5 December 2010

Psalm 148, 149, 150; Isa. 5:1-7; 2 Pet. 3:11-18; Luke 7:28-35

Isaiah continues the judgment of God against His people, they have not even the barest knowledge of Him. The ox and the donkey at least have enough sense to recognized their owners but Israel, Yahweh’s own people, do not recognize Him. Is it possible that it could be this bad? They rejected Jesus. They did not recognize true righteousness and declared Him to be unfit to live. The fall reached its eventual conclusion. Even the people who knew all about the Lord did not recognize Him. We have a special relationship to Him as well, even more special from our perspective than theirs, we have the Holy Spirit but I have seen and probably participated in the destruction of the Lord’s servants just as they did. We don’t want to hear a word that convicts or criticizes us so we reject the person and the message. Are we willing to hear any more than the people who received Isaiah’s prophecy?

Jesus tells them it doesn’t seem to matter how God speaks, they won’t listen and they can tell you why they have rejected His message, even if their reasons contradict one another. He affirms the message and ministry of John, none has ever been who was greater. His criticism of the “generation”, however, seems to include all the people and at this time that seems strange since some are on his side at this moment. We know from what comes later that all rejected Him, the entire crowd demanded His crucifixion. His particular illustration is that John came with fasting and they rejected him and Jesus came with feasting and they rejected Him. They are not able to hear a word, even from God, that speaks against them.

It is interesting that Peter says that some of Paul’s writings are “hard to understand.” It is good to know 2000 years later that all of Paul’s writings were not crystal clear to everyone at that time. Peter, however, does not either blame or dismiss Paul because of this problem, he blames those who are quick to misunderstand and misappropriate Paul’s teachings. Paul and Peter are in agreement theologically and ethically and it is only those who use what they do not understand to allow them to do as they desire who are condemned. Peter clearly believes that there is an orthodox belief and practice and that these to whom he writes know that way and know that it differs from what is taught and practiced by lawless people. We can surmise that these lawless ones are those who reject any sort of law regarding Christian living as an excuse to lawless living. What freedom do we have in the Spirit? Is it limited in any way? Does Scripture from the Old Testament allow us to test the spirits in this regard or do we have absolute freedom? Life in the Spirit requires us to know the Word and to listen closely in order not to be led astray.

Praise the LORD!Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!