May 3- Everbody Did What Was Right In Their Own Eyes

May 3, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Judges 17:1-18:31; John 3:1-21;
Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 
~Proverbs 14:12

Judges 17:1-18:31

Some people wonder if America is on a downward spiral to ruin.  It is a valid concern.  The history of destroyed countries is the story of religious apostacy, moral decline, and political anarchy.  Our country was founded for the most part by religious people seeking freedom to worship as they saw fit.  This seed created the tree of freedom from which the citizens of the United States still eat the fruit.  Over time, religious apostacy has overtaken our culture.  Back in the day, public schools used the Bible as a textbook.  Thomas Jefferson even declared that no person could be truly educated without knowing the Bible.  By the 1960's the Bible and prayer were no longer evident in our public education system.  We are living in a time of moral decay.  The morality problem is not just sexual.  There is a moral breakdown in integrity, financial issues, and the like. Any country with a national debt the size of ours is in deep moral trouble. Today, we see that the nation of Israel is adrift without a leader.  Religious apostacy is upon them.

Today in our reading, we meet a man named Micah.  He's a real piece of work!  We learn that he has stolen his mother's life savings.  She initially curses whoever stole the money, but when she finds that it is her precious, spoiled baby who stole the money she honors him instead of punishing him!  Does this sound familiar?  Do you know people in this culture who do not punish bad behavior in their children, but instead try to lift their self-esteem by embracing the child no matter how they are behaving?  This is a sign of spiritual anemia.

In order to honor her son for giving back her money, the mother takes the money and has an image carved and an idol cast for all to worship!!!  Oh, my.  How far this group has fallen.  Micah sets up a shrine, puts the images in it, creates an ephod, and installs his own son as priest.  Are they Levites?  NO.  Do you see problems with breaking the Ten Commandments and the Laws of Moses?  YES.

Next, we have a young Levite from Bethlehem who is traveling and looking for a place to live.  Micah decides to hire him as their personal family priest.  Do you remember this being legitimate in the Laws of Moses?  Probably not, because it is not in there!  The Levite is thrilled to be a paid preacher overseeing the pagan idols.  Captain, we have a problem. Be wary of paid preachers who like to tickle your ears because they are really only interested in money.

Later, we learn that the tribe of Dan is trying to expand their territory.  They coax this "priest" into becoming their personal tribal priest and leaving Micah's family.  They steal Micah's idols and shrine stuff and go to decimate a town they want.  Everybody keeps doing what is right in their own eyes.  After they rebuild the town of Laish and rename it Dan, they set up a carved image to worship and appoint Jonathan to be their priest.  Jonathan is Moses' grandson!  This is a sad statement on what can happen to a generation that does not follow God.

Remember, God sees Israel as a cheating spouse.  Each idol they set up to worship represents an adulterous relationship.  His intimacy and trust with Israel is broken.  You and I must be vigilant to not live our lives doing what is right in our own eyes.  It leads to religious apostacy. Don't cheat on God.

John 3:1-21

I love the story that we are reading today in the New Testament.  Here is a different kind of religious leader.  He is not in it for the money or the position.  He is a true seeker and his name is Nicodemus.  Nicodemus comes to Jesus by the dark of night in order to avoid being seen by the other Pharisees, but regardless of his fear, he really wants to know the truth.  Jesus can sense this.  Nicodemus starts by saying that "we" know that God has sent you to teach truth.  Who is "we?"  Why didn't he say "I know?" Nicodemus is putting up a small barrier of protection here, but Jesus interrupts and gets to the point, because he knows Nicodemus is an earnest seeker.

Jesus bluntly states that you can't see the Kingdom of God unless you are born again.  Nicodemus is justifiably confused. Jesus tells him that a person must be born of the water and the Spirit.  What does Jesus mean here?  Nicodemus would have been aware that in the Temple and in Moses' Law, the Word of God is a cleansing agent.  Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit works through the truth in God's Word in order to save a person.  They become born in the Spirit and are a new creature.  Jesus explains further that this occurs like the wind blowing.  You know it is there, but you don't know where it came from and where it is going.  This is what God's Spirit is like.  Jesus really opens up to Nicodemus.  He chides him for being a religious teacher, but being in the dark about this. Jesus forthrightly tells Nicodemus that he has come to earth and will return to heaven.  Also, Jesus uses an Old Testament image of Moses' bronze snake on a pole to tell Nicodemus that healing will come to the earth when Christ is lifted up on a pole (cross).  Are you surprised at how Jesus is laying out the whole picture to this man so early in his ministry?  We know from this story that at least one Pharisee knew the truth during Christ's ministry on earth.

Jesus now states one of the most famous lines in Scripture, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, will not perish, but have eternal life." 

Further yet, "God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to SAVE IT." (emphasis added)

Here is another great teaching, "There is no judgment awaiting those who trust Him." 

Wow.  Double Wow.  Can you imagine what Nicodemus is feeling? 

These teachings are the foundations of Christianity.  They are the key to God's redemption of the world and the key to God showing us His True Nature.  I hope when you read Jesus' words that your heart is stirred.  I feel profound gratitude and love towards God.  Can you embrace that there is no judgment for those who trust Him?

I find it interesting that while Nicodemus and Jesus are meeting in the dark of night because Nicodemus wanted to hide this meeting, Jesus ends this conversation with the illustration that he is the light that came from heaven.  He states the fact that people will love darkness and want to keep their sin in darkness rather than have their sins exposed to the Light.  But those who trust in God and do what is right are comfortable being in the light.  This is a small rebuke and reminder to Nicodemus.

We follow an awesome God.  I love Him.  I hope you do, too.

Psalm 104:1-23

This psalm is where the hymn How Great Thou Art comes from.  It is a beautiful poetic piece.  Read it in a field, on a sunny day as birds chirp in distant trees.

Proverbs 14:20-21

It is a sin to despise your neighbor in need.  Remember Jesus' Good Samaritan story that teaches everyone is your neighbor.

What did you see today?  Please share.  It makes things more fun.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011