Past Behavior, Present Behavior

Why are we surprised when people who have done wrong things in the past do it again? In 2 Samuel 20 there’s an account of David sending out his new general, Amasa, to raise an army and go after a man who instigated a rebellion once David returned to the throne in Jerusalem. Sheba’s revolt was unorganized and unsuccessful, but David did not want Sheba to raise any more trouble, so David wanted him killed.

Amasa had been Absalom’s general and David, in an attempt to pacify Absalom’s followers, had elevated Amasa to the commander of his army. David’s nephew, Joab, had been the captain of the army for many years. When Amasa did not rally the necessary troops in the time David had allowed, David sent Joab, and troops faithful to Joab, out to find Sheba. On his way Joab’s army met Amasa’s army. And treachery occurred.

Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. ¹⁰ Amasa was not on his guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab plunged it into his belly, and his intestines spilled out on the ground. Without being stabbed again, Amasa died. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bikri (NASB, 2 Samuel 20: 9-10).

Joab had no orders to harm Amasa, so why did he kill him? Just like in 2 Samuel 3:26-30 when Joab killed another potential commander of David’s army (Abner), Joab was out to keep his rank in David’s kingdom. He ruthlessly murdered his rivals for the 2^nd in command of David’s kingdom. He had done it before, so we should not be surprised that he does it again. Joab used deception to draw the unsuspecting Abner to his death by Joab’s hand, and here Joab does it again. He greets Amasa, his cousin, with kindness and apparent friendliness as one would a family member. Once Amasa is close enough, Joab fatally stabs him.

Maybe we don’t go to the point of killing our rivals, but where do we act in a way that undermines someone else’s position or authority? Self-promotion at the expense of others runs rampant in our society. We are ordered by Christ to look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4 NASB: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”) This does not mean we don’t take care of our needs, but it means taking other people’s needs into account in all we do.

Just Doing My Job

Have you ever been asked to do something that you knew was wrong? How did you respond? Sometimes it’s a close friend who asks you to lie, or a boss who says to fudge the numbers. Sometimes you may ask someone to cover up for you. I have, in the past, been put into a position to violate my integrity in one way or another. Have you?

We may feel like we are in a tight place, between a rock and a hard place. Either choice you make may bring trouble for you. You might be afraid your boss will fire you if you don’t do it. You might be afraid the boss will put any fallout from the situation on your shoulders. You might think, “I’ll do it just this one time.” The decision should not be as difficult as we try to make it.

It’s about integrity before God and acting as He would want. We need to be careful that we don’t think that the dishonest action is somehow what God wants. He’s given us a guidebook and a guide, but we have to know both in order to get clear direction from God. Whether you initiate the situation by putting someone else in the position of the fall guy, or giving into the pressure from a higher authority to do wrong, you are guilty.

In the 11^th chapter of 2 Samuel we come across a familiar story: David and Bathsheba. However, I never looked closely at the entire story. David chose to go against God’s laws, and then chose to try to hide it. David failed at hiding it by himself, so he brought his army commander into the situation. He directed Joab to set it up so Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, would be mortally injured in battle. Joab went ahead blindly and followed David’s orders. Joab was doing a very unusual thing by putting Uriah in front, closest to the wall of the city they had laid in siege. Uriah was a commander under Joab, and a close contact of David’s. The toughest defenders of the city “went out and fought Joab; a number of people fell, including some of David’s servants, with Uriah the Hittite among the dead” (verse 17). David’s goal of getting rid of Uriah succeeded and that left Bathsheba free to marry.

Not many of us are commanded or paid to kill someone, but we do other things that are unscrupulous so we don’t make waves, or will keep our jobs. We may say, “I’m just doing my job.” Unfortunately, in God’s eyes every party involved in the action is guilty and will receive punishment from God. Our guilt is not erased by not actually doing the questionable action, even as we get someone else to do it. There are two situations in this Scripture passage. 1. David is guilty for trying to cover up his unlawful action, and for arranging for Uriah’s murder. 2. Joab is guilty for carrying out the plan (which he probably knew was fishy since it was not sound military action).

We need to be careful to not use the excuse, “I’m just doing my job,” and have integrity and do what the Bible and the Holy Spirit direct. In order to hear God’s truth, we need to know His truth. That only comes by immersing ourselves daily in the Word of God.

Spirit of the Law

In 1 Samuel 21 we see several acts of deception. David misleads Ahimelech, the high priest, by telling Ahimelech that he is on a mission from Saul when he was really fleeing Saul. The high priest was suspicious of David’s actions and motives for coming to the temple, and David lies to him in several ways. Later in chapter 21, David feigns madness to mislead Achish the king of Gath (Goliath’s hometown).

Is telling lies okay with God? Tom Bradford, a commentator, indicates that there is a place for lying, although it is still sin to do so. There are several times in Scripture and throughout history where sinning seems to be okay, however, it is not an example we should follow on a regular basis. Bradford gives the example of Corrie Ten Boom who hid Jews and lied to the Nazi’s in order to save lives. She was disobeying the authorities God had placed over her instead of serving the political policies of her government. Was Corrie wrong to do that? Bradford says that we must not go against the spirit of the Law to fulfill the letter of the Law. Obeying authorities is the letter of the Law. Loving people is the spirit of the Law.

Another commentator, Matthew Henry, put it this way: “Mercy is to be preferred to sacrifice.” He also shared a passage in Matthew 12 where Jesus uses David’s act of deceiving Ahimelech as acceptable because, “I [Jesus] desire compassion, and not a sacrifice” (Matthew 12:7). Henry points out that ritual observance must give way to moral duties.

Knowing this, we must not deceive ourselves into thinking that it’s okay to sin if we think we are doing it for the greater good. David’s deception with Ahimelech led to disastrous consequences. 1 Samuel 22:21-22 tells us what happened: “And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. Then David said to Abiathar, ‘I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have brought about the death of every person in your father’s household.’” All the priests in Nob were killed by Saul and his men for entertaining David.

Whatever the reason for our sin, as noble as we think it might be, it may lead to terrible results. Only God can know what the greater good is, and it’s only by earnestly seeking Him that we have a chance of making the right decisions. Let us not fool ourselves and excuse our sin as being the right thing to do without consulting God and His Word for guidance. Whether it’s telling a “little white lie” or disobeying government authorities, we need to seek out God’s will.

Extremes

As I sit here today recognizing that life, overall, is good, I was trying to remember other good times in my life. I found that for me it is easier to remember the bad times. For one thing, I journal when times are bad and not so much when times are good. That’s been the pattern in my life. However, from reading Ecclesiastes 7:13-18 in my Quiet Time this morning, I need to take the good with the bad. In the NIV the passage says:

Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten

            What he has made crooked?

When times are good, be happy;

            but when times are bad, consider:

God has made the one

            as well as the other.

Therefore, a man cannot discover

            anything about his future.

In this meaningless life of mine I have

Seen both of these:

            a righteous man perishing in his righteousness,

            and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

Do not be overrighteous,

            neither be overwise –

            why destroy yourself?

Do not be overwicked,

            and do not be a fool –

            why die before your time?

It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other.

            The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.

Basically, this passage says a couple of things to me. First, it says that both good and bad times come from the Lord. When things are going well, we need to fully be in the moment and cherish those good times in our memories. However, the passage also says that God has made those times, too. Both situations that bring happiness and sadness to our lives are part of God’s plans for our lives. I might go as far as to say we should be just as joyful (if not happy) for the sad times as we are in the good times. God is present in both.

This passage also talks to me about moderation in all things. Righteous people may die young in their righteousness, and wicked people may live a long life even as they remain wicked. The passage says that we should not allow ourselves to become obsessed with being the most righteous person on the earth or seeking incredible knowledge. This attempt to control every situation in our lives through our own righteousness or wisdom leads to a great amount of stress. This stress may be the cause of destroying ourselves.

However, the passage also encourages to not be overly wicked because that is just plain ole foolishness. I’ve known some foolish people who, because of their foolish actions, have died at young ages. Wickedness and foolishness in the extremes can lead to life threatening situations and lead us to die before our time.

The failure on our part to live in moderation (not too righteous or too wicked, not too wise or too foolish) can have disastrous outcomes in our lives. We should take God’s warning in Ecclesiastes to heart: “The man who fears God will avoid all extremes,” and learn to be satisfied in the good times and the bad.

Thirty Sterling Principles, Part 10

Today’s passage of Scripture brings up the question, “How do we know if someone is a bad person?” The passage, Proverbs 24:1-2, Principle #19 tells us:

“Don’t envy bad people;

            don’t even want to be around them.

All they think about is causing a disturbance;

            All they talk about is making trouble.”

I guess one way of telling if someone is a bad person or not is to evaluate their actions and words. Do they try to cause a disturbance or are they always talking about making trouble for others and themselves?

I know some people like that. This passage tells me not to envy them or want to be around them. Sometimes that’s harder to do than it seems like it would be. No matter how hard I try to avoid people who try to cause disturbances or make trouble, sometimes those people end up being a part of my life anyway.

Elsewhere in Proverbs it talks about fools and avoiding them. Are fools bad people? I think that sometimes they are, but other times they are just misguided and confused people who need direction. Unfortunately, sometimes a fool doesn’t take the advice given to them and, as a result, makes a poor decision. That poor decision might have an effect on me or on those I love. Their actions and/or words might cause a disturbance or trouble for others. So sometimes it’s hard to determine if a person is just a fool (who should be dealt with carefully) or a bad person (who should be avoided).

Sometimes it’s hard not to envy bad people. For instance, sometimes they seem to have all the comforts of life while I struggle to get through each day. However, I have a walk with God that can’t be taken away from me and that’s worth everything that a bad person might have. Most of the time, I’m content with what God has given me, so envying others, whether good or bad people, doesn’t come into play.

Today I want to focus on God and trusting Him to show me those “bad people” that should be avoided and the fools that should be handled with care. I can’t always tell the difference between them, but through the Holy Spirit’s working in my heart I may know how to deal with each person as the need arises.

Are You Confused About Life?

This is the question of the day. Are you confused about life? In The Message, in Proverbs 9, two very different personas ask this same question.

First Lady Wisdom calls the question out. In verse 3 – 4 it says,

“Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place,
    and invites everyone within sound of her voice:
‘Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on?

    Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!’”

Lady Wisdom seeks out all who will listen to her. In verse 6 it tells us what she has to offer those who listen to her voice and pays attention to her:

“’Leave your impoverished confusion and live!
    Walk up the street to a life with meaning.’”

Meaning. Purpose. A reason to live. A life with meaning. That’s what Lady Wisdom has to offer those who listen to her. She promises a reason to live.

Also found in Proverbs 9 is Madame Whore calling out the same question [verses 14 – 16]:

“She sits on the front porch
    of her house on Main Street,
And as people walk by minding
    their own business, calls out,
‘Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on?
    Steal off with me, I’ll show you a good time!’”

She asks the same question but from a position of lying in wait for the unsuspecting passerby. And what does she have to offer the person who listens to Madame Whore? A good time. Probably a short-lived good time. Passing pleasure. No long term meaning for living that Lady Wisdom has to offer.

So the same question is asked by Good and Evil. The results are drastically different. One offers a purpose-filled life and the other offers temporary pleasure. What do I really want? I want a meaningful, purposeful life. I’ll get that by listening to Lady Wisdom.

Unleavened Bread

No I’m not going to give a recipe. Well not in the normal sense of the word. But there is a recipe for living a life that is pleasing to God. That recipe is to live an uncorrupted, pure, sinless life.

If only that was possible all the time. However, I know I often fail and do or think things that do not please God. How can I avoid displeasing God? Each day is a new chance to try and live a life pleasing to God. I need to wake up each morning and start by asking the question, “What would God have me do today?” In AA, we ask, “What’s the next right thing I should be doing?” If I can start my day that way, I have a greater chance of living a life that is closer to pleasing God.

My biggest failure in this area comes in my thought life. It’s not like I set out to actually assassinate anyone, but if thoughts could kill . . . And, it’s not usually any specific person that I’m thinking about. It’s humanity in general. I would change some things if I could. But just thinking that things should be changed is a behavior that leads to discontent, bossiness, and overall dissatisfaction with my life. That’s not the way God wants me to live or think. He wants me to be content with what He’s given me. He wants me to be satisfied with where I’m in life.

I’m not saying there are not things I need to change. There are many things I need to change about my life. It’s when I start to want things to change that are outside of my control that I get into trouble. It’s believing I can change the world – or just other people around me – that gets me into trouble. It’s believing I can force things to be my way that leads to living a life that is not pleasing to God. He wants me to accept and love other people. I don’t have to approve of how others act or think, but I do have to love them and accept them for where they are.

I tend to believe I have the power to change my world. That is thinking corruptly, with leaven in my heart. When I’m accepting and loving, I’m at peace with my world and living a much more uncorrupted life, a purer life, an unleavened life. As I continue looking at my Bible Study this week on Unleavened living, I realize just how far I have to go to follow Jesus’ example of living an unleavened life. He was pure and totally uncorrupt in every way. That’s the example He sets for me. He wants me to be unleavened bread, just as He is in this corrupt world.

The Hunger Games

I just finished reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins for the second time. And, I’m angry.

Wait. I’m not angry at the quality of the book, the plot, the characters, or the author. I’m angry because of the quandary posed to us by the existence of good and evil, whether it is in the fictional world of Panem or the real world of Earth. Some things are just inherently good while others are inherently bad. Knowing the difference shouldn’t be hard.

The anger comes from the uncertainty of many situations that come up in life. Some situations do not have an obvious right or wrong answer. The problem I have is with people who think they know what is right and what is not in EVERY situation, whether they are faced with the decisions or not. In The Hunger Games, the authorities have a set of principles they live by. When those principles are questioned, no matter how subtly, the authorities cannot adjust their views. The question of life or death becomes a political decision for the authorities. But, it is not for the main characters. The question becomes quality of life or death and politics play no role.

There are times when I am faced with decisions where there are no totally good choices, just choices of good or bad in degrees, far from perfect choices. Yet there are people who think they know the only possible right or good choice in these hard decisions and callously hold onto their principles without listening to possible other views. My decisions may not be life or death, but they do involve quality of life or death. Those that would dogmatically say my decisions are bad, evil, or wrong without listening to my views are no better than the government authorities in Panem who declare murder to be a spectator sport.

I could get specific in my examples, but I would rather leave room for each to determine for his- or herself where his/her views may need adjusting. Care must be given to think outside the box of whatever earthly authority one claims to fall under. Is murder your spectator sport? I hope you can adjust your views if necessary.