November 22 - James: God wants His Chosen People to Set Things Right

Today’s Reading: James

The Message

English Standard Version

James could be considered the Proverbs of the New Testament. I will use this opportunity to give general comments and let you look at the specifics. Hopefully by now you are able to see how this book fits the Gospel: God is setting all things right!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

James wants everyone to set things right instead of focusing on "faith".

Summary in 100 Words or Less

James writes:
Rejoice when tested.
Pray when confused.
Prosperity is fleeting.
Lust becomes sin leading to death.
Good things only come from God.
Real religion is taking care of the helpless.
God's Kingdom embraces down-and-out people.
There are no "minor" laws. Obey them all.
Act on your faith. A good relationship with God requires faith and action.
Be careful how you use your mouth. Actions speak louder than words.
Call on God—He wants to help, if we submit to Him.
Rich people—set things right!
Confess your sins to each other—prayer is powerful!
Help wanderers return to God.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God loves to help.

One of the major themes of James' letter is to pray. God wants to help His Chosen People, and God knows how to give proper gifts! We should pray because God listens to us. We should pray because God wants to help us.

Faith needs action.

James wants to make sure this is clear—faith without setting things right is useless.
Today we struggle with incorporating the two. We think it is a balancing act—not too much faith but not too much works, either. How we balance the two has come out with both extremes—faith alone and obedience alone. In addition, we want to make this question about salvation. Jesus told the Apostles don't worry who will be saved or not. We should focus on setting things right. Don't balance faith and works. Trust in God and act on that trust! The two are not in competition with the other. One informs the other which confirms the first.

True religion is helping those who cannot help themselves.

If this placement is correct, James is saying something to Jews which would be somewhat insulting. They wanted the right religion, the right actions, and the right community. God repeatedly told Israel that they substituted sacrifices for setting things right and He was not pleased. James, therefore, writes how actions not related to "religious-y" things is what pleases God. True religion is not about worship, sacraments, buildings, or liturgy. True religion is about acts that set things right, especially for those who cannot defend themselves.

Riches should not add to a person's rank.

James has this idea throughout. The church thought that rich people should receive more-centered seating so they would add to the congregation's status. James reminds them that money does not elevate their ability to set things right—in fact, it often hinders it! Do not base judgments around a person's physical wealth or stature. Base judgments around a person's willingness to set things right as a lighthouse for God.

The tongue can either deliver praises or curses.

Although the tongue cannot be tamed, it can be used for praising God, other Chosen People, and non-Chosen People or for tearing them down, but not both.

What else did you see in James?

April 3 - Judges 10-12: Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon

Today’s Reading: Judges 10-12

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God decided to no longer save Israel.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Tola judged Israel 23 years. Next was Jair for 22 years. After he died Israel returned other gods. Punishment? Philistine and Ammonite torment for 18 years. Israel cried out for salvation. God ignored them until they purified their houses.
Jephthah, an illegitimate child chased from his home, was called back to lead Gilead's army with Ammonites at the gate. The Ammonites would not negotiate. Jephthah defeated them. He made an unfortunate vow forcing him to sacrifice his only daughter.
Ephraim and Gilead quarreled and fought. Jephthah judged six years.
Next, Ibzan judged for seven years, Elon for ten, Abdon eight.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God tells Israel to cry out to their foreign gods.

After two judges had uneventful careers (at least recorded), Israel returned to its old ways. God has had enough of these people that He tells them, "I'm not saving you anymore. Go ahead! Cry out for help to the gods you've chosen - let them get you out of the mess you're in!" (10:12-13, The Message). As a Christian, this is scary! God is basically telling them if they think the Baal gods and Ashtoreth goddesses are their protection in good times then they should also be their gods in bad times. God is willing to allow you to worship other gods in good times and in bad! However, do not expect God to save you.

God hears Israel's cry when they clean out their house of foreign gods.

Lest we think the Israelites are forever forsaken by God, Judges continues. Israel repents of their spiritual adultery by cleaning out their homes. So God hears their cry and provides Jephthah to save them.

God provides Israel with another example of God being willing to use anyone willing to obey Him.

Jephthah is not a powerful man. He is an outcast—the son of a prostitute and a rich man who could afford to toss him away. Yet God was willing to use Jephthah because he would follow God. God can use anyone who will obey Him to set things right on the earth.

God never gives approval to Jephthah's vow or the sacrifice of his daughter.

For me, this story is here to caution against hasty vows. God does not want child sacrifice (Leviticus 10, Deuteronomy 18, Jeremiah 7). Jephthah is not offering his daughter because of God's Law. He is doing this because he made a hasty vow. Be careful with your words, you may forever regret your mistake!

How have your words gotten you into trouble?