Old Testament reading: Judges 9-10
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” What we will read today reveals just the opposite is also true, that those without mercy shall receive none, but instead shall suffer Divine retribution. Abimelech was a ruthless ruler whom we might call the first king in Israel. Hiring worthless men as mercenaries, he set up himself as a king through deceit and the murder of his own brothers (nearly 70 in all) who had consented to help him. Despite his best efforts to be known otherwise, he was killed by a woman, a sign of shame in that day (cf Judg 4:9). Within this account is a section that made me chuckle. In verses 27-28, Gaal, with much braggadocio, challenged Abimelech to war for control of Shechem. Of course, Abimelech wasn’t present at the challenge; Gaal was just full of himself. When word of Gaal’s insolence reached Abimelech, he prepared himself to attack. In Judges 9:38, after Abimelech showed himself for war, Zebul said to Gaal, “Where indeed is your mouth now, with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Are these not the people whom you despised? Go out, if you will, and fight with them now.’” BOOM! Don’t let your mouth write a check that your body can’t cash.
New Testament reading: Matthew 1-4
Our second season brings us back to the early days of our Lord’s ministry. Of note, John the Baptist came preaching repentance (3:2); Jesus came preaching repentance (4:17). Some modern day false teachers (ahem, Joel Osteen) do not speak of such, knowing the message of repentance doesn’t pad their attendance figures or bank accounts. Why? Repentance means change, and change is difficult. Preaching that people must repent is not financially beneficial. Preaching that “God loves you just the way you are” is what bulges the bank account. It should also be noted that the message of John and Jesus also included the warning of the nearness of the kingdom of God. Both declared the kingdom of God as being at hand. How, then, do so many continue to teach or believe that the kingdom is not yet established? (Picture me with a confused look on my face and scratching my head.)
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