I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. In order to make that possible I read the passages and write my thoughts a day in advance. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
Ezekiel speaks a prophecy against Edom. He condemns the people of Edom for their hatred of the people of Israel and for the actions that hatred motivated them to take. I see two messages, or perhaps a specific message with a general application. The specific message is that those who hate the people of Israel, the Jews, and take action against them that is motivated by that hatred will face catastrophe. God will bring judgment on those who persecute His chosen people. While I believe that God has a special place in His heart for the Jewish people, I also believe that the message of this prophecy applies to all groups of people. Those who hate people because they belong to some group and take action against members of that group, despite the fact that the individual has done them no harm, will suffer God’s judgment. Such actions will come back to cause harm on the perpetrator.
I have exactly the opposite opinion of the book of James to that held by Martin Luther. The book of James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. James starts by telling us to consider the troubles we face in this life as a source of joy. The troubles we face test us and teach us to persevere in our faith. Such perseverance causes us to rely more and more on God, and as we rely more and more on God, we realize that we can rely on Him for all things. If we lack the wisdom necessary to accomplish the tasks which God as set before us, we need only ask God and He will give us the needed wisdom and knowledge. When we ask God, we need to truly believe that He will answer our prayers. We should not be hedging our bets by seeking wisdom from sources other than God. I do not believe that this means that we do not accept the wisdom God sends us, no matter what route it comes to us by. Rather, this means that we reject “wisdom” that does not follow God’s principles, we do not choose answers to our problems that involve sinning. If we wish to operate with God’s wisdom we will reject all courses of action which derive from the philosophy that says, “You have to do what you have to do.”
James also tells us that temptation does not come from God. We are tempted to sin by our own desires. It is by following our own will and desires that we fall into sin. This is why we must avoid placing ourselves in positions where our sinful desires will be aroused. On the other hand, that which is good and perfect in our lives comes from God. If we fill our time doing the things which God has called us to do, we will not have time to spend being enticed by our evil desires.
James reminds us that God does not change. All too many times I hear it argued that the Church must change with the times. This passage I think is a direct answer to that argument. James says that God is the Father of heavenly lights and does not change like shifting shadows. This does not mean that the Church should never change, because nothing on this earth is perfect and we should constantly be seeking to transform ourselves into the perfect image of God. However, the Church should change from the prodding of the Holy Spirit, not from that of the spirit of this world.
The Lord does indeed hear my voice. When my life troubled me and I was overwhelmed by my circumstances I cried out to the Lord and He provided me with relief. I have nothing which I can offer the Lord which He does not already have. All that He has done for me is of greater value than all that I possess and what I do possess is a gift from Him. I will praise His name because that is all that I have to offer Him for all the wondrous things He has done for me.
Manage your resources because accumulated wealth does not last forever. Carefully tend to those things which bring in what you need to survive so that if your wealth dries up, you will still be able to obtain food and shelter.