very careful about what I name sin, for those issues that fall outside of the Bible, because the issue is not the act, but the motivation of the heart. Either way, what is key, is the attitude of the heart. Am I acting by faith or do I have doubts?   

Spurgeon - Do nothing about which you have need to ask a question. Be quite sure about it, or leave it alone. Whatsoever you cannot do with the confidence that you are doing right is sin to you. Though the deed may be right to other people, if you have any doubt about it yourself, it is evil to you.

Promise: Through my choices, I am to trust God and be motivated by faith with a desire to please Him. I may find it to be sin to go to a certain movie while another person may not see it as sin. Let each of us walk in faith. 

Romans 14:5-6 - Honoring the Lord

Romans 14:5-6 - ⁵ One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

Message: Our motivation

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

Paul begins this chapter by reminding the reader that people are at different spiritual levels of maturity. Many are weak in their faith or young in their faith and like maturity in understanding principles. But, I am not to seek to correct that person, necessarily, or make them feel like they are in the wrong, but "welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." 

And then in verses 2-4 was a discussion about respecting people that have a conviction to eat only vegetables versus those who eat only meat. Paul seems to be clear that people will have different convictions, but we are not to pass judgment on someone for being different, "it is before his master that he stands or falls." 

And now Paul moves to people that have determined that one day of the week is more highly esteemed that another day. Then, he brings together the idea of observing days, eating, or not eating or abstaining that the motivation is what is key. What is the reason people do these things? Each person should desire to honor God. That is the motivation of each person, to honor God and give thanks to God. 

I am not to look down on people with these convictions. My concern is often is people get in arguments over what is the correct doctrine and then place this view of doctrine on a higher plane. But, it seems to be clear in these verses that Paul is recognizing that there will be differences, but other subjects such as "all have sinned" or that the righteousness of God has been imputed or pressed upon the person who has faith in Jesus are central. If the Bible is specific, then we need to follow it, but if the Bible is not specific, I think we need to examine our motives and make sure our practices are truly honoring God and giving thanks to him. 

There are many examples: homeschooling versus sending a child to public school, witnessing door to door versus more lifestyle evangelism, having music in the church versus singing acapella, large churches versus small churches, churches that meet in people's homes versus those meeting at a facility or building, paid staff versus all volunteer staff, parachurch versus church work. So, I think it is important that I have respect versus waging a war of disagreement. 

I think this is also an area I struggled as a parent. I had trouble accepting the childish ways of my children and wanted them to act differently, but I didn't take the time to just see them as being childish. I saw children that never misbehaved in church and so thought my children should act the same way or saw children that were courteous and talked to their elders and so thought my children should be the same way, but my motivation was not so much focused on honoring God, but looking bad and looking like I wasn't a good father. I had pride issues and I took it out on my kids. I really regret this because I fear I removed some of the fun by punishing the kids for putting their elbows on the table or cleaning their room. So, there was a hard balance in all of this.  

Promise: Mature should come along the immature and respect their views, not seek to correct them. Our goal is to honor God and give thanks.

 

Romans 2:26-27 - The Place of Circumcision

Romans 2:26-27 - 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?

Message: The Gentile can be circumcised

Time: Romans was probably written during Paul’s third missionary journey from Corinth to a Jewish/Gentile church in Rome (around 56-57 AD).

What the Lord is Saying:

Paul continues in chapter 2 to build the case that what the Jew has erected over the years as the things that a Jew sets them apart from other people and makes them acceptable to God, namely association with the Law of Moses and having circumcision -- is not what God really wants of them. And he shows how a Gentile can actually be a Jew.

Verse 25 showed them that an outward act won't save them. And now in verse 26 and verse 27, as is Paul's custom, he drives the point further by stating that a Gentile, who hasn't been circumcised can keep the Law and be better off from a Jew that has simply been circumcised. So, the outward ritual is not significant, but obedience is significant.

Paul is not saying that the Gentile is able to be saved by keeping the Law. He is communicating to the Jew that their preconceived ideas of what God wants from them are wrong. There is value in being a Jew, but Paul will get to this in Chapter 3. Paul has said that everything depends on obedience. Again, he is using sort of a hypothetical statement to show that the Law points us toward obedience and complete obedience to the Law is what God wants and therefore if someone has that complete obedience then they are truly circumcised (whether or not there has been an actual cutting away of the foreskin).

There isn't anything magical about being circumcised. Circumcision should be a sign of an inward change. A label on a can tells us what is inside the can. But, it is possible that what is inside the can contradicts the label. What is ultimately important is what is inside the can. What is inside will end up marking the outside significant before God.

These verses probably made the Jew very defensive. And remarks of "How dare you?" might have been exclaimed. In verse 27, Paul again repeats partly what he has already said before, like in verse 13 and verses 17 through 20. He states that it is not significant to simply known what the Law says and have circumcision, but significance is in doing the Law and so this is what stands out. 

Promise: The heart is always what is most important to God.

Romans 2:11 - God's Impartiality

Romans 2:11 - For there is no partiality with God.

Message: God doesn't see like man sees. He is impartial not making decisions by the outward.

Time: Written sometime in AD 57-58, probably from Corinth, at the end of Paul's third missionary journey. Chapter 2 seems to be written to the Jew though the Jew is not addressed till verse 17.

What the Lord is Saying:

I don't think it can be any clearer. Verse 9 and 10 use the word "every" to denote that all will be judged. Verse 9 and 10 also speak of the fact that the Jew first and then the Greek (Gentile) so everyone is subject. And then Paul emphasizes it again -- there is no partiality with God. 

no - Greek word ou which means absolutely not.

To be partial is to give judgment based upon outward appearance and not looking inward. This verse is saying that God does not show any partiality because of a person's position or bloodline or association. In fact, the Bible has even told us that God looks at the inward -- thoughts, motives. He knows all.

There is so much effort placed in life on self-improvement and betterment that I would think some people might struggle with the idea that God isn't partial. There is so much focus in life on distinguishing ourselves from others. And yet, God see's us all equally. I can see the comfort in this, but for many, I would think the rich and educated especially, there might be animosity in thinking that God doesn't look at the outward or accomplishments. I think the major point though to realize is God doesn't see us like man see's us. We tend to want to define God based upon what we know as humans about one another. But, God see's differently. He sees beyond the outward. I think because of this, it should remind us how we must always trust God for outcomes and results because we can't see people the way He sees them. 

Promise: God will be the judge. Not me. Trust Him for this and encourage people toward Truth.

Zechariah 7

Message: Question about why we are fasting

Time: December 4, 518 BC

What the Lord is Saying: Another message from the Lord to Zechariah. A delegation had come to Jerusalem (Sharezer and Regemmelech and their attendants) from Babylon. They had a question: should we continue to fast?

Did they understand why they were fasting? And were they doing it with the right motives? The answer that they are given gives the idea that fasting wasn't even what it was about, but they chose to fast.

Rituals are only of value when the heart is right. Our motives must be correct.

This makes me think about any act we do or discipline we attempt before the Lord. The act isn't what is important, but the attitude of our heart is what matters.

Here God gave feast days and then the people turned it into fasting, but they didn't fast with their heart, but instead to follow a ritual.

We do things, thinking we are being obedient, ask God for something, and then are surprised why we don't get it. Our heart is off. And our lives are wrong.

Promise: God is so concerned about our heart. When the heart is wrong, the ritual is wrong.