“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
II Timothy 3:16-17
Here is a question for you? Does the Word of God bring you joy and happiness? Does the Word of God make you so happy that you cannot wait to dive in and read it? I ask because tonight we celebrate Simchat Torah, translated as ‘Rejoicing of the Torah’. In the Jewish faith, Simchat Torah celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of reading the Torah, as well as celebrates and marks the beginning of a new cycle of reading the Torah. This cycle ending tonight began October 7, 2012, or on the Hebrew calendar, the 22nd of Tishrei.
While it may be probable that you have not been following the readings of the Torah in the past, and it is not my intention to shame you for that, the question I ask still remains. Does the Word of God bring you joy? To many it seems like it may be just a collection of tall tales, derived and penned from a number of different people who just so happened to have their tale found and published. To others, the Word of God is a set of rules, especially within the Torah, and they give no thought to it since who really wants to live under so many rules anyway. Others look at the Word of God as just another book, nothing special and nothing to live by.
And yet, to those like myself, it is life. These words are the words of God, spoken by His Spirit to prophets, apostles, kings, priests, shepherds, slaves, and the Son of God Himself. These are His words, used to urge me in living a life aimed at righteousness through teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. The Word of God is my instruction manual and its aim is to equip me for every good work. So then, within the pages of the Bible I find life. I find answers to questions, I find healing for my wounds, and I find a path in my darkness for His Word is my lamp (Ps 119:105). Every chapter, every sentence, every word, and every piece of punctuation is for my pleasure. His Word sustains me, feeds me, refreshes me, and protects me. How can I not find joy in His Word?
And so, tonight as Simchat Torah is celebrated, the Torah scrolls will be taken out of the ark and read by the people. They will first read the final chapters of Deuteronomy and then begin with the opening chapters of Genesis. In each occasion, when the ark is opened, worship will arise. The people will get up from their seats and dance and sing with the Torah in their possession, sometimes for hours at a time, because of the joy that comes with God’s Word. I ask again, does the Word of God bring you joy? When was the last time you celebrated in joy the Word of God, dancing and singing joyously, parading His life-breathing words? Maybe recently; maybe never. Maybe this is a good time to start. Come and let us rejoice in the Torah!
***If you would like to watch a live view of the Wailing Wall and the celebrations that will take place over the next 24 hours, please view the following links:
close up:
http://www.virtualjerusalem.com/livekotel/newkotelcam/virtualjerusalem/index.php?affid=18
far away:
http://english.thekotel.org/cameras.asp
https://www.onthevanguard.com/
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
YOM KIPPUR
“It is to be a permanent regulation for you that on the tenth day of the seventh month you are to deny yourselves and not do any kind of work, both the citizen and the foreigner living with you.”
Leviticus 16:29
As we are now just days away from Yom Kippur, I wanted to take some time to review with you just what this holiday is all about. Before I go on, however, I want to point out something from our main text, Leviticus 16:29. With many of the Jewish holidays, people assume that if they are not Jewish, they do not have to celebrate. This is not correct. In becoming adopted into God’s family, (Rom 8:14-17), you also became subject to His feast, celebrations, and appointed times. Leviticus 16:29 states specifically that Yom Kippur is not just for the citizen (the Jew), but also for the foreigner (the Gentile). With this clarified, let us learn about Yom Kippur.
It is on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, that we want to find an AT-ONE-MENT with God. The Day of Atonement is God’s biblical holy day established on Israel’s sacred calendar as a covenant of repentance and promise. It is on this day that the fullness of his blessings and presence come into our lives. It is on this day in history that once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the nation. It is a perfect illustration of regeneration for those who follow God's atonement.
To be so blunt, Yom Kippur is the equivalent of the church goers who attend church on Christmas and Easter. If a Jewish person goes to synagogue on no other day, he will make an effort to not miss this holy day. The Jewish people on this day will refrain from work, fast, and attend synagogue services. As during the Days of Awe when God inscribes our names in His books, on Yom Kippur the judgment is sealed. This day is, essentially, our last appeal, our last chance to change the judgment and demonstrate our repentance and make amends. After the sealing, the destiny of the person is set for the next year.
Let us consider the fast related to Yom Kippur as we read of in Leviticus 16:29. The focus of this fast is the depriving of ourselves so that we may focus fully on God’s Word. This holy day is considered a complete Shabbat, meaning that no work can be performed. This also includes the refraining of eating and drinking for the 25 hour period, starting before sunset the evening before (this year being Sept 13, 2013) until after nightfall on Yom Kippur (Sept 14, 2013). Let me add to save us from any confusion that the Jewish days begin at sunset as opposed to sunrise. While additional restrictions are named in the Talmud, the Bible speaks nothing against bathing, wearing perfumes, leather shoes, or being intimate with your spouse. These truly named restrictions within the Bible can be lifted where a threat of life is concerned, and the fast is not mandatory for children under age twelve and women who are pregnant.
The term Yom Kippur is seen in the Bible as plural, written as Yom Ha-Kippurim, indicating the process of cleansing from transgressions, iniquities, and sins. The term also alludes to the two great atonements given by God. These include the nations turning to Jesus for cleansing and forgiveness, as well as the purification of ethnic Israel during the great Day of the LORD in the end times.
Kippurim translates into “a day like Purim”. If you recall the spring festival of Purim, you may also recall it was the celebration of the salvation of the Jewish race under Esther. Promoted as Queen, God placed Esther in a key position for a specific time. Her act of bravery in going before the King uncalled and requesting he come to a dinner she was having, in which she begged for the lives of the Jews, brought about not only the death of Haman, but also the salvation of the Jews. It is this same truth that we find relating to us at this holiday as Yom Kippur celebrates our deliverance and salvation for which Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, delivering us from the hands on our enemy.
While being delivered is enough in and of itself, we must make a choice at this time. Will we come back? Will we repent for our sins, seek forgiveness of God and others, and offer forgiveness to those who have offended us, or will we deny this chance. I ask because as I stated above, this is our last appeal, our last chance to change the judgment and demonstrate our repentance and make amends before the sealing of the books. Where will your name land? The books that will be sealed include the names of those who will live verses pass away, of those who will have a blessed life, and of those who will live a cursed life during the next year. Forgiveness plays a huge part in this decision. So where will your name be found?
While the details of the fast are important for Yom Kippur, there is a deeper detail found earlier in this same chapter of Leviticus. Leviticus 16:5-10 reads,
5 "He is to take from the community of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering
and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 Aaron is to present the bull for the sin offering which is
for himself and make atonement for himself and his household. 7 He is to take the two goats
and place them before ADONAI at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 Then Aaron is to
cast lots for the two goats, one lot for ADONAI and the other for 'Az'azel. 9 Aaron is to
present the goat whose lot fell to ADONAI and offer it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat
whose lot fell to 'Az'azel is to be presented alive to ADONAI to be used for making
atonement over it by sending it away into the desert for 'Az'azel.”
The ceremony begins with two goats. One goat was named the Chatat and would be slain as a blood sacrifice, a symbol of the covering of sins for the people. The second goat was named the Az’azel, or Scapegoat, and would be brought before the priest. The priest would lay his hands on the goat's head as the sins of the people were confessed. Whereas the first was slain, the Scapegoat was released into the wilderness as a representation of the sins being removed from the people. But one important detail concerning this needs still to be made known. Watchmen were planted on the borders of the land to make sure that the goat did not return. As this goat was their sin, the sin was not wanted back in the land. It is for this fact that I question of us – do we have watchmen set out in our land to make sure the sin does not re-enter?
When Jesus our Messiah died on the cross, He did so for our sin. Jesus, who knew no sin, became our sacrifice and Scapegoat. As his body was beat and cut, He became our Chatat with His blood being spilled out for us. Yet He also became our Az’azel in that He took our sin away from us. It is only because of His sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins that we have the ability to stand in His presence. The Greek word KAPPARAH means propitiation. In Greek mythology this word was used in showing appeasement to the gods. But this word also means atonement. On the cross, Jesus was displayed as our kapparah, our sacrifice, the fulfillment of all that is celebrated at Yom Kippur. The atonement has been made and forgiveness is offered.
It is in Leviticus 17:11 we read that the blood of the sacrifice paved the way for our atonement. The verse reads,
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement
for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
Without this price paid or atonement made, our sin would continue to separate us from God. It is because of His love for us that we have been redeemed and given access. It is because of His payment that we have been sought after for unity with Him. It is because of His atonement – His at-one-ment, that we are able to have relationship with Him.
The message within all the Bible is simple – God is holy and we also must live our lives to reflect His holiness. As such we read of the things that are clean, blessed, and right in contrast to those that are dirty, cursed, and sinful. We are to be holy as He is holy. But we are human and prone to sin. God knew this would be a fact for we have freewill. Yet He did not create us and leave us to live without a chance. Rather He made a way for us to be redeemed from the curse. Jesus Christ, our Messiah, is our high priest and has offered a true atonement for our sin. He has paved the way for our at-one-ment, so let us then come before Him, confessing our sin and turning from our wrong way to embrace the oneness with Him.
Lastly, let us look at Yom Kippur in relation to Jonah 3:10, which reads, “When Adonai saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened."
It is in the book of Jonah that we see the truth of confession. If we confess and turn from our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us as He did the people of Ninevah. Because of the great wickedness of Ninevah, God had determined an exact time in which He would destroy the city. However, before He did so He gave warning. God asked Jonah to go and proclaim that His destruction was coming. After Jonah ran from Him, spent a few nights inside a fish and was vomited out, and then finally obeyed, the proclamation was made. When the people heard this warning, however, they began to believe the words. In fact, the city people declared a fast. Yet once the king caught a hold of this warning, he too declared a fast. The king went even so far as to declare a fast not only of the people, but also of the animals (Jon 3:7). He reasoned, "Who knows? Adonai may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." Talk about a serious change of direction for Nineveh.
As God watched the change in the hearts of the city, He relented. Jonah 3:10 goes on to say that, "When Adonai saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened." I don't know about you, but I read that and find myself stirred with hope. He knows the many stupid things I have done, and the sins I have committed both on accident and on purpose. Yet in reading this account I am encouraged to consider that maybe God is saying the same thing to me. Perhaps He is warning me to get right so as to avoid destruction. It would only seem to make sense. And truth be told, that is exactly right. He will forgive us all.
From the beginning in Genesis, God has only wanted for us to obey His decrees, follow His ways, and serve Him only. Is that any different than what He desired from Nineveh? Is it any different from what He desires from us now? So then maybe instead of being hard headed and walking around with cotton balls in my ears, I should listen and obey. Maybe it is time for a fast, a change, and a requesting of Adonai to forgive me as I recommit the path I am on in this new year. There is hope for us all that He will relent, but we first must admit our errors and change our ways as Nineveh did.
Leviticus 16:29
As we are now just days away from Yom Kippur, I wanted to take some time to review with you just what this holiday is all about. Before I go on, however, I want to point out something from our main text, Leviticus 16:29. With many of the Jewish holidays, people assume that if they are not Jewish, they do not have to celebrate. This is not correct. In becoming adopted into God’s family, (Rom 8:14-17), you also became subject to His feast, celebrations, and appointed times. Leviticus 16:29 states specifically that Yom Kippur is not just for the citizen (the Jew), but also for the foreigner (the Gentile). With this clarified, let us learn about Yom Kippur.
It is on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, that we want to find an AT-ONE-MENT with God. The Day of Atonement is God’s biblical holy day established on Israel’s sacred calendar as a covenant of repentance and promise. It is on this day that the fullness of his blessings and presence come into our lives. It is on this day in history that once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the nation. It is a perfect illustration of regeneration for those who follow God's atonement.
To be so blunt, Yom Kippur is the equivalent of the church goers who attend church on Christmas and Easter. If a Jewish person goes to synagogue on no other day, he will make an effort to not miss this holy day. The Jewish people on this day will refrain from work, fast, and attend synagogue services. As during the Days of Awe when God inscribes our names in His books, on Yom Kippur the judgment is sealed. This day is, essentially, our last appeal, our last chance to change the judgment and demonstrate our repentance and make amends. After the sealing, the destiny of the person is set for the next year.
Let us consider the fast related to Yom Kippur as we read of in Leviticus 16:29. The focus of this fast is the depriving of ourselves so that we may focus fully on God’s Word. This holy day is considered a complete Shabbat, meaning that no work can be performed. This also includes the refraining of eating and drinking for the 25 hour period, starting before sunset the evening before (this year being Sept 13, 2013) until after nightfall on Yom Kippur (Sept 14, 2013). Let me add to save us from any confusion that the Jewish days begin at sunset as opposed to sunrise. While additional restrictions are named in the Talmud, the Bible speaks nothing against bathing, wearing perfumes, leather shoes, or being intimate with your spouse. These truly named restrictions within the Bible can be lifted where a threat of life is concerned, and the fast is not mandatory for children under age twelve and women who are pregnant.
The term Yom Kippur is seen in the Bible as plural, written as Yom Ha-Kippurim, indicating the process of cleansing from transgressions, iniquities, and sins. The term also alludes to the two great atonements given by God. These include the nations turning to Jesus for cleansing and forgiveness, as well as the purification of ethnic Israel during the great Day of the LORD in the end times.
Kippurim translates into “a day like Purim”. If you recall the spring festival of Purim, you may also recall it was the celebration of the salvation of the Jewish race under Esther. Promoted as Queen, God placed Esther in a key position for a specific time. Her act of bravery in going before the King uncalled and requesting he come to a dinner she was having, in which she begged for the lives of the Jews, brought about not only the death of Haman, but also the salvation of the Jews. It is this same truth that we find relating to us at this holiday as Yom Kippur celebrates our deliverance and salvation for which Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, delivering us from the hands on our enemy.
While being delivered is enough in and of itself, we must make a choice at this time. Will we come back? Will we repent for our sins, seek forgiveness of God and others, and offer forgiveness to those who have offended us, or will we deny this chance. I ask because as I stated above, this is our last appeal, our last chance to change the judgment and demonstrate our repentance and make amends before the sealing of the books. Where will your name land? The books that will be sealed include the names of those who will live verses pass away, of those who will have a blessed life, and of those who will live a cursed life during the next year. Forgiveness plays a huge part in this decision. So where will your name be found?
While the details of the fast are important for Yom Kippur, there is a deeper detail found earlier in this same chapter of Leviticus. Leviticus 16:5-10 reads,
5 "He is to take from the community of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering
and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 Aaron is to present the bull for the sin offering which is
for himself and make atonement for himself and his household. 7 He is to take the two goats
and place them before ADONAI at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 Then Aaron is to
cast lots for the two goats, one lot for ADONAI and the other for 'Az'azel. 9 Aaron is to
present the goat whose lot fell to ADONAI and offer it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat
whose lot fell to 'Az'azel is to be presented alive to ADONAI to be used for making
atonement over it by sending it away into the desert for 'Az'azel.”
The ceremony begins with two goats. One goat was named the Chatat and would be slain as a blood sacrifice, a symbol of the covering of sins for the people. The second goat was named the Az’azel, or Scapegoat, and would be brought before the priest. The priest would lay his hands on the goat's head as the sins of the people were confessed. Whereas the first was slain, the Scapegoat was released into the wilderness as a representation of the sins being removed from the people. But one important detail concerning this needs still to be made known. Watchmen were planted on the borders of the land to make sure that the goat did not return. As this goat was their sin, the sin was not wanted back in the land. It is for this fact that I question of us – do we have watchmen set out in our land to make sure the sin does not re-enter?
When Jesus our Messiah died on the cross, He did so for our sin. Jesus, who knew no sin, became our sacrifice and Scapegoat. As his body was beat and cut, He became our Chatat with His blood being spilled out for us. Yet He also became our Az’azel in that He took our sin away from us. It is only because of His sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins that we have the ability to stand in His presence. The Greek word KAPPARAH means propitiation. In Greek mythology this word was used in showing appeasement to the gods. But this word also means atonement. On the cross, Jesus was displayed as our kapparah, our sacrifice, the fulfillment of all that is celebrated at Yom Kippur. The atonement has been made and forgiveness is offered.
It is in Leviticus 17:11 we read that the blood of the sacrifice paved the way for our atonement. The verse reads,
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement
for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
Without this price paid or atonement made, our sin would continue to separate us from God. It is because of His love for us that we have been redeemed and given access. It is because of His payment that we have been sought after for unity with Him. It is because of His atonement – His at-one-ment, that we are able to have relationship with Him.
The message within all the Bible is simple – God is holy and we also must live our lives to reflect His holiness. As such we read of the things that are clean, blessed, and right in contrast to those that are dirty, cursed, and sinful. We are to be holy as He is holy. But we are human and prone to sin. God knew this would be a fact for we have freewill. Yet He did not create us and leave us to live without a chance. Rather He made a way for us to be redeemed from the curse. Jesus Christ, our Messiah, is our high priest and has offered a true atonement for our sin. He has paved the way for our at-one-ment, so let us then come before Him, confessing our sin and turning from our wrong way to embrace the oneness with Him.
Lastly, let us look at Yom Kippur in relation to Jonah 3:10, which reads, “When Adonai saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened."
It is in the book of Jonah that we see the truth of confession. If we confess and turn from our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us as He did the people of Ninevah. Because of the great wickedness of Ninevah, God had determined an exact time in which He would destroy the city. However, before He did so He gave warning. God asked Jonah to go and proclaim that His destruction was coming. After Jonah ran from Him, spent a few nights inside a fish and was vomited out, and then finally obeyed, the proclamation was made. When the people heard this warning, however, they began to believe the words. In fact, the city people declared a fast. Yet once the king caught a hold of this warning, he too declared a fast. The king went even so far as to declare a fast not only of the people, but also of the animals (Jon 3:7). He reasoned, "Who knows? Adonai may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." Talk about a serious change of direction for Nineveh.
As God watched the change in the hearts of the city, He relented. Jonah 3:10 goes on to say that, "When Adonai saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened." I don't know about you, but I read that and find myself stirred with hope. He knows the many stupid things I have done, and the sins I have committed both on accident and on purpose. Yet in reading this account I am encouraged to consider that maybe God is saying the same thing to me. Perhaps He is warning me to get right so as to avoid destruction. It would only seem to make sense. And truth be told, that is exactly right. He will forgive us all.
From the beginning in Genesis, God has only wanted for us to obey His decrees, follow His ways, and serve Him only. Is that any different than what He desired from Nineveh? Is it any different from what He desires from us now? So then maybe instead of being hard headed and walking around with cotton balls in my ears, I should listen and obey. Maybe it is time for a fast, a change, and a requesting of Adonai to forgive me as I recommit the path I am on in this new year. There is hope for us all that He will relent, but we first must admit our errors and change our ways as Nineveh did.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
HANNAH AND ROSH HASHANAH!
"You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."
Micah 7:19
Here we are again, finding ourselves about to announce "Happy New Year". According to the Jewish calendar, the New Year has now arrived. Starting at dusk, or around 6:00pm, Jewish believers will celebrate their New Year. Rosh Hashanah kicks off what is known as the high holy season, ushering in the holidays of Yom Kippur and Sukkoth. In short, Rosh Hashanah follows the 30 days of the month of Elul as a two day celebration.
One of the greatest illustrations of the blessing of Rosh Hashanah comes from I Samuel 1. We read in I Samuel 1:11 a portion of the prayer prayed by Hannah after she excused herself from the table. “Then she took a vow; she said, ‘ADONAI-Tzva'ot, if you will notice how humiliated your servant is, if you will remember me and not forget your servant but will give your servant a male child, then I will give him to ADONAI for as long as he lives; and no razor will ever come on his head.’” When Eli the cohen (priest) saw Hannah with lips moving, he assumed her to be drunk and offered words of wisdom to her concerning her drinking habits. But once he realized that she had been praying, in faith he replied that Adonai had indeed heard her prayer (I Sam 1:17). Yet why was Hannah's request for a son granted? The answer is because she already had the idea of what she would do when she had him. She purposed that if she had a son, she would give him over to Adonai's service. May I then suggest that Adonai wants to bless us, but He wants to know why? He wants to know the purpose for why He should bless us.
Think of it as such. A man who wants to build a house for Adonai may not have all the tools needed to do so. For instance, he is lacking a hammer. Would it not be wise for the man to pray something along the lines of, “Adonai, I want to build You this home, but I need a hammer.” As He provided a son for Hannah with purpose known, so then He would also provide a hammer for this person who knows the purpose but lacks the means.
Can I suggest that in this season, as we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, that we do celebrate the sweetness of the holiday, we do empty our pockets and allow our confession to be heard and forgiven, and we do increase our giving. But may I also suggest that like Hannah, we come before Adonai not with a list of wants, but with purpose known. Praying with the reason instead of just praying because we want something seems like it will make the difference, and keep us focused.
There is so much more to write concerning this high holy day, but the theme and purpose have not changed and despite beliefs, is not only for the Jewish people. It is a message for us all. As we stand on the brink of a spiritual new year, let us also prepare. This is a season of new beginnings, and I cannot wait to go deeper with Adonai and see just what He does for me this year.
Micah 7:19
Here we are again, finding ourselves about to announce "Happy New Year". According to the Jewish calendar, the New Year has now arrived. Starting at dusk, or around 6:00pm, Jewish believers will celebrate their New Year. Rosh Hashanah kicks off what is known as the high holy season, ushering in the holidays of Yom Kippur and Sukkoth. In short, Rosh Hashanah follows the 30 days of the month of Elul as a two day celebration.
One of the greatest illustrations of the blessing of Rosh Hashanah comes from I Samuel 1. We read in I Samuel 1:11 a portion of the prayer prayed by Hannah after she excused herself from the table. “Then she took a vow; she said, ‘ADONAI-Tzva'ot, if you will notice how humiliated your servant is, if you will remember me and not forget your servant but will give your servant a male child, then I will give him to ADONAI for as long as he lives; and no razor will ever come on his head.’” When Eli the cohen (priest) saw Hannah with lips moving, he assumed her to be drunk and offered words of wisdom to her concerning her drinking habits. But once he realized that she had been praying, in faith he replied that Adonai had indeed heard her prayer (I Sam 1:17). Yet why was Hannah's request for a son granted? The answer is because she already had the idea of what she would do when she had him. She purposed that if she had a son, she would give him over to Adonai's service. May I then suggest that Adonai wants to bless us, but He wants to know why? He wants to know the purpose for why He should bless us.
Think of it as such. A man who wants to build a house for Adonai may not have all the tools needed to do so. For instance, he is lacking a hammer. Would it not be wise for the man to pray something along the lines of, “Adonai, I want to build You this home, but I need a hammer.” As He provided a son for Hannah with purpose known, so then He would also provide a hammer for this person who knows the purpose but lacks the means.
Can I suggest that in this season, as we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, that we do celebrate the sweetness of the holiday, we do empty our pockets and allow our confession to be heard and forgiven, and we do increase our giving. But may I also suggest that like Hannah, we come before Adonai not with a list of wants, but with purpose known. Praying with the reason instead of just praying because we want something seems like it will make the difference, and keep us focused.
There is so much more to write concerning this high holy day, but the theme and purpose have not changed and despite beliefs, is not only for the Jewish people. It is a message for us all. As we stand on the brink of a spiritual new year, let us also prepare. This is a season of new beginnings, and I cannot wait to go deeper with Adonai and see just what He does for me this year.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
POLES AND STONES
“You are not to plant any sort of tree as a sacred pole beside the altar of Adonai your God that you will make for yourselves. Likewise, do not set up a standing-stone; Adonai your God hates such things.”
Deuteronomy 16:21-22
In looking back at Exodus 20:3-4, we read that one of the commandments given to the people of Isra’el was that no other gods were to be before Adonai. Whether carved out or not, or even representing Adonai or not, the fact remained that nothing was to be worshipped except for Adonai Himself. Here in Deuteronomy 16, we see again Adonai commanding His people that no pole or stone was to be used in any form of worship.
Right away my mind travels to Judges 6 and the account of Gideon. It is here we read about his tearing down his father’s altar to Baal and cutting down his Asherah pole (Jud 6:25). In the morning when the town awakes to see what has happened, they question the people and find that it was Gideon who caused the chaos. Livid, the people demand the father, Joash, to release his son to their punishment. However, Gideon’s father leaves the argument stating that if Baal is god, then he can defend himself (Jud 6:31).
Another account I am reminded of is found in Numbers 21:4-9, where Moses builds a bronze snake to lift up for the people to look at when bit by a snake. While this was ordered by God not as a god they were to worship, it soon became this. As we see in II Kings 18:4, King Hezekiah removed the high places, smashed the scared stones and cut down the Asherah poles. “He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan).” For approximately 750 years after it was first raised as a way of bringing healing to the people, the people had been worshipping this bronze idol.
But what happened in both these cases? What was it that turned the people over time from agreeing to this command of no idols and gods, to what we read in Judges and II Kings? I come up with two suggestions, and in all honesty I pray they never become our reasons. First, the people were swayed. We see this in the account of Solomon also. Just as Solomon allowed the women in his life to sway him from Adonai, so also Adonai’s chosen people swayed from their first love. As such, they began to serve sticks, poles, and rocks. The second suggestion, they did not see Adonai as all He proclaimed to be. Because of the trial in the desert, because of the battles that had to be fought, because life was not served to them on a silver platter, and because they continued to live in the healing of the past, the people began to question who Adonai was. Instead of remembering Him as the one who had parted the Red Sea, or the one who provided manna and quail in the wilderness, or the one who delivered them from all their enemies, they began to see Him as the one who brought them there to die with a lack of water in a land of giants.
Here is the challenge, though. We must be careful that in the times when things do not come handed to us, we do not turn our backs on Adonai. We must be careful not to get stuck also serving the god of the past as opposed to the God of the now. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation. We are to be allegiant to the Healer, not the method of healing. Serving the rocks, the poles, and the sticks will only put us back in Egypt instead of the Promise Land that awaits us.
Deuteronomy 16:21-22
In looking back at Exodus 20:3-4, we read that one of the commandments given to the people of Isra’el was that no other gods were to be before Adonai. Whether carved out or not, or even representing Adonai or not, the fact remained that nothing was to be worshipped except for Adonai Himself. Here in Deuteronomy 16, we see again Adonai commanding His people that no pole or stone was to be used in any form of worship.
Right away my mind travels to Judges 6 and the account of Gideon. It is here we read about his tearing down his father’s altar to Baal and cutting down his Asherah pole (Jud 6:25). In the morning when the town awakes to see what has happened, they question the people and find that it was Gideon who caused the chaos. Livid, the people demand the father, Joash, to release his son to their punishment. However, Gideon’s father leaves the argument stating that if Baal is god, then he can defend himself (Jud 6:31).
Another account I am reminded of is found in Numbers 21:4-9, where Moses builds a bronze snake to lift up for the people to look at when bit by a snake. While this was ordered by God not as a god they were to worship, it soon became this. As we see in II Kings 18:4, King Hezekiah removed the high places, smashed the scared stones and cut down the Asherah poles. “He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan).” For approximately 750 years after it was first raised as a way of bringing healing to the people, the people had been worshipping this bronze idol.
But what happened in both these cases? What was it that turned the people over time from agreeing to this command of no idols and gods, to what we read in Judges and II Kings? I come up with two suggestions, and in all honesty I pray they never become our reasons. First, the people were swayed. We see this in the account of Solomon also. Just as Solomon allowed the women in his life to sway him from Adonai, so also Adonai’s chosen people swayed from their first love. As such, they began to serve sticks, poles, and rocks. The second suggestion, they did not see Adonai as all He proclaimed to be. Because of the trial in the desert, because of the battles that had to be fought, because life was not served to them on a silver platter, and because they continued to live in the healing of the past, the people began to question who Adonai was. Instead of remembering Him as the one who had parted the Red Sea, or the one who provided manna and quail in the wilderness, or the one who delivered them from all their enemies, they began to see Him as the one who brought them there to die with a lack of water in a land of giants.
Here is the challenge, though. We must be careful that in the times when things do not come handed to us, we do not turn our backs on Adonai. We must be careful not to get stuck also serving the god of the past as opposed to the God of the now. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation. We are to be allegiant to the Healer, not the method of healing. Serving the rocks, the poles, and the sticks will only put us back in Egypt instead of the Promise Land that awaits us.
Friday, August 23, 2013
UNIQUE TREASURE
“In turn Adonai is agreeing today that you are his own unique treasure, as he promised you; that you are to observe all his mitzvoth; and that he will raise you high above all the nations he has made, in praise, reputation and glory; and that, as he said, you will be a holy people for Adonai your God.”
Deuteronomy 26:18-19
About twelve years ago I was out taking a walk and saw a coin on the ground. Now I am the kind of person that will stop and pick up money when found, even if it happens to be only a penny. So when I bent down to grab this coin, I found a coin I had not seen before. Using a little spit to wipe the dirt off, I found the top to look like a nickel. When I turned it over, though, I saw a buffalo. In my mind, I had just found a treasure. I hurried home to do a better cleaning job and found the date. Oh I was sure this was something now. Later that day, I made a call to a local coin collector and told him about my treasure, wondering exactly how much it may be worth beings so old. I was shocked to hear his quote. “Because I have so many and they are still common, it won’t be worth more than a dollar.” What? How could it be only worth that much? If it was so common why was this the first time I had seen one? I was perplexed that my treasure was not as unique as I had thought.
I was reading the Bible last night with my children and we read a section from Deuteronomy 26. Even though the passage doesn’t say the words “IF” and “THEN”, the latter part of the chapter really is an if/then statement. Let me show you. “You are agreeing today that Adonai is your God and that you will follow his ways; observe his laws, mitzvoth (commands), and rulings; and do what he says.” This is the “IF”. If we agree to do all that God has decreed, keeping His commands and walking in His ways, then we get to enjoy the benefit. And the benefit, the “THEN”, is so worth doing what He has commanded us.
Here is the “THEN”. “In turn Adonai is agreeing today that you are his own unique treasure, as he promised you; that you are to observe all his mitzvoth; and that he will raise you high above all the nations he has made, in praise, reputation and glory; and that, as he said, you will be a holy people for Adonai your God.” The “THEN” is that He raises us up above others in praise, reputation, and glory. But what is more, in doing the “IF” we become His unique treasure. Unlike my coin which did not turn out to be worth thousands, God places a great value on us.
But before I close, I want to take a minute to explain just how valuable we are to Him. The word for ‘unique’ in Hebrew is CAGULLAH. We translate it not only as unique, but also as valued property, peculiar treasure, a jewel, or possessed. Think about this. In God’s part of this joint relationship He is agreeing that we are His possession, His jewel of value, and His treasure. There are many days when I do not feel like a treasure. In fact, I probably have more days when I feel like a trash can in His presence as opposed to a treasure. Yet He thinks highly of me. Granted I need to do my part in keeping His commands and walking solely in His ways, but when I do as He has commanded I am looked at as His unique treasure.
I am so tired of looking in the mirror and feeling overtaken with disgust. I am so tired of stepping out of line with Him and being left to my own demise. I want to walk only in His ways, agreeing with Him today that I will follow Him, observe His laws and commands, and do what He says. I do not want to do it only for the “THEN” portion, but because in the “THEN” portion I begin to see myself as He sees me. I begin to see I truly am His unique treasure.
Deuteronomy 26:18-19
About twelve years ago I was out taking a walk and saw a coin on the ground. Now I am the kind of person that will stop and pick up money when found, even if it happens to be only a penny. So when I bent down to grab this coin, I found a coin I had not seen before. Using a little spit to wipe the dirt off, I found the top to look like a nickel. When I turned it over, though, I saw a buffalo. In my mind, I had just found a treasure. I hurried home to do a better cleaning job and found the date. Oh I was sure this was something now. Later that day, I made a call to a local coin collector and told him about my treasure, wondering exactly how much it may be worth beings so old. I was shocked to hear his quote. “Because I have so many and they are still common, it won’t be worth more than a dollar.” What? How could it be only worth that much? If it was so common why was this the first time I had seen one? I was perplexed that my treasure was not as unique as I had thought.
I was reading the Bible last night with my children and we read a section from Deuteronomy 26. Even though the passage doesn’t say the words “IF” and “THEN”, the latter part of the chapter really is an if/then statement. Let me show you. “You are agreeing today that Adonai is your God and that you will follow his ways; observe his laws, mitzvoth (commands), and rulings; and do what he says.” This is the “IF”. If we agree to do all that God has decreed, keeping His commands and walking in His ways, then we get to enjoy the benefit. And the benefit, the “THEN”, is so worth doing what He has commanded us.
Here is the “THEN”. “In turn Adonai is agreeing today that you are his own unique treasure, as he promised you; that you are to observe all his mitzvoth; and that he will raise you high above all the nations he has made, in praise, reputation and glory; and that, as he said, you will be a holy people for Adonai your God.” The “THEN” is that He raises us up above others in praise, reputation, and glory. But what is more, in doing the “IF” we become His unique treasure. Unlike my coin which did not turn out to be worth thousands, God places a great value on us.
But before I close, I want to take a minute to explain just how valuable we are to Him. The word for ‘unique’ in Hebrew is CAGULLAH. We translate it not only as unique, but also as valued property, peculiar treasure, a jewel, or possessed. Think about this. In God’s part of this joint relationship He is agreeing that we are His possession, His jewel of value, and His treasure. There are many days when I do not feel like a treasure. In fact, I probably have more days when I feel like a trash can in His presence as opposed to a treasure. Yet He thinks highly of me. Granted I need to do my part in keeping His commands and walking solely in His ways, but when I do as He has commanded I am looked at as His unique treasure.
I am so tired of looking in the mirror and feeling overtaken with disgust. I am so tired of stepping out of line with Him and being left to my own demise. I want to walk only in His ways, agreeing with Him today that I will follow Him, observe His laws and commands, and do what He says. I do not want to do it only for the “THEN” portion, but because in the “THEN” portion I begin to see myself as He sees me. I begin to see I truly am His unique treasure.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
FORCEFUL MEN
"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."
Matthew 11:12
History recalls the events of June 6, 1944, more commonly known as D-Day. For many soldiers who made the attack on Omaha Beach, this was their last stance. Many in the unit were drowned during the approach from ships offshore as they sank in waters. Of the 29 DD tanks filled with men on route toward Omaha, only 2 made it to the beach. An onslaught of German firepower met the remaining allied forces as they made their way on land, seeking shelter behind Hedgehogs and other obstacles where they were protected from gunfire. Under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the Germans had found defense in their strong points and trenches. Omaha literally became a killing zone. Bodies lay dead floating in the water or scattered across the beach. Remains of Landing Craft littered the front.
By 7:30am a second wave of troops was released and hit the beach, joining the fight. At 8:30am the landings ceased and troops were left on their own to face danger without the possibility of retreat. In small groups the men made the deadly race across the beach to find little relief along the seawall. Navy Destroyers attacked with pounding arms against the German fortifications at close range. Within hours, German fire had decreased and defensive positions were taken from the rear. By nightfall, the remaining soldiers stood their ground around Vierville, Saint-Laurent, and Colleville. Four years of preparation for only hours of combat, and yet, the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, is said to be the beginning of the end of World War II.
As one who loves war history, I enjoy reading these stories of bravery and forceful advance. Recently, however, I read an article speaking on the forceful advance named in Matthew 11:12. The article was written to question our aggressiveness as believers. The author penned that if we are not aggressively righteous then we become passively wicked. He also stated that just because we are "Christian" does not guarantee our place in heaven. This is true as we read in Matthew 25:31-33 where Jesus writes of the separation of goats and sheep. So then the question begs first, are we sheep or goats? And then second, are we aggressive or passive?
In looking at Matthew 11:12, which I long ago coined as my main text for On The Vanguard Ministries, we see the passage can be broken into three sections. First we read a timeline, spanning from the days of John the Baptist until now. Second we read of what has been happening during that time frame, which so happens to be that the kingdom of heaven has been advancing with force. Lastly we are left with what I now see as a challenge more than a statement. "...and forceful men lay hold of it." Note that it is only the forceful who lay hold, not the casual, passive, or hardly trying.
The men who landed at Normandy and attacked on Omaha Beach were not casual. They were not passive or barely trying to make the plan work. They were forceful. Their mission was to forcefully take the Germans out, preventing them from attacking further. We as followers of Christ must also be forceful. The allowance of sin is the allowance of the enemy's attack. The forceful men lay hold of it, they cease the uprising and prevent the future attack. Let this be said of us, then. Let us become the forceful men.
Matthew 11:12
History recalls the events of June 6, 1944, more commonly known as D-Day. For many soldiers who made the attack on Omaha Beach, this was their last stance. Many in the unit were drowned during the approach from ships offshore as they sank in waters. Of the 29 DD tanks filled with men on route toward Omaha, only 2 made it to the beach. An onslaught of German firepower met the remaining allied forces as they made their way on land, seeking shelter behind Hedgehogs and other obstacles where they were protected from gunfire. Under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the Germans had found defense in their strong points and trenches. Omaha literally became a killing zone. Bodies lay dead floating in the water or scattered across the beach. Remains of Landing Craft littered the front.
By 7:30am a second wave of troops was released and hit the beach, joining the fight. At 8:30am the landings ceased and troops were left on their own to face danger without the possibility of retreat. In small groups the men made the deadly race across the beach to find little relief along the seawall. Navy Destroyers attacked with pounding arms against the German fortifications at close range. Within hours, German fire had decreased and defensive positions were taken from the rear. By nightfall, the remaining soldiers stood their ground around Vierville, Saint-Laurent, and Colleville. Four years of preparation for only hours of combat, and yet, the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, is said to be the beginning of the end of World War II.
As one who loves war history, I enjoy reading these stories of bravery and forceful advance. Recently, however, I read an article speaking on the forceful advance named in Matthew 11:12. The article was written to question our aggressiveness as believers. The author penned that if we are not aggressively righteous then we become passively wicked. He also stated that just because we are "Christian" does not guarantee our place in heaven. This is true as we read in Matthew 25:31-33 where Jesus writes of the separation of goats and sheep. So then the question begs first, are we sheep or goats? And then second, are we aggressive or passive?
In looking at Matthew 11:12, which I long ago coined as my main text for On The Vanguard Ministries, we see the passage can be broken into three sections. First we read a timeline, spanning from the days of John the Baptist until now. Second we read of what has been happening during that time frame, which so happens to be that the kingdom of heaven has been advancing with force. Lastly we are left with what I now see as a challenge more than a statement. "...and forceful men lay hold of it." Note that it is only the forceful who lay hold, not the casual, passive, or hardly trying.
The men who landed at Normandy and attacked on Omaha Beach were not casual. They were not passive or barely trying to make the plan work. They were forceful. Their mission was to forcefully take the Germans out, preventing them from attacking further. We as followers of Christ must also be forceful. The allowance of sin is the allowance of the enemy's attack. The forceful men lay hold of it, they cease the uprising and prevent the future attack. Let this be said of us, then. Let us become the forceful men.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
DRIVING OUT THE NATIONS
“When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations – the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you – and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.”
Deuteronomy 7:1-2
After marching in the desert for forty years, the people of Israel were standing on the brink of entering into the Promise God had given them. In just a few short days Moses would stand on the mountain and watch as Joshua took the people into a land God called theirs. But there were a few final restrictions that God wanted to emphasize, or re-emphasize, before His people crossed the border. This second law that Moses repeated included a called to obedience, a challenge to teach the next generations of God’s ways, and here in Deuteronomy 7:1-2, a plan to prevent who God considered outcasts in His people’s land. Naming seven nations specifically, God through Moses made the point to call out nations which needed to be destroyed. But have you ever wondered why? True, they did not serve God but rather gods. But what was it about these nations that defined them?
The religious beliefs of the Hittites were based obviously on the worship of other gods, a “thousand gods” to be exact. This extreme polytheistic people were to be completely destroyed as their focus was not on the one true God. But let me also point out that these people were thick with terror, as the Hittites stemmed from Heth, whose name means terror. Let us not confuse fear with terror. Terror is the thing inside your mind you cannot see yet still paralyzes you. This same spirit of terror, however, is linked also to suicide, which can be linked to the massive number of suicide missions within terrorist groups. Furthermore, a deep depression and sadness followed these people based on the umbrella of terror they lived under. But God does not want us to live with terror.
The Girgashites were known as ‘clay dwellers’, referring to the fact that they focused on earthly, temporal things. Right away we see how this is contrary to God’s way as we are advised to focus on God and things eternal (II Cor 4:18). The Girgashites focused on things visible and as such were analytical people, basing their decisions on the pros and cons as opposed to the things ordained within God’s law. But we know that in some cases God’s ways are not seen visibly at first. Case in point, the book of Esther. Nowhere in this book is God even named, yet we see His hand in the very words penned. God may be working to warn you, preserve you, and keep you, but if our decision is based only on what we see as opposed to how God leads, then we will never fully know His still small voice. God wanted His people focused only on Him and His ways, therefore these people also had to be destroyed.
Nestled within the mountains were the people known as the Amorites. These ‘mountain people’ were bent on self-exaltation. The Hebrew word AMAR is defined as uttering or saying, and it was this people that wanted their five minutes of fame constantly. The spirit of these people can be seen in past leaders such as Saddam Hussein or Adolf Hitler, whose pictures of themselves plastered cities and subjects worshipped them. However, when the Word speaks of removing mountains, it may not only be referring to removing big problems. It very well may also be referring to the removal of the Amorites in our own life, those issues which strut their pride and prevent the humility that God calls strength.
The term Canaanite refers to the lowlands people, but also refers to low earthly passions. What is a low earthly passion? The answer to this is an addiction or sexual perversion. The best examples of a Canaanite cluster are the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 10:19). It is safe to say that the spirits of homosexuality and lesbianism, along with all forms of fornication, derive from the Canaanite spirits which operate the feel good emotions and close the mind to sound judgment. Why would God want these people destroyed? The answer to this can be found in Leviticus 20 where God lays down the law on sexual things not to do. These people were going against His law and to prevent Israel from following these un-Godly ways, they had to be taken out.
The term Perizzite means belonging to a village, giving the connotation of ‘smallness’. The Perizzites, though large enough to be named in this passage, were people who lived under the idea of limits. There was very little opportunity to get ahead. Their limited vision damned them as they were unable to dream big. Not only was their vision small, but the self-esteem was small. So as not to allow a spiritual stagnation, a low self-esteem, and the prevention to experience all God desired to pour out on His people, the Perizzites too had to be destroyed. God’s ways and thoughts are better, bigger, and higher than ours (Is 55:9), so let us not get stuck in the woe is me when bigger is He.
The only distinction between the Perizzites and Hivites, as both were of small villages, was the way in which they allowed themselves to be limited. The term Hivite is related to the idea of life in the Hebrew. These people enjoyed life. To really break it down, Hivite comes from the Hebrew word CHAVVAH, meaning life or living. CHAVVAH is where we get the name Eve. In Genesis 4:1 we read that Adam knew his wife, and the Hivites knew one another via the practice of hedonism. Again we can point to Leviticus 20 and see God’s list of don’ts concerning sexual matters and clearly see why these people were to be destroyed. God wanted, and still wants, His people pure. God not only did not want His people mixing sexually with other nations, but also did not want His people following the practice of this corrupt people.
Lastly, the Jebusites were to be expelled from the land. The Jebusites were known as threshers, people who beat the grain from the husk. This seems harmless – until we also realize that these people threshed and stomped others down as well. These people were constantly putting others down, constantly humiliating others, and constantly making themselves big at the cost of making others feel low. Sadly enough, we see this within our nation, our communities, our churches, and even our families still today. Add to this the fact that they worked to turn people against each other and we have a bigger problem. But God desires we be one body (Jn 17:21-22; I Cor 12:12-26). We are not to tear down, but rather we are to build up. We are not to divide for our benefit, but rather are to work in unity for the greater cause.
No treaty was to be made with these people, and perhaps we see a clearer picture of why. God does not want us to unify ourselves with terror when we are to walk in love. It is His perfect love and a trust in Him that drives out terror. God does not want us to base our decision only on the things we see, but calls us to faith and belief in things we cannot see but know as truth. God does not want us to exalt ourselves, but rather exalt Him and lift Him up. God does not desire for His people to be bombarded in addiction and sexual perversion, but wants us to walk in freedom, with an overcoming power that only He can deliver. God does not want us to see ourselves as the grasshopper when He has called us the victor. God does not want us to live in the freedom sin when He calls us to walk in the freedom of His ways. And God does not want us to live in the pattern of threshing others when He has called us to build up one another and work in unity. Making a treaty with these people, these sins, is wrong and must be stopped. Israel failed to do all that God commanded and as a result suffered the consequences. Let us not make the same mistake.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2
After marching in the desert for forty years, the people of Israel were standing on the brink of entering into the Promise God had given them. In just a few short days Moses would stand on the mountain and watch as Joshua took the people into a land God called theirs. But there were a few final restrictions that God wanted to emphasize, or re-emphasize, before His people crossed the border. This second law that Moses repeated included a called to obedience, a challenge to teach the next generations of God’s ways, and here in Deuteronomy 7:1-2, a plan to prevent who God considered outcasts in His people’s land. Naming seven nations specifically, God through Moses made the point to call out nations which needed to be destroyed. But have you ever wondered why? True, they did not serve God but rather gods. But what was it about these nations that defined them?
The religious beliefs of the Hittites were based obviously on the worship of other gods, a “thousand gods” to be exact. This extreme polytheistic people were to be completely destroyed as their focus was not on the one true God. But let me also point out that these people were thick with terror, as the Hittites stemmed from Heth, whose name means terror. Let us not confuse fear with terror. Terror is the thing inside your mind you cannot see yet still paralyzes you. This same spirit of terror, however, is linked also to suicide, which can be linked to the massive number of suicide missions within terrorist groups. Furthermore, a deep depression and sadness followed these people based on the umbrella of terror they lived under. But God does not want us to live with terror.
The Girgashites were known as ‘clay dwellers’, referring to the fact that they focused on earthly, temporal things. Right away we see how this is contrary to God’s way as we are advised to focus on God and things eternal (II Cor 4:18). The Girgashites focused on things visible and as such were analytical people, basing their decisions on the pros and cons as opposed to the things ordained within God’s law. But we know that in some cases God’s ways are not seen visibly at first. Case in point, the book of Esther. Nowhere in this book is God even named, yet we see His hand in the very words penned. God may be working to warn you, preserve you, and keep you, but if our decision is based only on what we see as opposed to how God leads, then we will never fully know His still small voice. God wanted His people focused only on Him and His ways, therefore these people also had to be destroyed.
Nestled within the mountains were the people known as the Amorites. These ‘mountain people’ were bent on self-exaltation. The Hebrew word AMAR is defined as uttering or saying, and it was this people that wanted their five minutes of fame constantly. The spirit of these people can be seen in past leaders such as Saddam Hussein or Adolf Hitler, whose pictures of themselves plastered cities and subjects worshipped them. However, when the Word speaks of removing mountains, it may not only be referring to removing big problems. It very well may also be referring to the removal of the Amorites in our own life, those issues which strut their pride and prevent the humility that God calls strength.
The term Canaanite refers to the lowlands people, but also refers to low earthly passions. What is a low earthly passion? The answer to this is an addiction or sexual perversion. The best examples of a Canaanite cluster are the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 10:19). It is safe to say that the spirits of homosexuality and lesbianism, along with all forms of fornication, derive from the Canaanite spirits which operate the feel good emotions and close the mind to sound judgment. Why would God want these people destroyed? The answer to this can be found in Leviticus 20 where God lays down the law on sexual things not to do. These people were going against His law and to prevent Israel from following these un-Godly ways, they had to be taken out.
The term Perizzite means belonging to a village, giving the connotation of ‘smallness’. The Perizzites, though large enough to be named in this passage, were people who lived under the idea of limits. There was very little opportunity to get ahead. Their limited vision damned them as they were unable to dream big. Not only was their vision small, but the self-esteem was small. So as not to allow a spiritual stagnation, a low self-esteem, and the prevention to experience all God desired to pour out on His people, the Perizzites too had to be destroyed. God’s ways and thoughts are better, bigger, and higher than ours (Is 55:9), so let us not get stuck in the woe is me when bigger is He.
The only distinction between the Perizzites and Hivites, as both were of small villages, was the way in which they allowed themselves to be limited. The term Hivite is related to the idea of life in the Hebrew. These people enjoyed life. To really break it down, Hivite comes from the Hebrew word CHAVVAH, meaning life or living. CHAVVAH is where we get the name Eve. In Genesis 4:1 we read that Adam knew his wife, and the Hivites knew one another via the practice of hedonism. Again we can point to Leviticus 20 and see God’s list of don’ts concerning sexual matters and clearly see why these people were to be destroyed. God wanted, and still wants, His people pure. God not only did not want His people mixing sexually with other nations, but also did not want His people following the practice of this corrupt people.
Lastly, the Jebusites were to be expelled from the land. The Jebusites were known as threshers, people who beat the grain from the husk. This seems harmless – until we also realize that these people threshed and stomped others down as well. These people were constantly putting others down, constantly humiliating others, and constantly making themselves big at the cost of making others feel low. Sadly enough, we see this within our nation, our communities, our churches, and even our families still today. Add to this the fact that they worked to turn people against each other and we have a bigger problem. But God desires we be one body (Jn 17:21-22; I Cor 12:12-26). We are not to tear down, but rather we are to build up. We are not to divide for our benefit, but rather are to work in unity for the greater cause.
No treaty was to be made with these people, and perhaps we see a clearer picture of why. God does not want us to unify ourselves with terror when we are to walk in love. It is His perfect love and a trust in Him that drives out terror. God does not want us to base our decision only on the things we see, but calls us to faith and belief in things we cannot see but know as truth. God does not want us to exalt ourselves, but rather exalt Him and lift Him up. God does not desire for His people to be bombarded in addiction and sexual perversion, but wants us to walk in freedom, with an overcoming power that only He can deliver. God does not want us to see ourselves as the grasshopper when He has called us the victor. God does not want us to live in the freedom sin when He calls us to walk in the freedom of His ways. And God does not want us to live in the pattern of threshing others when He has called us to build up one another and work in unity. Making a treaty with these people, these sins, is wrong and must be stopped. Israel failed to do all that God commanded and as a result suffered the consequences. Let us not make the same mistake.
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