The Fulfillment

Deuteronomy 4:21-29         1/24/2018

Moses remembered with a little bitterness how he couldn’t enter the land because he was provoked to anger by the Israelites during the exodus. He went on to prophecy about the Israelites; that this same obstinacy and proclivity to worship false gods will cause them to lose the land and be scattered amongst the nations. Despite this harsh anticipation, Moses offered assurance of God’s love. He reminded them that God would be found when they searched for Him with all their hearts.

We Are the Fulfillment

As it turns out, just as Moses predicted, the faithful were scattered. The ten northern tribes were dispersed amongst the nations and lost the identity. Judah and Jerusalem were sacked and the people sent to Babylon in the first diaspora.

But the promise is manifest when people from every culture and tradition and corner of the world stop what they’re doing and seek God.

How to Seek with All Your Heart

Becoming a seeker.

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”

I have four sons. They are persistent – if persistence is the same as “determined to pester”. One in particular has the unusual capacity to make the same request more than 20 times an hour and not realize that his behavior is odd. This time it’s a Lego City. I know enough about him that, unless he receives the precise answer he is looking for, he will just keep asking. He is undaunted by the answer “No”. He interprets any ambivalence as the “Yes” he’s hoping for. It’s both remarkable and maddening.

As annoying as this behavior can be, I’m reluctant to refuse him.

It’s on my mind – the woman and the unjust judge. Jesus told of a woman who persistently pestered an unjust judge in order to get justice. Jesus described how the judge didn’t care about justice but couldn’t stand the woman’s persistent nagging. So he gave her what she wanted. Jesus, the Son, told this story to illustrate the determination necessary to successfully seek God.

While that’s not to say that God will give me whatever I want if I pester Him (He loves me enough not to give me a serpent) – it does mean that if I seek Him with all my heart then I won’t be disappointed.

“For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”Matt 7:7

Formless God

Deuteronomy 4:11-20         1/23/2018

Moses spoke of the time at the mountain with God in the Sinai wilderness. He reminded the Israelites of their experience with God in fire and cloud. He reminded them how God spoke to them, yet was formless. Accordingly he explained that because God is formless, they must not make any form into an idol.

Moses and the Formless One

So what does it mean that God is formless? Moses speaks with God like one man speaks with another. Yet the God he speaks to has no form?

His introduction was God in a burning bush. But God was never a bush. And Moses never proposed worshipping shrubs.

God, as He revealed Himself to Moses and the Israelites, showed up with fire and clouds – lightning and thunder. No physical being in time and space. He wasn’t the fire, or the clouds or the lightning or the thunder. The Father cannot be thought of in this way.

The Egyptians had a panoply of gods that were thought to govern every aspect of life. The Canaanites did the same. Although the cast of characters was different in different nations, this was the way of all the nations around them. 

Moses’ claim is this: God’s existence is not created. He is fundamentally different than all the so-called gods that were known in Egypt. So God’s manifestation and Moses’ logical claims about Him are radically different than the ancient near-east norms.

God is formless, therefore make no form (idol) because it is essentially false – it essentially limits the human understanding of God. A contradiction to the truth. Pure error.

How to Relate to a Formless God

Formless and unique, yet God is still a person. Not a human person, but a person nonetheless. So how shall we know Him? And this is the good news: God has been revealed through Jesus Christ.

In His own words,

“No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” Luke 10:22

 

 

Preamble

Deuteronomy 4:1-10         1/22/2018

Moses reminded the people to observe all the commands of the Lord – as Moses had delivered them. He also admonished them to neither add or subtract to the laws. Otherwise, Moses warned, God would not remain in the presence of the Israelites.

Addition and Subtraction

More laws leads to increased division.

Moses anticipated that increasing the number of laws, or changing the laws would result in the failure of the Authentic Community. Centuries later he was proved right when the nation of Israel split into two different nations.

The Problem of Being a Law Unto Myself

It’s written; “Every man’s way is right in his own eyes”

It’s not merely that the average person is trying to game the system – though there is always some of that. But for most people, the problem runs deeper.

Most people really believe that their way is morally right or, at least, justifiable.

There is a certain bias in our mental development that makes us blind to errors that other people obviously notice. As a result, we interpret even the most universal truths in a localized and parochial way.

My errors, to the extent that I recognize them, don’t seem as bad; desperate; pathetic; devious or anti-social as the errors of other people.

Every One a Caesar and a Pope

Left to our own devices, we would make rules that regulate everyone but ourselves. Imagine how that might work out.

A solipsist nightmare.

When asked to change the world, William Wilberforce once said, “I would sooner change myself”.

The law wasn’t designed so that I could accusatorily hammer people over the head with it. It will never be enough that I should try to change the world by forcing them to think as I do.

The law is for me. It was always for me. That I would apply it’s precepts to my behavior. It’s the possibility of my freedom.

“Rather, one is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not the letter; his praise is not from human beings but from God” Rom 2:29

Children and Overcoming Fear

Deuteronomy 3:18-29         1/21/2018

Moses reminded the Reubenites, Gadites and Manassites about their commitment to cross the Jordan. They promised to help secure the Promised Land before returning to their families and homes east of the Jordan. Moses also recounted God’s faithfulness and admonished the Israelites not to fear battle after they crossed because God would do the fighting for them. Moses reflected how God forbid him to enter the land.

Fear and Uncertainty

When a parent tells a child, “Don’t be afraid”, the parent doesn’t mean there is something wrong with the fear feelings. The parent means, “look past the fear feelings; you are going to be all right.”

When I’m uncertain of what I’m doing, I sometimes get the feeling that “something bad could happen”. The sense of fear – of being afraid – is a bodily reaction that corresponds to this possibility.

Moses reassured the children of Israel. He wanted them to know that despite the uncertainty of battle, God was with them; they couldn’t lose with God on their side.

It’s funny; a parent’s encouragements don’t eliminate the fear feelings. But they do allow the child, who trusts their parent’s counsel, to work through their fears and overcome them.

Do Not Be Afraid

I am called for one thing – to love. That is the Promised Land. It is the essence of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Love God and love your neighbor.

Easily said. It rolls off the tongue much like, “Take possession of the land I have given you.”

But we all know there are giants.

I know that if love looks like Jesus – and the way He lived His life on earth – that I’m going to be afraid. I’m the child who wants to believe all of this is possible but…

“He touched me with his right hand and said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last,” Rev 1:17

Spoils and Fallen Giants

Deuteronomy 3:6-17         1/20/2018

Moses recounted how the spoils from the defeat of Sihon and Og were divided amongst the three tribes: Reuben, Gad and Manasseh. It is parenthetically mentioned that Og, king of Bashan, had been the last of the giant Rephaim (He had a bed of iron that was 13 1/2 feet long and 6 feet wide).

The Last Giant

The modern tendency is to see the Israelite invasion of Palestine as an act of pre-civilized aggression. A grab for land. Often, this interpretation is used as evidence that God is not a God of peace. By extension, that this faith tradition is at odds with a modern understanding of justice and righteousness.

But Moses’ view was that the giants who dwelled in Canaan were evil. Evil, in the way that a modern person might say “Nazi” or “Fascist” – that kind of evil. The fight then was to rid the world of this evil. It was a war not unlike twentieth century wars intended to eliminate Nazism and Fascism.

So declaring Og the last Rephaim was a little like declaring Adolph Hitler the last Nazi. There is danger in naively believing that the evil of fascism is dead.

The Species Isn’t Extinct

I’m always amazed at how often scientist have concluded that certain animals have been extinct for thousands – or even millions of years – suddenly to find a living specimen at the bottom of some infrequently visited ocean.

I’m similarly amazed when I come to the conclusion that I’ve overcome some sinful tendency in my life. Experience tells me this is the sure sign that I’m about to encounter circumstances that prove my weakness is still alive.

Paul once wrote, “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall”. Declaring the giants dead is a dangerous thing. So here’s a note to self: The giants are never dead. There is no last giant. As long as I have breath – I am subject to the temptation of the knowledge of good and evil.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be victory. That doesn’t mean there won’t be rest. It’s simply a caution against declaring extinct that which is still lurking.

“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Remembering the Defeat of Og

Deuteronomy 2:32-3:5          1/19/2018

After reflecting on the defeat of Sihon, Moses described how Og, King of Bashan, came out with all his men. But just like Sihon, Og and his men were defeated and all the cities of Bashan fell into the hands of the Israelites.

The Warm Up

The defeat of Sihon and Og were the major military victories of the new Israelite army prior to crossing the Jordan. The men who had fought previously during the exodus were mostly members of the old generation who died in the wilderness.

Neither Sihon or Og had to fight Israel – it is what they chose. But in coming out, they provided the Israelites the necessary opportunity to experience warfare. The Israelite community and its army were steadfast and faithful to God’s commands and were successful.

Faithful in Small Things

Faithfulness is born out of value. It’s a kind of behavior – a kind of decision I make and then actually act on.

Motion follows motivation. Motivation always chases after value. I’m motivated to respond faithfully by the value I perceive. So, if I’m going to be faithful in small things, it’s because I somehow value the small things.

Value Response

My heart values some-thing because the thing brings me pleasure. Or maybe, if I’m feeling high-minded, I might value some-thing because I know that it’s good for me – even if it doesn’t bring me pleasure; like, for example, kale chips.

But sometimes I value a thing even if it doesn’t bring me pleasure, or even if it doesn’t affect me for good or for ill. Sometimes I value a thing simply because I see something extraordinary in it. And sometimes I value a thing because I can see how valuable it is to someone else.

God Has a Plan For You

When I realize how much God loves His creation – how much He wants the success of His Authentic Community. How much He wants others to be a part of His community – to fulfill their destiny, to enter into their essential telos. I want that for Him. And He wants that for you. And so, I want that for you, too.

If I say a prayer this morning for the Authentic Community, I agree with God and His purpose. Just a little prayer. Honest but little is OK.

“The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones” Luke 16:10

Remember the Defeat of Sihon

Deuteronomy 2:22-31         1/18/2018

Moses mentioned how God had put a “fear and dread” of the Israelites in the peoples of the surrounding nations. God foretold of Sihon’s defeat, yet Moses offered peaceful terms in exchange for safe passage through Sihon’s land. Sihon attacked and was defeated.

God Made Sihon Stubborn

In the passage it mentions that God made Sihon stubborn in his heart. This is why he attacked, even though Moses had offered peaceful terms.

It’s always fearful when I hear those words, “God made him stubborn in mind and obstinate in heart”. It’s like when Moses says, “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart”

The Heart of a King

In Proverbs it says, “A king’s heart is channeled water in the hand of the Lord; God directs it where he pleases.” It almost sounds like kings lack the liberty to choose.

Sihon and Pharaoh: Did neither of these men have anything to do with their outcome? Of course, the more pressing, implied question is: Do I have anything to do with mine? Do I control anything? Because if I don’t – what am I even doing here?

Freedom

True freedom is always toward some achievement. The idea of “freedom” is much closer to the idea of skill and capacity then it is to the idea of unfettered choice. A skilled artist is “free” to produce beauty. A skilled technician is free to diagnose and repair. Without those respective skills, no one could not describe themselves as free in either discipline.

So freedom is the result of habit. I behave in the ways that I do because past choices have produced in me – in my mind, in my brain – certain routine ways of responding to my circumstances. These patterns of behavior take on their own momentum and trajectory – my patterns of behavior don’t turn on a dime. Even if I want my heart to change, it’s just not that easy.

Pay Attention

So I start here – with what I pay attention to. I will spend some time today deliberately choosing what I pay attention to. I will practice thinking about one person; about their virtues, about their goodness. I will praise God for who that person is – for who that person is becoming – for who that person is in Christ. I will praise God that I am able to see that person in a light that transcends how they can serve me. I think I must be at least that free.

Would that Sihon had chosen better.

Perhaps not even God can resist such a determination. Perhaps this is what God meant for me to do from the very beginning.

Faithfulness Outside Israel

Deuternonomy 2:9-21         1/17/2018

Moses described how God directed the Israelites away from the Moabite and Ammonite territories – that these were not included in the Promised Land. Instead, these territories belonged to the descendants of Lot. God had given Lot’s children these places as their heritage. It is also revealed that both the Moabites and the Ammonites had to displace the giant peoples who lived in their land prior to their settling. Moses mentioned that the time for conquest was ripe because the faithless generation had died out.

Deference to Near Kin Cultures

Moses observed how God deferred imposing the Israelites on their nearest kin, especially the cultures that were generated by other descendants of Abraham and Lot.

He was also determined to point out that each of these near kin cultures had to root out the giant Anakim people in order to settle the land that God had given them.

This is contrasted with the final death of the soldiers who had refused to enter the land 38 year before. It was because of their disobedience, that the Israelites were forced to wonder in the wilderness.

God Shows No Partiality and Wants Faithfulness

God responds to faithfulness.

The moral law that describes how people should relate to God and to each other is transcendent. It is not a matter of social contract or social consensus.

But knowing that the law exists – or even knowing what the law demands, is of little consequence if I don’t live it. The righteousness is in living it. The righteousness is in doing it.

The Israelites knew they would have to face giants – but, at first, they couldn’t do it. Their nearest relatives had actually done the work of displacing the giants – and God honored that.

I have my giants. They need to be dealt with. But my knowing that doesn’t change anything unless and until I put everything on the line in faith that God will bring me to victory.

“Then Peter proceeded to speak and said,* “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” Acts 10:34-35

The Comparisons

Deuteronomy 1:43-2:8       1/16/2018

Moses recounted to the people the portion of their exodus from the failure to enter into the land until they had come upon the Edomites around the thirty-eighth year. He reminded the Israelites how God had caused them to circle in the highland of Seir for much of the exodus. He also reminded them how God had sworn not to give the Edomite territory to them because the Edomites were descendants of Esau, a son of Isaac, who had received this land from God as a part of Esau’s heritage.

God is Faithful to All

The heritage of one does not discount the heritage of another. God’s faithfulness to the Edomites took the form of a commitment not to allow Israel to overtake the descendants of Esau.

The scripture is hard on Esau – especially because he traded his birthright for a bowl of pottage. Yet, Esau forgave Jacob, even in his time of vulnerability. So God looked with favor on Esau’s descendants and protected them in the land of Seir.

God’s faithfulness wasn’t only to the children of Israel – but at least to all of the descendants of Abraham.

Comparing Blessings

It’s so easy to look around and imagine that others have it better. When I see the benefits and the good things that other people have – especially those material blessings that have not yet come to my family, the propensity is to compare myself.

How many the ways. The envy of believing that others do not deserve the blessings they have. The jealous desire to have the very same things. The self-righteous indignity of sour grapes; “this indulgence will lead them away from the Lord”. No matter how much I have. No matter how much blessing my family enjoys, someone else always seems to have more.

Stop Comparing

It’s easy to say “Stop Comparing”. But it’s compulsive – a compulsion. It’s built into my brain. Whether I put it there or whether it’s just part of the package doesn’t really matter. I have to deal with it.

This means refocusing my brains’ efforts. Focusing my attention. Seeing and interpreting things differently.

Do I really believe that God loves other people – that He wants what’s best for them – that He wants them in heaven. If so, do I want that with Him, or for Him? Because if I do, then there is no room for envy or jealously or inappropriate comparison.

There is merely an agreement with God to support His purposes in any way I can. And a recognition that He’s given circumstances to others that are likely to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus – their hearts desire.

“Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves” Phil 2:3

Recounting the Missed Chance

Deuteronomy 1:31-42         1/15/2018

Moses recounted how the children of Israel refused to enter the Promised Land. He reviewed how, as a result of their disobedience, God had ordered them to return to the wilderness. Once they realized the consequences of the disobedience, they attempted to enter the Promised Land – following the original command of the Lord.

God warned them through Moses not to engage, but they went anyway. Without God’s leadership and support, the men who went to fight were beaten badly. The survivors from the battle returned to the camp.

Window of Opportunity

It’s possible to be too late with God. For anyone whose missed His calling, or refused to follow God’s clear will for their life, this is a frightening thought. If you know that God has, at some point in your life, wanted you to do something and you refused – then you know what I mean.

But “too late with God” doesn’t mean reprobate (beyond God’s healing power of redemption). It means that you’ve blown this particular opportunity. You chose against what you knew God wanted you to do. Maybe you were responding out of selfishness or fear or anger or even spite – it doesn’t actually matter. But, once a window of opportunity closes, it closes.

Peter missed the opportunity to own Jesus as His Lord and Savior in the early hours of the morning, sitting by a fire, hoping not to be recognized because of fear. Thomas missed the opportunity to believe the reports about Jesus’ resurrection because of incredulity. Jonah refused the opportunity to offer a warning prophecy to Ninevah because of spite. None of them ever got the original opportunity back again.

Closed Window is Never the End of the Story

It’s like suddenly realizing you held the winning ticket for a multi-million dollar lottery one day after the claim date. You lost the prize. There’s going to be some grief. There’s going to be some sadness. There’s going to be some wishing you could go back in time.

But then you process the grief and you move forward with your life. The grief could ruin you – but it probably won’t.

It’s the same with God. You missed it. You re-engage. You learn to follow closer next time.

Peter was forgiven and became the foundation for the church. Thomas was eventually persuaded and evangelized India. Jonah was confronted and ending up catalyzing the repentance of Ninevah.

It’s not over until there’s no more breath in my lungs. Yes, I’ve all fallen far short of the glory of God. But, I’ve also been redeemed.

So now it’s time to get back in the game. If the window is still open, then squeeze through the crack. But if the window is closed, then it’s time to start looking for the next window of opportunity.

“Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord.” Eph 5:17