Category: OTC

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Habakkuk: Our Voice for God’s Answer

Read: Habakkuk 1-3

How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
Habakkuk 1:2

This isn’t the verse you would pick for engraving on a plaque for the kitchen wall, but I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s one that you read and nod your head. So many times I want to ask God, “did you hear that prayer?” Habakkuk provides that voice for us, or at least for me. Time after time prayers are offered and it seems nothing is happening. Thanks Habakkuk. Thanks for having the guts to write down that which burns and tests my faith.

The Lord’s answer is not exactly what was expected:

“Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.
Habakkuk 1:5

You asked, now stand back and watch and witness God’s response in short order. You complain, so here come the Babylonians, those who are feared and dreaded, the ones that invent laws to please themselves; these are the ruthless who laugh at kings and rulers and destroy city walls. These people are coming your way and you will not be able to stand against them.

Habakkuk proclaims God’s sovereignty and speaks for us again, looking for clarification, a kind of “help me understand” moment:

Is he to keep on emptying his net,
destroying nations without mercy?
I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
Habakkuk 1:17-2:1

God’s response is resolute.

“See, the enemy is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—
Habakkuk 2:4

Hang in there Habakkuk! Remember the faith of Abraham, recall the stories of old. Hang in there all of us! God has a plan, even though our eyes are not capable of seeing and understanding. Woe to those who put their agenda before God’s.

  • Woe to him who piles up stolen goods Habakkuk 2:6
  • Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain Habakkuk 2:9
  • Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by injustice! Habakkuk 2:12
  • Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies! Habakkuk 2:15
  • Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Habakkuk 2:19

Habakkuk speaks for us in chapter 3, concluding that he will be faithful, a testament to how we should respond.

Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us.
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:16-18

Even though I don’t see, yet I will wait, but more than that, I will rejoice while I’m waiting! God is my strength and refuge. He has adopted us into his family. It’s difficult to see at times, but we need to rest in that truth.

For the director of music.
On my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 3:19

Chapter 3 is a song to be played, music to be written to help us remember. One of those tunes that get stuck in your head and you hear it all day long.

Wait patiently and rejoice.
I’m so tired of waiting!
Know that God is sovereign.
I know you rule, but…
Rejoice when trials come.
I don’t want to rejoice
Hear my voice
Take comfort in knowing
I died for you
Do something today that reveals to the world
that you understand
You are my sons and daughters

 

Featured Image by JP Henry on Unsplash

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Nahum

Read: Nahum 1-3

Jonah’s preaching was only a temporary fix for the city of Nineveh, soon they returned to their evil ways. Nahum primarily speaks against them in words that depict the final fall of the once great city, perhaps the jewel of the Assyrian empire. They will not continue to abuse people. The Lord speaks through his prophet with a short and pointed message.

It’s interesting how Nahum juxtaposes two thoughts:

  • The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. (Nahum 1:2) and
  • The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. (Nahum 1:3)

On one hand, the Lord is completely powerful, yet on the other he is slow to anger. Alyssa (one of our daughters) painted this verse for us:

The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
Nahum 1:7

It’s in our bedroom as a reminder of God’s desire for those who put their trust in him, a verse I’ve needed to read frequently over the last year or so. Even amidst great calamity, there is one to turn toward, someone who is there all the time, he is the Lord. Forever consistent and constantly calling out to his people, he wants a relationship with us.

Of course, Nahum’s message is mostly against Nineveh, so there’s a second half to the story and it seems the motivation for providing both sides of the coin throughout the text.

Jonah’s preaching at Nineveh obviously didn’t completely turn the people away from their wicked ways, but then again, neither did all the prophets that spoke against Israel.

The Lord has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:
“You will have no descendants to bear your name.
I will destroy the images and idols
that are in the temple of your gods.
I will prepare your grave,
for you are vile.”
Nahum 1:14

Take heart Judah, the Lord will prevail as he said:

The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
like the splendor of Israel,
though destroyers have laid them waste
and have ruined their vines.
Nahum 2:2

The Lord is about to take care of the lewdness of these people once and for all. Nahum’s words are rather poignant:

“I am against you,” declares the Lord Almighty.
“I will lift your skirts over your face.
I will show the nations your nakedness
and the kingdoms your shame.
Nahum 3:5

For a people who took care to cover their bodies, there is great shame in exposing nakedness in such a public fashion. I don’t know how this was actually done, but the mere threat of such would be enough to cause great grief.

This is Nineveh, the pride of the Assyrians that swept away Israel into exile. Punishment is your reward:

Nothing can heal you;
your wound is fatal.
All who hear the news about you
clap their hands at your fall,
for who has not felt
your endless cruelty?
Nahum 3:19

I’m having a hard time coming up with words that describe the picture I see in my mind when Nineveh falls and the people of Judah see Nahum’s words come to pass. What I see is a face that looks toward the once great city with sadness, anger, relief, bitterness and contempt all at the same time as God does what he said he would do. I see a man clap his hands once, twice, three times, not like applause, but more like a resounding crack of the whip. Tears stream from his eyes as he remembers the cruelty delivered by the people of that city.

Finally, God has done what no man could do. How I wish it had never happened, but at least it is over. Like liberating Auschwitz, no one could be happier that it was finally exposed, but the heartache that left so many lives undone is debilitating at times.

That’s the pain I see in the face of those in Judah and the pain I feel at times when the Spirit shows me the Nineveh’s of this day, people running toward themselves instead of reaching out to Jesus. People consumed with self-righteousness, lost in the lies of the great deceiver. Perhaps Nineveh exists today in lots of different ways. One thing we know for certain, the Lord will not tolerate this forever.

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

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Micah: Our Plans vs God’s Plan

Read: Micah 1-7

May we read the words of the prophets of old and hear God’s voice for us, to us, this day. There is a reason we have ancient writings to study. What does this say to you? Should we dismiss this as something from the past that is no longer relevant or important? Holy Spirit, fill our minds with your presence as we read this small portion of the Bible this morning. May your plans be our plans; your ways, our ways.

The prophet, “Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem” Micah 1:1.

Micah’s words speak directly to Israel for their sins, their errant ways:

All this is because of Jacob’s transgression,
because of the sins of the people of Israel.
What is Jacob’s transgression?
Is it not Samaria?
What is Judah’s high place?
Is it not Jerusalem?
Micah 1:5

For what they have done, they will be punished. Here he lets them know their children will go into exile.

Shave your head in mourning
for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
for they will go from you into exile.
Micah 1:16

It’s one thing to punish me for my transgressions, it’s a whole different level to threaten my children.

The plans of the people are just that–their plans. These are not God’s plans or desires. Yet the people are blind to that which is set before them. Micah reminds us that God’s desire is for unity, the the time when we are all together.

“I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;
I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.
I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,
like a flock in its pasture;
the place will throng with people.
Micah 2:12

Honestly, I think this is very relevant to our discussion today:

This is what the Lord says:
“As for the prophets
who lead my people astray,
they proclaim ‘peace’
if they have something to eat,
but prepare to wage war against anyone
who refuses to feed them.
Therefore night will come over you, without visions,
and darkness, without divination.
The sun will set for the prophets,
and the day will go dark for them.
Micah 3:5-6

We should not be so easily led astray, but we are easily captivated by charismatic teaching, words that please the ears and capture our imagination. Wonderful words, but are they God’s words? One day we will hear the words directly from the Lord, his kingdom will be established. On that day:

He will judge between many peoples
and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Micah 4:3

Lord, I long for the day when there will be no more war, when people no longer pursue their agendas above yours–this will be a glorious day! This is your plan, your desire:

“In that day,” declares the Lord,
“I will gather the lame;
I will assemble the exiles
and those I have brought to grief.
I will make the lame my remnant,
those driven away a strong nation.
Micah 4:6-7

The lame, those who were outcast because of their inability to contribute to the community, are not rejected by the Lord, rather, they are gathered to his house as his people. The outcasts will become the chosen.

Hear the great promise from the Lord through Micah:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2

Oh how I long for this:

The remnant of Jacob will be
in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the Lord,
like showers on the grass,
which do not wait for anyone
or depend on man.
Micah 5:7

For in that day, declares the Lord:

I will destroy your idols
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
Micah 5:13

Have we forgotten the Lord’s way? Have we made complex that which was always intended to be simple?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Micah reminds us that we are mere mortals, that we are not the creators that our wild imagination believes. He calls us to be humble and walk with God. This is not news, but to some it sounds like an unfamiliar language, just gibberish.

This is a horrible time in history. Could these be current events?

The faithful have been swept from the land;
not one upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait to shed blood;
they hunt each other with nets.
Both hands are skilled in doing evil;
the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,
the powerful dictate what they desire—
they all conspire together.
Micah 7:2-3

Is not doing good the same as doing evil? I think so. We are called to do good for the kingdom, not simply to avoid doing evil. The word “gloat” always gets my attention because it’s such a provocative word that expresses arrogant pride, an unholy perspective of my triumph and not God’s. In this case, those who gloat over Israel will soon realize their mistake:

Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
Micah 7:8

Micah leaves us with great hope, with words we should read over and over again with wonderful assurance that we need to share with our family, our neighbors, our world:

Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
Micah 7:18

 

 

 

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Jonah: A Man Like Me?

Read: Jonah 1-4

Jonah is a short story that has captured the imaginations of countless people of all ages, but especially children in Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools around the globe. It’s ironic that children enjoy the story while adults, if they would answer honestly, will most likely say it’s a fictional or allegorical work based on legend or folklore.

The NIV Study Bible provides this insight:

Although their specific suggestions range from fictional short story to allegory to parable, they share the common assumption that the account sprang essentially from the author’s imagination, despite its serious and gracious message. On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that Biblical narrators were more than historians.
They [Old Testament prophets] interpretatively recounted the past with the unswerving purpose of bringing it to bear on the present and the future. In the portrayal of past events, they used their materials to achieve this purpose effectively. Nonetheless, the integrity with which they treated the past ought not to be questioned. The book of Jonah recounts real events in the life and ministry of the prophet himself.

Why is it that we choose to believe one miracle and not another? We are so well educated that we think we can explain the universe, but in reality, through many apologetic arguments, at some point, we have to step out on faith. I’m not suggesting we put on blinders or act ignorant, but if we believe in a God that created the universe out of nothing, at some level it is possible that the same God could create a divine appointment between prophet and fish.

Then there’s the red-letter evidence in Matthew, the words of Jesus himself:

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:38-41

I have much to learn and I don’t claim to have any knowledge at all except that I believe in the incarnational life of Jesus Christ, his death by crucifixion and subsequent miraculous resurrection. These beliefs already put me in the crazy pen, why not add the story of Jonah?

The Story

God tells Jonah to preach redemption to the evil city of Nineveh, a city so large that it would take three days to walk around it. That’s huge! Jonah decides to run away rather than be subjected to the humiliation of preaching in such a place as Nineveh. He pays for passage on a boat in the opposite direction and the trouble begins.

The superstitious sailors see the storm as a sign, something from the sea-gods must be happening. They cast lots and determine Jonah is the culprit. After Jonah begs them, they toss him overboard and the sea calms down.

At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Jonah 1:16

Jonah’s first converts are on the boat after they are saved by removing him.

Chapter 2 contains Jonah’s short prayer in the belly of the fish, his repentance is recounted briefly here. Three days and nights is a long time to be trapped inside, plenty of time to think about mistakes and misgivings!

Chapter 3 describes Jonah’s renewed mission — he preaches to the Ninevites and they repent!

The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. Jonah 3:5

Chapter 4 provides Jonah’s pathetic response, this is where I draw the title for this post, is this my response to God when his voice clearly tells me to do one thing and I choose to do another?

He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4:2

Jonah’s mission was so successful that he wanted to die. These corrupt people, those who lived in great extravagance and self-absorbed living, actually repented and would reap the rewards for turning to God. Historically, we know this doesn’t last long, but for some, it seems, eternity was changed–they turned to God. Jonah is comforted by a plant, then God takes the plant away. God is in control the entire time, but Jonah has a part to play, he has a story to tell and many lives hang in the balance.

Jonah’s main flaw: he didn’t love the Ninevites as God loves all people. I continue to pray for God’s help in learning how to love as He loves, to see people as He sees them. When I get a taste for that kind of love, I know it’s real, but it’s hard to express in words.

Lord, help me to love as you do, at least one bit more today than yesterday. Help me to put aside the lessons this world has taught me and let me focus on your words, your actions, your ways.

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Obadiah’s Vision

Read: Obadiah 1

Just 21 verses long, the prophecy of Obadiah is short and sweet. The descendants of Esau, the Edomites, are singled out by Obadiah for their pride. In a recent video, Francis Chan, talking with a group of staff at Facebook, concluded that of all the sins we see, perhaps pride is the worst because it leads to so many other sins. Obadiah reveals the pride of the Edomites, their gloating will be their downfall.

His vision of from the Sovereign Lord about Edom:

The pride of your heart has deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rocks
and make your home on the heights,
you who say to yourself,
‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
Obadiah 1:3

It seems the clefts of the rocks and the hidden places meant to hide the Edomites are not so hidden after all.

“In that day,” declares the Lord,
“will I not destroy the wise men of Edom,
those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified,
and everyone in Esau’s mountains
will be cut down in the slaughter.
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob,
you will be covered with shame;
you will be destroyed forever.
Obadiah 1:8-10

The Lord is Sovereign, we cannot hide from him nor choose that which we reveal.

You should not gloat over your brother
in the day of his misfortune,
nor rejoice over the people of Judah
in the day of their destruction,
Obadiah 1:12

Gloating, one of the most common actions as a result of pride, is likely the first indication of that which would humble us. Anytime I feel a sense of pride in accomplishment, I do my best to recognize that all gifts come from heaven above and God is the one who deserves all the glory.

Pride will lead to destruction:

Jacob will be a fire
and Joseph a flame;
Esau will be stubble,
and they will set him on fire and destroy him.
There will be no survivors
from Esau.”
The Lord has spoken.
Obadiah 1:18

I can’t help but wonder if we believe we can hide in the clefts of mountains we create for ourselves, places we feel no one will see. One thing I’ve told our girls over the years is simple, “lies will eventually become known, you can’t hide the facts forever.” There are many deceivers in the world, those who believe they are getting away with something by their clever actions, but God is the ultimate judge from which there is no escape.

Do not hide. What if church was a place where we could live out the words of James?

Therefore confess your sins to each other and
pray for each other
so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person
is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

What if such a place existed? Lord, help us to build communities of faith that are committed to loving each other the way you envisioned for us. Throw away our pride and squelch our gloating. Let us be the people you called us to be so that those far from you would see authentic love and kindness, so they would find you because of the love they see in us.

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Amos: Stop Playing Church!

Read: Amos 5:17-9:15

The words of Amos continue to convict Israel, even among threats from Jeroboam’s priest. It’s only the last few verses where we find hope for some distant future.

Sometimes I think we fit the description of Israel when we read about the people mislead by Jeroboam and his successors. When our corporate gatherings bear the title of Worship Services, but hearts are not changed, lives are not redeemed, souls are not restored. Instead, lists are checked, people come and go with the notion that they have participated in worship and done their duty. I want no part of this.

Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Amos 5:23-24

You strum away on your harps like David
and improvise on musical instruments.
You drink wine by the bowlful
and use the finest lotions,
but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.
Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;
your feasting and lounging will end.
Amos 6:5-7

Stop playing games! There are songs from the heart that need to be sung, words and music the fill the emptiness of false promises.

The Sovereign Lord has sworn by himself—
the Lord God Almighty declares:
“I abhor the pride of Jacob
and detest his fortresses;
I will deliver up the city
and everything in it.”
Amos 6:8

Chapter 7 begins with two examples of the past when the Lord rescued Jacob, memories of good days when people repented, but these are not those days, the Lord will not change his mind.

Then the Lord said,
“Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel;
I will spare them no longer.
Amos 7:8

The plumb line doesn’t lie. Either the wall is straight or it is not. The house of Jeroboam and all the atrocities within will be destroyed.

Amaziah, one of Jeroboam’s self-defined priests, spoke against Amos and told him to go away. Amos repeats his heritage as a shepherd and explains he is a prophet called by God. Essentially, this wasn’t his dream job, but he is doing what he was called to do.  Amos’ response is bold:

“Therefore this is what the Lord says:
“‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city,
and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword.
Your land will be measured and divided up,
and you yourself will die in a pagan country.
Amos 7:17

Chapter 8 continues the harsh words against Israel, as if Amaziah’s provocation stirred up anger in an angry bear. Dishonest scales, leaving nothing for the poor and needy, the people will be lost in their pride and invented religions. There is nothing left but the destruction of Israel, its imminent demise: “Not one will get away, none will escape.” (Amos 9:1)

There is very little relief in this prophecy, few words that offer hope.

“Surely the eyes of the Sovereign Lord
are on the sinful kingdom.
I will destroy it
from the face of the earth.
Yet I will not totally destroy
the descendants of Jacob,”
declares the Lord.
Amos 9:8

Some will be left, but it seems only a handful will survive. Just five verses are offered for hope of restoration at the end of Amos:

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman
and the planter by the one treading grapes.
New wine will drip from the mountains
and flow from all the hills,
and I will bring my people Israel back from exile.
Amos 9:13-14

The words of Amos are bold and difficult, but they are not from a prideful heart. He is simply doing what God has called him to do, even though it is difficult and risky. How about today? Are we willing to get close enough to God to hear his voice and do what he says? There is no place to run or hide. Lord, give us the strength and courage to do that which you have called us to do.

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Amos: For Three Even Four – I Will Not Relent

Read: Amos 1:1-5:17

The prophet Amos was not a member of any court or special status; rather, a simple man, a shepherd. His days of prophecy came just before Isaiah, during the reign of Uzziah, perhaps at the height of idolatry, extravagant living, immorality, corruption of judicial procedures and oppression of the poor. As a man in the field, I wonder if he could see social injustice better than those who lived in high places?

Amos is trying to wake Israel from their slumber:

“The Lord roars from Zion
and thunders from Jerusalem;
the pastures of the shepherds dry up,
and the top of Carmel withers.”
Amos 1:2

The earthquake that everyone felt at that time (circa 750 B.C.) is the anchor for his message, but complacent, wealthy and comfortable people don’t hear well. Amos identifies eight groups in his opening remarks, “For three sins of ___, even four, I will not relent”

  • Damascus: Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth — Amos 1:3-5
  • Gaza: Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom — Amos 1:6-8
  • Tyre: Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, disregarding a treaty of brotherhood — Amos 1:9-10
  • Edom: Because he pursued his brother with a sword and slaughtered the women of the land — Amos 1:11-12
  • Ammon: Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to extend his borders — Amos 1:13-15
  • Moab: Because he burned to ashes the bones of Edom’s king — Amos 2:1-3
  • Judah: Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees — Amos 2:4-5
  • Israel: They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. —  Amos 2:6-16

Amos establishes himself as one who is keenly aware of all that is happening around him. The Lord has given him insight and shown him the incredible sins of the people. We must listen to his message!

The messages against the neighbors are convicting and brief, but against Israel, Amos goes into more detail. For example:

They trample on the heads of the poor
as on the dust of the ground
and deny justice to the oppressed.
Father and son use the same girl
and so profane my holy name.
Amos 2:7

Social injustice and a household prostitute…can it get worse than this?

There are few that remain loyal to God, a remnant of a remnant:

This is what the Lord says:
“As a shepherd rescues from the lion’s mouth
only two leg bones or a piece of an ear,
so will the Israelites living in Samaria be rescued,
with only the head of a bed
and a piece of fabric from a couch.”
Amos 3:12

Not much will be left for these huge transgressions.

The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his holiness:
“The time will surely come
when you will be taken away with hooks,
the last of you with fishhooks.
Amos 4:2

The message of repentance is firm and bold, there is only one choice:

Seek the Lord and live,
or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire;
it will devour them,
and Bethel will have no one to quench it.
Amos 5:6

Amos’ message was hard and pointed. Sadly, it was not fake news! He was revealing the true character of the people mislead for generations that started with Jeroboam I. They were so far from the path God had in mind they could not even see their sin.

The call of Amos to us today is to look closely at our lives, our motivation, our faithfulness to God, not to religion. In his day, the Israelites had built their own religion and were faithful to apostasy! Lord, open our eyes, hearts and minds to see what you see when you look at our lives, how we do church and how we treat our neighbors. Show us the way back to the narrow road you have envisioned for us.

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Joel: Locusts and the Lord’s Roar

Read: Joel 1-3

The prophet Joel, son of Pethuel, delivers his short and succinct message to Judah. Some say the locusts are allegorical while others point to the invasion of the devouring bugs as a real event that Joel uses to get people’s attention. Peter, the fisherman turned apostle, was certainly familiar with the words of Joel as he quoted him in his first sermon at Pentecost. I suspect many in the crowd were familiar with the reference.

The Locusts:

What the locust swarm has left
the great locusts have eaten;
what the great locusts have left
the young locusts have eaten;
what the young locusts have left
other locusts have eaten.
Joel 1:4

Now that you have that firmly in mind:

Wake up, you drunkards, and weep!
Wail, all you drinkers of wine;
wail because of the new wine,
for it has been snatched from your lips.
Joel 1:5

Joel must have been a great preacher! His words are vivid and his message was short–sometimes fewer words get more attention. We are reminded to call upon the Lord for help in this time of great need. The time to repent is now:

“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the Lord your God.
Joel 2:12-14

For he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love. 

What if we were more gracious and compassionate? What if we would slow down and resist being angry? What if we abounded in love? Would we not be attractive to a world that is consumed with selfish, instant gratification? Lord, help us to read the description of your great love and change our ways to be like your ways.

Surely he has done great things!
Do not be afraid, land of Judah;
be glad and rejoice.
Surely the Lord has done great things!
Joel 2:20-21

And after the devastation, the Lord’s promise will be fulfilled. There will be plenty for all, this is his guarantee. Peter picks up on this theme in Acts 2:15-21 as he delivers his inaugural sermon at Pentecost:

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Joel 2:28

The Spirit stirs in us, it stirs us to action, keeps us awake at night sometimes, but have no doubt, the Spirit is alive and well inside of each of those who call upon the Lord. May we be quiet enough to hear!

And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the Lord has said,
even among the survivors
whom the Lord calls.
Joel 2:32

It appears that human trafficking was an issue in those ancient days as well:

There I will put them on trial
for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel,
because they scattered my people among the nations
and divided up my land.
They cast lots for my people
and traded boys for prostitutes;
they sold girls for wine to drink.
Joel 3:2-3

Our God will not tolerate such behavior! Joel enunciates his message with this assurance:

The Lord will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem;
the earth and the heavens will tremble.
But the Lord will be a refuge for his people,
a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Joel 3:16

I love the way Joel ends his message:

The Lord dwells in Zion!
Joel 3:21

In my imagination, I see Joel’s short sermon ending with a loud clap! Perhaps he had a gavel or some device to get your attention. If he were preaching today, I can see him taking the Bible and slamming it down on the lectern: The Lord dwells in Zion! and storming off the stage–boom!

Lord, may we be stirred to action with the power of the Holy Spirit today! May we love one another with great compassion, may we be slow to anger and learn to live in peace with everyone. We can’t forget what the locusts have destroyed, but we can be sure that you are not satisfied with evil–you will overcome: The Lord dwells in Zion!

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Hosea: The Love of God

Read: Hosea 11-14

The narrative of Hosea is complete, the love of God prevails. I cannot escape the love of God intertwined in every word I read these days. For today’s reading, if you use the Bible Gateway link above, turn off titles and verse numbers and read the text like Hosea narrated it, let the poetry speak to your heart and may we all be nudged a little bit closer to the God of the universe who loves us with great passion.

My heart is changed within me;
all my compassion is aroused.
I will not carry out my fierce anger,
nor will I devastate Ephraim again.
Hosea 11:8-9

Hosea provides some historical highlights for Israel to consider. He reflects on Jacob’s deceptions for gain and Moses’ leadership. He includes Israel’s demand for kings to rule over them, but we cannot escape the missteps, the wandering hearts of men.

But you must return to your God;
maintain love and justice,
and wait for your God always.
Hosea 12:6

Their ways are far from God:

It is said of these people,
“They offer human sacrifices!
They kiss calf-idols!”
Therefore they will be like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears,
like chaff swirling from a threshing floor,
like smoke escaping through a window.
Hosea 13:2-3

I can’t help but read these words and think about how clinical we’ve become as a people, when medical doctors, trained physicians, can systematically destroy babies in the womb because, in their definition, they are mere fetuses. We are not so far removed from these ancient ancestors we look down upon.

Yet, the love of God prevails. In the very next verse:

“But I have been the Lord your God
ever since you came out of Egypt.
You shall acknowledge no God but me,
no Savior except me.
Hosea 13:4

Fools! Only fools would misunderstand what God has done for his people:

Pains as of a woman in childbirth come to him,
but he is a child without wisdom;
when the time arrives,
he doesn’t have the sense to come out of the womb.
Hosea 13:13

Not enough sense to be born? Seriously, Hosea, that’s a bit extreme! But here’s the conclusion as we ride this rollercoaster of emotion:

“I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
he will blossom like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon
he will send down his roots;
his young shoots will grow.
Hosea 14:4-6

God will love us freely.

Yes, those are the words I picked out of the text to highlight and remember. “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely.”

I wish Rich Mullins were alive these days. I listened to “The Love of God” again this morning. It’s short and profound. Not perfect, but real. We need to stop trying for perfection anyway, don’t we? If Rich were around today, I think his arrangements would have had fewer strings and probably spoken word segments or perhaps he would have invented something completely new. Whatever the case, may the unquenchable love of God pour over you today. I challenge you to say, “I love you” to someone new–and mean it. It’s risky and will likely be misunderstood, but imagine if Jesus was physically standing there beside you. Would he not say those words to even the strangest of strangers?

In Beth Ehlert’s devotion last night, she reminded us that our identity is found first in Jesus. He lives in each of us. Be perfect (Matthew 5:48). Go and spread the love of God somewhere today.

And if the Spirit of him
who raised Jesus from the dead
is living in you,
he who raised Christ from the dead
will also give life to your mortal bodies
because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:11

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Hosea: Israel’s Punishment

Read: Hosea 6:4-10:15

This is a rather sad subject to read about this morning. Spoiler alert: this doesn’t end well, the happy ending is not in today’s reading!

The sins of northern kingdom of Israel are summarized in these few chapters:

I long to redeem them
but they speak about me falsely.
They do not cry out to me from their hearts
but wail on their beds.
They slash themselves, appealing to their gods
for grain and new wine,
but they turn away from me.
Hosea 7:13-14

Searching for answers from gods created by human hands, but systems of worship that are far removed from our Creator.

Israel is swallowed up;
now she is among the nations
like something no one wants.
For they have gone up to Assyria
like a wild donkey wandering alone.
Ephraim has sold herself to lovers.
Hosea 8:8-9

When we seek pleasure first and forsake the one who loves us deeply, we add sin upon sin, dark to darkness, lost leading to lost.

“Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings,
these have become altars for sinning.
Hosea 8:11

They were shown the way, but the way they went was far from that which they were led. The altars that were established as a reminder of sin became the very place they sinned.

Do not rejoice, Israel;
do not be jubilant like the other nations.
For you have been unfaithful to your God;
you love the wages of a prostitute
at every threshing floor.
Hosea 9:1

Hosea understands the darkness of heart that lies within the prostitute. His firsthand knowledge makes these few words poignant, sticky, devastating and far too real.

Reading through the books of the prophets definitely gives me perspective on their lives, the difficulties they faced. Of the gifts of the Spirit, I think I would tend to stay away from prophecy if given the choice!

Because your sins are so many
and your hostility so great,
the prophet is considered a fool,
the inspired person a maniac.
The prophet, along with my God,
is the watchman over Ephraim,
yet snares await him on all his paths,
and hostility in the house of his God.
Hosea 9:7-8

I believe it’s quite true, one who is given the gift of prophecy, inspired by the Spirit, will look like a maniac to those who are far from God. I can understand Hosea’s frustration to some degree.

We end the reading today on a dark note:

So will it happen to you, Bethel,
because your wickedness is great.
When that day dawns,
the king of Israel will be completely destroyed.
Hosea 10:15

Like a song that ends too soon, an unresolved chord, we’re left hanging here is sorrow. Sometimes it’s appropriate to let the thought linger. Perhaps we will have a greater appreciation for the way God loves us when we think for a moment about a world without Jesus.

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