13 November 2015

Scriptures:

• John 7
• Malachi 3:13-4:6
• 2 Kings 13
• Psalm 104

Observations:

In John, we see Jesus making his way to the festival of booths, but in a more roundabout way, as there were a number who wanted him dead. In spite all of this, he made his way to the synagogue and began to teach. While he was teaching, many wondered at him, asking how he came by such authority and wisdom and he pointed them to God, who sent him, and called them out on the most apparent reason people were angry with him. As he continued to speak, some denied that he could be the Christ, others wondered at the possibility, some even grew angry and wanted to arrest him.

Heh, so yesterday's Malachi passage was supposed to have been today's. Again, we see the righteous calling out to God regarding the fortunes of the wicked. Something I missed yesterday though, was that it appears God answered them before the rest of the passage continues and those whom he answered took note and wrote down the promises of God.

In 2 Kings, we see two accounts of two kings. The first, Jehoahaz, is accounted as wicked and God gave Israel continually over to the Syrians in battle until even the king called out, asking for God to give them a break, which he did - he sent someone to deliver them, but the people's hearts did not change. The second king, Jehoash (or Joash? The names seem to swap back and forth. Let me check another translation. Checked - There were two Joash/Jehoashes in close succession. One in Judah, then one immediately afterwards in Israel), wasn't the best king, but God gave back through him much of what was taken by the Syrians.

In the psalm today, we see the psalmist praising God for his creation and how he keep his creation together, caring for each and every creature, meeting their needs, moving them from life through death at their appointed times.

Application:

It is interesting how Jesus' words made people angry at him way back then. Times haven't changed. His words still anger and irritate people and people today still do persecute his followers, just like he said they would. What's also interesting, though, is that even among those who wanted to arrest and kill him, they couldn't bring themselves to do so. Clearly it wasn't the right time by God's standards. So, nothing happened. 

Today, that should give us hope and help alleviate our fear, that nothing happens outside of God permitting it to happen, which means that what happens has been allowed for a purpose, to the benefit of his people and the glory of his name - even the persecutions that have happened throughout church history; they, too, had a purpose, even though they may only appear like hardship and suffering instead of the less apparent growth and edification of the church and glorification of God.

And here we come to the question of the righteous struggling while the wicked live it easy. Well, it's pretty well answered in Malachi. Yes, things may be going smoothly for the wicked and terribly for the faithful right now, but there is an eternity coming in which the tables will be reversed. As the author of Hebrews advocates, "Let us fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."