So the title of this topic give it all away. But I believe that everyone whether you are in the ministry or not should have some sort of helpmate. Now let me clarify, though most of the time the term is used for a spouse/significant other, I am using this as a term for anyone who helps you in your life. This person could be a close friend, or family member, or a spouse.
We see in Genesis from the very beginning that God states that man should not be alone. Once again, usually this passage is for a spouse, but I believe there was a reason why God said that man (as in humanity) should not be alone. I believe that God knew that people would need someone in their life to help them share in the ministries of others, to help them through the hard times, and be there for them in their time of need. This could not be more clear in the life of Elijah.
Early in Elijah's life we see that he was a lone man. Eventually he did find a partner and had Elisha, but during the beginning in what seems like the most pressing times, Elijah was alone. In the beginning of Elijah, when he had to go to the woman for shelter, times were hard. Luckily he had the woman to help him out, but he had no one to confide in or to uplift him. Matter of fact, when ever the times go rough, usually people were going to him to complain or ask for help (like the woman's son dying). Also I think the most important time in Elijah's time was his confrontation of the worshippers of Baal. Though this was a great moment in his life, it is after that I want to focus on. After Elijah slays the prophets of Baal, Jezebel begins to hunt Elijah. Keep in mind he just slayed a bunch of false prophets, but because of this one woman he becomes scared and runs a flees. He hides out, with no one to help him, to encourage him, or to be there to help him. This I believe was his greatest weakness.
Though we don't have any proof of this, I believe that once he got Elisha to help him, things became a lot smoother. Like I said there is no proof of this, but couldn't the lack of proof be the proof? Because we see that even though times were tough Elijah never once backed down after Elisha that he was better?
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Was David Really a Good Man?
I know this seems like an odd question, after all the Bible does say that David was a man after God's heart, and he remained faithful (1 Samuel 13:14). A man after God's heart must be a good man right?
While I don't question God at all in this, or David's faithfulness, I do question what sort of character David was. I like David. I hope that God looks down on me and calls me a "man after his heart", and that even through my own screw ups God will still bless me like he did David. But once again I ask the question was David really a good man.
We see that one thing David is from the beginning is a schemer. He manipulates he way around everything, including the David and Goliath story, where he schemes and persuades to go fight Goliath. Although this is a good time, there are other times when his scheming leads to some pitfalls. Like the story of Abigail and Nabal (1 Samuel 25). In this story we see how David attempted to get some supplies because of his assistance with the sheep before. We also see another downfall of David in this story, his rashness. Had it not been for Abigail in this story, David was fully intended to "ride into town, guns blazing."
I am sure that some are saying these are weak examples, that is ok, I know they are. But what about David's scheming when it came to Bathsheba? He knew what he wanted and it was her, and he was not going to let up until he had her. Once he had her he had to "justify" it. So he schemes first to "frame" Uriah, and then eventual to kill him. Nathan appears before him and presents a parable. David being rash, condemns the man in the parable to death, only for Nathan to point out that the man was David. I will give David props here because once he found out the man was him, he immediately repented and confess to God.
Another concrete example is right before he is about to die, he goes to Solomon to appoint him king. While talking with Solomon, David mentions people like Joab and Shimei. These were two people who in some way rebelled against him. David makes them a promise and says he will not harm them, but then he tells Solomon to handle them as he wishes. However, the wording of this seems like David is implying the he should kill them for what they did, since he cannot. David was scheming to make his son clean up after him!
So, conspiracies, assassinations, thieving, all of this from the "great" man called David. So again I ask what David really a good man?
While I don't question God at all in this, or David's faithfulness, I do question what sort of character David was. I like David. I hope that God looks down on me and calls me a "man after his heart", and that even through my own screw ups God will still bless me like he did David. But once again I ask the question was David really a good man.
We see that one thing David is from the beginning is a schemer. He manipulates he way around everything, including the David and Goliath story, where he schemes and persuades to go fight Goliath. Although this is a good time, there are other times when his scheming leads to some pitfalls. Like the story of Abigail and Nabal (1 Samuel 25). In this story we see how David attempted to get some supplies because of his assistance with the sheep before. We also see another downfall of David in this story, his rashness. Had it not been for Abigail in this story, David was fully intended to "ride into town, guns blazing."
I am sure that some are saying these are weak examples, that is ok, I know they are. But what about David's scheming when it came to Bathsheba? He knew what he wanted and it was her, and he was not going to let up until he had her. Once he had her he had to "justify" it. So he schemes first to "frame" Uriah, and then eventual to kill him. Nathan appears before him and presents a parable. David being rash, condemns the man in the parable to death, only for Nathan to point out that the man was David. I will give David props here because once he found out the man was him, he immediately repented and confess to God.
Another concrete example is right before he is about to die, he goes to Solomon to appoint him king. While talking with Solomon, David mentions people like Joab and Shimei. These were two people who in some way rebelled against him. David makes them a promise and says he will not harm them, but then he tells Solomon to handle them as he wishes. However, the wording of this seems like David is implying the he should kill them for what they did, since he cannot. David was scheming to make his son clean up after him!
So, conspiracies, assassinations, thieving, all of this from the "great" man called David. So again I ask what David really a good man?
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Importance of Spiritual Leadership Part III: Ignorant and Corrupt Leaders
In the final section of the importance of spiritual leadership posts, I want to focus on what the quality of leaders is bred when there is no strong core of spiritual leaders. If one was to look at the "reign" of Eli as high priest, one can easily see what will happen if there is not a core of grounded leaders.
Most of this discussion will come from 1 Samuel chapters one through three. These passages show just what kind of leader Eli was and what this leadership produced. The first thing that I notice is how a lack of good leaders produced an ignorant leader like Eli. The first time we see this is in the very first chapter when Hannah was praying to God for a son. The text reads that while Hannah was praying silently, Eli saw her moving her lips but because he heard nothing he thought she was drunk. On first glance this might be something you would look over, except that we need to remember that Eli was a priest. However, he was not just any priest, but the High Priest. This was the "cream of the crop" when it came to priests. They were like the direct spokesperson for God. They were the only ones who could enter into the Holy of Holies to make the sacrifices. They were supposed to be the most astute when it came to praying. Yet, he mistook prayer for being drunk! This is not the only example. There are other examples in chapter two that I will come back to, and in chapter three.
In chapter three we see the calling of Samuel as a priest/prophet. In this passage we can see another ignorant move from Eli. The story goes that while Samuel was sleeping he heard the voice of God call his name. Getting up, he ran to see Eli (who was his master since he was in "training"). Eli dismissed the claim and told Samuel that he was hearing things and to go back to bed. Samuel is laying in bed and a second time he hears the voice of God call his name. Once again, Samuel runs to Eli and once again, Eli dismisses him. This same thing happens again, only this time Eli FINALLY realizes that it was God calling out to Eli. Why did it take three times for Eli or Samuel to finally realize what was going on? I can understand one time, since I would dare say almost all of us have heard something go "bump in the night." However two more times! A verse in the text makes it clear of why something like this could have happened. In verse seven the text reads, Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord been revealed to him." Also, a thing to remember is that the place where Samuel was sleeping was in the temple. This was the place where Eli was. They lived in the "church". How could Samuel have grown up so much and not known what the word of the Lord was? The only explanation I can attempt to offer is that Eli had failed his job. As the High Priest his duty was to teach the word to his students. Eli's laziness had made him ignorant of his duties and ignorant of what God's call was like. He had forgotten the very thing that was supposed to have been guiding him! Oh how ignorant and lazy must one be to forget the very job you were called to do!?
A final instance using Eli as an example of what poor leadership develops is found in the second chapter. In this chapter we get a small dose of Eli's family. We as a reader get to see his sons. His sons are also priests, yet we see how they valued their job. The text mentions how they were corrupt doing all sorts of perverse things and even stealing. Now I know that one can easily go into a rant of Eli has a bad parent. However, that is not the route I am wanting to go. When Eli goes to rebuke his sons we read that Eli was very old when he heard this. I take this to mean that these things must have been going on for awhile. How could this have been going on for so long? Why had Eli waited so long before doing something? Once again I believe this is because of his ignorance. He chose to not acknowledge it. And what did his ignorance produce? A breed of corrupt leaders.
Without discipline, without rebuke, leaders that spring up without a foundation will lead to some form of a corrupt leader. How can we expect anyone to be an honest and moral leader who is wise when he has never seen what one was to begin with? How can we expect him to be a strong leader when he has never had anyone to show him what to do? And how can he be disciplined if there is not a leader who first, knows the truth, knows right and wrong, and who is wise, and if second, there is not a leader around to care enough to rebuke and discipline? (Which I believe a good leader must not only rebuke, but also be wise enough to know how and when.)
These are just a few things that lay in store for a society when leaders forget what being a leader is. Or, like in the case of Eli, just become lazy and apathetic. But, I also believe that a society also has a role in shaping a leader. A society should know when their leaders are becoming corrupt, or lazy, or apathetic and not be afraid to call their leader out. This should be a sign of a healthy society.
What do you think societies around the world would look like if they began to practice this? If how would culture change if good, strong, spiritual leaders arose and began to lead? Would we look a little like Josiah in 2 Kings? Would this reform last?
Most of this discussion will come from 1 Samuel chapters one through three. These passages show just what kind of leader Eli was and what this leadership produced. The first thing that I notice is how a lack of good leaders produced an ignorant leader like Eli. The first time we see this is in the very first chapter when Hannah was praying to God for a son. The text reads that while Hannah was praying silently, Eli saw her moving her lips but because he heard nothing he thought she was drunk. On first glance this might be something you would look over, except that we need to remember that Eli was a priest. However, he was not just any priest, but the High Priest. This was the "cream of the crop" when it came to priests. They were like the direct spokesperson for God. They were the only ones who could enter into the Holy of Holies to make the sacrifices. They were supposed to be the most astute when it came to praying. Yet, he mistook prayer for being drunk! This is not the only example. There are other examples in chapter two that I will come back to, and in chapter three.
In chapter three we see the calling of Samuel as a priest/prophet. In this passage we can see another ignorant move from Eli. The story goes that while Samuel was sleeping he heard the voice of God call his name. Getting up, he ran to see Eli (who was his master since he was in "training"). Eli dismissed the claim and told Samuel that he was hearing things and to go back to bed. Samuel is laying in bed and a second time he hears the voice of God call his name. Once again, Samuel runs to Eli and once again, Eli dismisses him. This same thing happens again, only this time Eli FINALLY realizes that it was God calling out to Eli. Why did it take three times for Eli or Samuel to finally realize what was going on? I can understand one time, since I would dare say almost all of us have heard something go "bump in the night." However two more times! A verse in the text makes it clear of why something like this could have happened. In verse seven the text reads, Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor had the word of the Lord been revealed to him." Also, a thing to remember is that the place where Samuel was sleeping was in the temple. This was the place where Eli was. They lived in the "church". How could Samuel have grown up so much and not known what the word of the Lord was? The only explanation I can attempt to offer is that Eli had failed his job. As the High Priest his duty was to teach the word to his students. Eli's laziness had made him ignorant of his duties and ignorant of what God's call was like. He had forgotten the very thing that was supposed to have been guiding him! Oh how ignorant and lazy must one be to forget the very job you were called to do!?
A final instance using Eli as an example of what poor leadership develops is found in the second chapter. In this chapter we get a small dose of Eli's family. We as a reader get to see his sons. His sons are also priests, yet we see how they valued their job. The text mentions how they were corrupt doing all sorts of perverse things and even stealing. Now I know that one can easily go into a rant of Eli has a bad parent. However, that is not the route I am wanting to go. When Eli goes to rebuke his sons we read that Eli was very old when he heard this. I take this to mean that these things must have been going on for awhile. How could this have been going on for so long? Why had Eli waited so long before doing something? Once again I believe this is because of his ignorance. He chose to not acknowledge it. And what did his ignorance produce? A breed of corrupt leaders.
Without discipline, without rebuke, leaders that spring up without a foundation will lead to some form of a corrupt leader. How can we expect anyone to be an honest and moral leader who is wise when he has never seen what one was to begin with? How can we expect him to be a strong leader when he has never had anyone to show him what to do? And how can he be disciplined if there is not a leader who first, knows the truth, knows right and wrong, and who is wise, and if second, there is not a leader around to care enough to rebuke and discipline? (Which I believe a good leader must not only rebuke, but also be wise enough to know how and when.)
These are just a few things that lay in store for a society when leaders forget what being a leader is. Or, like in the case of Eli, just become lazy and apathetic. But, I also believe that a society also has a role in shaping a leader. A society should know when their leaders are becoming corrupt, or lazy, or apathetic and not be afraid to call their leader out. This should be a sign of a healthy society.
What do you think societies around the world would look like if they began to practice this? If how would culture change if good, strong, spiritual leaders arose and began to lead? Would we look a little like Josiah in 2 Kings? Would this reform last?
Sunday, November 28, 2010
The Importance of Spiritual Leadership Part II: The Death of Direction
With this post, I would like to continue discussing why I believe spiritual leadership is so important. With the last post I examined how without spiritual leadership in society the truth is only one generation away from dying out. To show how this seemingly impossibly idea is possible, I used the example found in Judges where it states how a generation grew up who did not know the truth. I believe that another risk that comes with the lack of leadership is what I am calling the death of direction.
As someone reads the book of Judges there is a common phrase that keeps coming up, "in those days Israel had no king, and everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes." Although I know that a king is not necessarily a spiritual leader, I believe that there is a practical insight with spiritual leaders.
If one was to look at the history of the Israelites a pattern can be seen. This pattern shows the importance of the necessity for a spiritual leader. All throughout Judges and even before and after, as long as there was a strong spiritual leader, Israel flourished and did what was right. They worshiped and obeyed God and God blessed them. However without a strong leader, Israel had not since of direction. They had no idea what they needed to do or how to do it. Because of this, they quickly fell. Nations came in and conquered them taking their land and belongings.
Another thing can be seen upon examining the history of the Hebrew people. Once they did establish their "kingdom," even though they had a "leader" to guide them, Israel would still abandon their direction if that leader was not grounded in God. I mention this point because it doesn't matter what type of charismatic person may be, if that person is not a grounded leader, he cannot give a good direction. In other words, he will lead his followers astray. This is very evident when reading kings.
This, I believe, is another things churches and Christians need to realize. They must realize that without a strong leadership there can be no direction. Without a grounded leadership there will never be a good direction, if there is any at all.
To close, a must for leaders if they want to be good is that they must have and seek good counsel. There are many times in the books of Kings when a king would seek advice from his counsel and several times that advice was horrible. In the times this happened and the advice was followed, it almost always lead to bad things.
So, who do you feel qualified to be a leader? If so are you grounded in God? Who is your counsel?
Saturday, November 27, 2010
The Importance of Spiritual Leadership Part I: The Death of Truth
I will be writing my next couple posts on what I believe are three main reasons for the necessity of spiritual leadership. I began to think about this idea while going through the book of Judges. This first post came after reading a verse in chapter two of Judges. "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors [the generation of Joshua], another generation grew up who neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord. . ." (Judges 2:10-11a). I find this very interesting that an ENTIRE generation grew up who did not know of the Lord or his works. I began to ask myself why.
I once heard that the truth is always one generation from dying. This was the first thing that I thought of once I read this statement. The main way, if not the only way, this can happen is if leaders from the previous generation ceased to be a leader. In other words they ceased to be involved in their kids lives, raising them up in the way of the Lord. (Which, might I add is a direct violation of a previous command when God instructed the Israelites to teach the words to future generations according to Deuteronomy 11:19).
When strong leaders (i.e. Christian leaders) neglect the fundamental role of mentoring and discipleship, their is a lack of torch passing. Leaders do not "raise up" future leaders to pass the torch on to so that the truth will carry on. In the New Testament, Christ mentions how we are to go "and make disciples of all nations. . .and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded" (Matthew 28:19-20). Leaders are important for the sake of the continuity of Truth. Just like the Israelites had no leaders and the truth died, so too can that happen again IF leaders either cease to be, or neglect their "understudy".
I believe that discipleship/mentoring is the key to prevent this from happening. Leaders/adults must find someone they can help raise up in the faith teaching them and living out the command in Deuteronomy. Sadly, I do not see this happening very much in churches today. I was fortunate to have a "mentor" because I see a HUGE lack of leaders stepping up to take on an understudy. Pastors of all kinds, elders, deacons, christian business men and women should all be pouring out their own knowledge that they have received into the life of someone else. Major corporations and entertainment artists have been doing this practice all along, teaching and crafting young people and influencing them. IF the spiritual leaders of today do not begin to see the necessity for discipleship, then I believe we are only one generation from seeing the death of Truth.
I once heard that the truth is always one generation from dying. This was the first thing that I thought of once I read this statement. The main way, if not the only way, this can happen is if leaders from the previous generation ceased to be a leader. In other words they ceased to be involved in their kids lives, raising them up in the way of the Lord. (Which, might I add is a direct violation of a previous command when God instructed the Israelites to teach the words to future generations according to Deuteronomy 11:19).
When strong leaders (i.e. Christian leaders) neglect the fundamental role of mentoring and discipleship, their is a lack of torch passing. Leaders do not "raise up" future leaders to pass the torch on to so that the truth will carry on. In the New Testament, Christ mentions how we are to go "and make disciples of all nations. . .and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded" (Matthew 28:19-20). Leaders are important for the sake of the continuity of Truth. Just like the Israelites had no leaders and the truth died, so too can that happen again IF leaders either cease to be, or neglect their "understudy".
I believe that discipleship/mentoring is the key to prevent this from happening. Leaders/adults must find someone they can help raise up in the faith teaching them and living out the command in Deuteronomy. Sadly, I do not see this happening very much in churches today. I was fortunate to have a "mentor" because I see a HUGE lack of leaders stepping up to take on an understudy. Pastors of all kinds, elders, deacons, christian business men and women should all be pouring out their own knowledge that they have received into the life of someone else. Major corporations and entertainment artists have been doing this practice all along, teaching and crafting young people and influencing them. IF the spiritual leaders of today do not begin to see the necessity for discipleship, then I believe we are only one generation from seeing the death of Truth.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Today as we celebrate a day of thanks, may we celebrate it with full joy and true thanks.
I am reminded of some of the Jewish festivals during this Thanksgiving. As I have been studying the Old Testament for class, I have studied some of the festivals and history, and one thing I have realized is that the Jewish people were always in a state of thanksgiving and remembrance in almost all of their festivals. Just like most Jewish culture, the festivals are tied back into their history. That is why they are steeped in remembrance and thanksgiving. From the Passover to the Festival of Weeks, each festival explores the history of what their people as been through and from this narrative, they in turn give God the thanks.
With that said, my challenge for everyone this Thanksgiving is that may we embody the spirit of the Jewish festivals. That as we sit around with family and friends eating, fellowship, and watching football, may we remember to give thanks to God for everything He has done for us. May we remember our own exodus story of how God has delivered us from our own oppression, and how He has been our own Divine Warrior fighting our battles for us. And as we are remembering may we as a community, a family, come together and give thanks for what He has done for us.
So what are you thankful for? What has God delivered you from? How has God been your Divine Warrior? What will you do to show him how thankful you are?
I am reminded of some of the Jewish festivals during this Thanksgiving. As I have been studying the Old Testament for class, I have studied some of the festivals and history, and one thing I have realized is that the Jewish people were always in a state of thanksgiving and remembrance in almost all of their festivals. Just like most Jewish culture, the festivals are tied back into their history. That is why they are steeped in remembrance and thanksgiving. From the Passover to the Festival of Weeks, each festival explores the history of what their people as been through and from this narrative, they in turn give God the thanks.
With that said, my challenge for everyone this Thanksgiving is that may we embody the spirit of the Jewish festivals. That as we sit around with family and friends eating, fellowship, and watching football, may we remember to give thanks to God for everything He has done for us. May we remember our own exodus story of how God has delivered us from our own oppression, and how He has been our own Divine Warrior fighting our battles for us. And as we are remembering may we as a community, a family, come together and give thanks for what He has done for us.
So what are you thankful for? What has God delivered you from? How has God been your Divine Warrior? What will you do to show him how thankful you are?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Are You Ready?
So the other day in class we had a guest speaker. He was the head of the Center for Jewish Studies, Dr. Mark Ellis. While discussing the importance of "rediscovering" Judaism, he mentioned that he was ready for judgment day so he could be judged. This got me thinking about if I could say the same thing. Am I ready to be judged? Dr. Ellis said that although part of him wasn't looking forward to the idea (for fear of "missed opportunities"), he was more ready to stand before God and give his account on how he has helped the "poor and needy."
I began to examine myself to see if I could say the same. Could I stand before the Almighty God and give an account of how well I was to the poor, the needy, the less fortunate, etc. Leviticus makes it very clear that we are to "love our neighbors as ourselves" (Leviticus 19). In the same chapter it tells about how we are too help the poor and needy by giving them food and inviting them in if they are a stranger. We are to show those "different" then us the same hospitality as we would show one of our "kind". This statement was not just left for the Old Testament, but Christ quotes this numerous times and to prove his point even gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan. James even mentions this when discussing faith and works.
So again, could I stand boldly before God and confidence knowing I have done my best to fight for the helpless? Have I gone out of my way to be the voice for the voiceless? I am scared to give an accurate answer because I know I have had so many of those missed opportunities.
I know turn the question outward. Are you ready to stand before God and loudly proclaim with confidence that you have done your best to help the poor? Have you given your all to help someone in need? Or will you cower away in fear of the wrath of God in judgement for not living up to His command?
I began to examine myself to see if I could say the same. Could I stand before the Almighty God and give an account of how well I was to the poor, the needy, the less fortunate, etc. Leviticus makes it very clear that we are to "love our neighbors as ourselves" (Leviticus 19). In the same chapter it tells about how we are too help the poor and needy by giving them food and inviting them in if they are a stranger. We are to show those "different" then us the same hospitality as we would show one of our "kind". This statement was not just left for the Old Testament, but Christ quotes this numerous times and to prove his point even gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan. James even mentions this when discussing faith and works.
So again, could I stand boldly before God and confidence knowing I have done my best to fight for the helpless? Have I gone out of my way to be the voice for the voiceless? I am scared to give an accurate answer because I know I have had so many of those missed opportunities.
I know turn the question outward. Are you ready to stand before God and loudly proclaim with confidence that you have done your best to help the poor? Have you given your all to help someone in need? Or will you cower away in fear of the wrath of God in judgement for not living up to His command?
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