- araratchurch
- Jun 15, 2024
- 3 min read
“So Jacob settled again in the land of Canaan, where his father had lived as a foreigner. This is the account of Jacob and his family. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.”
Genesis 37:1-2 NLT
We leave our examination of the story of David and Bathsheba and turn to the story of Joseph and his brothers. We hope to discover further insight into the causes of injustice, and indeed, the remedy.
Jumping right in: Let’s face it, nobody likes a tattletale. You know the ones: looking for any infringement of decorum or edict to report to an authority, in order to ingratiate themselves to the authority.
If you view the account in our opening scripture as describing the actions of a tattletale, you just might find yourself empathizing with Joseph’s brothers later on in the story. But I will point out that there is no indication in the wording of this account that would paint Joseph as doing something wrong in giving his father the bad report about his brothers.
You know, there’s a reason why potential jurors are questioned as to their experience in terms of being the victim of some crime.
Now, the prosecution loves to have jurors who have suffered the same sort of injury that the aggrieved person has suffered at the hands of the defendant. But, make no mistake, the defense attorneys will try to disqualify anyone who has experienced a similar crime against themselves as that with which the defendant is being charged. Why? Because the person having experienced a similar wrong, will find it difficult to objectively decide guilt or innocence when they are emotionally invested because of their personal experiences.
I am reminding you of this aspect of human nature (what we have experienced may well cause us to identify with the injured party, or even the accused party), as a cautionary note. We may allow our experience to cause us to look with a distorted eye at someone else’s guilt or innocence. Believe it, that is the basis for much injustice. Yes, our experience may cause us to condone something we shouldn’t condone, or to condemn something we shouldn’t condemn.
But back to Joseph. After further examination of Joseph‘s character, when looking back at this account, we must assume that he felt he was doing what was right, and was protecting the interests of his father by giving him this report.
Nonetheless, who gets blamed by the one who has erred? Certainly not themselves! No, the “real problem” is that one who preaches righteousness and challenges error. Consider this:
“For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.”
Romans 13:3 NLT
In a group, society, country, wherever there has been moral and spiritual decay, justice may become re-defined as shutting up those who are pointing out the evil deeds. I truly believe that if this scenario were happening in our modern society, Joseph would definitely be labeled as a hater, and would be “canceled.” Oh—wait—that’s just what Joseph’s brothers are going to attempt to do!
Let’s beware lest we allow in ourselves an attitude of disdain toward preachers of righteousness. They just might be doing the will of their Father; and in attempting to “cancel” them, you may find yourself trying to “cancel” God!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jun 14, 2024
- 3 min read
“David rose to his feet and said: “My brothers and my people! It was my desire to build a Temple where the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, God’s footstool, could rest permanently. I made the necessary preparations for building it, but God said to me, ‘You must not build a Temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’”
1 Chronicles 28:2-3 NLT
Over the last couple of weeks we have considered the story of David and Bathsheba in order to glean more about God’s justice.
Someone looking at this story, knowing that David’s throne was chosen to be the throne that would never end (in that the Lord Jesus Christ would come from the house of David), may wonder how God could choose to use/honor a person with such major failings. Indeed, the Bible is fraught with flawed heroes.
First of all, there is none perfect except the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, some may use the fact that many of our biblical heroes are flawed, as an invitation to walk according to the flesh. They may suppose that since we are walking in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, there is no point in abstaining from fleshly lusts.
Some even contend that being conscious of sin, being aware of when we sin, indicates a lack of faith in the salvation we have received through Jesus Christ.
Child of God, making an occasion for sin is not biblical. You will not be able to find one example where God justified someone who willingly walked in opposition to His word. Quite the contrary, we are repeatedly instructed to abstain from fleshly desires. We are repeatedly commanded to observe God’s rules. We are mandated to walk in God’s way of being and doing, to walk in His righteousness.
King David loved the Lord, but in his human frailty, he allowed his desires to distract him, diverting him from doing what was right. As a matter of fact, Bathsheba was not his last failing; but every time he was made aware of his displeasing God, he turned to the Lord in repentance, accepting his punishment with humility and grace.
Remember, as we see mentioned in our opening scripture, David was not allowed to build the temple of the Lord he so fervently desired to build. However, when he was told by the Lord that he would not be used to build the temple, he did all that he could to prepare the things that would be needed for its building and furnishing.
Think of the case of Moses, though mentioned as being the friend of God, he was not allowed to go into the Promised Land because he disobeyed the command of the Lord:
“Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!””
Numbers 20:11-12 NLT
What we can learn from these situations is that God‘s justice is based on a complete knowledge of the whole situation—from what can be seen, to what can’t be seen. Only the Lord knows what is in a person’s heart and mind. And only the Lord knows the end from the beginning.
““Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
Isaiah 46:8-10 NIV
So, David didn’t get to build the temple for God; and Moses didn’t get to go into the Promised Land. Yet, David’s throne will last forever, and Moses appeared with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.
How do we make sense of this? We can’t. We must trust God, remembering that He is holy and perfect in judgment. We must also remember that the Lord is patient and long-suffering. But make no mistake, God’s justice will never be denied in the end.
Lest you still suppose that what David did concerning Uriah was a small thing to God, consider this commentary:
“For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and had obeyed the Lord’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.”
1 Kings 15:5 NLT
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Jun 13, 2024
- 4 min read
“After Nathan returned to his home, the Lord sent a deadly illness to the child of David and Uriah’s wife. David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. The elders of his household pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused. Then on the seventh day the child died. David’s advisers were afraid to tell him. “He wouldn’t listen to reason while the child was ill,” they said. “What drastic thing will he do when we tell him the child is dead?” When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate. His advisers were amazed. “We don’t understand you,” they told him. “While the child was still living, you wept and refused to eat. But now that the child is dead, you have stopped your mourning and are eating again.” David replied, “I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, ‘Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me.”
2 Samuel 12:15-23 NLT
If we were being honest, we would admit that our definition of justice, often directly coincides with what we “think” should happen. Assuming we have a clear understanding of right and wrong, and what is fair and unfair in every situation, makes us think that our assessment of what should happen, is “right.”
But—as we have discussed—our judgment, our idea of justice, is often limited, and/or skewed, by our agenda, experience, desires, etc., rendering us incapable of second-guessing the judgment of God.
Consider, when we offer critical assessments of God’s judgments, we are setting ourselves as being in a position of authority over Him.
But please know, accepting the judgment of God does not mean that we necessarily understand His ways, His judgments. However, we must not make the mistake of assuming that because we don’t understand His judgments, they must necessarily be unfair.
In our opening scripture we see that David did not make the mistake of conflating what he wanted, with what was “right” or “fair,” concerning whether or not his son would survive.
David was told by the prophet Nathan that because he had disregarded the commandments of God, even though he was forgiven, the child who would be born would surely die. And as Nathan had spoken, the male child who was born, was stricken with a great illness that resulted in the son’s death.
Now, when his son was stricken with illness, David earnestly beseeched the Lord to change His mind concerning the fate of the child. But when the child died, David accepted it. Notice, he did not rail against God. He did not question why. David knew that God is sovereign and His judgments are perfect and final.
Friend, we waste much energy—both spiritually and otherwise—when we constantly critique the judgments of God.
Indeed, accusing God, or even trying to defend His judgements to other people, is a fool’s errand.
Now, in the case of David’s son, I don’t know why this child had to die. And truth be told, you don’t either.
We could say that it was a result of sowing and reaping: David sowed destruction and loss, and received the same. But even that type of analysis can not be coupled with a, “they got what they deserved,”attitude.
In order to participate as one of God’s delegated authorities in this present world, we must accept His judgments and His justice without resenting or condemning what He does. With that, we must not place ourselves as a “different sort” than the one who is being punished.
Indeed, rejoicing over the fact that an enemy has gotten something they “deserved,”is a fast track to getting something you weren’t aware that you deserved (in terms of punishment).
Given, we may be tempted to greatly rejoice when we see God do something against our enemies, or against just someone else who we suppose “deserved” what they got. But if our rejoicing goes beyond the fact that the Lord has vindicated or saved us, to rejoicing that the enemy, or the“lesser” child, has suffered, we may soon be facing the same judgment boomerang we sent forth in someone else’s direction.
The attitude of rejoicing that someone else has gotten a punishment they deserved, as well as the attitude of criticizing that God allowed something to happen to someone who didn’t deserve it (often, this person is ourself), displeases Him.
Our part regarding God’s judgments we do understand or “like,” as well as His judgments we don’t understand, or that go against what we wanted to happen, is to accept that God is God all by Himself. He knows what we do not know. His understanding is beyond our comprehension.
One day, we will understand everything. For now, we must trust and accept God’s judgments. We must respect the justice of God.
We end today with the words of one who knew a little bit about our topic:
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”
Job 1:20-22 ESV
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!