Aliens are Here
I do not believe the Law God established for ancient Israel applies to the church or to America. But, I believe we can use it to establish wise principles to live by because the Law reveals God’s heart. I believe God loves the illegal immigrant, and expects the country they are residing in to compassionately and wisely care for their needs.
“Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.”Exodus 23:9
“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:9-10
“When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:32-34
“The community is to have the same rules for you and for the alien living among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the alien shall be the same before the LORD : The same laws and regulations will apply both to you and to the alien living among you.” Numbers 15:14-16
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Deuteronomy 10:17-19
Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns. Deuteronomy 24:14
Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Deuteronomy 24:17
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. Deuteronomy 24:19-21
When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Deuteronomy 26:12
The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. Psalm 146:9
Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3b
Have you ever contemplated how godly men could own slaves in the 1800’s? Or how good Germans could be anti-Semitic and turn a cold shoulder to the plight of their Jewish neighbors in the 1920? Is the way our country treats illegal immigrants the issue that future generations will look back on us and wonder, “How could they love God and yet despise and eject these poor people?”
I do not agree with Geraldo Rivera on many (most) political issues, but I believe he precisely portrays the climate in America against illegal immigrants. His book has inspired me to be more vigilant in finding practical ways to help the illegals in my circle of life.
Reincarnation: How depressing!
I’ve been following some blogs on Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth. After reading Bruce’s post yesterday, he got me thinking about how hopeless the belief in reincarnation is. You can read his post here:
The Yardstick of God’s Revelation « Bruce’s Blog
Bruce wrote:
“For lack of better words, New Age philosophy is Hinduism wrapped in Western garb. Humanity’s primary problem, according to Hinduism, is that we have forgotten we are divine. The consequence is that we are subject to the Law of Karma, another important Hindu belief. This is the moral equivalent to the natural law of cause and effect. You always reap what you sow. There is no grace, there is no forgiveness, there is never any escape from consequences. It’s a very heavy burden to carry. Not only that, but Hinduism says that the consequences of our choices, both bad karma and good karma, follow us from lifetime to lifetime. This is another Hindu concept: samsara, the ever-revolving wheel of life, death, and rebirth, also known as reincarnation. A person’s karma determines the kind of body–whether human, animal, or insect–into which he or she is incarnated in the next lifetime.” [emphasis mine]
Historically, reincarnation is viewed in the Eastern religions as a “bad” thing. If you are reincarnated in any form, that means you did not attain “salvation;” blissful realization that all things are One. It is a repetitive trap; a cosmic “Ground-Hog Day” of sorts. The New Age Movement in the Western world has re-packaged reincarnation and presented it in a more positive light. You work in this life to improve your next life. Also, your life today can be improved by investigating what you did in past lives that is causing you suffering here and now. Scientology warps this idea even further into a mechanical system to cleanse this life of past lives’s “sins.”
If I believed in reincarnation: I’d be worn out thinking about millions of past lives’s problems, when the problems of this one are overwhelming in solo! Talk about anxiety. I’d be so worried about past Karma sneaking up on me and whacking me over the head for something my soul did last life. I’d be stressed out one of my screw ups now, would condemn me to the life of an orphan in Russia next time. How alone, and big, eternity would be! I think I’d give in to the hopelessness and struggle with a sense of depression.
But praise be to God! There is NO condemnation in the precious and forgiving arms of Christ. I am not condemned to pay for my selfishness, mean spirit and self indulgences by being re-born as a newt. My soul has already been born again in this life wondrously (I wonder at the how of it) through simple belief that Jesus suffered my death sentence. He assures me that I don’t have to be physically re-born to join Him outside of time. Eternity with my best friend is looking pretty good.
We are of good courage, I say, and prefer…to be away from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8Elijah: Depressed Hero
Quick synopsis of the larger-than-life Elijah
He was the ancient hero of the Jews; a master “magician” who called down fire from heaven, parted the rivers to walk through on dry land and commanded the weather.
He was an accuser of rebellious Israel who heard and was guided by the clear voice of God.
He raised the dead.
He threatened royalty.
He outran a horse.
He comforted a widow with a supernatural supply of food.
He fought the powers of darkness-the Baalzebubs-with sarcasm, mockery and the sword.
He was granted immortality, and rode to the presence of God in a tornado/chariot of fire.
In the New Testament, he enjoyed a quick visit back to earth to converse with Jesus on the Mt of Olives.
What are you doing here, Elijah? (1 Kings 19)
Elijah was despondent; hiding in a cave, terrified, and asking for death. How did our hero get here?
After he challenged the wizards of Baal and Asherah… After he created a bloody spectacle of burnt ground and 900 mutilated bodies at Carmel and outran a chariot through a thunderstorm… After these amazing feats of faith, a death threat shattered his courage and sent him bolting for the desert. We glimpse his frame of mind when he appeals to the crowd at Carmel.
He tells the crowd, “I am the Lord’s only prophet, but Baal has four hundred fifty prophets.” In other words, “I’m it! The last follower of Yaweh, against all of you!”
Whether or not this statement is true, it is the thought that Elijah brooded on later when he was alone. After fleeing for his life, he left his servant in a small town, maybe to confuse his trail and lead his pursuers away, and went into the desert. He broke down under a bush.
He begged the LORD, “I’ve had enough. Just let me die!” Then, he turned over and went to sleep. Feeling exhausted, he gave up.
He might have died there, either from exposure or assassins, but an angel brought him food that revived him enough to travel the 40 days to Mt. Sinai (Horeb). Here, hundred of miles away from the threat of death, the voice of God asked,
“Elijah, why are you here?”
“LORD God All-Powerful, I’ve always done my best to obey you.” he justified.
“But your people have broken their solemn promise to you,” he criticized.
“They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me!” he exaggerated.
“And now they are even trying to kill me!” he ranted.
Elijah battled for God in an over-the-top fashion. He was that kind of guy. He was mouthy by personality, showy, larger than life. And so, God would try to correct his thinking in a likewise, extravagant way.
God called Elijah to present himself out on the mountain. The Lord was going to pass by. Elijah survived a hurricane that threw boulders like footballs, an earthquake and the fury of a raging fire, but God was not present in any of those bawdy circumstances. Then a gentle breeze tickled Elijah’s face. This is Him. Elijah knows Him. He gathered his cloak, hid his face with it, and went out of the cave to meet Him.
A quiet voice asked, “So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?”
With sweet patience, the Almighty summoned forth the theatrics of heaven to demonstrate Elijah’s problem. Elijah felt sorry for himself because he prided himself on always doing the right thing. He blamed God for not taking care of him as he deserved. As a result, he began to criticize and judge others. Elijah’s attitude was, “Is not fair, God! You should blast them to bits and exalt me. Instead, I’m in this miserable cave and they are exalted in power over me.” Elijah focused on the storms, the horrible and painful circumstances at present. But God wanted to change his vision. It was the soft breeze that brought His presence. God was working. He hadn’t abandoned Elijah. It wasn’t as bad as Elijah imagined. Elijah must rely on the gentle workings of God. It is God’s kindness that woos us to change, not his punishment. He is quick to act in mercy, not in anger.
I think Elijah missed the point, because he replied in the exact fashion as before. “LORD God All-Powerful, I’ve always done my best to obey you. But your people have broken their solemn promise to you. They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!”
So, its time for God to be blunt. “I reserved 7,000 followers—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.” Elijah was not alone. If seems likely that if he had gotten that fact wrong, that his understanding of the whole situation was most likely scewed as well. God was working quietly in Israel, while Elijah roared about.
God tells Elijah to go home. He is to appoint the men who will clear the land of Baal worshippers: the replacement king of Syria, the replacement king of Israel, and the replacement prophet, Elisha. The days of Elijah’s career were numbered. With his piteous and resentful attitude, he was unusable.
There is a lesson for those depressed in this story. Do you find that your problems seem overwhelming? Are you fearful and wanting to hide? You may find a clue to the source of your pain in studying the depression of Elijah. And I hope you can find a solution in the gentle encouragement of God.
Other depressed people in the Bible: Cain, Hannah, Jesus, David, Paul
Diary of Judas, a betrayer (Sunday)
Texts: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19
He faced Jerusalem from the East looking down the road from the height of the mountain.[1] I followed his gaze. My rabbi wasn’t looking at the spectacular view of Jerusalem or at the tiny villages that lay to our left and right, but at a small flock of sheep being herded down the road toward the Sheep Gate on the North side of the city. I could hear their bleating from the distance and wondered if they were going to Jerusalem as we were for the Passover sacrifices. My stomach dropped at the thought. We were going to Jerusalem.
I glanced at the rabbi for re-assurance. He always had a purpose for our travels, but I refused to believe his current pursuit was surrender. We had heard of the warrant for his arrest in Jericho, and we knew that if the rabbi put a toe in the city, every ambitious and greedy soul would be looking to reveal his location to the authorities. I searched his face. He must have a plan.
He did. Sensing my questions he grinned then turned to face me.
“Take Philip and go to the village.” He motioned to the right. “You’ll see a young donkey tied up as you enter. I want you to bring me that colt. If you are questioned about taking it, say, ‘The rabbi needs it and will return it by nightfall.’”
I knew the colt he was talking about and figured Lazarus had agreed to let us use it for the day. My nerves were calmed as I realized Jesus had made these arrangements the last time we were in town visiting the family. So, he must have unbreakable plans in the city. That’s why he was going, not to turn himself in.
We brought the colt and a crowd back with us. When the villagers saw that the rabbi meant to ride the donkey, they began to buzz with excitement.
“He means to declare himself king!”[2] I heard one man whisper. Mothers began to urge the children to run into the fields for branches while they ran back to their homes for cloaks and blankets.
The blood began to pound in my temples and my spirits were elated. That’s it! He’s going to take the city and establish His throne! I pressed my thigh where my father’s knife was hidden, and knew I could wield it to help my Lord become the new King of Judea.
“Hosanna to the Descendant of King David! You will deliver us!” A joy-stricken father shouted, fist punching the air.
The children had returned and began waving their palm branches and beating them on the ground around the donkey. The villagers laid out their cloaks for the donkey to walk on and began to sing and dance as we made our way down into the city.
“God has sent us a deliverer, the messiah!”
“Death to Rome!”
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” I cried and grasped a branch offered to me.
“Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!” The gathering mass of people began to chant.
I struggled to keep my place by the rabbi as children pushed closer. Dodging leaves and crying, “It is Rabbi Yeshua.[3] Make way!” I almost missed the rabbi’s expression. I was aghast.
Every frenzied cry that was music in my ears was ripping him apart. He was receiving every blessing yelled his way as a curse, as if he were physically struck. He pulled Peter and John close and spoke as he gestured to the city. Peter looked confused. The rabbi began to weep as he continued shouting into John’s ear.[4] The noise of the crowd was deafening. When he was finished talking, I saw his posture sink with each step as we passed through the Sheep Gate and into the city.
Astonished, I quieted my dance and placed my hand on the colt’s rear to keep pace. It was then that I noticed two things, the sheep and the sheep’s stink. Why the rabbi chose this entrance, I could not imagine. The East Gate would have made a more appropriate statement. Here it was all business. Especially today. The tenth. Lamb selection day.
As I lifted my sleeve to cover my nose, the rabbi turned and looked for me. When he caught me eye, he shouted.
“Pick a lamb for our Passover. If you lose us we’ll be in Bethany after Temple services.”
I stopped walking and let the crowd pass. Gradually, the confusion was replaced with bleating and business dickering, and I let my mind lapse into the comfort of commerce. Better to buy a lamb here, than up at the temple where they charged a tax. I noticed the shepherd that had herded his flock down the road before us setting up a stall, but I looked for Bethlehem stock. Bethlehem stock were first-born lambs bred specifically for Passover and special temple sacrifices. They ran expensive, but were guaranteed to be flawless. The rabbi, who I hoped would be king by the time we needed the lamb, deserved the best. I paid the shepherd to deliver the lamb I selected to the house of Lazarus in Bethany, and made my way to the house of Abbas to discover the latest news in the city and look for allies.
This would be an unforgettable Passover.
[1] Zechariah 14:4 says that Messiah would enter Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives to the East of the city.
[2] They deduced this from prophecy found in Zechariah 9:9. The future king would enter Jerusalem riding not on a warhorse, but on the parade vehicle of ancient times – a donkey.
[3] Hebrew for Jesus.
[4] To discover what he spoke, read Luke 19:41-44.
Stumble It!
