2014-08-22
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Last week I concluded the section on covenant meals. Today we will begin to look at “Social Concerns in Covenant,” a short, new segment in these “Our Covenant” messages. If you are in awe of the many ramifications of our covenant relationship in our lives, you are in good company with me and many others. I can’t help but think of a person wrapping a talit [Jewish prayer shawl] or other prayer shawl around his shoulders. It’s like getting a loving hug from our Covenant Partner-that’s what each impact of our covenant relationship with Him and our human covenant partners becomes as we live and share in this wonderful two-way promise.
Now, the Holy Spirit drives me on to write about the social concerns of covenant partners. While these are never as fundamental to the relationship as the word of God is, they are nonetheless worthy of examination. The Scriptures directly or indirectly mention things like: parenthood; false accusations; treatment of women; punishment; dignity; inheritance; property; the fruits of one’s labor; the harvest; Sabbatical rest; marriage; exploitation; fair trial; social order; law; care and ownership of animals. To this very day, we can’t help but notice, there is no manual for how to be a good parent. EPH 6: 1-4 tells children to honor their parents, and parents are not to exasperate children but to rear them in training and instruction of the Lord. This is a NT extension of the advice given in DT 6: 4-7, which begins with the “Shema,” expressing the belief in monotheism. False accusations are covered in the Ten Commandments, specifically in EX 20: 16. Lies lead to terrible trouble and embarrassment. God wants us never to tell them, especially on the witness stand. The ill treatment of women has been a long-standing problem in society. It was only 50 years ago that this was really brought to light and the problem dealt with in our own country. Refusing women the right to own property was a practice in England for a very long time, and disallowing them to hold certain jobs was a practice in this country until surprisingly recently. PR 31: 11-31 gives the Biblical idea of an ideal woman; it’s worth reading.
God began stating His will concerning punishment and the need for a system of laws controlling social issues as early as GN 9: 6 with His will concerning committing murder, just before his Noahitic rainbow covenant in GN 9: 12-17. Later in Israel’s history, God divided land among the twelve tribes of Isreal, and encouraged laws, like the Sabbatical year every seven years [EX 23: 7; LV 25: 1-7; DT 15: 1-18] in which the land was laid fallow to “rest” the soil and debts were forgiven. God’s anger fell on Israel, because the Sabbatical year of rest wasn’t observed [JER 34: 14-22], which was a principle reason Judah spent 70 years in the Babylonian Captivity. The Jubilee year, every 50th year, was to be observed by obedience to specific instructions concerning property and slaves [LV 25: 8-55]. This observance returned land into Jewish hands from Gentile ones. Liberty is proclaimed throughout the land, there was to be a joyful conservation of the land (17-22, 23), and there is to be no oppression. LK 4: 18-19 reminds us that God wants people to be free. God’s demand for justice and desire that permanent economic stratification of society should not be taking place is seen in this practice. LV 25: 10 is even seen on our Liberty Bell’s proclamation of liberty throughout the land. Jews are to return to their property and spend the year studying the law (Torah) [DT 31: 9-13].
God’s ideal for marriage is covered in EPH 5: 22-33. Only two acceptable reasons for divorce are given-unfaithfulness (MT 19: 9) and being married to a stubborn unbeliever [ MT 19: 12b; 1 COR 7: 15]. Making carefully and prayerfully considered commitments is encouraged. Every social concern that arises has some mention in some way in God’s word. The human interpretations are left to lawyers, and sadly, they often work with greed and lack of seeking godly advice. Of course, not all lawyers are ungodly, but when seeking one’s rights, he must be very careful that God is clearly in this business relationship. God’s will concerning plants and animals and man’s stewardship over them is established in GN 1: 24-31. It breaks my heart to see the ad raising money for finding homes for abandoned and abused animals (mostly dogs and cats), which are a reminder of mankind’s cruelty and sinful nature. Our beloved long-haired, chestnut-colored Dachshund, Cooper, has been a member of our family for 9 years. We got him when he was already 3, and our family wouldn’t be the same without him.
Our Covenant Partner is a forgiving Deity, One Who gives His human creation second chances in the face of most sins. He is just and fair. PS 20: 4-6, “He summons the heavens above and the earth, that He may judge His people: ‘Gather to Me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice,’ and the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for He is a God of justice.” God’s heart is revealed in 2 CH 7: 9, “If My people, who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
PRAYER: O Lord, we are humbled that You love us this much, that You are persistent in making the effort to sanctify us and to prepare us for that Day when we can come back to Your side in heaven forever [RO 8: 29; COL 3: 3-4]. We stand in awe and reverence at the attributes You have and the deeds You do. David acknowledged, in PS 86: 8, “Among the gods, there is none like You, Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours.” Your will for us is consistent, righteous, and always in our best eternal interests. IS 46: 9-10 allows us to know Your supremacy and it’s righteous application. “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ’My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” You have no evil in You. You have felt deep compassion for Your human creation, which is why You were so unsatisfied with mankind having no choice but to endure spiritual death. To change this, You sacrificed Your only Son, Jesus, on the cross. Because of this, we who believe, have everlasting life [JN 3: 16; RO 3: 24-25]. You bless us now with access to Your wisdom in making social decisions/commitments, and hope that we will use it. You are pleased when we seek You [JER 29: 11-13]. We stand before You, asking for Your answers to our prayers and encouragement to take Your advice, even in difficult situations. We offer You our utmost praise, loyalty, honor, glory, and thanks. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Messiah. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: Sin and it’s consequences are tough subjects to read and write to others. And yet, it must be said that our very eternal life with God is at stake, if these subjects aren’t prayerfully considered. Our Covenant Partner would be doing us a great disservice if He didn’t draw the lines on how much sinning He would endure or make the consequences of serial and heinous sin known to us [RO 3: 26]. So, next week’s message will deal with these difficult subjects in a new segment of the “Our Covenant” series called “Our Lives At Stake.” While idolatry is the sin God hates the most, there is one sin that stands unpardonable. We must learn what it is, so we can avoid it and encourage others to do the same. All the while, we must place these tough words on the backdrop of God’s loving heart. PS 103: 11, “For as great as the heavens are above the earth, so great is Hi love for those who have reverence for Him.” PS 31: 20, “In the shelter of Your presence You hide them (all who take refuge in You) from all human intrigues. You keep them safe in Your dwelling from accusing tongues.” Jeremiah writes, in JER 31: 3, “The Lord appeared to us in the fast saying, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” And there we stand receiving this love in the form of daily blessings, if only we will recognize them. We are enveloped with spiritual prayer shawls, receiving our Covenant Partner’s loving hug every day of our eternal lives! Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2014. All Rights Reserved.