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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Last week we began looking at the reasons behind James injunction for us to, "Do not merely listen to the word,… Do what it says." James 1:22 This week we'll look at the practical ways our behavior impacts daily life by examining some scripture examples available to us.
Jesus asks, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" And explains that, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father in heaven." Luke 6:46 and Matthew 7:21 If we agree that obedience is good, then maybe we should identify disobedience. Why? Because at times it can be something less than obvious. Doing other than what we are told is obvious, and we often think of bad or evil things done as the definition of disobedience, but Jesus says there is more. "Anyone… who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins." as well. James 4:17
A few examples:
1 Chronicles 13:7-14; 15:1-3,11-15 record King David's attempt to move the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Along the way they experience difficulties resulting in death. After a more thorough examination of the proper way of doing things, the move was completed successfully amid much rejoicing. Why was following a prescribed way important? To show reverence for God and his instructions; his commands held within this symbol. Uzzah was an innocent bystander and casualty, but punishing consequences were due because the right way was not followed. (The innocent frequently harmed alongside the guilty.) How we handle God and his word is important! (2 Timothy 2:15) He nor his symbol were to be thrown in a cart and dragged across the countryside for the very reason that it might be dumped out in the dirt. It was to be carried on the shoulders of men, direct responsibility was to be taken to insure proper respect for this symbol of God and the Laws it embodied.
Exodus 4:24,25 depicts a sometimes confusing scene. Moses had been commanded to go back to Egypt to secure the release of the Israelites. Along the way an angel confronted him, threatening to kill him. Only after his wife circumcised their two sons is he left alone and allowed to go about his business. What was that all about? Circumcision had been declared necessary for all males as a sign of cutting away, setting apart, being different. Besides many health benefits for males and females, it became a sign of covenant relationship between Jehovah and Israel. (Genesis 17:9-14) Moses, having failed to circumcise his sons (by a Midianite wife) left himself open to question by those about to follow him, setting a bad example of disobedience. (Even if by careless disregard rather than by intent.) This can never be tolerated in men chosen to lead. Any sign of weakness or failure will be used by others to excuse their willful behavior and disobedience.
Exodus 17:1-6 and Numbers 20:1-12 record two occurrences that were very similar but in subtle points vastly different, with striking results in terms of reward and punishment. In both incidents, people are thirsty. In a desert, no water in sight, they go to Moses demanding relief. Moses prays, is told what to do - take the rod he used to strike the Nile River – striking a rock and producing water from it. He did so in both places. The problem being that in the second incident he was instructed to speak to the rock. What's the difference?! Hitting the rock worked the first time, why not again? The question is who is receiving the attention, the glory - being listened to and obeyed - man or God? Moses was angry. He and Aaron, along with the people, were gathered around as Moses, calling them rebels asked, "..must we bring you water out of this rock?" Must we? Not, 'Watch as God does this thing' but, must we? Israel was tempted over and again to substitute a man or other man-made gods for the one true God. Moses is practically worshipped as the great law-giver of Israel yet today. Only God was worthy. As a consequence, Moses was denied entry into the promised land.
Joshua 6 depicts the fall of Jericho by a complicated routine of marching, horn blowing and shouting. As a result the walls fall supernaturally, again reminding the Israelites of all they could accomplish – with God's help. Could he have brought the walls down another way? Lightning bolts, tornadoes, earthquakes, plague or simply victory in battle? Yes! But the lesson here was that their participation in obedience, their willingness to obey even if they didn't understand, was proof of their faithfulness and instilled an even deeper sense of confidence in God as a result of what happened. Sometimes we won't understand until we obey. I believe God will at times challenge us with the idea of obeying a little, seeing the results, inducing us to obey in much more. (See Matthew 25:21)
Leviticus 10:1,2 records a rather bizarre story. It deals with "unauthorized" fire being used in the incense offerings. Either out of carelessness or unconcerned neglect, Aaron the High Priest's sons, serving as attending priests offered incense in a way other than prescribed, being severely punished. Why? If the priests and the nation's rulers, those looked to for guidance and inspiration could go so casually about their business, the people would soon cease to care at all. That is why James cautions us about assuming the position of teaching others without first considering God's strict expectations. "…, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1 This burden of obedience falls on us all as followers of the one true God and as examples of his way.
Genesis 19:1-29 At the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, those being saved - Lot and his family - were told to flee and not look back. They were already in a place they shouldn't have been but were now instructed to flee for their lives, not looking back at what was and what was coming. When fleeing evil, we can't look back at it and lament it's loss, getting one more look at it's illusion of beauty to be remembered and entrapped in once again. We are to flee it, get away from it – let it burn and be removed from our lives. Lot's wife didn't, suffering as a result.
The Old Testament is not alone in it's examples of partial obedience bringing hardship and punishment. One New Testament example in particular highlights the subtle way people choose to sin. The early church, because of persecution and the poor state of early converts in general had resorted to a communal type of living. People brought what they had, sharing it with others equally. Ananias and Sapphira sold some property, kept some of the money back while bringing the rest to the Apostles, apparently telling them it was all they had. Notice that scripture says they sold a piece of property, not necessarily all they had; and that nowhere does it say they were commanded to do so. It would appear to have been an attempt to win the admiration of others with no real risk to themselves. The point is – they lied. Not openly but by what they didn't say. Sound familiar? It wasn't so much because of what they made people believe but rather what they allowed them to believe. The price for their lie was their lives. Acts 5:1-10 (See also Matthew 6:1-6,16-18)
God expects obedience. In reality he demands it, with a promise of blessing in return. "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:17
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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