Tag: pray

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Matthew: John Prepares the Way; Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Read: Matthew 3-4

TheBibleProject.org’s video introduction to Matthew helps provide context and a framework within which we gain his perspective on the life of Jesus. Matthew choice of stories depend on some knowledge of what we call the Old Testament, common knowledge for those in his time. Today we read about John the Baptist’s preaching and baptizing many in the wilderness, most notably Jesus himself! Then the earthly ministry of Jesus begins following his own wilderness experience where He is confronted by Satan. In these two short chapters we move from preparation to call of disciples to news about Jesus healing the sick. Matthew uses few words to cover much territory.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Why would people come out and confess their sins to a wild man in the wilderness? Did he look like one of the prophets of old? Were the people tired of the weight of rules and regulations created by the Pharisees and Sadducees? Lots of questions come to mind. Matthew’s account of John the Baptist is succinct, highlighting several important aspects of his ministry that impacted the entire region–that alone is truly impressive.

People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:5-6

It’s been some 400 years since Malachi preached to those who returned from exile. John’s message must have been incredibly compelling since his reach is well beyond the local community. The time is right and the people were drawn to hear from this man who challenged the established religious leaders. When the Pharisees and Sadducees come to check him out, he dismisses them with blunt words of rebuke, “you brood of vipers” is bold to say the least.

One point I would like to learn from this is simply that John’s message, like the prophets before him, has nothing to do with promoting himself. He has nothing to gain personally from his preaching. He doesn’t say, “look at me…” In fact, it’s completely the opposite. John’s message is, “look to the one who is coming,” though he didn’t know it was his cousin!

Jesus is Baptized by John

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matthew 3:13-15

The anointing of the Holy Spirit must have radically changed the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. They grew up together as cousins. Elizabeth and Mary certainly knew each other as family ties in those days were significant. I suspect they gathered consistently over the 30 years prior to this point, but now everything has changed.

See how the Spirit moves in the lives of those who love God above all else. There is nothing like feeling the very presence of the Spirit move inside my chest. Just a few days ago, Beth and I were reading through Scripture and out of nowhere tears began to form as we were writing a song that would compel people to think about loving God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. As we dwelled on this theme, it was clear that the Spirit wants us to pray with people as the body of Christ, to lay hands on those who are desperately looking for answers, who hear the message of hope and want to know how that works today. Music has a way of opening hearts. We know we’re just messengers. The memory comes to mind, but it is insignificant compared to the story here in Matthew.

The proclamation of Jesus’ ministry is awesome and brief from Matthew’s perspective. He moves the story along quite quickly to the next foundational phase.

Temptation in the Wilderness

Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights as He prepared to begin his ministry. Though I haven’t really thought about this before, I can’t imagine this was a secret to those around him. Can you imagine any of your friends or family fasting for an extended period without being noticed? Much less in a day when families lived in close community. Something was happening, but I’m sure no one really knew just what was going on between the cousins.

After this extended fast, Jesus was hungry and the devil was ready with his 3-pronged attack:

  1. “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
  2. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down…”
  3. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus replies, “it is written…” all three times and dismisses Satan. The scene evokes all kinds of thoughts, but one that prevails is the idea that Jesus, the Son of God, allowed Satan to confront Him. He allowed time and space for the interaction, for the words of deception to be spoken and the words of correction to be heard. We must know that when the Spirit moves deep within, Satan will be present. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus shows us how to win these battles and has given us more tools than those in Matthew’s day–we have the entire Bible!

Jesus Begins to Preach

John the Baptist gets tossed in prison as a result of his harsh, though accurate, words. Now Jesus begins to preach to the people that John has stirred into action. People are prepared to hear, not everyone, but crowds are ready to listen.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17

Notice that Jesus didn’t tell people to grab their lambs and head to the temple for sacrificial cleansing. His message is much more personal: Repent yourself! The focus is changing from following a system to one of personal transformation.

Matthew briefly covers the call of Jesus’ first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James and John (Zebedee brothers), each immediately left their boats and followed Jesus.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23

Jesus teaches in the synagogues, the very heart of the Israelites’ religious community. The chosen people hear first from the Chosen One–and it’s good news people! Jesus shows up to preach repentance for the good of all. On top of spiritual healing, Jesus is concerned about physical illness and goes about healing disease and sickness.

This must have been an incredible change in the lives of those in Jesus’ day. They’ve been waiting for the Messiah with all kinds of hopes for what that might mean, but no idea that their generation would be the generation that would see Him.

Lord Jesus, please let us be a people that hear your voice and act like it! Let us be those who follow you completely, wherever that would lead, for Your purpose and not our hidden agendas. You alone are worthy to be praised.

 

 

A few interesting links from research and reading this morning:

  • http://www.seekfind.org/
  • https://bible.org/seriespage/4-john-baptist-and-jesus-matthew-31-17
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Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus — The Women

Read: Matthew 1:1-17

The New Testament begins with a list of who’s who from the Old Testament, a very direct link to the past. The list of characters range from good to notoriously bad and even includes five women! As I tried to get through the first two chapters, I found myself digging into the details of these women. The text below briefly summarizes a lot of what I found, but it’s incredibly interesting that in a male-dominated culture that women would even be mentioned, let alone honored, in such a way.

Before diving into the details, I simply have to say I’m somewhat overwhelmed by the list of names of real people that lived through incredible times spanning so many years. Though I’ve glossed over this section other times, it seems prudent to look closely at the names, the people, and gain some appreciation for the role they played in the ancestry of Joseph, the man who raised Jesus as His earthly father. That alone is worth thinking about!

Side note: We’re began a series on Exodus at Hope Fellowship a few days ago, so it’s interesting that Moses is not mentioned here at all. Though his role was profoundly significant, his progeny was not required. Yet another idea for a post!

Five Women in the Lineage of Jesus

Obviously, there were a lot more women involved in the genealogy of Jesus, but these are the five named in Matthew’s account. Each is a story all by herself, but here are some thoughts from reading this morning.

Tamar

Judah’s firstborn son was Er, a wicked son that God put to death (Genesis 38:6). But before this, Judah selected Tamar as his wife, so Tamar was Judah’s daughter-in-law. The crazy drama is covered in Genesis 38 where Judah tries to extend his bloodline by having another son sleep with Tamar. That doesn’t work, so he puts her aside and forgets about her. After some time, Tamar hears Judah is coming to town so she dresses up like a prostitute and Judah sees her and arranges to have sex with her, cuz that makes sense somehow! She has a plan and the deal is consummated. Later the men accuse Tamar of prostitution and call her out to be put to death. No punishment is mentioned about the man, only the woman, but Tamar is clever and produces evidence that Judah was the one who had sex with her, so the torches are set aside and Tamar has twins: Perez and Zerah, but Perez is first to be born, though Zerah got a hand out first (crazy story within a crazy story).

Rahab

Joshua 2 provides the backstory for Rahab, the prostitute turned savior for Joshua and Caleb. Once again, the idea of a prostitute as a normal, everyday interaction is at best odd from our cultural perspective. I’m in no way trying to suggest we should think of prostitution as anything other than hedonistic and sinful, but it is challenging to read how casually it’s mentioned as part of the narrative. Rahab’s reward is to be welcomed into the family of Israelites after the fall of Jericho and she marries Salmon who gives birth to Obed.

Ruth

The marriage of Rahab and Salmon is difficult to find explicitly, but the union of Ruth and Boaz is a wonderful story captured in the book of Ruth (some notes here). Ruth and Mary seem to be the only women of virtue, though it’s fair to say that Rahab must have changed her ways when she become part of the Israelites.

Bathsheba

The story of lust, desire, adultery, and murder surround the legacy of David and Bathsheba (some notes here). David caves into his lustful desires for Bathsheba and, since he’s the king, she appears to go along with the plan, though there’s no implication that she knew anything about David’s ultimate plan to have Uriah killed in battle.  Fast-forward, the son they had through adultery dies and she eventually gives birth to Solomon and the lineage of Jesus continues.

Mary

Mary is an incredible woman, revered by many, highly favored, the woman who bore Jesus. Ted Dekker casts a respectful and favorable light on Mary in his book A.D. 30. Honorable is the word that comes to mind. I can understand, in part, how the Roman Catholic church sees Mary as significant and important in her role as the woman who carried Jesus through childbirth, beyond the life of Joseph, and no doubt played a part in the early church as people knew who she was. Who knows, perhaps Mary is the one that really got James’ ministry started (complete conjecture on my part).

Some Thoughts

God’s master plan includes women from the very beginning of life on earth. It is His plan that man and woman would be joined and through that relationship the world is populated. We, the big we, have no doubt messed that up more times than we’ve got it right! Yet where would we be without the women in our lives? Our culture is still predominantly male-oriented, as if being male is somehow better than being female. That is crazy talk! It’s easy to support the concept that all are created in God’s image, all are equal, but our society tends to make some more equal than others.

From my perspective, especially as I prepare to teach a class on Spiritual Gifts, God is not bound by limits of our definitions or ridiculous musings. The Spirit gives gifts to those who call Jesus their Lord, their Savior. Those gifts could be incredible wisdom, knowledge, etc., and He can use women in roles of leadership and servanthood — there is no conflict in definition in my mind. We’ve seen great women role models in our time like Mother Teresa, Fortune 500 CEOs and Angela Merkel. Each gifted with leadership abilities that men follow without reservation. I would suggest they are not followed because of their gender, rather, they are followed because of their great example, for being who they were called to be without concern for conforming to a role imposed on them.

At the minimum we should embrace our calling in the body of Christ, figure out what that is by studying those who have gone before while praying for discernment and understanding as we learn from these examples given to us in Scripture.

Jesus, born of a woman, came from a line of men and women who didn’t get it right most of the time, yet did their part as best they knew how. I can’t wait to get into the New Testament and see how men and women served faithfully in sharing the Gospel by actions, through faith and deeds that changed the world for good!

 

 

Interesting references:

  • https://bible.org/seriespage/1-origins-jesus-christ-matthew-11-25
  • http://www.recoveryversion.bible/matthew.html
  • http://www.bible-codes.org/Names-Bible-Prophecy-Code-notes.htm
  • https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v05-n06/ the-genealogy-of-the-messiah
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The Land In Between

As we move from the Old to the New Testament, it’s important to pause and reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. Using TheBibleProject.com’s reading plan, we’ll cruise through the New Testament through the end of the year. I’m not in a hurry, but I am excited about posting through the Bible in 2017. I’ve learned so much this year!

At the same time, Hope Fellowship is about to embark on a journey through the book of Exodus — talk about the land in between! Beth Ehlert and I continue to collaborate on writing songs that we believe are from the Holy Spirit, words and music He wants people to hear in this place and at this time. The process is amazing! Our hope is we are being obedient in listening to His voice in creating music.

Our mind map of Exodus chapters 1 through 15

Last night, we introduced a new song to the worship team: I AM. The mind map for this song covers the first 15 chapters of Exodus. Whew! From this messy dry erase board rendering, Beth heard a story and wrote a beautiful short narrative that became the introduction for the song. We had no idea what the song would sound like or where it would lead, but when we shared our journey with the team, they fully embraced the vision and added instruments and voices to the song that truly lifted our spirits. It is such a joy to be a part of a team of worshippers who happen to be excellent musicians!

One of my favorite verses from this section is Exodus 2:25.

God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. Exodus 2:25

The ESV translation is succinct and captures the heart of God for His people in such an eloquent way. “And God knew.” Beth’s post includes a video with the closing lines from I AM: BethEhlert.com. We’re really looking forward to sharing this with those gathered at Hope Fellowship this Sunday.

Life on earth is in constant motion and I feel like I’m being pulled into a dozen different directions. I’m way behind on projects, but methodically making progress — Lord willing!

I was reminded by today’s Our Daily Bread post to make a joyful noise, to praise and worship with all our heart, to be thankful and joyful and for goodness sake, let the world know we are GLAD! No more frozen-chosen! We serve The Almighty God, The Creator, the One that created the solar eclipse we get to see next week (sorry if you’re not in Anderson SC or in the path!).

As we make our way through this day, I pray you will get closer to the God who wants His people to be free, who wants to fellowship with us, who longs to have everyone come into His presence with joy.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5

 

 

 

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Malachi: Remember the Covenants

Read: Malachi 1-4

Malachi’s prophetic and challenging words seem to flow well after reading Nehemiah 13. As contemporaries, Nehemiah was working to establish order out of the chaos of exile while Malachi focused on remembering the covenants of old. Both worked hand-in-hand to encourage the remnant and rebuke those who were misguided.

The overarching theme that sticks out to me today has to do with covenants. This is a foreign concept today in this society. Few are held to the high standard of covenants, but this needs to be explored.

The paragraph headings in the NIV prompt us to consider five thoughts on covenants:

  1. Blemished Sacrifices: Malachi 1:6-14
  2. Divorce: Malachi 2:10-16
  3. Injustice: Malachi 2:17-3:5
  4. Tithes: Malachi 3:6-12
  5. Renewal: Malachi 3:16-4:6

Blemished Sacrifices

“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 1:6

When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 1:8

Malachi’s message is direct and full of examples of how people were cheating and further, how the priests allowed them to offer unworthy sacrifices:

“Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dung from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it. Malachi 2:3

That’s pretty harsh, agree? Smearing dung on my face for my blatant disrespect.

Divorce

Malachi sets up this discussion with asking us to remember:

Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another? Malachi 2:10

Unfaithful by marrying outside of Israel which leads to idolatry (Ezra and Nehemiah both addressed these issues before) and unfaithful in marriage:

It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. Malachi 2:14

In the next two verses that follow Malachi reinforces the sin of being unfaithful to the wife of your youth, of disregard for the covenant bond of marriage. These are hard words to consider in this society where so many marriages end in divorce. I would offer a difficult observation: one or both have forsaken their end of the covenant by taking their eyes off of God and placing them selfishly on their own desires.

Lord, I pray for those whose marriages are under attack, for those who are hearing voices that are not from you telling them that divorce is the only option. Help our brothers and sisters to seek you first, Lord, to look to you above all others. Help me to remember the covenant bond with the wife of my youth and rejoice! This is a great thing! May we hear to words of assurance from you and see the smile on your face as we walk hand in hand. Squelch the voice of the great deceiver who whispers words of self-gratitude, of instant satisfaction rather than long term commitment. May we be a better people as a result and please help us to be different, in a righteous way, than the rest of the world around us.

Injustice

“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:5

Our God is a God of order and discipline, one who promotes justice and fair treatment among his people. The idea of loving our neighbor flows from this concept, but the way we act many times is far from just.

Tithes

Now this verse is the verse for the every preacher to hit as school begins: remember to tithe!

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:10

Reading this in context is very helpful. The exiles have returned, yet they are withholding their tithes from the priests and musicians who are assigned duties for the people and for the Lord. They weren’t meant to be bi-vocational–they were supposed to be completely dedicated to the temple.

Renewal

Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. Malachi 3:16

So refreshing to read! There are those who heard the message! Yes, most of the words of the prophets are difficult, but there are those who listen. The Lord will honor his end of the covenant, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them…for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.”

Malachi ends the words of the Old Testament with hope for the coming Messiah, then silence for 400 years. We remember the 430-year gap between Joseph and Moses, now we wait for John the Baptist to proclaim the coming of Jesus.

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Ezra Reads the Law — All Commit to Serve the Lord

Read: Nehemiah 7:73b-10:39

Nehemiah wasn’t just building a wall, there was purpose beyond simple fortification and construction. As I type this a song is playing in my head that just won’t stop — Wonder (Hillsong UNITED, 2017). The artists paint the picture in words and music to pay tribute to those who have only seen the world in gray, those who have been color blind. Through the wonder of modern science, they put on glasses that let them see all the colors God has for us to see and they weep with overwhelming joy. The wonder of our God who lavishes grace upon grace that we could see the world through his eyes.

This is the world Nehemiah was attempting to see and Ezra was the priest who knew the Law more than anyone. For this time and in this place, these were the most wonderful words that could be spoken for God’s people.

He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Nehemiah 8:3

Men, women and others: this is an event that invites all to participate who can understand. The people gathered with great anticipation as Ezra read the 1,000+ year old words of God through the hand of Moses. Sometimes we have to go without something to appreciate it more. There are stories of people coming to faith after being taken as hostages or significant life events that destroyed personal belongings. We become so accustomed to having things, to our routine, that we often miss miracles that happen before our eyes each day.

Trust me, I don’t pray for bad times in order to remember the good, but sometimes I wonder.

They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. Nehemiah 8:8

From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great. Nehemiah 8:17

Such an incredible outpouring of love and devotion to God for his incredible mercy. The people were called to a great confession.

But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies. Nehemiah 9:17-18

We serve a God who chooses not to desert us when we are at our worst! This is the God I serve, the One who regards a relationship with each of us a priority. Such an overwhelming thought.

Chapter 9 summarizes the Old Testament, the rollercoaster journey of God’s people, our ancestors, as they went through highs and lows, listening and rebellion, from good to bad to worse. The people remembered that which was forgotten and agreed to change their ways.

Once again, Nehemiah lists people by name, those who committed themselves to keeping the Law, the Levites, leaders, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the surrounding nations–all who reclaimed their faith:

bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord. Nehemiah 10:29

“In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.” Nehemiah 9:38

“We will not neglect the house of our God.” Nehemiah 10:39

Though I am undeserving, I am willing to put my name on the list. I will commit to being a servant of Christ above all others. I will be a faithful husband to my amazing wife and father to our daughters as best as I know how. I will be the best neighbor I can be and a friend to friends like never before so the world will know of the love of Christ.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Will you add your name to the list?

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Fake News: More Opposition for Nehemiah

Read: Nehemiah 6:1-7:73a

Fake news is not a new thing, just a phrase that we hear more often these days. Simply put, fake news is a lie. We’ve been dealing with the issue since the days of Adam and Eve and here we witness Nehemiah’s response to Sanballat’s lies to lure him away from Jerusalem.

Round One

Four times Sanballat sent the same message:

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:2-3

The fifth time Sanballat does his best to stir up rumors and gossip by providing an unsealed letter with words of accusation, supposedly the reason for the meeting in Ono.

“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.” Nehemiah 6:6-7

Nehemiah flatly denies the accusations, the fake news Sanballat was inventing, and sends a prompt response. Then he took action: he prayed. Throughout the book, Nehemiah stops to pray as his story unfolds.

Round Two

Nehemiah visits a shut-in, Shemaiah, a kind gesture to begin with, but here is another attempt to lure him away from the work God has put in his hands.

“Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” Nehemiah 6:10

Nehemiah is shrewd enough to see through the simple scheme of Tobiah that would lure him into sin (he was not a priest and therefore was not allowed) and then in secret he would no doubt be killed.

His response, once again, prayer.

Walls Complete

It’s amazing to read that the reconstruction of the walls was completed in 52 days. For the Israelites, Nehemiah was the catalyst they needed to focus on a single-minded mission that gave them several positive outcomes:

  1. unified the people
  2. reinforced their belief in God with tangible evidence
  3. provided sanctuary
  4. demoralized surrounding nations
  5. discredited those against the plan
  6. taught them to pray and act
  7. blessed he dedicated people who sacrificed to see the work done

These are just a few thoughts about the profoundly positive impact Nehemiah made on the people of Israel, his people, for the glory of God.

As a spacious and safe city, he needed a method for selecting those who would be honored to live within the walls — obviously not everyone would fit. Over 42,000 people were selected from the genealogical records. More details to follow in the coming chapters. Nehemiah wasn’t trying to draw attention to himself, his mission was temporary and with great purpose. He selects Hanani and Hananiah to govern Jerusalem so he can return to his full-time job back in Susa.

I love the catalytic nature of Nehemiah’s work, his incredible leadership, the focus on mission and his devotion to God intertwined in this compelling story. The church needs people like Nehemiah. Lord, help me to learn from this story, to find modern day Nehemiah’s who can come in and reset your people and restore the community of faith you desire here on earth.

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Pray and Do Something: Nehemiah’s Response as Opposition Rises

Read: Nehemiah 4-5

Sanballat and Tobiah move beyond their initial reaction where “they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites” (Nehemiah 2:10). They’re now actively promoting dissent among those working on the walls while planting the seed for insurrection with their cohorts. It’s a battle of words as even Sanballat and Tobiah must remember that Nehemiah has letters from the King, but words can be so effective, can’t they?

  • What are those feeble Jews doing?
  • Will they restore their wall?
  • Will they offer sacrifices?
  • Will they finish in a day?
  • Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?
  • What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!

How many personal insults does it take for you to stop doing what you were called to do? It didn’t take long for the taunting of Sanballat and his friends to infect the Israelites. Nehemiah prayed for strength and progress was evident so the opposition began to develop a more aggressive plan,

Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work. Nehemiah 4:11

Nehemiah heard the people, the virus was beginning to spread:

“The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
“…ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” Nehemiah 4:10,12

Do Something

His first response was to pray and ask God “turn their insults back on their own heads.” As they got more aggressive, prayer was backed with action, they prayed and posted guards. This is an interesting point. Did they not trust that God would protect them? Not at all. I would argue that the answer to prayer often requires action on our part. Posting guards was not some admission that God couldn’t protect them, part of God’s answer was for them to do something.

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. Nehemiah 4:14-15

Don’t sit there and pray that the hole in your roof will be fixed, get material and patch your roof and have confidence that God will bless the effort, sometimes in ways we can never imagine or understand.

I don’t think it was Nehemiah’s Plan A to have half his people working while the other half were posted as guards, but he didn’t just sit and watch as the threat increased.

Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. Nehemiah 4:23

Don’t Lose Site of Your Mission

Chapter 5 reminds us that we must not lose site of our mission in our response to squelch opposition. Nehemiah learns that among the Jews, there are those who are taking advantage of their own people.

Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.” Nehemiah 5:5

Nehemiah was very angry when he learned about this and called a large meeting of nobles and officials. When he revealed the accusations, their response was significant: “They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say” (Nehemiah 5:8).

Not only is Nehemiah in town to fix the wall, but he’s on mission to set the Israelites back on a trajectory for success. He made the nobles and officials take an oath to change their ways and treat their own people with dignity and respect, to give them back their property and interest. He was not happy and they knew it!

I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!” Nehemiah 5:13

Nehemiah backed his words with actions in his own house. The previous governors demanded much from the people to support their administration, but Nehemiah was adamant about supporting himself within his own means–he would not be a burden to the people.

In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people. Nehemiah 5:18

Instead, he relied on the Lord to provide: “Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people” (Nehemiah 5:19).

How can we work within the church without being a burden on the church? Lord, I don’t have the answer to this question, but Nehemiah compels me to ask the question. I’m pretty sure there is no easy, one size fits all answer, but I’m also sure that we must each ask the question, listen for your answer and do something that shows we truly care while trusting you to remember us with favor.

It’s messy and complicated–that’s why we were chosen to love the Lord and love our neighbors.

Pray and Do Something.

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Nehemiah Has A Plan

Read: Nehemiah 2-3

I’m in no hurry to run through this fabulous story. In my imagination, Nehemiah had lots of discretionary time on his hands. After all, how much time could it really take to be a cupbearer? I can see Nehemiah in his office writing out details on his dry-erase board, sketching plans from memory, having his brothers and fellow Jews take a look and make sure he’s remembering correctly. All the while, his waiting the that moment.

In the few months since Nehemiah heard the sad news about Jerusalem, he prayed and fasted and asked God for insight as he confessed for sins he probably never considered. Then the day came when the king noticed.

The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Nehemiah 2:4

King Artaxerxes asked two questions, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” and Nehemiah responded with his plan Nehemiah 2:7-9:

  • may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates for safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah?
  • may I have a letter to Asaph, so he will give me timber
    • to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and
    • for the city wall and
    • for the residence I will occupy?”
  • The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

Sanballat, governor over Samaria*, and Tobiah, governor over Transjordan under the Persians*, were not pleased. Tobiah, in particular, was connected to Eliashib the priest. Watch these characters as the play unfolds.

Inspection of the Walls

Even if the king sent only a few officers with Nehemiah, his arrival in Jerusalem could not have been missed. He waited three days to begin his inspection, but this was still a secret mission at this point. Nehemiah went out at night to inspect the walls.

The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work. Nehemiah 2:16

Nehemiah gathered the intelligence he needed and was ready to talk to his brothers, those in charge of Jerusalem. It’s no surprise to me that they were motivated to agree with Nehemiah’s plan. We don’t see all the details in the text, but we know the project was completed in record time which leaves me with the belief that his plan was incredibly detailed: quantity of timbers, where they should go and when each needed to show up on the job site. Any construction manager would read the story of Nehemiah and gasp at the incredible results and agree he was a master planner.

Nehemiah Named the Key Workers

Chapter 3 is all about giving credit to the people who did the work. In 32 verses, Nehemiah captures the names and positions of 40+ men who participated in the reconstruction of about 45 sections. His list includes goldsmiths, priests, perfume-makers, daughters; some lazy and others who worked zealously, some in positions of authority and even the sixth son of Zalaph joined in the work.

A couple of thoughts come to mind here: 1) Nehemiah knew the people and 2) he took time to document the names and heritage of the people that helped. My supposition is that Nehemiah’s full-time job was one that required knowledge of a lot of moving parts and people. He kept track of who did what and when and where pieces moved–that’s how he ensured the king was safe as a cupbearer. Those skills are put to use in rebuilding the walls, but even more, Nehemiah is rebuilding the people by writing down their names and giving them recognition. So many leadership lessons to learn here!

Don’t miss this: Nehemiah knew that people ultimately mattered while at the same time he attended to the business of rebuilding the wall. He balanced both–an incredible CEO.

I believe Nehemiah devoted himself to learning who was in Jerusalem, who could be counted on to do great work, those who were going to need extra supervision and those who needed to be under careful watch. Kinda sounds like a typical group of people, whether in a church as staff and volunteers or in a business with hourly and salaried professionals. People matter to God, so they should matter to us. No doubt Nehemiah’s ability to keep track of all these people was based on his gifts and talents, his personal wiring and incredible tenacity, but we can do the same if we recognize the importance of those we interact with every day. His success was a result of taking time to pray and ask God for very specific help. Prayer and people, the DNA of Nehemiah.

Lord, thank you for the details in these chapters that honor Nehemiah’s commitment to doing your work. May we learn from his example and do the work of your kingdom on earth here in our own towns and villages.

 

*NIV Study Bible notes–likely position of Sanballat and Tobiah based on context and historical documents.

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Nehemiah’s Prayer

Read: Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. It’s hard to wrap my mind around the concept that his words are written 1,000 years after Exodus–that is such a long time! And yet Nehemiah’s first words look back on Moses.

As one in the king’s court, Nehemiah had the privilege of access to information about the Jews returning from exile. I’m sure Nehemiah knew the king supported the Jews returning from exile, but I’m not sure why he didn’t join the group in returning himself. Perhaps he thought his prominent position better served the kingdom and was willing to continue worshipping God from afar.

His distance did not reduce his concern for his fellow Israelites. He asked one of his brothers for an update on Jerusalem:

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3-4

Nehemiah’s heart is broken at the report. His prayer of confession points all the way back to the laws given to Moses:

We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. Nehemiah 1:7

Yes, Nehemiah prayed, but he was a man of action and not just words.

Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Nehemiah 1:11

The span of time between chapters 1 and 2 are perhaps 3 or 4 months. I suspect Nehemiah prayed this prayer many times as he sought to discern God’s call for him at this time and in this place.

Do we pray this fervently? This unselfishly? This direct?

There is much work to do in the church today, the bride of Christ. Lord, help us discern your will and take action to do something with your words.

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Esther Part 2b: Unexpected Resolution

Read: Esther 5-7

For us, the end of this story is no surprise, but for Esther and Mordecai, they had no idea of how this would play out. ODB this morning left me with this perspective as I prepare to breathe in the Word from Esther:

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

Esther, along with many Jews, prayed and fasted, but the task remained with Esther, she was the one who needed to step into the king’s court, the burden fell on her to step out on faith, the unseen.

Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.” Esther 5:3

As I thought about this encounter with Xerxes, I wondered what he must have been thinking. Years ago at this point, he was supremely stupid in his treatment of Vashti and as a result he lost his favored queen. It seems he didn’t want to do this again. Esther was beautiful, intelligent, poised, etc., everything he could want in a queen. Perhaps he’s getting a bit older and realizes he doesn’t want to go through the whole select-a-queen game again. Whatever the case, the result is more than favorable as the story unfolds.

Esther has a plan, she didn’t just pray for God to miraculously do something, she came to the throne room with a plan, with patience and with faith. She’s prepared a feast with exclusive invitations for the king and Haman. They enjoy some wine together (not the endless faucet like the first celebration) and Esther asks the king and Haman to come to another feast tomorrow. This lights Haman’s pride and ego beyond Esther’s wildest expectations.

In his pumped up state, Haman sees Mordecai and whines to his friends and family. Their suggestion is to have him impaled on a very high pole for all the world to see. Haman loves the idea and the work begins.

Pause for a moment and imagine the pride and arrogance of Haman, how this attitude affected his judgment. Often I think of Haman as a pompous idiot that glanced at every mirror and stuck his nose up at any underling, but he didn’t get selected for his position by accident. He wasn’t the son of Xerxes and he wasn’t forced on the king. He earned his position, but that did not prevent him from having an ego and pride bigger than Susa.

I’m compelled to ask: is there a hint of Haman in me? Have I worked hard to get to a position that is recognized by my family and friends as one which demonstrates how well I have done? Have I reached the top rung of the ladder only to beg the world to see me? Maybe not so audacious as Haman, but Lord I pray that I would not have a hint of Haman in my life!

Esther must have perceived this and effected a plan that fed the ego like gas on a fire.

Meanwhile, Xerxes cannot sleep after banquet one, so what better way to get to sleep than by having someone read chronicles! To his surprise, he learns that Mordecai was never properly honored for uncovering the assassination attempt, so now it’s the king’s turn to stoke Haman’s ego:

When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Esther 6:6

Haman, thinking only of himself, devises a grand plan to honor “the man.” When he discovers it is Mordecai that is to be honored, he plays his part, but obviously this is a horrible scene for Haman. In the meantime, the stage gets set for Mordecai’s ascent to prominence. The guy that sits at the gate in the presence of Haman, who put on sackcloth and ashes and wailed at the edict to eradicate the Jews–suddenly this guy is being paraded through town and proclaimed “honorable” by the king. In my mind, Mordecai accepts his position in the parade, but doesn’t gloat over Haman and didn’t ask the king to mint coins with his face or name. That, all by itself, would be hard to do. Mordecai’s humility and boldness are hard to appreciate, but somehow he straddles the two extremes.

Haman, on the other hand, is now completely out of his mind, but before he knew it, he was being rushed back to the palace for another banquet with the king and queen.

The king asks Esther for her request (again):

Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, killed and annihilated. Esther 7:3-4

Her patience, prayer and poise all payoff as she points the finger at Haman for his plan for genocide.

The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. Esther 7:7

Xerxes goes out to clear his mind. How could his trusted right hand man do such a thing? How could he miss the signs? He remembers Haman’s petition about “those people,” but didn’t know they were Esther’s people, so now he is really stuck. Xerxes may have had some plan in mind, but when he returns and finds Haman grabbing Esther, all bets are off!

Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” Esther 7:8

One of the attending eunuchs is quick to point out that Haman has erected a pole to impale Mordecai and the king’s rage turns into resolution.

The king said, “Impale him on it!” So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided. Esther 7:9-10

It’s so easy to read a short narrative and see the unexpected plot twist at the end without giving it a second thought. It’s much harder to step out in faith without knowing what tomorrow will bring. We know God is sovereign and can save us from whatever fiery furnace that lies ahead, but he is not obligated to do our bidding. He simply asks us to believe his plan is better than our plan.

May we have the courage to step out completely on faith today. May the testimony of our lives, our humility and faith, be a beacon to those who are far from Christ and may we have words and actions to lead them to you Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

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