Joash The Father of Gideon

Judges . 6

Let the message be an eye opener for many fathers and devotees of  personal gods. The real story narrates  Gideon’s encounter with God. The angle of God talks to Gideon about the cause  behind the fall of Israelites and their miserable life . The remedy God recommended  was  simple, but it was not an easy task. First of all, tearing down father’s alter to Baal and demolishing Asherah pole was really a difficult mission. Along with his father ,there were hundreds  who worshiped  Baal- the pagan god . Joash being an Israelite , worship Baal- the pagan god is abominable to God of Israel. Though he knew the truth of living God  ,  he preferred worshipping Baal. In one sense ,if ,Gideon would carry out the task, he himself put his hands in hornet’s nest. His family  and all the followers of Baal would be provoked .

Gideon was confident in doing the task after confirming the voice of God. He took ten of his close friends for the mission .  He preferred  night  instead of day in order to avoid  direct confrontation from his family and public. He demolished the Baal’s  alter  with Asherah pole .    He built a new alter to God and sacrificed the bull, according to  the instruction of the angel of God .

In the morning when the men of the town got up  , they saw Baal’s alter demolished with the Asherah pole . They investigated the matter ,it was something unpardonable . They got the culprit . There was no way for Gideon to get escaped. They knew, Joash would release his son  ; after all ,he too was a devotee  and worshipper of  Baal.

They gathered around the house of Joash. They demanded “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal's altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it." Joash reply to the hostile crowd was quite amazing . He said to the crowd “Are you going to plead  Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him ?  “Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar."So that day they called Gideon "Jerub-Baal," saying, "Let Baal contend with him," because he broke down Baal's altar” Jud. 6: 31,32

Dear friends ,  out of zeal ,   we often tend to do something God never expect us to do at all..If  someone talks against  faith  , it would offend us . Offending other’s faith is really not acceptable to God, but God never expects anyone to protect Him by shedding blood of others . Let almighty God be our protector . Let the message of Gideon be an eye opener for us.  

Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money?

Jesus never said  a parable from  imagination . Almost all of them  he took from day today life of people around him. For example , the sawing farmer , shepherds who take care of sheep, workers in the field and so on  . From the day today incidents, he always  wants to illustrate some spiritual truth.

Here ,Jesus wants to illustrate Kingdom of heaven in a simple way so that those who gathered around him  could understand them  with ease . Matt. 20:1-15

Here was a landlord who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard . In four  phases  he gathered the labors . One lot came early in the morning at 3^rd  hour of the day; others at 6^th ,9^th and 11^th hour. The wages were  fixed and it was agreed by all .

When the evening came , it was his turn to distribute wages for them .He called the workers and pay their wages , beginning with the last ones hired and going on the first .The workers who came at 11^th hour came first and had their wages . When , the workers who were hired at 3^rd Hour came to receive their wage . They thought they would get more ,though ,they were agreed to work on the fixed wage . They started grumbling over the wages . Their complain seems to be genuine , they said how could they be treated same as who worked only for one hour . Perhaps the workers who came at 11^th hour had   worked only  for an hour . They considered the landlord was impartial in distributing the wages .     But , in fact, he was quite frank in doing his responsibility . He didn’t do any injustice at all . The greediness of the workers who came at 3^rd hour had made the difference . When men take justice in their hands such things happens .They often forget that ,the landlord has all legal right to distribute his money not in a way he likes, but in a way it was agreed with.

Let it be one’s job , money or works , if it doesn’t deprive of justice , no one has authority to question him .The man  has got the full freedom to do with his belongings .Suppose a man quits his job , he is not answerable to anyone as to why he did so .It is his freedom of conscience . He is accountable only to God, not anyone else . No one has any right to complaint against that person.  

The Elder Brother of the Lost Son Ref : Luke 15

             

In order to illustrate the sinners repentance and God’s acceptance , Jesus explains three parables. Out of  them , the third one points out towards a real family life story. The story is quite popular . The younger son demands his share from his father . When he was given the share  , he had squandered all and came back to his father in real repentance . Unconditionally, the father accepts him. Father  was really happy to get his son back. From the earlier illustrations ( The lost sheep and the ten coins)it is quite clear that  the acceptance of a sinner is based on repentance. God’s grace was illustrated here with much  clarity. In the earlier two illustration Jesus said” In the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” 

We are really interested in the second part of the story . The elder son  who was  staying with father. If we look in to the story ,the motives of the elder son is quite clear . He wanted more material possession from his father . He was quite unhappy about the arrival of  his younger brother . He  must have many selfish thoughts , particularly regarding property matters .He was grumbling over many things . He expresses his discontent when the father accepts his younger brother  with much pomp  . In spite of having  freedom in the home  , he complaints . Bitterness , anger, jealousy  and all sort of negative attitudes were  his real nature exposed outwardly .

But , the father, in spite of all negative attitude of his son  , calls him “son”!. The father never expressed his discontents or anger towards either of his children .The typical father depicts the heavenly Father . Right from old covenant to the new covenant , God never questioned man’s freedom. Dear brothers and sisters , our God is a Holy God , man can not stand in front of him with his own righteousness . The written covenant , if it reduces as mere letters  it kills . Paul says   “  The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life”. 2 Cor 3:6 “ . The laws are good , they  give  the knowledge of sin . God knows, the mere knowledge of sin has become  real curse for many . The writer  of Hebrew says “For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said  "The time is coming, declares the Lord, I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts Heb 8: 7-10. Here, laws are free from fault but people are at fault .

In the  story , the elder son who doesn’t need  repentance ,represents majority of us . When people look to them , they may  get appreciation . This sort of people are considered responsible group  in the society according to human judgments. Dear brothers  , our God is kind enough to place us under the  new covenant.  In this New Covenant of blood , we have been placed under the GRACE .The elder son represents the followers of the Old Covenant . The second son of course, represents the New Covenant followers . The first one thought ,he was  strictly following  the laws .But God knows  his inability in keeping  them . It is a question towards us , are we under grace or should we think of a self style life? . Our God doesn’t compel us ,but He is kind enough to direct us . There is no meaning in debating  over something that never win. I thank my  Lord for he has kept me under  grace .I also understand ,His grace is not meant for go  on sinning in order to increase the grace . 

Kingdom of God and The Rich Man

Please have the references side by side   Mark 10:17,Matt 19:16, Luke 18:18, Matt 27:54

An incident noted in Matthew , Mark and Luke  be an eye opener for many  . Here, a certain(Young) man  comes to Jesus with a desire . He wants  to have eternal life. He was  asked to follow the regulations prescribed  in the book of Moses ( Ex. 20: 3-17)Perhaps , the man  may be  a Jew . Jesus  was kind enough to narrate him from  the scripture .Jesus  said “You know the commandments: `Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother ……..”

Instantly, the man gave a reply . The man said  “ Teacher, all these I have kept since I was a boy” . If any one had followed the  ten commandments sincerely , that was quite enough for one to gain  eternal life . .Jesus knew his heart  “ One thing you lack” ,Jesus said “ Go and sell everything you have and give to the poor , and  you will have  treasure  in heaven . Then come, follow me “ It was too hard for that man to grasp  . He immediately departed from Jesus .

The very important thing Jesus stressed was  conditional . In order to have eternal life, man has to discipline  himself to God’s way . In most cases , people try to live a life of their own.

·        Man can not live a life of  his own . Of course he can have the freedom to do so , but he can not strive for heaven  without obeying God’s regulations.

·          One has to follow Jesus. From Genesis to Malachi  the mystery of  Christ was  proclaimed and revealed . Jesus, himself said “ I am the truth ,way and life .. ..  John 14: 6

Those who were hearing ( disciples)Jesus were really wondered at His words. It was something beyond their grasp. Perhaps , they must have thought,  it is a sin to have material possessions . Jesus replied them in a more convincing way. I tell you the truth , it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven . Again I tell you , it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of  God”. On hearing Jesus statement they have astonished . Then they asked a small question, “Who then can be saved ?” Jesus replied “With man it is impossible, but with God everything is possible.

Dear brothers , if you have an earning in a normal way , God is not against to it . You can be disciple of him .But for the sake of earning material possession , if someone choose ministry  as a profession ,it is a point to think off .  Joseph of Arimathea was Jesus’ disciple . God can really  show the impossibilities of rules and rituals into possibilities through Grace. For One thing God is particular about “Let…………. not the rich boast of his riches “ Jer 9:23,24

 Cont.. Rules vs Grace .  

God Does't want a Self made Social worker , but a Trustworthy man Who is Available When He calls

Jeroboam was from the tribe of Ephraim . Ephraim was   Joseph’s second son whom Jacob blessed against the will of Joseph- the father . Gen .48:13,17,18,19. No doubt , Jeroboam was from the blessed tribe.

Solomon was the King of Israel according to the will of God . There was a promise of God for  David. God said “If your descendants follow my decrees and covenant  your offspring will rule the nation” 2 samuel 7:16.

This was God’s promise to David . It is true that  during the time of Solomon’s  regime there was  excess. The book of  Deuteronomy  ( Deut 17: 16,17) prescribes  the norm of a king . King Solomon exceeded all the limits prescribed  there in the  book of  Moses . Here ,Jeroboam , the official of  Solomon rebelled  against the king . He had organized the people of  Israel for a defection against  Solomon  under the pretext of King’s excess . God never approves any one to act on behalf Him without His approval. As far as people of Israel is concerned it was a relief for them to do something against  the excess they had suffered  . Jeroboam’s action was  something acceptable to them . They must have thought ,after all Jeroboam does something against evil practices of the King Solomon. Jeroboam  was an official ( Overseer)in Kings elaborated work force .Seeing his movement against him, the king was upset. Jeroboam  had seen the subtle  danger ahead of him and ran away to  Egypt . During the time of Rehoboam’s  coronation as King ,he came back to Israel to have treaty with Solomon’s son – the new  king of Israel . Jeroboam  represented on behalf of the people of Israel .Their request seems to be very simple  and genuine  1 king 12:1-7 . They should be exempted from heavy tax his father  Solomon imposed on them during his regime . ( Edited on 5th March )

King  Rehoboam was young and reckless person ( 1 King 12: 10,11), the nation was divided in to two .God had his own  Judgment  for injustice .  He never want man’s help  until He desires so.God never expects  man’s social work on His behalf .Under the initiative of Jeroboam    the nation was divided ;ten tribes were with Jeroboam and two tribes were with  Rehoboam . It was  a deliberate faction instigated by Jeroboam .During  Solomon’s reign there were  many  actions that God never approved  . However , in order to keep his promise to  David his father , God has kept His promise .

Solomon’s  evil deeds are marked in 1 King 11: 3-6 . Jeroboam’s greed for position   and organized rebellion against God  was even worst than that of Solomon’s evil deeds . When the nation was divided ,  Jeroboam built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites. 1 King 12: 26-32. The motive behind his actions are quite transparent . He wants position and fame at any cost .He did abominable things to God.  

Dear Child of God ,  let us  confirm our movement on line with Holy Spirit of God . No one has any authority to take God’s mission in  hand . Our sovereign God is always true and He never tells anything contrary to His  word  and  Spirit  . Is mushrooming  of Churches- a phenomena of division or expansion ? In His grace, God expects corrections from individuals . Paul had mentioned something out of pain , he mentioned, there are two types of evangelists . (Phil 1: 15-18 ) It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Please have the discernment as to how God views our ministry . Paul the apostle , didn’t mind it  for his own sake .But what about you and me ?  Would you ever think ,how God views our ministry ?

True conversion. Luke .13:1-3

            Someone present  there told Jesus about Galileans   whose blood   Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus’ response to the statement was noteworthy. He answered  , "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” The terms “sin , sins , repentance and regret are often being confused of their correct usage . In Christian perspective they are different .

          John the Baptist – the forerunner of Jesus said "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Some people who accepted John as a prophet gave a wrong interpretation of repentance . John specifically said to them “You brood of  vipers! Who warned you…..? Produce  fruit in keeping with repentance. Matt 3: 2,6,7& 8. Repentance involves  more than a mere “ I am sorry attitude” . Repentance  is more than being sorry  for one’s wrong doing .

          Let us make two terms very clear.

          Sin and sins are not just two words . Often we may think sin is singular and its plural form is sins . In worldly view it is true , but in Christian perspective they are not same . Sin  has got two distinct meanings .

·        The action one does due to sinful  nature is defined as sin .

·        The sinful nature itself  is termed as sin as it  motivates one to commit the action.

          Therefore both action and nature are termed as Sin.

          What is Sin ?

          Broadly speaking , sin is the nature of a person who has not yet given his Lordship to Jesus . So far sin persists  , a man goes on sinning  . It doesn’t matter  how many sins he commit a day . By his nature he can  do any amount of sins  . The point could be illustrated  this way . If one empties  a  natural water well, it  could be dried up within hours depends on the strength of spring within  . So far, spring is strong enough, water may  well up again to the former level. In the  same manner  , if nature of sin is not dealt with ,one may go on sinning .

True conversion

In true conversion , mainly   there are two things that has to take place . When conscience strikes a person in   his heart, he repents by  the influence of Holy Spirit . For God ,the blood of Christ is quite enough to deal with our sins . But the  nature of sin ,God dealt in another way .The  cross of Jesus is God’s way of dealing our sinfulnature. Therefore  man’s dual problems[i] of sin and sins are dealt by God in the above manner . By repentance and faith one is able to shift  from self-centeredness to God centeredness. “Repentance is saying to God, “ Lord you take over and run my life the way you want to run”[ii] 

[i] Watchman nee – the normal Christian life

[ii]  Hughes Selwyn -The Christian counsellor’s  pocket guide

---