Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Two

Traditions, everyone practices them whether it’s at home during the holidays, at Church each Sunday, or even personally in everyday life; the Pharisees were no different. When tradition becomes more important than the reason you practice them there’s a problem. For example, Pharisees believed the written Word of God was divinely inspired, however, in time commentaries held equal authority: that’s another problem. Eventually, since commentaries were written by man, there arose hostility between authors and arguments about who’s right; sound familiar?

Today, Bible commentaries are freely available online and often personal perspectives of Scripture receive equal authority to the Bible itself. You may not admit it, but it’s true, nevertheless. Have we become more dependent on what others think than what the Holy Spirit is personally revealing to us? Before opening a commentary, open the Bible with a prayer asking for His divine inspiration … then, if you’re still unsure, read that commentary remembering it’s the perspective of the author. Don’t be a Pharisee.

These religious leaders practiced frequent fasting but Jesus revealed this self-denial was for the wrong reason. He used a lower story parable of an ‘old garment or wineskin’ of tradition (Mark 2) that would be destroyed since the old wouldn’t tolerate the new. The upper story was that Jesus cautioned us to practice our traditions for the right reason: His glory.

Compulsive washings, hands and vessels, were believed to create holiness, when in reality, Jesus was looking for holy hearts.

And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. Matthew 15:6b

Despite their arguments with the Sadducees (another religious group) about the resurrection of the dead, rewards and punishments in the afterlife, they only joined forces in opposition to Jesus. Righteousness, in their opinion, was achieved by keeping the Law, conversely, Jesus taught it was about a new, spiritual birth of sinners. I wonder how often we slip into similar thinking; it’s about going to church, reading our Bibles, or not getting drunk, when in reality, it’s about our reason for doing those good things. We can easily get a Pharisee-viewpoint if we’re not careful.

Lastly, the Sabbath was the pinnacle in their narrow and legalistic perspectives. There were numerous rules to follow and punishments for loosening even one of them but, again, Jesus nailed it. One Sabbath they caught His disciples picking grain but Jesus countered it with King David’s same experience (Luke 6). He knew their thoughts and hard hearts (Mark 3) when He healed a man on the Sabbath and authoritatively declared Himself Lord of the Sabbath. Yikes; He was already setting Himself up for Good Friday.

Jesus, then and now, cares about the ‘why’ in our thoughts, words, and actions. It’ll help you to analyze your own hearts by asking Him to transform any traditions you hold for the wrong reason to come back into alignment again. Don’t let any tradition, including church’s (the outside) to cancel God’s Word in your heart (the inside).

Finding Jesus: Nahum

Americans use a phrase when they are particularly delighted: ‘this is too good to be true!’ While shopping we find just what we’re looking for and it’s on sale! Our daughter is finally dating someone and he has a job! I think you get the picture. Sometimes the news is so good that we’re even afraid that it’s ‘too good to really be true’. The prophetic book of Nahum is like that. In three short chapters God reminds us of His all-powerful character, and yet His love and mercy.

Nahum’s name means comfort and consolation, however, as we read his message he used words like vengeance and desolation. God declared the future destruction of the Assyrian Empire but promised restoration for Israel. This a book of contrast: Assyria has no comfort, no relief, no easing of the grief that’s coming. Israel, on the other hand, is given good news: too good to be true news. That’s where we find Jesus.

Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace. Celebrate your festivals, O people of Judah, and fulfill all your vows, for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again. They will be completely destroyed! Nahum 1:15

In the New Testament we read about the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1). The word gospel means good news, so good in fact, it’s ‘too good to be true’. Jesus was that messenger that Nahum spoke of and His offer of eternal life, unconditional love, and forgiveness of sin seemed too good to be true. Nahum’s name reminds us that the Holy Spirit was sent by Christ to serve as a source of comfort in our disappointment, loss, or grief, consequently, He alleviates our emotional ups and downs in life by the constant encouragement in His Word. Read Psalms 3, 31, or 96 as a few examples of God’s messages of encouragement.

While reading Nahum we also don’t want to miss the command to ‘celebrate your festivals’ as previously read. Every time the Jewish people celebrated Passover, (we know it as Holy Communion), the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles (the final gathering of the nations) the reminder was present and should be for us as well. He is returning to fulfill every word He has spoken through the prophets.

Nahum’s message, therefore, is one of destruction as well as hope; it just depends on which side you’re on. If you’re reading this then I’m guessing that you’re interested in the Word of God or at least sense His drawing to know Him better. Similarly, you may have been a Christian your whole life but sense that magnetic draw to better understand His ways. I encourage you to open the Bible and spend some time with Him as you read the book of Nahum. It’ll take you about six minutes but now you have a good reason to read it: it’s almost too good to be true news. 

Lately, I’ve been struck by the influence of the Pharisees in Scripture. You may wonder why, they lived over 2,000 years ago, and now they’re extinct … but are they?

It’s unclear where this religious group of men got their name but the Hebrew suggests ‘to be separate’ or ‘explain well’. Combined, those meanings help you understand that Pharisees separated from the world’s ways in order to clearly explain the Old Testament. Not a bad beginning, but, per-usual, people take something good and go off the rails. 

These men were passionate about understanding and explaining the Word of God to the common people, unlike the Sadducees who were the wealthy aristocrats of the time. Unfortunately, their passion went too far stretching Scripture to intimidate and produce ‘rule followers’; they missed the spirit of the Law. Jesus dealt with that issue in His famous Sermon of the Mount (Matt. 5:17-48) explaining that the 613 commandments in the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament) were a lower story, the letter of the Law. He was looking for those who would not justify themselves by following rules but honestly looking deeper, into their own hearts: the upper story.

These 6,000 men were priests, rabbis, and leaders in local synagogues who organized during the ‘400 years of silence’ between what we know as the Old and New Testaments. There was no prophetic voice, God was silent, and the people needed guidance and Bible teaching. Unfortunately the Pharisees, who clearly believed in the inspiration of Scripture, began to write and declare oral traditions or commentaries suggesting they had equal authority to the Bible. Opinions and perspectives of men became their plumb line instead of Spirit-inspiration helping people live for God in relationship. Literally obeying rules began to outshine the deeper, spiritual meaning as Jesus pointed out; outward actions became more important than inward hearts.

John the Baptizer nailed the Pharisees first (Matt. 3:7-12) calling them a ‘bunch of snakes’; I’m sure that didn’t go over well. He directed them to repentance and turning back to relationship with God producing good fruit because Messiah is coming soon. He accused them for being phony, exposing their hypocrisies, and warned them to turn from legalism and back to relationship. It wasn’t about heritage but about the heart. Messiah is not going to immerse (baptize) you in the lower story rules and regulations but in the upper story Holy Spirit and fire. 

Lest you shake your finger at the Pharisees better check your own heart as I have. As Christians we are different from the world, desire to understand and explain Scripture; am I right so far? However, have we given Bible commentaries equal authority to the Bible itself? Have we missed the spirit in favor of the literal letter of the Law? It’s called legalism. As we enter into this study let’s take it personally, otherwise why would Jesus have intentionally highlighted their perspective: it’s a warning for us as well.

Finding Jesus: Micah

“Who is like God?” That’s the question that was on the mind of the prophet Micah for his entire life since that’s the meaning of his name. It’s formed as a question but it’s really a declaration of God’s sovereignty, His superiority, or His position in the mind of man. Micah spent four of his seven chapters describing God’s authority in one particular way: eschatology … the study of the end times.  

His first words speak to His people but also to the earth (vs. 1-2); the LORD is coming with such power that nothing and no one will be able to stand against Him. He’s the Breaker (2:13) that goes before us: He’s the King. Micah, filled with the power of the Spirit (3:8) stated that his words will come to pass in the ‘latter days’ (4:1) or the end times and the Second Coming of Christ with the establishment of His Kingdom on earth. 

In the midst of Micah’s warnings that the Assyrian Empire will conquer northern Israel (Samaria was the capital) Micah concentrated on the souther kingdom (Jerusalem is the capital). He assured them that they will go into captivity but a remnant, a small group, will return and be restored. It’s also apparent today as the nation of Israel fights to keep her national independence and prosperity.

Micah’s message included Messiah’s first coming in Bethlehem (5:1-4) but focused his attention, as his name indicated, on the kingship of Jesus when He returns. On that day nations will be punished (5:10), boundaries will be extended (7:11), and all of creation will fear the LORD our God (7:15-17); that’s where we find Jesus in the book of Micah. 

This anointed prophet of God ended his book with some wonderful promises for us, ones that need to be repeated again and again. Jesus came the first time to be our substitute and die for our sin; He gives those with faith in Him a pardon from sin and guilt. What other god of yesterday or today does that? What other God becomes like us so that we can become like Him? Micah asks, “Who is like God?” Who not only forgives and wipes us clean but then throws all those sins (7:19) into the ‘sea of forgetfulness’? If you remind yourself of your former sins before you came to Christ then you are alone. The sign on your heart should read NO FISHING ALLOWED: He has forgotten them: so should you.

If that wasn’t enough God promised to return as King and give those of us who follow Him the original place of authority and dominion that we had in the Garden! Who is like our God? No one.

Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. Romans 4:13 NLT

You’d think the ending of this prophet’s story would be pleasant, encouraging, or comforting but it isn’t. Jonah was shown grace and mercy in the midst of his outright disobedience when God gave him a second chance to successfully preach to the Ninevites. Even though these pagan people received his warning and repented, Jonah wasn’t happy about it, in fact, he became raging mad. He expected God’s justice but observed His mercy. That’s one hard heart.

In Jonah’s eyes, from his perspective, what God did just seemed wrong. His warnings made him look bad, like a false prophet, he even became suicidal, consequently, that self-centered outlook caused evil emotions, extreme anger, to rise up in his heart. He wasn’t afraid to express that anger to God as he defended his position; “I told You that would happen! That’s why I ran away in the beginning.” I’m thinking God doesn’t see it the same way.

As a prophet Jonah knew God’s character but couldn’t imagine those attributes could include Gentiles: grace, mercy, patience, love, and even changing His mind about deserved punishment. These idolaters didn’t deserve to experience God in these ways … like he did; do we feel the same way about some people? How about illegal immigrants, the homeless, ex-cons, I think you get my gist. If they did things right then they wouldn’t be in those positions, right? 

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13 

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

God expects His people to show His mercy to others; it was at the heart of Jesus’ ministry as well. In a parable He closed the story with these words,

Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you. Matthew 18:33 

Point taken.

Jonah’s story isn’t over; God continued to teach him (4:5-11) by showing His divine character: mercy. In Jonah’s inability to believe in God’s mercy he left the city and waited for judgment to fall. As God appointed a fish in the beginning of this story, now appoints a luscious plant to cover Jonah for his personal comfort and he’s happy again. However, God also appointed a worm to destroy his comfort, not only that, but also appointed a scorching sun and hot wind to cause Jonah to again, be suicidal.

God’s response to Jonah makes me smile; if I can paraphrase again, “How’s that anger working out for you?” Jonah did nothing right to receive God’s mercy and deliverance and yet he willingly received it. This story ends showing us God’s grace, mercy, and compassion to the undeserving when He sovereignly chooses; get over it. If God shows illegal immigrants, the homeless, or the ex-cons compassion, as Christ-followers, so should we. If you want God’s undeserved mercy in your life then show mercy to the undeserving. That’s how it works.

Finding Jesus: Jonah

Charisma, now there’s a word that has various meanings, especially in the Church. Yet charisma, the gifts of grace, is how believers operate in life. Our entire Christian doctrine is based on a correct interpretation of this word: God’s sovereign, undeserved favor given to a person. It’s the Holy Spirit who disperses these grace gifts (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12, 14; Eph. 4) to strengthen and encourage: not to divide. The spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues, planting churches, teaching and preaching God’s Word, delivering a miracle or healing, and many other Spirit-empowered gifts, are given by God; you don’t choose, the Holy Spirit does. His divine plan may include you, it’s surely a privilege, but get over yourself, you have little to do with it.

With that said, let’s look at the prophet Jonah. His assignment from God was unusually specific and no other prophet was given this mission: go and prophesy, using his spiritual gift, to a foreign nation. For a Jew, that was blasphemy! Iraq? Seriously? Jonah’s response to God was to run away, board a ship, only to be thrown overboard, and swallowed by a big fish. God used Jonah, the lower story, as a foreshadow to what was coming, the upper story. That’s where we find Jesus.

The theme of this book, even though most people only remember the story of the big fish and his dinner, is that salvation was not to be limited to the Jews. Jesus reminded His followers of Jonah in Matt. 12:39-31 when He compared Jonah’s experience in the fish (3 days/nights) to His own death that was approaching. He would prove His authority over Satan, rise again, and offer grace, charisma, to those who responded to His calling. Jonah’s eventual obedience to preach salvation to a Gentile nation was the lower story; the upper story was that God’s plan of redemption included the Gentiles all along. Jonah was a sign, Jesus said, that mercy and grace would be offered to any repentant heart.

This is clearly seen with Peter in Acts 10. God gave him a supernatural vision to show that Gentiles were no longer to be considered unclean. It caused quite a stir but unlike Jonah, Peter responded immediately; the gift of the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles as well. After that revelation the leadership of the newly formed Church agreed that God had ‘granted repentance that leads to life’ (Acts 11:18) for all people: Jew and Gentile alike.

One last point. Jonah’s name means ‘dove’, that’s significant since the Spirit of God is likened to a dove at Jesus‘ baptism and Jonah was asked to show the Spirit’s grace. The spiritual gifts are necessary to the Church or God would not have given them. They help us (Rom. 12:6) live the higher life in Christ until He comes again, so don’t neglect your gifts, unwrap them, and allow God to flow through you to help others, hopefully quicker than Jonah!

Jonah departed from the land of ‘I surrender all’ entering a new land: the land of ‘second chances’. I think we can all relate because we’ve all surrendered to temptation, got caught in sinful choices, and called out to God for help. It’s only by His grace we repent, receive forgiveness, and begin to move on. If you wonder whether God can use you again in His Kingdom to help people, Jonah’s story is a reminder; He can and He will. He’s a God of second chances. 

The clock was ticking as a 40-day timeline was added to Jonah’s prophecy of destruction: Ninevah was going down. The Hebrew word ‘overthrown’ means a turn, overturn, shift, or transformation indicating that a change is coming which often means a government coup or takeover. Fear of this insurgence undoubtedly filled everyone’s heart and mind; what should they do?

This word overthrown is used when Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown by angels and Egypt was taken over by plagues; what would Ninevah’s takeover look like? In a surprising turn of events this overturning wasn’t political; it was spiritual. God moved on the hearts and minds of the people and they turned to Him believing He had the power to overthrow but also to change His mind. This nationwide repentance caught the attention of the king and he joined in this time of repentance with fasting and prayer as God not only watched but, indeed, changed His mind. He would not to overthrow the city in the lower story but to bring an overthrow to their hearts: a transformation, in the upper story.  

In the early days of our nation (1700’s) Puritan ministers traveled from colony to colony praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and our nation experienced the Great Awakening as bars were cleared out, people got saved, and a holy atmosphere covered the eastern coast. People repented, Psalms were sung in the streets, and unity arrived before the Revolutionary War for our independence. The stage was set for our Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights; all because of designated times of fasting and prayer.

Over the years many presidents have called Americans to serious times of repentance and prayer: Washington, Adams, Madison, Tyler, Lincoln, Wilson, and later Truman, Kennedy, Reagan, and GW Bush all called for National Days of Prayer. Did they know the story of Jonah? Did they realize that the all-powerful God would respond to our humility but close His ears to our pride? 

Our God of second chances isn’t finished with America yet, an overthrow is coming but it’s not by terrorists or a government coup, it’s a spiritual revival with the transformation of many hearts turning back to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in repentance and humility. It’s time to step up our personal and corporate prayer for our nation crying out to God for revival once an again. Let Jonah’s story encourage you; if He did it once, He’ll do it again.

Finding Jesus: Obadiah

Have you ever noticed that some weaknesses, even sins, seem to run in families? It’s true and it’s Biblical. Consider our Father of Faith: Abraham. He was caught lying to the Egyptian pharaoh (Gen. 12:13) about his wife and that sin of lying continued to his son Isaac; he did exactly the same thing (Gen. 26:7)! And let’s not forget the next generation, Jacob. He lied to his father concerning his brother Esau in order to steal the firstborn inheritance. Stay with me because next in line we have Jacob’s sons, continuing the generational sin and lying about Joseph. 

One last example is King David who surrendered to his sexual weakness and in the next generation we have his son, Amnon, who raped his sister Tamar. There’s a variety of sins available to be passed down: anger, fear, addictions, rebellion, depression; I’m sure you see them in your family as I do.

How do generational sins impact our view of the book of Obadiah? This prophet was called by God to prophesy to the nation of Edom. Biblically, Edom is the land of Esau. Remember the story of Jacob and Esau mentioned earlier; Esau had a murderous spirit (Gen. 27:41). Generational sins or curses can be passed down through four generations, scripture tells us (Ex. 20:5, 34:5-7; Num. 14:17-19; Dt. 5:9-10), unless someone does something about it. Interestingly, we know that King Herod, the ruler who ordered the murder of male Jewish babies in Bethlehem hoping to eliminate Jesus, was an Idumean, also called an Edomite. Coincidence? I don’t think so. It’s generational sin.

God is declaring judgment on Edom, Israel’s enemy, because of the way they treated His chosen people. God is crystal clear: you harvest what you plant (vs. 15) and Edom’s seed was rebellion. God promised restoration for the house of Jacob but for the house of Esau there was imminent destruction. If Edom represents all of Israel’s enemies, therefore God’s enemies, then a change is needed in the way they view and treat her. That’s as true today as it was in Obadiah’s day.

Where do we find Jesus in Obadiah? First, we find Him in the closing verse indicating that on That Day, Jesus will return and set up His Kingdom. That’s the good news. The bad news is that nations who continue to oppose her will have no survivors (vs. 18).

We also find Jesus within our hearts prompting us to recognize any generational sin apparent in our lives, confess it, and receive His deliverance and forgiveness. True repentance is the cure. The effects of ‘family sins’ may be obvious or hidden away in our hearts but destructive, nonetheless. God desires us to be free and promises that He will remember His covenant with the family of faith, as sinful as we are, and pour out His grace.

For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16