Author: Dave Dishman (Page 347 of 459)

After the death of King Saul, David began to consolidate power at his base in Hebron. Men from across the nation joined him, prepared to fight to install David upon the throne of Israel.

Most are described as brave warriors and skilled fighters. One band, however, stood out for their wisdom – from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.

Every leader of every nation in every corner of the world at every moment in history needs people who understand the times and know what to do.

Every politician who’s ever run for office claims to understand the times and know what to do. But in my experience, few people truly fit in this category.

The artwork in the photo above represents the value placed, in certain regards, on wisdom. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of thy times is a quote from Isaiah 33:6. This at Rockefeller Center, a building housing a variety of television studios, hardly a medium known for wisdom or knowledge. How ironic that purveyors of inane distraction walk under these words every day.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The men of Issachar started there, then melded that wisdom into their lives and nation. More than ever, we need to pray for people like them, both to bless our lives and to bless the world around us.

1 Chronicles 12:32 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by David Vives

Paul arrived in Jerusalem and immediately confronted a problem. Local Jewish leaders claimed Paul undercut the law of Moses. In order to prove the rumors false, and help people listen to the gospel message, Paul underwent a Jewish purification ritual (shaving his head in the process).

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

The haircut failed to pacify the haters, and the next day they rioted. The mob beat Paul and would have killed him, if not for the quick action of the commander of the Roman regiment. His soldiers waded into the crowd and rescued Paul. On his way out, Paul surprised the Roman leader by addressing him in Greek.

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

Paul asked to speak. The commander allowed it, so Paul motioned for quiet. In the silence, Paul addressed the people in their own language, Aramaic.

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

These words of Paul’s, written to the church members in Corinth (I Corinthians 9:22), weren’t just a theory. Paul sought the lingua franca, the common language that everyone around him understood. Be it through their heart language, like Greek or Aramaic, or important actions, like a purification ritual, Paul went out of his way to relate to people on their turf.

Paul broke down barrier after barrier after barrier, so that by all means He might save some.

Acts 21 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Soner Eker

The lids drooped. A dimly lit room, warm bodies, and a soft breeze conspired against the young man. Not to mention a speaker holding forth for hours. Eutychus dozed off and fell out of the window where he sat, three stories above the ground. His friends rushed downstairs to find him dead.

I’ve fallen asleep in multiple churches. I prefer soft lighting and a padded pew closer to the back. I’ve attended the symphony a few times in my life, an outing my wife loves. Each time I’ve fallen deeply and profoundly asleep, even in hard wooden chairs. The atmosphere is unparalleled for slumber.

Paul raised Eutychus back to life, and not taking the hint, preached on, finally stepping away at dawn.

Paul strove to impart everything he knew to these believers. A few days later he told the leaders of the Ephesian church, now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. All wept as they embraced Paul for the last time.

I suppose I can forgive Paul for preaching all night, when he knew his time was short. Like a farmer at harvest, Paul worked with all his strength to build these young churches to thrive in their world.

The name Eutychus means “fortunate.” In this case doubly so, to receive a new lease on life, and to hear Paul preach one of his last sermons in the flesh.

Acts 20 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by freestocks

Paul spent two years in Ephesus, daily discussing the faith with people from all over the region. His teaching took root. People started to follow Jesus and change the way they lived in response.

Which frustrated Demetrius, a local silversmith who grew wealthy crafting idols of the Greek god Artemis. Ephesus boasted a major shrine to Artemis, and the local economy relied on the constant flow of worshipers to the city.

Paul persuaded people that handmade gods weren’t really gods at all, a shot to the pocketbook of those craftsmen who made gods by hand. Demetrius launched a riot and the mob – cancel culture in togas – dragged two of Paul’s companions into a rowdy amphitheater of Artemis lovers. Only after the quick-thinking mayor calmed the crowd did they filter away.

A truly converted person experiences changes in their affections, which changes their habits, which changes where they spend their money, which changes their relationships with certain businesses, which changes the local economy. Which is why owners of certain businesses, like idol-crafting, oppose these conversions. It hurts the bottom line.

Which moves me to my affections. Where might I face the temptation to shade my faith in order to increase my bottom line? I don’t have to invest in the idol industry to look away from the Lord in order to gain more.

Paul later instructed Timothy, the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Perhaps Paul had Demetrius and the Ephesian silversmith guild in mind as he wrote these words?

Acts 19 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover