Author: Dave Dishman (Page 316 of 459)

One common complaint about the Bible involves a chasm between the wrathful God of the Old Testament and the peaceful God of the New Testament. But as I read the scriptures over and over, this dichotomy fades.

Towards the end of his book, Jeremiah prophesied about several nations surrounding Israel. Here’s his words for Moab: Make her drunk, for she has defied the Lord. Let Moab wallow in her vomit; let her be an object of ridicule.

The people of Moab worshiped a god named Chemosh—not the Lord—and rejoiced at the downfall of Jerusalem. Yet after their time of scourging, the Lord promised: I will restore the fortunes of Moab in the days to come.

Jeremiah shared similar messages of judgement followed by renewal for the nations of Ammon and Elam (worshippers of Chemosh and other gods), and the Lord declared to restore their fortunes in the days to come.

Why would the Lord act this way toward pagan nations? Where’s the wrath? If you read the text, torrents of wrath flow across the page. But as the flood ebbs, compassion emerges.

This God of the Old Testament feels remarkably similar to the God of the New Testament, as recorded by the Apostle Peter: The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The Lord waited with patience for his chosen people, and for for those nations outside their boundaries. Thankfully, the Lord waits with patience for you and me, and all those sharing this world with us.

Jeremiah 47-49; I Peter 3 in week forty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Jay Ee

Jeremiah’s prophecies proved true again and again. Every one. The Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, deposed the king and carried off all the treasure. After the carnage, a handful of survivors asked Jeremiah to seek the Lord on their behalf.

Should they stay in Judah or flee to Egypt?

Jeremiah took the question to the Lord. After several days, the Lord answered. If they stayed, the Lord promised blessings and a hopeful future—I will show you compassion…and restore you to your land.

However, if they decided to leave for Egypt, a harsh future awaited—the sword you fear will overtake you there, and the famine you dread will follow you into Egypt, and there you will die. Disaster along the Nile.

What did this band decide? To take the fast train to Egypt. They ignored the clear and certain word from the Lord, and later reaped all the disasters foretold through Jeremiah.

Pretty dumb, right? And yet, I’m prone to the same mistake.

The questioners of Jeremiah wanted a religious stamp of approval on their plans for their future, plans already formulated and agreed upon. All the wisdom of the day pointed to Egypt as a place of safety and prosperity, but God revealed the truth—in Egypt lay disaster.

I wonder where I seek to place a religious stamp on my plans for life? Where do I seek to uncover a couple of Bible verses to justify behaviour condemned by the Lord? Where do I want to look pious but live independently?

Finally, do I pray knowing that the regardless of the answer, I’m still headed to Egypt?

Jeremiah 42 & 43 in week forty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by British Library

When I read the following passage this morning, I immediately thought of social media:

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Social media exploits my opposite tendencies.

When I post, I always show my best self. I show off the exotic locale I’m visiting, or the good food I’m eating, or the fun things I’m doing.

Social media tugs at my pride like bad decisions tug at teenage boys.

And submission? When have you ever seen someone post in an ongoing argument, That’s a thoughtful and nuanced point, thank you for expressing that challenging opinion. No one, Christians included, submits on social media. I certainly do not.

I find social media fun for keeping up with friends and family. But I find social media distressing and harmful to my psyche when delving into issues of depth and concern. While I publish these blogs posts to social media, I don’t push for broader discussion on the medium. I’d rather do that over the phone or even better, over coffee.

Social media hands a megaphone to people who haven’t earned it.

My challenge is to approach this dilemma with a proper heart, knowing that even in this modern, internet age, God still opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble.

1 Peter 5 in week forty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Prateek Katyal

The Apostle Peter, in a section of my Bible with a chapter titled, Living for God, wrote these instructions to church members everywhere:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Peter’s words sparks several thoughts. Encouragingly, we each receive a gift of some type. Peter speaks in the broader passage of hospitality and speaking, but possible gifts extend much further.

Underscoring everything, in all we do, we’re to love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

I’m to use my gifts in service to others, not keep them solely for my benefit. This assumes the reality that opportunities to serve surround us, and in my experience I’ve never seen a shortage.

Using my gifts reveals God’s grace in the world, a place desperately in need of the touch of compassion.

Finally, God’s grace comes in diverse forms. All sorts of people, all sorts of gifts, all sorts of grace. I can be myself, knowing that God’s gifted me in a unique way to serve the particular needs of others.

1 Peter 4 in week forty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Ben White