READING FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2024: DEUTERONOMY 2, JAMES 1, PSALM 116:12-19 DEUTERONOMY 2 The first chapter pf Deuteronomy ends with Israel having suffered a defeat at the hands of the Amorites when they battled them without God’s sanction. After many days at Kadesh, they traveled north and circled Mount Seir many more days. Eventually God led them through the territory He gave to Esau’s decedents. God took pains that Israel not mistreat the sons of Esau. Likewise, God told Israel not to attack Moab. The reason is God gave these descendants of Lot this land as their possession. Notice that God was working in the histories of these peoples who were not part of the chosen seed that led from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. God’s sovereignty is universal was not confined to Israel then nor is it confined to Christians today. He is Lord over all the world, even over those who do not worship Him as such. Also, notice that God did not want His people to reflexively adopt a battle stance against all nonbelievers at all times. Perhaps even today, Christians would be wise to pick only those battles God has clearly directed as worth fighting. While it is fine for individuals to have various opinions on a range of issues, it might not be wise for churches to identify too closely with certain positions unless the Bible speaks unmistakenly about them.
It took Israel 38 years to travel from Kadesh to a landmark known as Wadi Zered, which apparently was a riverbed. This time allowed for the older generation of fighting men to die in the wilderness, as God said would happen due to their previous disobedience. They then came to face King Sihon and the Amorites. This was a battle God wanted them to fight and win. Although Israel asked for safe passage through the land and offered to pay for food and water as they had with Esau’s and Lot’s descendants, God hardened their hearts so that they refused. If God hardened their hearts, were they really to blame and deserving of being attacked by Israel? First of all, God’s will is always perfect, based upon His just character. Furthermore, in Genesis 15:16 we read God told Abram the following regarding his descendants: “Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the wrongdoing of the Amorite is not yet complete.” This suggests the time had finally come for Amorites to be judged for their sins. When reading about Israel destroying certain peoples, keep in mind the larger issue of national accountability that God considers from His much greater perspective.
JAMES 1 The writer of this letter has identified himself as James, a bond servant of the Father and Son. He is also usually considered the half-brother of a Jesus (Matt.13:25) and the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13). Interestingly, he did not initially believe in Jesus (John 7:5). This letter was written to Jewish believers in Jesus who didn’t reside in Israel and likely endured persecution. It is considered wisdom literature in the tradition of the Proverbs.
READING FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2024: JAMES 1, PSALM 116:12-19 James gets right to the point. Reframe your trials; consider them all joy even if they don’t feel joyous. The reason is this testing of your faith will enhance your Christian character. We all experience life challenges, especially as our bodies decline and our loved ones die. Can we reframe these setbacks as James suggests? It isn’t easy. But James said we can ask for the needed wisdom, and God will give it to us. Likely all of us need to do this. God promises to provide if we don’t doubt. Verses 9-11 contain practical wisdom for all believers no matter our situation. If our earthly status is not highly valued--perhaps due to our background, education, or income--focus on who we are in Jesus. We are seated with Jesus in the heavenly places and God’s masterpiece (Eph. 2:6-10). If, on the other hand, our earthly status is highly respected, we would do well to remember that these earthly trappings are quickly passing away and not the source of our true identity. Sometimes we may need to shift between these two mindsets.
James revisits the benefits of enduring trials. This time he mentions that eternal blessing awaits those who persevere. Then he explores a particular kind of trial that he identifies as temptation. He asserts that God will not tempt us or anyone, and that God himself cannot be tempted. No doubt, you will recall that Satan tempted Jesus three times in the desert. Is this a contradiction? No, because the context here suggests a successful temptation. Verse 14 states this temptation succeeded in carrying a person away by leveraging pre-existing lust. This becomes a vicious cycle, leading to sin and eventually death. God would never do this. Instead, He gives good gifts, especially new birth leading to eternal life for those who believe. Thus, as fellow believers, James provides some Proverbs-like wisdom: Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Get rid of internal filth; accept God’s word. Don’t just listen to the word; do the word. You are not religious if you speak foolishly; instead, serve widows and orphans.
Psalm 116:12-19 In the previous verses, the Psalmist ponders the reason(s) He loves God. Now reflects upon what he should give back to such a God. What do you give someone who has everything? Ironically, lifting up the cup of salvation and calling on the name of the Lord suggest that first we need to receive salvation from God before giving anything back to Him. Do we want to give God honor? Make sure we are saved! Then the Psalmist states we should fulfill our promises to God in front of His people. Those folks who insist their faith is a private matter are folks who haven’t read the Bible. God has called us to pray, praise, and serve in community. Then the death of His faithful servants who do this will be precious in God’s sight. He will call home those who lived in these ways. For those growing up in Indiana, it will be like calling timeout at the end of the game to take His starters out for a final congratulations. If we, like the Psalmist, had such a faithful mom (or dad), make her our role model, not some celebrity. The commandment says we should honor our parents. No need to ever stop.
