Ask the Minister 4/24/2013

Beloved,

Forgive this deviation from the norm.  I received a question about a subject in the bible recently (as I do from time to time) and decided to share the exchange in that there may be others who have the same question.

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Subject: Numbers 14:10 - 45


Dear Lee,

I have been reading the Bible through again this year and noticed

something I never have before or heard discussed. In this chapter the

spies return from the promised land and the people listen to the

defeatist. God then says he will destroy them all who opposed and

grumbled. Moses then reasons with God citing the political

implications. I do not know what to make of this. What are your

thoughts? It is a very interesting passage. Moses counseling God who

power is unlimited?

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Hello!

It is good to hear from you. It is also amazing timing in that we just discussed this issue in class on this past Sunday evening.

The scripture in Numbers is not the first time Moses appealed to God for mercy on behalf of the people. You may recall the anger that God felt when the people made the molten calf while He was giving the 10 commandments to Moses on the mountain (Exo 32:7-14) and how Moses appealed to Him on their behalf.

Some people will say that God knew what He was going to do the whole time, but presented Moses an opportunity to exemplify both faith and compassion. I disagree with this theory because we are not told that God was testing him and going about it this way could be considered guile, of which God cannot be accused.

There are those that would say that Moses was counseling God and convinced Him to do other than he planned. I don't completely agree with that either. Romans 11:33-36 says, "Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has know the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor. Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them. For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

I believe the answer is twofold. First, it is important to know that God had a strong relationship with Moses. He famously said of Moses in Numbers 12:6-8, "Listen to my words: when there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord." Secondly, God has proven himself over and over to be a God who hears and grants requests. This is what the power of prayer is all about. You'll remember how Hezekiah cried out to the Lord who had just delivered the news of his impending death through Isaiah, which resulted in the Lord relenting and giving him another 15 years. Scripture is replete with instances of God being amenable to request, not just from the "mighty men of God" but from folks just like me and you.

It should not be considered that Moses was giving God political advice. The focus should be that he was putting in a request for mercy for the people before Him and using reason of God's own public relations to substantiate it. It should also not be missed that in both cases, the people were in fact punished for their transgression (Exodus 32:31-35, Numbers 14:17-30; 32-35).

I hope this clears things up for you. Thanks for the opportunity to discuss the word. Know also that I'm praying for you.

Committed,

Lee

When You Are Down, Look Up 3/26/2013

"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning." Psa 30:5

David was a man of vast experience with God.  He is well known as one who was "after God's own heart."  Also well known are both his triumphs and his utter failures, yet he maintained his vast love for the Father and never ceased trying to please Him and live according to His will.

There were times that David endured the depths of despair.  There were times when he was literally punished by God, but the love between them never ceased.  David realized that among the most temporary things in life were God's anger with him and the commensurate suffering he endured.  Vastly more prevalent was the grace and mercy given and the resultant joy experienced.

Beloved, we all have times in life when we are down.  Sometimes it is because we have brought it upon ourselves.  Other times it is due to happenstance.  Regardless of the causality, we must remember that we are God's own and that He will never leave us or forsake us.  If we be chastised know this: "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" Heb 12:11.  If it be happenstance or even persecution know this: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Each life is filled with things that are good and things that are not so good.  It is part of the human existence.  The Christian, however, has hope in the One who made all.  When you are down, look up.

Committed,

Lee

You Can Come Home-1/11/2012

"Set up for yourself roadmarks, Place for yourself guideposts; Direct your mind to the highway, The way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, Return to these your cities." Jer 31:21

Despite being chosen of God, the children of Israel were a rebellious people. God rescued them from slavery but when things became uncomfortable, they wanted to go back. Through His commandments He gave them a perfect pattern for living, but they wanted to go back. He showed them the promised land, but they wanted to go back. Once in the promised land, he told them what to do to be prosperous but they wanted to go back.

Beloved, does that not sound like many of us today. We want all of God's blessings but few of His parameters. Though He has saved our souls, we spend considerable time looking longingly at the habits, activities, associations and yes, the sins, from which we came. Sadly, there are those who indeed go back.

God sent Jeremiah to His people to warn them of the consequences associated with their rebellious attitude. They would be overtaken by other nations, held captive, made slaves and lose their precious land, homes and possessions. It would be devastating but deserved punishment. But even before it all inevitably happened, God also instructed Jeremiah to inform them that it would not last always. In short, they would be lovingly welcomed back to all that God had supplied and more.

There is no encouragement to violate the commands of our Lord or to be rebellious against Him in any way. It is important to know, however, that He loves us more than we have the capacity to understand. He withholds due punishment through His grace and mercy for a time that vastly exceeds what we would supply to those who wrong us, yet His justice must prevail concerning the unrepentant. The consequences are more about getting our attention than punishing. God desires our love and obedience and sometimes finds it expedient to allow us to experience the alternative. He lovingly tells us, "Remember the journey you took away from me. Set up markers. For these will be your way back to me." It is said that you can never go home. With God you can.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee

When We Do Wrong 6/24/2011

"Nathan said to David, 'You are the man!'" 2 Sam 12:7

This scripture is the culmination of a series of events that literally tested the relationship between God and the one man that was closest to his heart. Most of us know the story of how David went from seeing a beautiful woman on a roof top to sending her husband to the front lines of a war, causing him to be killed.

God sent Nathan to him with a hypothetical situation about a man who had stolen something very dear and precious from another even though the man had plenty. David was very angry and ruled that the thief be punished, even mentioning death. It was at this time that Nathan revealed that it was he who was the thief.

Beloved has God ever sent someone to you under similar circumstances? If so, how did you receive them? The fact is, we all know when we do wrong. In fact, we do as much as possible to cover that wrong. Despite our best efforts, there is the possibility that we could be discovered. Whether we are or not, God knows. In this case, God was angry with David, yet loved him enough to correct and eventually restore him. He sent a friend.

We must seek to do the will of God in every word, thought and deed. Should there be a time when we fall short and someone comes in the spirit of meekness to inform and restore us, let us receive them as David did Nathan. And let us realign ourselves with the will of the Father. We all make mistakes but we do not have to become them.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee

God Punishes, God Preserves-6/14/2011

"Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark — you and your sons and your wife, and your sons' wives with you." Gen 6:17-18

Today, men and women are given in marriage. Today there is a lot of evil present and things are being done that are scarcely imaginable. These things grieve God. People are corrupt and filled with violence. Despite this, however, there are some good people who follow God.

Though all of these statements are true in 2011, you will find the same conditions discussed in Genesis 6:1-2, 5-6, 8-9 and 12-13. Then, it was these very stated situations that caused God to bring about the greatest calamity in history. To be sure, we have earthquakes, droughts, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes and even floods but nothing compares to what He brought about then.

Despite this, God ensured that mankind would survive by preserving the righteous Noah and his family. It should also be said that He gave all of mankind time to repent and seek safety in the vehicle prepared for salvation.

As we (on the St. Louis Area Family Gospel Cruise) look away from our own ark of safety in the midst of the sea, we can view what Noah and his family saw: water as far as the eye could see in all directions. In that the same conditions of Noah's time persist today, if they were deserving of destruction, what of us? Is the story of Noah a warning to the church? Is it a warning to us in our own personal lives?

God certainly punishes. According to Gen 8:1-5, God also relented in His punishment even as He does with us.

Beloved, the promise that He made then still holds true today. He will never destroy the earth with water again. He has always ensured that there will be a remnant of His people to continue to live and glorify His name. 1 Peter 3:20-21 says that, "the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." As there was a vehicle to save man in Noah's time, there is one that remains to save us to this day. Let us heed the warning while there is yet still time. God preserve us.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee