Tag Archives: Israel

Called to Love

Kingdom Building

July 23, 2019

Scripture Reading: Hosea 1:2-10

When she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said, ‘Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not my people and I am not your God.’
Yet the number of the people of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which can be neither measured nor numbered; and in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people’, it shall be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.’ –Hosea 1:8-10

Some politicians and religious leaders in the USA seem to be under the impression that the current nation of Israel can do no wrong and thus the USA government should support anything they desire. I have no idea where that sort of thinking is derived. Even a cursory reading of the books of Kings and Chronicles does not support such a position.  the records of some of those leaders’ follies clearly proves that God held them accountable for their misdeeds. God even sent prophets to warn them about their infractions. If anything, God held God’s people to a higher standard. Hosea compares the nation of Israel in his time as being like whore’s selling themselves for a profit. Hosea states it ominously ‘You are not my people’.

Of course, there were good leaders, too, and there was always a remnant of God followers who sought reconciliation with God when the nation went astray. I believe that is true today. Having cut my teeth on the stories of Abraham and Sarah, David and Goliath, Ruth and Deborah, I feel a special affinity for the nation of Israel wanting the very best for them. That very best for them as for those of us who are Christ followers is grounded in the overriding call to set the example for the whole world that love is stronger than hate and will win out ultimately. I think, God would like for God’s followers to work as hard as possible to make that happen sooner than later.

Prayer: Lord of Mercy and Justice, enable us to spread your love throughout the world causing war to end and greed to melt into assuring that all have enough. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Go Up the Mountain

Living in the Spirit
August 9, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:22-33 

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ — Matthew 14:22-27

It surely feels like we are in a boat that is about to capsize. The waves of war are beating against us as strife increases in Syria and Iraq, in Israel and Gaza, and in Ukraine and Russia.  The winds of crime blow across our own country with what seems like ever increasing senselessness. Our crime is also impacted by the drug cartels from Mexico and Central America. And in all these plays on power and greed, it is the children who suffer. In times like these, Jesus had to go up the mountain by himself to pray. He sets a good example for us as he apparently did for Abraham Lincoln who said:

I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.  

We do serve a risen Savior He’s in the world today.* We need to lock onto that reality and into the word “serve”. If we go up the mountain and pray or in the backyard or in a quiet park, we too will find the guidance we need to deal with both the waves and the winds of life.

Prayer: Lord, we do not know even how to pray about the problems across our world, the needs of people caught in the crossfires of human thirst for power and money. We are especially concerned for the innocents being forever damaged if not killed. Open our hearts and minds to see more clearly what we are doing that may be contributing to the strife. Guide us in our actions and attitudes. Make us a blessing to the nations. Amen.

*From Hymn: He Lives by Alfred H. Ackley
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

Sunrise

Living in the Spirit
July 29, 2014

 Scripture Reading: Genesis 32:22-31 

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.’ The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. — Genesis 32:30-31

Jacob’s new name, Israel, literally means “who prevails with God”.  By dealing with God, Jacob had become the person God knew Jacob could be, wanted him to be. Now named Israel, he even has a permanent limp to remind him of this wrestling match. “Peniel” means face of God. “Penuel” is the name of the actual location. While they essentially mean the same thing, perhaps the writer chose the different spellings here to suggest that one never leaves an encounter with God. It travels with him or her, if he or she accepts God’s presence.

What do we do after such an encounter with God? Our scripture suggests a new day dawned for Israel when it says that the sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel where he had struggled with God. It implies Israel accepted God’s presence in his life. This is not a goal attained; it marks a new beginning. For Christians that new beginning is becoming a vital and productive part of the Body of Christ bringing hope and love to a fragmented world.

Jesus also talked about the impact of a risen sun. ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow…Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. (Matthew 13:3b, 5-6) Jesus calls us to sink our roots deeply into the rich soil of his love and follow his way in functioning as the Body of Christ. Our wholeness in Christ is the beginning of wholeness in a fragmented world, but we must be able to stand the heat. The nurture of God through Christ is what makes that possible.

Prayer: Clear the rocks from my path, O Lord, grow my roots deep into your love and let your wellspring surge through me as a conduit of your love to others. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.