DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A MAN OF INTEGRITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – JEPHTHAH – A MAN OF INTEGRITY

"Now Jephthah the Gildeadite was a might man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah." (Judges 11:1)

These two chapters in Judges are the story of a man named Jephthah.

Jephthah was an illegitimate son who was driven out of his home because he was the son of a harlot. But that did not stop Jephthah from excelling. He was a mighty man of valor. It has been said that there are no illegitimate children – only illegitimate parents.

We live in a culture that wants everyone to be a victim. Losers blame everyone or everything for their misfortunes and lack of success -- their parents, their environment, their lack of education, their color, their culture.   Jephthah stands out as a person who did not take the easy road and make excuses by shifting the blame to others.

Jephthah was a man of honor and integrity. He kept his word. He vowed to God that if God gave him victory in battle, he would offer as a burnt offering the first thing that came out of his house. The record says, "When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child" (Judges 11:34). How his heart must have dropped into his stomach. What should have been a time of rejoicing became a time of grief. But Jephthah did not violate his vow, even though it meant a great cost.

Whether it was a wise vow or not, he was faithful to perform it. He did not take the easy way out and try to evade the promise he had made to God. Scripture says that "he carried out his vow with her which he had vowed" (11:39).

People of integrity keep their promises, even if it is costly or uncomfortable. I want to be a person of integrity.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING

"Then Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother's brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, 'Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: "Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?" Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.' And his mother's brothers spoke all these words concerning him in the hearing of all the men of Shechem; and their heart was inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, 'He is our brother.' " (Judges 9:1-3)

Abimelech's biography is a sordid story, but that is one of the things that makes the Bible believable. God does not whitewash history. As I write my own biography, it is tempting to skip the bad things or put a positive spin on them. God does not do that. He tells it like it really is. Human nature is corrupted by sin, and the results are not pretty.

Abimilech was a son of Gideon – yes, the same Gideon that led such a victorious defeat of the Midianites. Although Gideon was a man of faith, he still had his weaknesses. Like many other men in the Bible, Gideon had a problem with improper sexual desire. He had many wives plus a concubine.

There must have been some kind of special relationship between Gideon and the son born to the concubine, because Gideon named that son Abimelech, which means "my father is king." When Gideon (aka Jerubbaal) died, Abimelech saw his chance to be king. Rudyard Kipling wrote a novel entitled, "The Man Who Would be King." Abimelech wanted to be king and he slew his 70 half-brothers to help achieve his dream.

It did not end well for Abimelech. After only 3 years as king, he was killed when he led his army against Thebes, and during a siege, a woman dropped a mill-stone from a tower which hit Abimelech and crushed his head. He was mortally wounded and died.

I think that one moral of this story is: beware of pride. It seems that Abimelech was influenced by his father. Even though Gideon was not a king per se, he must have considered himself to be king considering what he named his son. This rubbed off on Abimelech and his heart was lifted up in pride.

It is better to let God lift us up, than to maneuver and manipulate people around us to make us their leader. Other people inevitably get destroyed in the process. This was before the time of the kings, so Abimelech's desire to be king was improper. It came out of his own fleshly desires – not God's calling. As the Apostle Peter wrote: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:6). God's way of exalting us is much better than our own way. And we can trust Him to do it right.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DO AS I DO

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – DO AS I DO

"Then he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet into every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers. And he said to them, 'Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do.' " (Judges 7:16-17).

Yesterday, we considered leadership. But what makes a leader? It is the ability to say to other people, "Follow me. Do as I do."

Gideon was not always a leader, but he grew into the role. In the beginning, he was a fearful, reticent person who saw himself as the least of the least. He did not view himself as a leader. When the Angel of the Lord called him, he was hiding, threshing wheat in a winepress so that the Midianites would not discover him. When the Angel said, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!", Gideon said, "Who, me? My family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" Judges 6:12, 15). This is not exactly the confidence expected of a leader.

After this meeting with the Angel of the LORD, Gideon took up the challenge by destroying the altar to Baal that his father owned. But he did it at night because he feared his father and the people of the city (6:25-27) – not exactly an exhibition of bravery. But as time went by, he took on the mantle of leadership more and more, because he knew that God had called him to this position.

Now, Gideon was not perfect. Even though he did not let the success of his leadership go to his head, he still had his weaknesses. When the people wanted to make Gideon king, he deferred, and said that the LORD would be their ruler (8:22-23). However, he then turned around and made an idol that he set up in his city, Ophrah, which became a place of false worship, and became a snare to Gideon and his household (vs. 27). He also was a polygamist with a concubine.

As humans, we are not perfect, and we need to be careful. Leaders can lead people to victory, but they can also lead people into evil. May we always be intentional in leading into righteousness. As the Apostle Paul said, "You became followers of us and of the Lord" (I Thessalonians 1:6). This is our challenge and our joy, to lead people to Jesus.

Love,  Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHERE ARE THE LEADERS?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHERE ARE THE LEADERS?

"Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: 'When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willing offer themselves, Bless the LORD!' " (Judges 5:1)

I echo this song: "Bless the LORD when leaders lead and the people follow."

But this begs the question: "Where are the leaders and where are the followers?" Or to put it a different way, "Why don't leaders lead and why don't people follow?"

There are probably a thousand reason why leaders don't lead, but there are several reasons that come to mind. One is that the leader doesn't have a clear vision of where they are going. Another one is the fear of people – afraid that they will reject their leadership. Another is that leaders often stand alone in the struggle for what is right. There is no place for timidity in leadership. Leadership is a lonely place. A leader must be willing to be in the front of the battle, whether anyone follows or not.

There are also many reasons why followers don't follow. They may think that the leader is wrong (and sometimes they are), and that they have a better idea of the direction they should go. Another is fear of the direction the leader is leading. Probably the biggest reason follower don't follow is that we don't want someone else telling us what to do. This is summed up in the closing statement of the Book of Judges – "every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

The Hebrew word for "leader" is in the masculine form. This is interesting because apparently there was a lack of male leadership at this time in Israel. Even Barak answered Deborah's challenge to lead the Israeli army into battle by saying, "If you do not go with me, I will not go" (Judges 4:8),

We see a similar situation in the many churches. I am so glad that this is not the situation at New Hope Fellowship. But many men are reluctant to take the role of leadership – whether in the home or in the church. So the female gender assumes the place of leadership. This is not God's plan. God has specifically designed for men to be the leaders. Some of that reluctance to assume the role of leader is that men have been put down so much that they do not have the confidence to lead.

When we recognize godly leadership and submit ourselves to that leadership, we bless the Lord. It may require some sacrifice of our own self and ideas, but following God's plan is always best. So let us step up, men, and be the leader God called us to be. And if God has called me as a follower, then I want to be the best follower I can possibly be.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- CITY OF REFUGE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – CITY OF REFUGE

"The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel, saying: "Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there, and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood" ' " (Joshua 20:1-3)

On the barren lava fields of Kona on the big Island, Hawaii, lies the historic City of Refuge. My wife and visited this city of refuge on a vacation there. I was struck by this city of refuge because I remembered the cities of refuge in the Old Testament. Here for more than 700 years, ancient Hawaiians found sanctuary after violating the sacred laws of the kapu or religious laws, which were punishable by death.  Upon reaching the city of refuge, the priest would then perform the ceremony of absolution, which eventually allowed the lawbreaker to return to Honaunau.

God had told Moses to establish cities of refuge where a person who accidentally killed someone could find sanctuary. The original ordinance was given in Numbers 35 beginning at verse 9: "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, "When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there. They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment." ' " Now, Joshua would fulfill that plan.

These were appointed as places of safety for someone accused of murder until a proper trial was held to establish the person's innocence because it was an unintentional accident. This was to prevent a revenge murder. As long as the accused stayed in the city of refuge, he was safe.

We don't have sanctuary cities, but we do have a refuge. The writer to the Hebrews wrote that "we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:18b-19a). We who have fled to Jesus as our refuge have strong consolation – comfort and solace – that He will keep us safe in His hand. This is an anchor for the soul. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2). "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). When our enemy accuses us, we can find rest and consolation in our city of refuge, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A PLACE OF REST

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A PLACE OF REST

"Now the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of meeting there. And the land was subdued before them." (Joshua 18:1)

The land of promise was being conquered and the land was being divided among the tribes of Israel. The land was being subdued before them. Their wanderings were done and it was time to find a place for the Tabernacle, the place of worship, to be settled. It was a temporary home for the Tabernacle until it was moved to Jerusalem under King David. That place was Shiloh.

The word Shiloh in the Hebrew means "a place of rest." Even though there were still territories to be subdued, the place of worship found a resting place at Shiloh. This was symbolic in the sense that the wanderings were over. The nation had at last come into its home-land. The fulfillment of this is recorded in Joshua 21:43-44a: "So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession if it and dwelt in it. The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers."

But there is another aspect of the word, Shiloh. There was a prophecy given in Genesis. Jacob was giving his last words of blessing on each of his sons. When he came to bless Judah, he prophesied, "The scepter (a symbol of a king) shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people." (Genesis 49:10) It is generally considered that this prophecy was about the coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus. That is why some translations capitalize the pronoun "Him" as a reference to the Messiah.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Billy Graham wrote a pamphlet entitled "Peace with God." When we place our trust in Him, we enter into His rest, and we are at peace with God. The song-writer said it this way: "My faith has found a resting place, not in device nor creed. I trust the ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead."

There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God. "Since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it" (Hebrews 4:1). When our hearts are in turmoil, we need to come back to our Shiloh. He is a shelter for our souls, a place rest and peace.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHOLLY FOLLOWING THE LORD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHOLLY FOLLOWING THE LORD

"And Joshua blessed (Caleb) and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron therefore became to inheritance of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord

God of Israel."

I love Caleb. He is a model for me to follow.

Remember that he and Joshua were the only two spied who came back with a good report of faith after spying out the land. Now, 45 years later, he is still serving the Lord with a whole heart.

Eighty five years old, and he has never wavered in his faith. He is as strong as he was forty-five years ago – both physically and spiritually. He still saw mountains to claim. He had not let years dim his vision for what God had for him. All because he "wholly followed the LORD" (vs. 8, vs. 9, and vs. 14).

May that be said of us as senior citizens. God still has things for us to accomplish. We are not put on the shelf just because of our age.

And in chapter 15, we find him still blessing his posterity (15:18-19). Let's set Caleb as a pattern to follow.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- TOLERANCE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – TOLERANCE

"So Joshua conquered all the land: the mountain country and the South and the lowland and the wilderness slopes, and all their kings; he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded." (Joshua 10:40)

In occupying their new land, God had commanded Israel to completely destroy all of the inhabitants of the land. The phrase "he left none remaining," or similar phrases, is used seven times in chapter 10.

This seems to be overkill, pardon the pun. It would seem reasonable to get rid of the kings and army commanders so that there would be no insurrections. But to kill everyone? That seems extreme. But God knew that if the ungodly nations were not completely destroyed, they would teach Israel to do according to all their abominations (Deuteronomy 20:15-18).

God's aim was to keep the nation of Israel as a peculiar people, set apart. He knew that if they did not cleanse the land, that the people of the land would corrupt the nation with ungodly ways and worship. But over and over read that they did not utterly drive them out (Joshua 17:13; Judges 1:21, 28, 32). They tolerated the ungodly nations, and sure enough, there were compromised in their worship of the true God.

There is a lesson here for us. We need to be intolerant of things in our culture that would draw us away from serving the true God. We live in a tolerant society, and it is easy to become immune to things that are ungodly. It's a truism that what we tolerate becomes acceptable.

I have talked with Christians who do not even recognize immorality around them. They can watch movies that have degenerate language, sexual content, or ungodly worldview. When I question them, they say, "I didn't hear or see that."

We need to stay sensitive to ungodly things and resist them. What God declares to be unholy, we must declare unholy. If I am intolerant of the unholy, so be it.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SECRET SINS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – SECRET SINS

"But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel." (Joshua 7:1)

The story of Achan is probably very familiar to most of us. But it still has some dynamic principles that need to be rehearsed.

Israel had crossed the Jordan River in the promised land. The first city they encountered was Jericho, and the walls came atumblin' down. The next city was Ai. The Israelites were very confident that they could defeat Ai, just as they had Jericho. But it was not to be, because of the sin of one man (and also his family who knew what he had done). His sin was to disobey God's commandment to not take any booty from Jericho. Achan took some of the spoil from Jericho and hid it in the dirt of his tent, and Israel suffered defeat at Ai because of it.

The story of Achan's sin has several points of application that are pertinent to all generations. First, Achan thought he could hide his sin. He could hide it from others but he could not hide it from God. "For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light" (Luke 8:17)

Secondly, Achan's sin was exposed. Sin has a way of being laid bare. We may think that no one else knows, but it will be brought to light one way or another.

"Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23), if not in this life, in the next as we stand before God.

Thirdly, there are consequences for sin, even after we acknowledge it. Achan, when faced with the evidence, confessed, "Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel" (vs 20). As Believers, we have the assurance that when we confess our sin, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (I John 1:9). But there still may be consequences that we have to deal with.

Fourthly, sin does not just affect the person who sins. The entire nation suffered for Achan's sin. I may think that my sin is personal and does not hurt anybody, but my family and the general society will suffer also.

The great lesson is that sin does not pay, and we need to purpose not to sin.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE REAL THING

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE REAL THING

"Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, and he said to them, 'Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe – the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.' " (Deuteronomy 32:45-47)

Coca Cola used to have the ad that pitched: "It's the real thing." The real what? Real empty sugar? Following God's way is not empty or futile. It is not a bunch of empty promises. It is a sure thing.

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that it is vain to serve the Lord. We look at the ungodly and see them living the good life, and are tempted to think that that is real living, when in reality, it is an empty life.

The Psalmist struggled with this. Asaph, the writer, said, "Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:1-3). He went on to fret that they don't seem to suffer in death, they seem to have no troubles, they have more abundance than any heart could desire. They scoff and speak wickedly, speaking lofty things against the heavens. They are at ease and increase in riches (vss. 5-13). His heart was vexed and grieved (vs. 21) until he went into the sanctuary and he understood their end. He understood that those who are far from God shall perish. He ends his musings with this: "It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works" (vs. 27-28).

Serving God is the real life. Everything else is a mirage, a fantasy that appears to be full and rewarding but in reality is emptiness. It may be look good, but it has no promise for the future eternal life. James wrote, "Let the rich (glory) in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes" (James 1:10-11). It looks good but it will perish. Peter echoed this when he wrote, "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever" (I Peter 1:24-25).

It is a fool with a mental illness who lives in fantasy land, thinking that the good life will go on forever. It is a wise man who understands that this life is passing, and reality is eternal. Serving God is not futile or empty. It is the real thing.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- NOT IF BUT WHEN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – NOT IF BUT WHEN

"Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God drives you, and you return to the LORD your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, that the LORD your God will bring you back from captivity and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the LORD your God has scattered you." (Deuteronomy 30:1-3)

It was not a matter of if but when. God knew the inclinations of their behavior (31:21) and that the Israelites would be drawn away from serving the true God to serving other gods. In chapter 31, God said that the people would rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land that they would live, and that they would forsake God and break His covenant which He made with them (31:16). They would suffer the curse of God's anger (31:17).

It did not take a rocket scientist to know which way was best. As Moses said,

" 'This commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?" But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil' " (30:11-14).

The Apostle Paul uses this text in referring to our salvation in Romans 10:6 -10. "But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, 'Do not say in your heart, "Who will ascend into heaven?" ' (that is, to bring Christ down from above), or, "Who will descent into the abyss" ' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ' word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is the, the word of faith which we preach)." The Gospel is not some esoteric mystical idea that is afar off and cannot be understood. It is easy to understand that Christ died for our sins. The more difficult thing is to confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, and be saved (vs. 9-10).

We are all bound to sin. It is not a matter of "if" but "when." Our focus verse in Deuteronomy reminds us that God is compassionate and will receive us to Himself when we return to Him. Oh, what a wonderful, gracious, longsuffering, compassionate God we serve.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THREE MOUNTAINS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THREE MOUNTAINS

" 'Now it shall come to pass if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today,, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you, and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God....But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you... (Deuteronomy 28:15-2)

In Deuteronomy chapter 27:11-12, Moses had called the people to gather at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal to declare the blessings that would come to the Israelites if they followed the way of the Lord, and the curses that would follow if they went away from God.

Mount Gerizim was a place of blessing, and Mount Ebal was a place of cursing. These blessings and curses were given to the nation of Israel, and we need to be careful in the application of these scriptures to our own lives. However, there are blessing to be enjoyed for those who serve the Lord with a whole heart, and there are negative consequences for those who reject God's way.

As a side note, when Jesus met the woman at the well in John chapter 4, it was at Sychar in Samaria. Sychar, according to Easton's Bible Dictionary, was a small town at the base of Mount Ebal. The Samaritan woman said that they worshiped on "this mountain" or Mount Ebal. The background of this is interesting and worthy of study, but the Samaritan's center of worship was not in Jerusalem but Mount Ebal, which was the mountain of cursing. Jesus came with the message of blessing – of living water (John 4:10) to those who worship the Lord in truth (vs. 23).

Jesus said that He came into this world to save us, and not condemn us (John 3:17). Salvation is blessing, and condemnation is a curse. Mount Gerzim and Mount Ebal met together at Mount Calvary. Calvary was a blessing because it was there that Jesus bought my salvation. But it was a place of cursing because Jesus took the condemnation of sin upon Himself. You would think that any sane and rational person would choose blessing rather than cursing. I rejoice in the blessings of my salvation – My Mount Gerizim.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MUZZLING THE OX

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – MUZZLING THE OX

"You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." (Deuteronomy 25:4).

One sentence. Twelve words. Seeming randomly stuck between judging and punishing the guilty, and rules about widows remarrying after they lose their husband. Now I don't want to question the inspiration of the Word of God by the Holy Spirit, but our text about oxen seems to be out of place.

The plain meaning is that a farmer was not to keep the ox who was treading out the grain from eating the wheat. Proverbs 12:10 says, "A righteous man regard the life of his animal." Most of us are not farmers and this verse does not mean a whole lot. But we can understand that the wise farmer will treat his animals well, especially if that animal is providing his livelihood.

It is not until we get to the New Testament that we catch the full meaning of this commandment as it pertains to us. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Church at Corinth, wrote, "Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, 'You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.' Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope" (I Corinthians 9:7b-10). This is in the context that "those who preach the gospel should live from the Gospel (vs. 14). In other words, pay the preacher.

Writing to his protege Timothy, Paul used this verse again, writing, "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,' and 'The laborer is worth of his wages' " (I Timothy 5:17-18). In both instances, Paul was presenting the truth that those who minister spiritual things should be supported financially.

Many pastors, especially in small churches, have to work in secular jobs to support their families because their salary from their church is insufficient. There is a place for that. Even Paul supported himself by being a tentmaker. But churches that are able should support their spiritual leaders with adequate pay for their labor, lest their ministry be "muzzled." This is God's word to us. Let us hear it.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A MATTER OF INTEREST

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – A MATTER OF INTEREST

"You shall not charge interest to your brother – interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest. To a foreigner you may charge interest, but to your brother you shall not charge interest, that the LORD your God may bless you in all to which you set your hand in the land which you are entering to possess." (Deuteronomy 23:19-20)

This portion of Deuteronomy covers a lot of issues such as adultery, divorce, kidnapping, leprosy, sanitary conditions in the camp, and gleaning farm produce.

We are focusing on financial command because this is the cause of so much disagreement and conflict in personal relationships.

The command to not charge a relative interest on loaned money highlights family problems. The charge is to not charge interest of a "brother," whether that is a family brother or an Israelite brother. When the money is not repaid, there are ruptures in relationships that can last for many years.

I can remember this happening in my own extended family. There were many hard feelings that resulted when a substantial loan was not repaid, even after many requests by the lender to pay the original loan along with the agreed upon interest. It ended up in court, and the scars remain to this day.

This does not forbid loans. It is just that interest is not to be required. This is noted in chapter 24:10-11 which says, "When you lend your brother anything, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge out to you." A pledge to repay the loan can be required that would help guarantee that the loan would be repaid. This pledge could be a piece of clothing or possibly something else of value. This is different than interest.

There are two recourses to take when a loan is not repaid. First, is to consider the money as a gift, not requiring repayment. The second is to eat the loss if the loan is in default. In a discourse about brothers taking brothers to court to resolve issues, the Apostle Paul wrote wrote that to go to court is an utter failure. He asks, "Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?" (I Corinthians 6:7). This is forgiving the debt without carrying a grudge.

I think this might be a picture of what happened between us and God. We had a

debt with Him that we could not pay, but He willingly forgave us. And He does not hold the debt nor the interest we owe over our heads. That is His amazing grace. His forgiveness of the debt is a free gift.

There is a freedom of spirit when we can release things to the Lord, and believe that God will take care of the problem.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HELPING THE POOR

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – HELPING THE POOR

" 'Is there among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open our hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.......For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, "You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land." ' " (Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 11).

There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding our responsibility as Christians to minister to the material needs of the poor. God does call us to be compassionate to those who are in need, whether they are believers or not.

However, I find a lot of questioning among Christians about whether God commands us to give money to the person on the street corner with a sign asking for help. I know some people who feel condemned if they don't contribute to the person with money. So what does God say about this?

First, from our focus verses in the Old Testament, we need to note that the command was to help fellow Israelites who were in need. The admonition is to help a brother, someone who is a part of the nation – in the land. Nowhere in the Old Testament does God tell the Israelites to help the poor among the Philistines, Ammonities, or Moabites. In the Old Testament, the command is always to help fellow Israelites. There was no command to help non-Israelites.

In the New Testament in Matthew 26:6-13, Jesus referred to this text when he said, "The poor you have with you always." This was in response to Judas who said that the oil poured on Jesus by Mary should have been sold and given to the poor. Money given for worship takes priority over giving to the poor.

Jesus was teaching His disciples when He said, "If you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me" (Matthew 25:40). The parameters were Jesus' brothers, Who, as He explained in Mark 3:35 are those who do the will of God; in other words, fellow believers.

Our first priority is helping fellow-believers who need our care. That does not mean that we do not help non-Christians, but the household of faith is the priority. As it is written, "Do good to all men, especially to the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).

The short answer is that Christians have no responsibility to give to the needy outside of the Christian fellowship. And if you are prompted to give to an unbeliever, be sure to follow God's leading.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LOVE AND OBEY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LOVE AND OBEY

"Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always." (Deuteronomy 11:1)

Picture a wedding ceremony of years gone by when the bride and groom say their vows before the preacher. The preacher turns to the bride for her to repeat the vow: "I, Jane Doe, take you to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey, till death do us part, according to God's holy law."

Is there a word that seems out of place to our modern mindset? I don't know when I last heard the word "obey" included in the wedding vows. Somewhere along the line, there became a disconnect between loving and obeying.

God does not have any trouble linking the two words – love and obey – together. In these chapters of Deuteronomy 11 and 12, the command to love the LORD is issued three times (11:1, 13, 22) reflecting the charge given in Deuteronomy 6:5: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength," and was identified by Jesus as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30).

Obedience is mentioned even more often. The translators use various words – to obey His commandments (11:27-28): to observe His statutes, judgments, and commandments (11:32; 12:1, 28, and 32); and "carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do – to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him" (11:22)

So how does that command – to obey the LORD – correlate to the command to love the LORD? Might I suggest that obedience is a demonstration of our love for Him. The Lord Jesus Himself said, "If you love me, keep my commandments " (John 14:15) If we truly love Jesus, we will want to do His will.

Love and obedience do go together, and I suggest that you can't have one without the other. Love without obedience is empty sentiment, and obedience without love is bondage. I serve the Lord because I love Him. How can I not love and obey Him when He died on the cross for me?

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FORGETTING GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – FORGETTING GOD

" 'Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest – when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when you herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God....then you say in your heart, "My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth." And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.' "

(Deuteronomy 8:11-14a, 17-18a)

God gives warning like this because He knows how prone we are to get our eyes on things instead of Himself. We get so involved in life that we forget God.

Moses listed some things that distract us from keeping God first in our lives. First is a full stomach. Who needs God when we have all the food we need? Hunger sometimes makes people turn to God. Then there are houses and material things. When we have a life of comfort, we forget God. Or maybe it is success in our careers. For the Israelites, it may have been herds and flocks. With us, it may be being top salesman, owning our own company, or success in a thousand other occupations. For some, it is a full bank account. Who needs God when we have financial success and freedom?

In all of these scenarios, we forget that God gave us the ability and insight to be successful. When we forget God, we think that our prosperity is a result of our own work, sweat, and ingenuity. God gets left behind.

Jesus gave a parable of the seed sown on various kinds of soil. Of particular interest is the third kind of soil. It was good soil, but it also grew weeds which choked out the good plants. Jesus explained that the weeds are the cares if this world (which are the natural products of owning things), the deceitfulness of riches and the greedy desire for material things, and the pleasures of life (Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14).

This is a word for us. When we have attained the "good life," we need to remember that it is all a gift from God, lest we forget Him and His goodness.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOR OUR GOOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS --  FOR OUR GOOD

" 'And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statues, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us.'" (Deuteronomy 6:24-25)

Talk about long-winded preachers! I've heard a few and have probably been one more than once! This sermon recorded in Deuteronomy begins in chapter 1 and finally comes to a conclusion in Chapter 30 with the admonition that they love the LORD their God, obey His voice, and cling to Him (Deuteronomy 30:19-20), which is really the essence of the divine law. In his sermon, Moses reviewed the commandments that God had given to the nation of Israel.

In this focus verse, we are reminded that God's statutes are always for our good. We may rebel against them because we think we know better than God what is best for our lives. True righteousness is living God's way. God's way is best.

But Moses also reminded the Israelites to be careful to stay within the parameters that God had revealed. Moses warned them not to add anything to God's commandments nor take away from them (Deuteronomy 4:2), nor to turn to the right nor to the left (Deuteronomy 5:32). In other words, stay in the middle. It is so easy to veer from God's expressed commands, and either add to them, or minimize them as not important. The religionists of Jesus' day were guilty of this. They added grievous burdens (Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46) which were not a part of God's law while at the same time they did not keep the important ones. They could strain at a gnat while swallowing a camel. They could pay tithes on their mint and anise and cummin, and neglect the weightier matters of the law (Matthew 23:23-24). They developed traditions – like giving Corban – while at the same time neglecting their responsibility to honor their father and mother (Mark7:11-13). They were legalists in their adherence to tradition while at the same time neglecting God's greatest commandments.

Legalism adds rules that go beyond what God has commanded and leads to self-righteousness. Minimizing God's law leads to licentiousness and unholiness. Staying within God's revealed Word will lead to life and peace. His laws are truly for our good and we benefit if we stay in the middle of them. They are for our good, always.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LISTENING TO GOD

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LISTENING TO GOD

" 'The time we took to come from Kadesh Marnea until we crossed over the Valley of the Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the LORD had sworn to them.' " (Deuteronomy 2:14).

The name of this book, Deuteronomy, means the second giving of the law. Deuteronomy recalls the Law that God gave at Sinai, and also some of the things that they encountered on their journey. Now they are ready to enter Canaan.

It has been 40 years since Israel was delivered from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness. Sadly, thirty-eight of those years were unnecessary. They could have entered the promised land years ago if they had obeyed God. God used the first two years to prepare them by giving them the commandments of the Law at Mt. Sinai. Because of their unbelief, they went around and around in the wilderness for 38 years.

We would do well to consider again what caused this 38 year journey. After the first two years, they were ready to enter the land that God had promised to Abraham. The account in Numbers chapter 14 contains some telling information.

When the spies came back and gave a report, the people chose to believe the majority report of the 10 rather than the faith report of the two – Joshua and Caleb. Now I believe in a Democratic Republican form of government. But it has its weakness because the majority is not always right. We are advised in Proverbs that "in a multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6). But that carries the assumption that the counselors listen to God. When we listen to the crowd that comes from a humanistic worldview, we are on dangerous territory. Listening to the crowd made them wander for 38 years.

Then, after they were aware of their error of not trusting God, they thought they could conquer the enemies in their own ability even when God said "no" (Numbers 14:39-45). They did not have God's commission thought they could do it on their own, and they were soundly defeated.

I am still learning this lesson – to listen to God more than all the voices of the multitude. God's way is best. I can trust Him.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE REST OF THE STORY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE REST OF THE STORY

"But Moses was angry with the officers of the army, with the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, who had come from the battle. And Moses said to them, 'Have you kept all the women alive? Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD." (Numbers 31:16)

Now we get the rest of the story of Balaam, as Paul Harvey would say. The story of Balaam was our focus in Numbers chapters 22-24 (Gleanings for March 2, 2022). Balaam was enlisted by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel as an enemy. But Balaam did not curse Israel. Instead, he blessed Israel. In the first verse of Numbers chapter 25, it is recorded that the men of Israel began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.

It was Balaam who counseled Balak how to cause Israel to stumble. His advice was to get the Israelites to intermarry with the Moabites. God was very displeased by this sin and ordered Moses to kill all those who had committed harlotry – both sexually and spiritually, and 24,000 people died in the judgment (Numbers 25:9).

The New Testament sheds more light on this incident with Balaam. In Revelation 2:14, Jesus said to the church at Pergamos, "I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality" (Revelation 2:14). Balaam forsook God's way because of greed for money. He loved the wages of unrighteousness (II Peter 2:15). Jude indicates that it was greed that caused Balaam to run after the reward that Balak offered him (Jude 1:11).

How many people have begun serving the Lord, but got sidetracked by something else that seemed more profitable. Many preachers have left the ministry because they saw that they could make more money in secular work. But it also happens to non-preachers. People began their Christian life with great desire to serve the Lord, but somewhere along the line, they get sidetracked because of desire for success and prosperity. May God help us to keep our eyes focused on God's reward.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PASSING THE BATON

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – PASSING THE BATON

"So Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands on him and inaugurated him, just as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses." (Numbers 27:22-23)

Moses was coming to the end of his time here on earth, and his commission as leader of the nation of Israel was ending. God took Moses to Mount Abarim and showed him the land that God was giving to Israel. But sadly, Moses would not be alive to enter into that land, because he had disobeyed God's command to speak to the rock for water to come out, and instead, he smote the rock with his rod two times (see Numbers chapter 20).

God appointed Joshua, the son of Nun, to be his successor (vs. 18). Remember that when Moses sent 12 men to investigate the land that God had promised to them, Joshua was one of only two spies, along with Caleb, to bring a good report and a word of faith (Numbers 14:6-8). Joshua and Caleb were the only two who were allowed to enter the Promised Land. The rest of the nation who were twenty years and older died in the Wilderness. Now Joshua was appointed as the leader of the nation because of his faithfulness to God and because the Spirit of God rested upon him (vs. 18). The baton was being passed.

In a relay race, the passing of the baton is so crucial. It can mean the difference between winning the race and losing. A dropped baton essentially means that the race is over for that team. Getting to the finish line is the important thing.

I am getting up in years, and realize that my days are limited. By faith, I know that God is raising up younger people to do the work of ministry. He has His hand on them, and they will lead God's people. My prayer is the prayer of Moses recorded in verse 16: that God would anoint a leader for the nation to succeed him. May God raise up a younger generation of people of faith to take our places. Let the baton be passed.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BLESSING ISRAEL

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – BLESSING ISRAEL

"Then Balak said to Balaam, 'What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and look, you have blessed them bountifully?' " (Numbers 23:11)

The setting for this incident begins in Numbers 22. The Moabites, under Balak, the son of Zippor, saw how Israel had defeated the nations on their journey to the Promised Land. So they went to Balaam to get him to curse Israel. "And God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed." (Numbers 22:12)

Balak kept trying to persuade Balaam to come. God did eventually give Balaam permission to go (22:20), and so Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

When Balaam came to Balak, they went to an altar of Baal where Balaam was supposed to curse Israel. Instead, God put words of blessing into Balaam's mouth. Balak was not happy with that, so he urged Balaam to try again. And again, Balaam pronounced blessing on Israel. The same thing happened a third and fourth time, and each time Balaam blessed Israel instead of cursing them.

Israel was and still is a special nation chosen by God. Israel has its enemies who would curse and try to destroy the nation. But God has special plans for Israel. It is a dangerous thing to curse someone or a nation that God has pronounced blessing upon.

As Christians, we honor Israel because they are God's chosen people, and also because Jesus came to this world through the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A part of Balaam's blessing on Israel includes this prophecy: "A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel" Numbers 24:17). Balaam saw into the future when Christ would come from the nation of Israel. We bless the nation of Israel as the people through whom God provided the Savior.

May our hearts bless Israel – God's chosen people and the womb of the Savior.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- DOING IT MY WAY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – DOING IT MY WAY

"Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals...Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod, and water came out abundantly ...." (Numbers 20:7-8, 11)

The journey of the Israelites had brought them into the Wilderness of Zin. It was a barren place and there was no water. The people rose up against Moses and complained.  Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the LORD. God said for Moses to speak to the rock and it would produce water.

So what went wrong? Remember the prior time that God gave them water from the rock. It is recorded in Exodus chapter 17. They were encamped at Rephidim where there was no water. The people complained to Moses, and God told Moses to strike the rock with his rod. He did, and water came out of the rock.

This time God told Moses to speak to the rock. But in his anger, Moses struck the rock twice. He went beyond what God had told him to do, and he and Aaron both suffered the consequences for Moses' disobedience and were not allowed to enter the Promised land. Moses did things his way rather than God's way.

The real significance of these incidents is that they were prophetic illustrations of the Lord Jesus. The Apostle Paul alludes to this rock as an example when he wrote that Israel "all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" (I Cor. 10:4).

Here's the rub. Jesus was struck once for all time when He was crucified. He does not need to be struck again. When Moses struck the rock the second time, He went beyond God's expressed plan for him to speak to the rock.

I sometimes fall into that trap of going beyond what God has told me to do. Maybe I act out of my anger and frustration and do things my way instead of God's way. Or I get into a pattern and think, "That's the way it worked before, so maybe I should do it again." God may have a different plan than He did last time. I need to be careful to not go beyond what God has revealed as His will.

Love, Dad