READING FOR JULY 12, 2024: EXODUS 23, 2 THESSALONIANS 2, PSALM 68:1-18 EXODUS 23 False reporting is forbidden. This includes known lies and negligent inaccuracies. Certainly surgeons, airplane mechanics, and many others understand why it is wrong to be inaccurate. The point about not just going along with the crowd is also so important. The truth isn’t always what the media or our culture say. It’s what our God has said in His word. Being poor doesn’t excuse sinful behavior. Often, we hear that we need to address root causes when a poor person sins. We do, but the root cause for all sin is our sinful nature. The next rules require us to do good when no one’s watching, particularly toward people who aren’t our friends, or we may not like. God is always watching and everything we do is ultimately toward Him. Concern for equal justice under the law regardless of economic status is God’s concern. We know our justice system favors the affluent and educated. How can we even the playing field? God also condemn bribes. Corruption is huge all over the world. Money gives access. Christians maybe can’t solve the problem, but at least they shouldn’t participate.
We may not know about the rule to give the land a sabbath year. This allowed for the land to rejuvenate and natural growth to be available for the poor and for animals. Perhaps the injunction about even mentioning another god’s name had to do with even contemplating worshiping a false god. Let’s not even consider worshipping anyone or anything other than the true God of the Bible. God also commanded the people to participate in three major festivals each year. These will be studied in great detail in Leviticus. It is worth mentioning now, though, that God wanted the best for offerings given to Him at these festivals. He deserves more than our leftovers or spare change.
God also gives the people a preview of what to expect. He will send them an angel who, if obeyed, will lead them to victory over all their adversaries. God’s greatest desire is that the people not be influenced by the belief systems of the places they’re about to occupy. It makes no sense that they or we would exchange God’s guidelines for that of flawed cultures, but that is what they too often did and what we too often do today. Let’s help each other resist.
2 THESSALONIANS 1 This follow up letter to Thessalonica was from the same team of Paul, Silas and Timothy as the first letter. Paul says it is their duty to always give thanks to God for this church. Like Paul, we have a duty to bring certain people and groups to the Lord in prayer. This church was growing in faith and in love toward one another. Apparently, these factors can be measured in some way. How’s our church doing on them? Paul boasted about how they persevered in their faith amid persecution. Can we say the same about us? If we are not suffering, is it because God does not find us worthy to suffer for Him, as he did the
READING FOR JULY 12 CONTINUED: 2 THESSALONIANS 1, PSALM 68:1-18 Thessalonians? Paul promises that they will eventually experience relief, and those giving them problems will experience God’s repayment. He explains how this repayment will be connected to Jesus’s second coming: “In flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (vs. 8-9). There are many people within many Christian denominations who believe all people will go to heaven because Jesus is loving. How that understanding is derived from this passage is a mystery. Paul, however, foresees a different and glorious future for the church at Thessalonica, “because our testimony to you was believed.” Do we, like the Thessalonians, believe Paul’s testimony?
PSALM 68:1-18 This is entitled the God of Sinai (both a desert and a mountain) and the God of the Sanctuary (a place set apart for God’s presence). It is possible to trace certain passages relating to each location in this chapter. This chapter seems to unfold on parallel tracks. In verses 1-2 we see the wicked fleeing from God’s presence. Why do they avoid Him? Perhaps they realize their own rebellion and understand they deserve judgment. Verses 3-4 appear to be a scene in the desert with God riding in triumph and His people following in joyful praise. Verses 5-6 find God in His sanctuary, perhaps signifying His place of authority, caring for the orphan, widow, lonely, and prisoner. The rebellious are on their own, which was their choice.
We are back in the desert for verses 7-11. God is out there among His people. He captured their attention when He shook the earth and lovingly provided for them when He caused the rain to fall. His kindness was also on display with His care for the poor.
Verses 11-12 grab our attention because they’re so unexpected, possibly possessing meaning that’s under the surface. We know Paul quotes verse 18 to reference Jesus (Eph. 4:8). Might 11-12 also have special applications? These verses appear to be a series of causes and effects: 1. God commands. That is always an occasion that should get our full attention.
2. Women who share good news, likely God’s commands, are powerful like a mighty army. 3. Kings flee. God’s enemies flee seemingly at the good news shared by the women. 4. Women who stay at home divide up the spoils of the battle. Possibility One: This might be a reference to the Prophetess Debroah (Judge of Israel) who relayed God’s command to Barak to attack Sisera, leader of the Canaanite army. The Lord routed the enemy. Sisera fled to the tent home of the woman Jael, who gave him a place to rest. While Sisera slept in the tent, Jael drove a stake through his head. This resulted 40 years of rest for Israel. Possibility Two: This could be a prophetic reference to Jesus’s general command to share the Gospel (meaning good news). This Gospel when proclaimed, including as shared by women, defeats Satan, as Paul’s quotation of Psalm 68:18 suggests. Dividing up spoils may be women helping to bring others into the Kingdom of God. The meaning of staying at home, may be a reference to women who primarily stay at home.
