Should the godless govern people of faith? ∙

Should the godless govern people of faith? ∙

Manasseh led the people of Judah and Jerusalem to do even more evil than the pagan nations that the LORD had destroyed when the people of Israel entered the land. – 2 Chronicles 33:9

2 Kings 21:1-16

 1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah.

 2 He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations that the LORD had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.

 3 He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father, Hezekiah, had destroyed. He constructed altars for Baal and set up an Asherah pole, just as King Ahab of Israel had done. He also bowed before all the powers of the heavens and worshiped them.

 4 He built pagan altars in the Temple of the LORD.

 5 He built these altars for all the powers of the heavens in both courtyards of the LORD’s Temple.

 6 Manasseh also sacrificed his own son in the fire. He did much that was evil in the LORD’s sight, arousing his anger. He practiced sorcery and divination, and he consulted with mediums and psychics.

 7 Manasseh even made a carved image of Asherah and set it up in the Temple.

 10 Then the LORD said through his servants the prophets:

 11 “King Manasseh of Judah has done many detestable things. He is even more wicked than the Amorites, who lived in this land before Israel. He has caused the people of Judah to sin with his idols.”

 12 So this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “I will bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of those who hear about it will tingle with horror.”

 13 “I will judge Jerusalem by the same standard I used for Samaria and the same measure I used for the family of Ahab. I will wipe away the people of Jerusalem as one wipes a dish and turns it upside down.”

 16 Manasseh also murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with innocent blood. This was in addition to the sin that he caused the people of Judah to commit, leading them to do evil in the LORD’s sight.

In the United States, constitutional law concerning religion can be broadly categorized into two main areas.

The first area addresses religious liberty cases, focusing on how individuals are free to practice their religion, even when such practices might conflict with universally applicable laws or regulations.

The second area involves church-state cases, determining the circumstances and extent of government involvement with specific religious groups. The courts play a pivotal role in deciding when such interactions are permissible and when they are not.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito has expressed concern that religious liberty is threatened by an “increasingly secular society” and its “new moral code.” He suggests that many Americans view religion as “not all that important” or deserving of “special protection.”

Alito remarked, “For many today, religious liberty is not cherished. It’s often just an excuse for bigotry and can’t be tolerated, even when there is no evidence that anybody has been harmed . . .. The question we face is whether our society will be inclusive enough to tolerate people with unpopular religious beliefs.”

Alito argued that some recent Supreme Court decisions, including the landmark ruling upholding a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, fueled intolerance of those who believe marriage should be limited to unions between one man and one woman.

He wants to empower fellow believers to govern the godless. At the other end of the continuum, the godless want to empower fellow unbelievers to govern people of faith.

Considering that the population in America is neither all godless nor godly, the question becomes who should govern whom?

REFLECT & PRAY

“As the leader goes, so goes the nation” (John Maxwell).

Father, as it is written, “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The children of the King are called to be the light and salt in a darkening and flavorless world. Strengthen and encourage us to lead godly and righteous lives.

INSIGHT

The term “godless” is not frequently employed in scholarly discussions regarding the kings of Israel. However, several monarchs in Israel’s history were notorious for their wickedness and blatant disregard for God’s laws.

One of the most infamous was King Manasseh, who ruled Judah in the 7th century BC. Despite being the son of the devout King Hezekiah, Manasseh is described in the Bible as having committed egregious sins and “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 21:2). He is often regarded as the worst of Judah’s kings. Manasseh reversed his father’s reforms by rebuilding altars to false gods that Hezekiah had destroyed and introducing the worship of Baal. He even exceeded the wickedness of the Amorites, a nation infamous for its brutality and corruption.

Manasseh’s reign was characterized by rampant idolatry and bloodshed. He was held responsible for the downfall of the Southern Kingdom (2 Kings 24:3; Jeremiah 15:1-4). Despite his great wickedness, he had the longest reign of any Jewish king, lasting 55 years. This raises the question of whether the Father had lifted His protective hand from the nation, allowing sin to flourish unchecked. Manasseh practiced the abhorrent religion of Molech, even sacrificing his own sons by burning them on the altar. He also consulted spiritists and mediums, embodying godlessness and tarnishing the legacy of Judah’s kings.

Nevertheless, the Father demonstrates His ability to accomplish what may seem impossible. As recounted in 2 Chronicles, King Manasseh faced captivity in Babylon as a consequence of his transgressions (2 Chronicles 33:11). Yet, during his time in exile, Manasseh repented, leading to God extending mercy and grace by permitting his return to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 33:12-13; 2 Chronicles 33:18-19).

After being reinstated, Manasseh took significant steps to rid Judah of the idolatry that had plagued the land (2 Chronicles 33:15-17). Regrettably, the damage caused by his sins had already deeply permeated the nation. The profound spiritual impairment caused by Manasseh’s wickedness left a lasting mark on Judah, hindering their complete recovery. Even the subsequent reforms initiated under King Josiah proved insufficient to prevent God’s impending judgment (2 Kings 23:26).

The quote by Jack “ASLAN” Hornsby emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership in the success of a nation. “Leadership ability is the lid on the success of a nation . . .. When Israel or Judah lived under good kings, things went well. Under bad kings, things went sour. The heart and skill of a leader will always tremendously affect the life of the people under his direction. This is a law, both timeless and universal” (Hornsby).

When governance is entrusted to the godless, the consequences are severe. The populace experiences moral decay and degradation, emphasizing the profound influence of leadership on society’s well-being.

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© Dr. H 2024

Are you a dismal failure? ∙∙∙

Are you a dismal failure? ∙∙∙

No one does good, not a single one. – Romans 3:12

Romans 3:23-25

 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

Often, we ruminate about what others think of us and worry that we may not meet their real or imagined expectations.

If you are experiencing low self-esteem, the Father offers a straightforward resolution. We should use God’s standards as our benchmark rather than constantly comparing ourselves to others or our own internal standards. We realize how drastically short we fall when we measure ourselves against His absolute standards. There is no grading on the curve.

Matthew 5:48 you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Scripture reflects God Himself. He has made His will and character known; consequently, the children of the King walking with him and seeking to follow his standards are, in effect, pursuing to align with God’s perfect nature.

This realization might initially make us feel even worse about ourselves, as It is a powerful reminder of the stark contrast between our flaws and His absolute perfection (ESV, Notes). Such an awareness can be the death knell of self-pride and self-promotion. However, such a moment of introspection and humility is crucial.  When we are weak, we are called to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He might exalt us at the proper time.

There is a significant difference between feeling relatively bad about yourself and feeling absolutely bad about yourself. There is room for personal growth and progress when you feel relatively bad. You can strive to improve yourself and your situation, perhaps thinking I may be bad, but I’m not that bad.

In contrast, feeling totally terrible about yourself can be paralyzing. It may leave you with a sense of hopelessness and the belief that you can do nothing to change.

Hitting rock bottom can also provide the foundation for a triumphant resolution. It allows us to undergo a significant perspective transformation. When we reach the end of ourselves, we are in the perfect position to rely entirely on God’s grace and strength. This reliance leads to true transformation and exaltation in His perfect timing.

Paul pushes the boundary and logically takes us to a dreadful conclusion. Paul does not say that we were merely sinful, depraved, or sick before we became children of the King. Instead, he asserts that we were dead.

Ephesians 2:1 You were dead in your trespasses and sins.

Romans 5:10 While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son.

When we measure ourselves against the Father’s standards, there is no longer any doubt about where we stand. We see things as they truly are. We feel as though we are dismal failures. We cannot make up the infinite deficit between His absolute perfection in holiness, goodness, and righteousness and our limited efforts to become like Him. We stand condemned. There is nothing we can do to improve our situation.

As individuals condemned without hope, we recognize that we desperately need the Father’s love, mercy, and grace. The apostle Paul reminds us that we were not doing well and getting better when the Father intervened. We were His enemies and wholly separated from Him. In response to our sorry state, the Father sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for us and resolve the worst part of our darkened human condition. Through the death of Jesus Christ, reconciliation became possible, and the barriers separating us from the Father were removed.

The Father brought about a significant paradigm shift for all the children of the King. We were utterly helpless, entirely in the wrong, and condemned. However, the Father unilaterally declared us righteous, and so we are! We are now clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 for God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Romans 3:24 God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

REFLECT & PRAY

You don’t drown by falling into water. You only drown if you stay there (Zig Ziglar).

Father thank You for lifting me out of the miry pit and placing me on solid ground.

INSIGHT

Imagine walking through swampy woods and suddenly finding yourself sinking in quicksand up to your neck. First, you must find a way out of this terrifying and deadly situation. Second, you need to get cleaned up, removing all the muck and dirt covering you from head to toe.

This is precisely what the Father has done for us! He has rescued us from the miry pit, the ugly mess we made of our lives. Then He made us thoroughly clean as if it never happened. We are no longer sullied; all the spots and blemishes have been removed. It is as though we were put on trial and found guilty, standing condemned.

However, the Father did something miraculous and astonishing. Through faith in Christ, the Father justified and declared us righteous once and for all. This means we have a whole new legal standing before God.

As children of the King, we no longer live in fear of judgment or the wrath of God but have peace with Him. This peace is not just a subjective feeling but an objective reality, grounded in our new status as justified and cleansed individuals. Through His grace, we can walk in freedom and confidence, knowing that our past mistakes and sins have been thoroughly washed away (ESV notes).

The enemy may focus on our past foibles and relentlessly remind us of them, but the Father focuses on our redemption and cleansed lives, encouraging each child of the King.

This gives us an unexpected and delightful opportunity. We can choose either to dwell on the dark failures of our past or to embrace the clean, pure, and righteous redemption that the Father has wrought in our lives.

The choice is ours: darkness or light, death or life, condemnation or acceptance. By focusing on His redemption, we align ourselves with the light and life He offers, leaving behind the shadows of our past and stepping confidently into a future filled with His grace and love.

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark (Michelangelo).

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© Dr. H 2024

The gladiator’s paycheck ∙

The gladiator’s paycheck ∙

Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God. – Luke 20:25

Matthew 22:15-22

 15 The Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.

 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites.

 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

 18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?

 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin,

 20 he asked, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?”

 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

 22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.

Constantius II was the son of Emperor Constantine the Great. After his father Constantine died in AD 337, Constantius II ascended to the throne and became Emperor at the age of 20. Constantius II was a devout follower of Arian Christianity and continued his father’s work to establish Christianity as the religion of the Roman Empire.

During his reign, Constantius II minted bronze coins. The coin came to be called the “Gladiator’s Paycheck.” They were used for everyday transactions as well as for the payment of wages. They were the “silver dollars” of their day.

On one side of the coin, a likeness of Emperor Constantius II was stamped. The other side depicted a struggle between two gladiators. One warrior is on horseback while the other raises his spear.

Surrounding this iconic scene is the Latin inscription: Happy Days are Here Again (Fel Temp Reparatio). It commemorated the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Rome.

REFLECT & PRAY

There are two important takeaways. “Obedience to God’s will is not compromised by letting Caesar have money which bears his name” (Bruce). There are limits on what belongs to Caesar. When conflicts arise, We must obey God rather than any human authority.

Acts 5:29 We must obey God rather than any human authority

Father I love You. I want my life to reflect my loyalty, devotion, and worship to You.

INSIGHT

Luke 20:25 Render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and render to God what belongs to God.

In His response, Lord Jesus Christ clearly states that there is a distinction between what belongs to civil government and what belongs to God’s realm. Both realms coexist. It is somewhat curious that the Lord Jesus Christ does not elaborate and specify what belongs to each realm.

Lord Jesus Christ, however, lays down a guiding principle for the conduct of the children of the King: we are to fulfill our obligations towards Caesar while also giving what is rightfully due to the Father.

The Greek verb apodidomi is translated as “render” or “give.” It signifies the act of giving back something to someone, implying the fulfillment of a rightful obligation. The recipient is entitled to receive it.

The entire conversation was a deliberate ruse, a trap designed to goad the Lord Jesus Christ into incriminating Himself and being branded an enemy of Rome. He quickly recognized their flattery and malicious motives. He replied with such keen insight and wisdom that His adversaries were stunned and speechless.

The Jewish people were under Roman authority and granted privileges and responsibilities. With one comes the other. Many were citizens of Rome. By accepting Caesar’s currency and using it in everyday life, they also accepted Caesar’s authority, binding themselves to Caesar’s right to impose taxes.

However, there’s a more significant question: What are the children of the King supposed to render to their King? The answer isn’t spelled out in the passage. First-century culture provides some insight. In the Roman Empire, citizenship was extremely important. Roman citizens were granted special privileges that were not available to those who lived in the Empire but were not citizens.

Philippians 3:20 We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

The Greek word translated as “citizen” or “citizenship” is politeuma. Politeuma refers only to the people of Philippi, who were Roman citizens and benefited from all the rights and privileges that came with them. Additionally, as children of the King, they held dual citizenship – they were also citizens of heaven.

We do not owe the government the same allegiance we owe God. The Father alone is deserving of our worship and loyalty.

All that the Father has done for the children of the King was given because of His grace, mercy, kindness, and love. We could not earn our citizenship and adoption into His family; it is priceless. As such, we could never pay for it. Therefore, the Father freely gave us all our blessings without cost. We are not indebted to the Father for what He freely gave us.

What, then, do we render unto God?

We do not owe the Father anything. But because we love Him, we choose to render everythingto the Father. Our responsibilities are derived from our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

1 John 5:1-3

 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.

 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments.

 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

We pledge our spiritual allegiance to Him: our love, loyalty, devotion, worship, and lives. This sacred resolution mirrors the commitment demonstrated by the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The 56 signers of the Declaration made a solemn, bold, and courageous commitment when they added their signatures. “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

When children of the King genuinely love Him, we willingly give our lives to Him out of love, not because we owe an unmanageable debt. Our love for Him compels us to obey His commandments. We love Him because He first loved us, and this love should drive everything we do.

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© Dr. H 2024

Have difficult circumstances defined you?

Have difficult circumstances defined you?

I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land – the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah.- Jeremiah 1:18

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.

Scientists are uncovering the secrets of the diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus). This variety of ironclad beetle has one of the toughest natural exoskeletons scientists have ever encountered. This beetle’s armor is almost uncrushable, capable of withstanding stomps and even being run over by a car.

The Air Force is funding research inspired by this beetle to create stronger, more durable materials. Close-up images reveal a jigsaw puzzle-like seam on its back, enabling it to support 39,000 times its body weight without being crushed. To put this in perspective, it is comparable to a 150-pound person surviving the seemingly crushing weight of over 7 million pounds.

Scientists have already developed a man-made version using fiber-reinforced plastics, which are stronger and more rigid than current aerospace materials (https://www.sciencenews.org/article/diabolical-ironclad-beetle-exoskeleton-armor-impossible-squish).

Reflect for a moment. This marvelous and intelligently designed extraordinary structure was conceived in the Father’s mind.

If He can create bugs that are incredibly pressure-resistant, can He not also strengthen the children of the King to endure the seemingly crushing challenges of life?

1 Corinthians 2:3-5

 3 I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling.

 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

REFLECT & PRAY

“When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible man and crushes him” (Alan Redpath).

Father more and more, the dark days in which we live resemble those of the days of Noah. Draw me close to You and make me strong, resistant to being crushed.

INSIGHT

Times are tough. However, as children of the King, we do not have to let difficult circumstances define us. The Father can make His children more resilient than the formidable challenges they face.

Defiant rebellion against the Father and His truth is nothing new; it has happened throughout history. The first recorded instance of large numbers of people hardening their hearts against the Father was in the days of Noah.

Genesis 6:5 The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.

It is no coincidence that the Lord Jesus Christ noted that just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be when He returns to establish His kingdom.

Luke 17:26-27

 26 And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

 27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Sadly, people stubbornly choose to harden their hearts. It is especially tragic when this is true even for the children of the King.

Zechariah 7:11-12

 11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.

 12 They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

When stubborn people refuse to listen and harden their hearts like flint, the Father counters and responds decisively. He sought out a man whom He would toughen and make stronger than the obstinate, rebellious nation of Israel. The man was Ezekiel, whose name in Hebrew means “hardened by God.” He became an irresistible force capable of standing up to anyone.

The Father assures Ezekiel that he will be fully equipped to face and overcome the obstinate people of Israel. He strengthens Ezekiel, making him even harder than flint. Ezekiel will possess the physical, spiritual, and emotional resources necessary to meet the challenge of his assignment. It is already a done deal.

Ezekiel 3:9 I have made your forehead harder than flint – like diamond! So don’t be

afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.

The Father strengthened Ezekiel, making him tough, resilient, and capable of facing all opposition. He hardened Ezekiel’s forehead, making it as unyielding as the hardest rock. The Hebrew word translated as flint or diamond is tsor. Tsor refers to a hard pebble or flint, perhaps obsidian.

The word picture of a forehead expresses determination or defiance. Ezekiel’s determination would not buckle when he confronts the rebellious house of Israel. Pause for a moment and visualize him challenging the opposition. Can you picture this God-prepared, hardened, invulnerable prophet standing up and saying, “Give me your best shot?” And then following up with, “Is that all you got?”

Ezekiel has all of the divine protection required to complete his assignment. He is tough-minded and laser-focused yet tenderhearted toward the Father.

Ezekiel’s assignment is to confront the rebellious nation of Israel. He has been appointed as a watchman.

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately.

Repentance and transformation are by no means guaranteed. The only certainty is that Father’s Words will be heard. In many ways, it is a thankless job.

Ezekiel 2:5 Whether they listen or refuse to listen – for remember, they are rebels – at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.

“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it” (George Orwell).

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© Dr. H 2024

Haunting taunting ∙∙

Haunting taunting ∙∙

Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing. – Proverbs 12:18

1 Samuel 1:5-18

 5 [Elkanah] loved Hannah, but the LORD had not enabled her to have children.

 6 Her rival taunted Hannah and made fun of her because the LORD had kept her from having children.

 7 Year after year, it was the same. She would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat.

 10 She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.

 11 And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.”

 12 As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her.

 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.

 15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD.

 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”

 17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”

 18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

In September 2015, Dr. Sandra D. Wilson wrote Hurt People Hurt People: Hope and Healing for Yourself and Your Relationships. “Dr. Sandy Wilson knows why people hurt, where they hurt, and how to heal those hurts. She gets right to the heart of these matters in her very insightful and provocative book. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to break free from the bondage of unhealed personal hurts” (Dr. Chris Thurman, author of The Lies We Believe).

“‘Hurt people hurt people’ is more than a clever phrase; it’s a sad truth. Hurt people hurt others because they themselves have been hurt. And each one of us has been hurt to one degree or another. As that damage causes us to become defensive and self-protective, we may lash out at others. Hurting becomes a vicious cycle” (Wilson, Back Cover).

Who hasn’t been cut by taunting, cruel, and demeaning words? Most of us have been emotionally bruised by mean, spiteful, and mocking remarks. Many may have experienced physical bruises.

Physical bruises fade away, but unkind words leave deep, long-lasting scars. These verbal wounds can echo throughout a lifetime, breeding self-doubt and self-hate.

Hannah lived in a culture where a woman’s worth was tied to her ability to bear children. Women with many children were highly valued, while those with few or none were not. Her husband, Elkanah, was an exceptional man who loved her deeply, cherishing her even more because she was childless. Yet, despite his kindness, gentleness, and compassion, he could not erase the pain of her childlessness.

REFLECT & PRAY

Hurt people, hurt people!

Father thank You for understanding me and being there for me to calm my spirit and soothe my bruised emotions. How I long to recover from the emotional scars of a lifetime.

INSIGHT

Psalms 106:32-33

 32 At Meribah, too, they angered the LORD, causing Moses serious trouble.

 33 They made Moses angry, and he spoke rashly.

His ill-advised words haunted him for the rest of his life. Like any of us, Moses occasionally lost his temper and blurted out words he should never have spoken. However, as the Father’s chosen spokesman and leader, he was held to a higher standard than most.

Moses’ role extended beyond mere authority; he was a living example of godly values. Consequently, his moments of weakness carried significant repercussions. His elevated position meant that every word and deed reflected the God he served. Thus, when Moses became angry and uttered harsh words, it wasn’t just a personal fault but a violation of the sacred trust bestowed upon him.

Proverbs 12:18 Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.

“The sense of this verse is: bad talk hurts, gentle words heal” (USB). Moses’ words were piercing, cutting harmful remarks.

The Hebrew word “bata” means speaking rashly, recklessly, foolishly, or thoughtlessly. It signifies impetuous speech. These are “words that are spoken too quickly and without adequate thought. Such hasty words are compared to sword thrusts, which are quick jabs made with a sword” (UBS). Swords are instruments of war designed to harm or kill. The word “sword” symbolizes deliberate and indiscriminate slaughter (Waltke).

In colloquial English, we might say: “His words went right through me,” “Her words cut me to the quick,” or even “Their words killed me” (Waltke).

Each of us has the power to hurt or to heal. Our words either pierce like a sword that punctures, cuts, and maims, or they provide healing, calming, and a restorative balm.

Too often, rash words are spoken without sufficient thought, control, or consideration of the consequences. Once spoken, they can never be taken back.

This single lapse in temper became a pivotal moment in Moses’ life, affecting his legacy. It prevented him from entering the promised land and served as a constant reminder of the immense responsibility that came with his leadership. Unlike others who might be forgiven and their words forgotten for similar transgressions, Moses’ outburst remained a lasting blemish on his otherwise exemplary record, illustrating the profound truth that those who lead are judged by a higher standard.

But God can help us break that cycle. He offers His healing and hope: The Lord Jesus Christ is the only all-sufficient healer for hurt people. The Father has chosen to graciously use people as His instruments of healing. He provides hope!

  • Hope that we will see more clearly how God can use our wounding experiences for good
  • Hope that our scars will one day sing the praises of our living and loving Savior, even as we embrace the reality of choice, change, and transformation
  • Hope that sees in the fragments of broken lives the reflection and triumph of Jesus’s empty tomb (Wilson, Back Cover)

Proverbs 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit.

When hurtful situations arise that stir up anger, each child of the King can take a moment and reflect on how to respond. Our words can be gracious, kind, and attractive. Or they can be cruel, hurtful, and destructive. The choice is ours.

Ephesians 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so your words will encourage those who hear them.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt.

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© Dr. H 2024