The internet is cool. Right now I'm at a Holiday Inn in Kitchener, and they provide wireless internet access to their guests. So, I can read and then make my notes all at once.
Well, I did it. Malachi. I've finished the entire Old Testament. I read Malachi many times before, and have heard it quoted too many times to be counted regarding tithing. I am pleased to say that I do not struggle with tithing. My parents taught me from when I was a child, and I have seen the fruit of tithing. God has always been faithful to me financially, and my wife and I have never been without. Our bills get paid and we have stuff left over to live.
I don't agree with the whole "Prosperity Gospel" school of thought. A lot of people teach that Christians should be rich, and while God uses them in many ways, I don't particularly think that all Christians should be rich. What I mean by rich is that we should drive BMWs and live in big houses and all that. Right in Malachi it states again that we need to be taking care of the poor, so I don't see me hoarding up money being able to balance itself with the fact that there are still poor people.
But I'm not sure if my opinion is just for me or for all Christians. I really would like to buy a Dodge Magnum. It would be easily $40,000, with crazy gas consumption. I can't justify a purchase like that when a Civic or some other small car can get me around just find. Mind you, I like new cars, and some might disagree with buying new when you can get a used car for cheaper.
Malachi spends more time telling the priests what they are doing wrong then talking about tithing. I don't hear much preaching on that. Essentially, it boils down to them not doing what they said they would do (1:14).
And so, like so many of the other books that I have read, a couple verses / thoughts stand out to me:
3:5 - "I'm now on my way to judge you. And I will quickly condemn all who practice witchcraft or cheat in marriage or tell lies in court or rob workers of their pay or mistreat widows and orphans or steal the property of foreigners or refuse to respect me." And then the end of 3:7 - "But if you return to me, I will return to you."
God wants us to follow him, and here in Malachi he tells his people that he is sending his messenger and then he will come. His messenger "will lead children and parents to love each other more, so that when I come, I won't bring doom to the land" (4:6). God doesn't want to condemn, but the people brought it on themselves. All they had to do was give God their money, and take care of each other. If they did that, he'd be pleased.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
Zechariah
Well, Zechariah is my kind of prophet. Not only does God give him visions, but he also sends someone along to interpret. In each vision, Zechariah gets to see it, then ask the accompanying angel what it means. Why?
I think it is summed in the sentiment of 7:7 - "My message today is the same one I commanded the earlier prophets to speak to Jerusalem and its villages when they were prosperous, and when all of Judah, including the Southern Desert and the hill country, was filled with people."
They didn't get it. God sent all sorts of signs and messages, and his people still disobeyed. This time, he gives the message and to make it idiot-proof, has an angel standing by to tell Zechariah what it means.
And if 7:7 weren't enough, then there's the message: 7:8-9 - "So once again, I, the LORD All-Powerful, tell you, "See that justice is done and be kind and merciful to one another! Don't mistreat widows or orphans or foreigners or anyone who is poor, and stop making plans to hurt each other." Widows and orphans. How many times did God have to tell them?
I was at a funeral on Saturday. One of my pastors and I were talking about a previous guest speaker at church who pastors in Quebec. The Quebec church is growing and making a difference in its' community. My pastor told me that the Quebec pastor was told one piece of advice by a mentor when he started in ministry, and that everything else would fall into place. "Take care of the poor!" He said it like it was some huge revelation. Take care of the poor. How is it that we've read the Bible through and through, we've created Bible Colleges and Seminaries, built mega-churches and TV ministries, and we've missed it? Take care of the poor. It's all over Scripture. Why did I not see that before?
I'm about to get into the New Testament. That's all Jesus did - hung out with the disenfranchised. Why are churches (maybe not all of them) so pristine and clean? Ok, so maybe I need therapy.
Zechariah goes on to share a promise of prosperity for Israel and Judah and to tell of the One to come in humility who will rule with mercy and justice. Then there will be peace.
I think it is summed in the sentiment of 7:7 - "My message today is the same one I commanded the earlier prophets to speak to Jerusalem and its villages when they were prosperous, and when all of Judah, including the Southern Desert and the hill country, was filled with people."
They didn't get it. God sent all sorts of signs and messages, and his people still disobeyed. This time, he gives the message and to make it idiot-proof, has an angel standing by to tell Zechariah what it means.
And if 7:7 weren't enough, then there's the message: 7:8-9 - "So once again, I, the LORD All-Powerful, tell you, "See that justice is done and be kind and merciful to one another! Don't mistreat widows or orphans or foreigners or anyone who is poor, and stop making plans to hurt each other." Widows and orphans. How many times did God have to tell them?
I was at a funeral on Saturday. One of my pastors and I were talking about a previous guest speaker at church who pastors in Quebec. The Quebec church is growing and making a difference in its' community. My pastor told me that the Quebec pastor was told one piece of advice by a mentor when he started in ministry, and that everything else would fall into place. "Take care of the poor!" He said it like it was some huge revelation. Take care of the poor. How is it that we've read the Bible through and through, we've created Bible Colleges and Seminaries, built mega-churches and TV ministries, and we've missed it? Take care of the poor. It's all over Scripture. Why did I not see that before?
I'm about to get into the New Testament. That's all Jesus did - hung out with the disenfranchised. Why are churches (maybe not all of them) so pristine and clean? Ok, so maybe I need therapy.
Zechariah goes on to share a promise of prosperity for Israel and Judah and to tell of the One to come in humility who will rule with mercy and justice. Then there will be peace.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Haggai
I read Haggai through twice yesterday morning to try and see how it might apply to me. My pastor taught us that's how we need to read - asking the question: What is it saying to me?
Haggai, in short, shared his message after Israel was in exile, under King Darius. Haggai's message was to the people to stop focusing on their houses and start focusing on rebuilding the temple. 1:2-5 - "You say this isn't the right time to build a temple for me. But is it right for you to live in expensive houses, while my temple is a pile of ruins?"
What is it saying to me? I don't think I need to be giving money to building at the church, nor am I spending a lot on my house. For me, I think it is about priorities in general. At that time, God's presence lived at the temple, and he wanted his people to come back to him. Their lack of attention on the temple was indicative of their focus on themselves, not on God.
In my case, tonnes of things call my attention away from God. Problems at work. My and my wife's work schedule. The need for sleep. A plasma TV. OK, I'm not sure that the plasma TV is taking my attention away from God, but I really want one, and haven't had the release (or money, for that matter) to buy one.
I try hard to focus on what's important: God, family, work. But often it becomes work first, then I'm too tired to do anything else. Thank God for his grace. I know it's not a good excuse, but in the midst of my messed up priorities he still allows me opportunities to experience his presence and grow closer to him. Like Israel, my success has everything to do with God and little to do with me.
Haggai, in short, shared his message after Israel was in exile, under King Darius. Haggai's message was to the people to stop focusing on their houses and start focusing on rebuilding the temple. 1:2-5 - "You say this isn't the right time to build a temple for me. But is it right for you to live in expensive houses, while my temple is a pile of ruins?"
What is it saying to me? I don't think I need to be giving money to building at the church, nor am I spending a lot on my house. For me, I think it is about priorities in general. At that time, God's presence lived at the temple, and he wanted his people to come back to him. Their lack of attention on the temple was indicative of their focus on themselves, not on God.
In my case, tonnes of things call my attention away from God. Problems at work. My and my wife's work schedule. The need for sleep. A plasma TV. OK, I'm not sure that the plasma TV is taking my attention away from God, but I really want one, and haven't had the release (or money, for that matter) to buy one.
I try hard to focus on what's important: God, family, work. But often it becomes work first, then I'm too tired to do anything else. Thank God for his grace. I know it's not a good excuse, but in the midst of my messed up priorities he still allows me opportunities to experience his presence and grow closer to him. Like Israel, my success has everything to do with God and little to do with me.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Zephaniah
More judgement. God promises to destroy the world (Israel?), then says "If you humbly obey the Lord, then come and worship him. If you do right and are humble, perhaps you will be safe on that day when the Lord turns loose in his anger" (2:3).
Then, God states the punishment on the countries that were against Israel,a nd in some cases says "then my people who survive will take the land." He knows thta even after Israel is destroyed, some people will have turned back to him. They will be his people. 3:20 - "I will lead you home, and with your own eyes you will see me bless you with all you once owned."
Then, God states the punishment on the countries that were against Israel,a nd in some cases says "then my people who survive will take the land." He knows thta even after Israel is destroyed, some people will have turned back to him. They will be his people. 3:20 - "I will lead you home, and with your own eyes you will see me bless you with all you once owned."
Habakkuk
This is a conversation between Habakkuk and God. Habakkuk complains about the violence and injustice in Israel, God says he's sending the Babylonians to destroy Israel and punish it, then Habukkuk takes issue with a country like Babylon executing judgement on Israel. God then says Babylon will be punished later.
A key statement that stands out for me is 2:3 & 4 - "You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting - it will happen. I, the Lord, refuse to accept anyone who is proud. Only those who live by faith are acceptable to me."
Habukkuk ends his writing with praise: "But I will still celebrate becasue the Lord God saves me. The Lord gives me strength." (3:18-19). Then, he writes a note to the music director, tellign him to use stringed instruments. He was so confident in his statements that he encourages it to be sung about.
A key statement that stands out for me is 2:3 & 4 - "You can trust what I say about the future. It may take a long time, but keep on waiting - it will happen. I, the Lord, refuse to accept anyone who is proud. Only those who live by faith are acceptable to me."
Habukkuk ends his writing with praise: "But I will still celebrate becasue the Lord God saves me. The Lord gives me strength." (3:18-19). Then, he writes a note to the music director, tellign him to use stringed instruments. He was so confident in his statements that he encourages it to be sung about.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Nahum
Nahum says that he wrote his message down, not that he proclaimed it. His message likely was about 80 years after Jonah (according to the editors of my Bible) and he was writing about judgement on Ninevah. So God gave Ninevah a chance, forgave them, but here they are again. This time there is no chance for forgiveness. They're dead.
And in the midst he declares his promise to Israel: "Judah and Israel are like trees with branches broken by their enemies. But the LORD is going to restore their power and glory."
And in the midst he declares his promise to Israel: "Judah and Israel are like trees with branches broken by their enemies. But the LORD is going to restore their power and glory."
Micah
Jonah was a short read, and I had some time this morning, so I opted toread Micah and Nahum as well. Micah's message was well before the exile. The one theme I noticed more than others was his emphasis on injustice in Isreal and Judah. The justice system seemed to be corrupt, its participants using it for their benefit.
Micah said the same of the prophets and priests - that they preached nice messages as long as they were taken care of.
The verse that has always stuck out for me in Micah is 6:8 - "The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: 'See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.'" This passage makes more sense to me when I read it in a context of a corrupt justice system. As leaders, there is a responsibility to ensure justice is done. I don't think this means enforcement on others, as much as it is praciticing it themselves.
Micah said the same of the prophets and priests - that they preached nice messages as long as they were taken care of.
The verse that has always stuck out for me in Micah is 6:8 - "The LORD God has told us what is right and what he demands: 'See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.'" This passage makes more sense to me when I read it in a context of a corrupt justice system. As leaders, there is a responsibility to ensure justice is done. I don't think this means enforcement on others, as much as it is praciticing it themselves.
Jonah
My pastor did a series on Jonah a few weeks ago. Every story I heard about Jonah before focused on his disobedience and gettign thrown off the boat and being swallowed by a big fish. The sermon series went through the entire four chapters. 1. Jonay disobeys; 2. Jonah gets swallowed by a fish and repents; 3. Jonah does what God asked him and preaches to Ninevah - they repent; 4. Jonah gets mad that God forgives Ninevah.
So, he disobeys, realizes he's an idiot for disoebeying, finally obeys and then gets ticked off because he never wanted to do it in the first place. I can relate.
And the end of the book doesn't resolve Jonah's situation. Jonah's ticked off, and the end is simply God "justifying" to Jonah why he is concerned abotu Ninevah. There are lessons here about how we respond to God, but it seems the biggest lesson is how God uses unmerciful people to enact his mercy.
So, he disobeys, realizes he's an idiot for disoebeying, finally obeys and then gets ticked off because he never wanted to do it in the first place. I can relate.
And the end of the book doesn't resolve Jonah's situation. Jonah's ticked off, and the end is simply God "justifying" to Jonah why he is concerned abotu Ninevah. There are lessons here about how we respond to God, but it seems the biggest lesson is how God uses unmerciful people to enact his mercy.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Obadiah
Obadiah, according to www.gotquestions.org, was written between 848 and 840 B.C., which puts him between or in the midst of Elijah and Elisha. According to a resource in the back of my Bible, he was a contemporay of those prophets after Israel's exile. What to belive, the editors at the Bible Society or the Internet?
Obadiah's message was to Edom. Essentially, he was sharing a message from God that was judging Edom for not helping Israel in it's time of struggle. God shares his promise that Israel will one day rulle over other nations, including Edom. There's really not much else for me to say, except that it's the shortest book in the Old Testament.
Obadiah's message was to Edom. Essentially, he was sharing a message from God that was judging Edom for not helping Israel in it's time of struggle. God shares his promise that Israel will one day rulle over other nations, including Edom. There's really not much else for me to say, except that it's the shortest book in the Old Testament.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Amos
After a while, the judgement message gets a bit old. I wonder if what has been written in the messages of the prophets are only portions of the full message, highlights, if you would. Even if it isn't, it's amazing that God was so diligent in trying to get his people to turn back to him & that his people were so persistent in not turning back.
Amos was around before the exile and starts by announcing God's judgement on a bunch of countries, leading up to Judah and Israel. One country was Phoenicia. A few years ago we did a Mediterranean cruise. The first stop was Tunisia. In Tunisia, we toured the Phoenician ruins. Not much left to indicate there were people there - some floors, a few walls, and a skeleton. As a matter of fact, there is not much left of any of the countries Amos listed in the first chapter.
God says in 9:9, "At my command, all of you will be sifted like grain. Israelites who remain fatihful will be scattered among the nations." Today, there are Jewish people all over the world. They've existed without a country until a few decades ago, and they are all over the place.
Once I get past the repetitive message of judgement, I see glimmers of hope and promise. 5:4 - "Israel, turn back to me and you will live." 9:14 - "I'll make Israel prosper again."
I read this and I wonder "Why didn't they get it?" Then I'm reminded of other places where God says he hardened their hearts and has made his people unresponsive to his voice. Is that the case here? And then there's the piece that is common in almost every book - how they treated the poor and needy. Amos goes a bit further and speaks against those who got rich off the backs of the poor.
Money and sex. Those seem to be the two downfalls of Israel as I reflect back on what i've read so far. Sounds familiar.
Amos was around before the exile and starts by announcing God's judgement on a bunch of countries, leading up to Judah and Israel. One country was Phoenicia. A few years ago we did a Mediterranean cruise. The first stop was Tunisia. In Tunisia, we toured the Phoenician ruins. Not much left to indicate there were people there - some floors, a few walls, and a skeleton. As a matter of fact, there is not much left of any of the countries Amos listed in the first chapter.
God says in 9:9, "At my command, all of you will be sifted like grain. Israelites who remain fatihful will be scattered among the nations." Today, there are Jewish people all over the world. They've existed without a country until a few decades ago, and they are all over the place.
Once I get past the repetitive message of judgement, I see glimmers of hope and promise. 5:4 - "Israel, turn back to me and you will live." 9:14 - "I'll make Israel prosper again."
I read this and I wonder "Why didn't they get it?" Then I'm reminded of other places where God says he hardened their hearts and has made his people unresponsive to his voice. Is that the case here? And then there's the piece that is common in almost every book - how they treated the poor and needy. Amos goes a bit further and speaks against those who got rich off the backs of the poor.
Money and sex. Those seem to be the two downfalls of Israel as I reflect back on what i've read so far. Sounds familiar.
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