THE GARDEN OF EDEN

We know that the Garden of Eden existed somewhere in the middle east – an area known as the fertile crescent. 

This envelops the current countries of Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Syria, and parts of Iraq and Iran.

Now, I’ve not visited this part of the world [except for an overnight in the Qatar airport – a miserable night], but the pictures, reports and video I’ve seen seems to reveal an area that is desolate, made up of desert and huge areas of wilderness.  [My perspective may need to be corrected – feel free to correct me.  These thoughts have been ruminating for years and I’m putting them out there today.]

When I’ve read through the Bible, I read repeatedly about the lush forests of Lebanon - so up until that time, apparently at least part of this area was still thriving ecologically.  For instance, in I Kings 5, Solomon made arrangements with Hiram, King of Tyre, to cut and transport Lebanon’s cedars to Jerusalem to build the Lord’s Temple! 

I have wondered frequently through the years how this region - that was once a paradise of fertility - has become a desert.

In reading Isaiah 10 today, I found myself pondering this again.  God is using Isaiah to warn His people that He is bringing His wrath - in the form of the Assyrian army - because the people have become so corrupt.  This judgment of God will cause the king of Assyria to sweep through Israel [the northern kingdom] and then Judea [the southern kingdom].  God/Isaiah warns that this destruction will be devastating! 

Some of the lines awaken my wonder about the ensuing deforestation of this rich area:

The light of God’s people will be like a fire that burns up the thorns and briars in a single day.  [v.17  -  All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted]

 

God will consume the grandeur of his forest and fruitful fields [v.18]

 

So few trees will remain of his glorious forest that a child could count them. [v.19]

 

He [the Lord, the Eternal Commander of heavenly armies (v.33)] will wield the ax and cut down the brushy undergrowth of the forest; even the cedars of Lebanon fall before the Mighty One’s blow. [v.34]

Was God’s anger and disappointment with His people [and the neighboring countries] so severe that He brought about the devastation of the fertile crescent?

I did some light research on the effect of Israel’s return to the ‘Promised Land’ in 1948.  Clearly a transformation was begun at that time that continues to this day. 

“The Land of Israel before 1948 was a curious mixture of ancient, slow-moving and traditional ways of life…Jewish immigration and land purchases were increasingly changing a seemingly forgotten place. Jewish immigrants rapidly reinvigorated a land that had barely seen any infrastructure or modernization during a 400-year rule.

 

Jewish immigrants rapidly reinvigorated a land that had barely seen any infrastructure or modernization during a 400-year [Ottoman Empire] rule.

 

The physical landscape changed as advancements in water technology – which continued apace during the British Mandate period – particularly, irrigation and the ability to use even brackish water for agriculture, showed that even in the desert, human life could be sustained.

 

In addition, small towns began to grow into cities and new neighborhoods began to spill out from existing conurbations.” [https://honestreporting.com/land-of-israel-before-1948/]

Isn't this conundrum potentially one of the greatest - and longest lasting - lessons that we can observe from ancient times to the present?

It echoes God’s frustration with the rebellious people of Noah’s day.

“At that point God’s heart broke, and He regretted having made man in the first place.” [Genesis 6:6]

Wasn’t the defoliation of the fertile crescent a similar act of an angry and disappointed God who used the Assyrian army to join in the punishment of a people and their land?  After all, the people had clearly lost their sense of responsibility for being caretakers of the world God had created.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” [Genesis 1:26-28 NASB]

Is it possible that we’ve missed one of the grandest expressions of God’s disappointment with humanity by failing to observe that He not only loves us, but He also loves the world that He created!  He gave us direct responsibility for being caretakers of this world He made!  The people He made have raped His creation and continue to show a massive disregard for the beauty that was originally produced by His hand. 

My deduction – if valid – seems to compel us, as His followers, to be much more engaged in our assigned role of ruling over THIS INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL AND FERTILE EARTH!

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Almighty God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit,

We observe the chronic negligence of Your people throughout history to appropriately prize, value and care for this spectacular creation You have made and given into our care. 

Forgive us! 

It affects us every day through litter control, wise use of limited resources, preserving beautiful sites, and careless disregard for our impact on an overwhelmed ecological balance. 

Teach us how to truly care for this creation that You love!  Help us to responsibly rediscover how to be the caretakers that You intended us to be!  May Your people lead the way in this endeavor! 

As we fulfill this mission, may we rediscover joy that comes in the process of loving what You made and what You love!

For Your Kingdom’s sake, Amen!

TWO GODLY MEN

Genesis 14 is the recording of an ancient battle between an alliance of four kings against the joined forces of five other kings. After very significant victories against numerous enemies, the four kings turned their attention to the five kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela.  A battle ensued in the valley of Siddim. 

Once again the coalition of four kings was victorious and the victors “…captured all of the spoils of battle from the retreating forces of Sodom and Gomorrah—their provisions, weapons, and other supplies. Then they left. But before they left they took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother who lived in Sodom, prisoner along with all of his goods. [vs.11-12  All scripture references will be from The Voice Bible]

Now we understand why this report has been included in our Old Testament! 

“…one of the men who had escaped the battle went and found Abram…He told Abram what had happened…As soon as Abram heard that his nephew had been taken prisoner, he secured his own camp and then took 318 “…of his most reliable and best-trained men (all born in his household) and pursued the enemy.” [vs.13-14]       

 

“When he caught up with them, Abram divided up his men, surrounded the enemy, and attacked them during the night. He and his soldiers crushed the invaders and pursued any survivors… After the battle Abram recovered all the spoils the enemy had taken and brought them back with him. He rescued his nephew Lot and brought him back, along with his goods; there were other captives, too, including some women whom he rescued.” [vs.15-16]

 Then something interesting and mysterious happened. 

The priest-king of Jerusalem, Melchizedek, came out to meet him as well and brought out bread and wine for them. Melchizedek was a priest of the One whom he called the “the Most High God.” Priest-king Melchizedek offered a special blessing to Abram. 

King Melchizedek: May Abram be blessed by the Most High God, Creator of the heavens and earth.  Blessing and honor to the Most High God, who has clearly delivered your enemies into your hands!

Abram gave the priest-king a tenth of all of the captured goods he was bringing back with him. [vs.18-20]

Then Melchizadek asked Abram for the people he had rescued, but offered all the spoils to Abram! However, Abram had pledged before God not to take anything except the food that his men had eaten –

“That way you could never take credit for any wealth of mine.” [v.23]  He did, however, advocate for three groups of men who had joined him in this battle: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.  Abram asked that they be given an appropriate share of the spoils. 

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Here we have the intersection of two godly men! 

Abram is drawn into a battle because of the poor choices his nephew, Lot, had made.  He – apparently without delay – came to Lot’s rescue.  There is no reference to Abram scolding Lot.  Lot was family!  There was no choice to be made!  Abram’s response was immediate and decisive! 

Abram maintained integrity throughout.  He rescued those who were not part of his family; and then turned them over to Melchizadek!  In keeping a promise he had made to God, Abram refused to participate in the dividing of the spoils of the war.  Abram lived for God, and God alone!  His complete dependence was on God.  He didn’t want or need the wealth of the considerable spoils.  God was already meeting all of his needs!

Melchizadek is a mysterious character [mentioned also in Psalm 110 and Hebrews 7].  He was a priest of “the Most High God.” [v.18]  He was also the king of Salem [which would later become Jerusalem]! 

This is a remarkable report that is one of many instances indicating that God was working in many places – in addition to the calling of the people of Israel!  Many questions remain unanswered:

o   Who was this Melchizadek?

o   Where did he come from?

o   Who made him a priest?

o   Why did Abram treat him with such respect – giving him “…a tenth of all the captured goods” [v.20]?

We can only marvel that God was at work using different threads in different places to introduce Himself to the people spread across the land! 

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QUESTIONS TO PONDER PERSONALLY:

·         Are we men and women of sole commitment to God as Abram and Melchizadek?

·         Are we dependent on God – and God alone – to provide for all our needs?

·         Do we make commitments to God, and then honor those commitments no matter what happens?

·         Do we come to the rescue of family members who have fallen into harsh situations or who have made poor decisions?

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

In Isaiah 8, the prophet is warned by God that Assyria will soon sweep through and destroy Damascus, Samaria and even Judah.  God anticipates that the people will react by preparing for battle, making plans and forming alliances, but He announces through Isaiah:  “they will fail”.  [v.10   All references from The Voice Bible]

Eternal One: Don’t call for an alliance, like all the rest of this people do.

        Don’t fear what they fear, or dread what they dread.
         After all, only the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, should      terrify you.
        Only God is holy. Only God should leave you trembling.
         Look what I’m going to do in Zion:
        The Eternal will be for you a sacred place,
        But for both houses of Israel I’ll also be a stone that blocks their way
        and a rock that trips them up;
        For those who live in Jerusalem, I’ll be a trap and a snare.  

       Many will stumble over them. They will trip and be broken;
        they’ll succumb to capture and be grabbed up.  [vs.12-15]

This is a good word for those of us who live in chaotic, governmental disarray and fear of either anarchy or World War III. 

…only the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, should terrify you.
        Only God is holy. Only God should leave you trembling. 

Then, Isaiah adds his personal testimony:

As for me, I will wait for the Eternal, even though He feels absent, 

even though He has hidden His face from the family of Jacob. I will put all hope in Him. [v.17]

 

Isaiah continues:

People might tell you to ask the fortune-tellers, consult the babbling astrologers, conjure the dead to tell the living what’s to come, but shouldn’t they ask their God?  Go to God’s teaching and His testimony to guide your thoughts and behavior! If any response disagrees with the word of God, then it’s muddling and wrong and not the least bit illuminating. It leaves the people bedraggled and desperate, drifting here and there.  [vs.19-21]

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Lyrics by Rich Mullins

When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain't just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)

There's thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)

And the Lord wasn't joking
When He kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason
That He shed His blood
His return is very close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)

He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)

Judgement and wrath
He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace
He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

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Almighty, Sovereign, Ever-watching God!

Help us to put our trust in You!  You're the only One who is holy!  You are still the Commander of Heavenly Armies!  You are the only One who knows the future!  You - and You alone - are trustworthy!  Amen.

DECISION MAKING

Recently Deb asked me if I would like to do something.  My initial response was to simply respond: “I’d like to take some time to think and pray about it.” To my surprise, she immediately came back with, “Why do preachers always have to pray about everything.  God gave you a mind, so just use it to make a decision!”

I was dumfounded as I looked back at her – dazed by her question!  I countered: “So, you’re advising me not to consult with God, but just to make a decision on my own?"  She began to laugh.  I took twenty-four hours to ponder the decision and then chose not to participate. 

In Genesis 13, Abram and his nephew, Lot, have been travelling together for quite a while.  However, after leaving Egypt and returning to Canaan, their wealth and possessions had increased significantly.  Their shepherds began having conflicts over keeping the flocks separated.  Their combined presence was becoming too great an impact on the land.

Abram brought the matter up to Lot:

Let’s not fight. I don’t want there to be any animosity between you and me, or between our herders. After all, we’re family. A vast land is out there and available to you. It is time for us to go our separate ways. You choose your land. If you choose east, I’ll go west. If you choose west, I’ll go east—it’s your call. [vs.8-9  All scripture will be from The Voice Bible]

The Voice Bible includes the following editorial comment:

“Abram is an exemplary man of faith. Being older than Lot, he by custom has first choice of the property, but he waives his right and grants Lot the first choice. Given their recent experiences in the famine, it is no wonder that Lot chooses the lush, fertile soils of the Jordan Valley for his new home. But as Lot moves his family east, he moves farther from Abram and closer to danger.”

Those who know the rest of the story will remember that Lot ended up in significant trouble in the valley!  Abram had to come to his rescue.  Eventually, God’s judgment fell on Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot had to flee the valley in order to save his family!

An easy, logical decision had major, negative impact on Lot and his family!  As a younger, aggressive man – less entrenched in the faith of his fathers – Lot shows no evidence of a close walk with God!

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Now, I understand that we make hundreds of thousands of decisions every day:

  o      When to get up
  o      What to wear
  o      Which route to take to work
  o      What to eat
  o      How to drive
  o      How to use our time
  o      Etc., etc..

So, I’m obviously NOT referring to these.  We have to use discernment about when to push the ’pause button’ and set aside time to pray about an impending decision.

Daily prayer appointments and quiet times give us a regular opportunity to talk with God about the things going on in our lives!  Waiting before the Lord in silence gives Him an opportunity to speak into our lives and give us direction and guidance. 

Many may find it difficult to believe that God is that interested in the details of our lives!  After all, isn’t the Lord of the universe busy directing the traffic of stars, countries and rulers?  Are you implying, Hal, that the great God cares about the minutia of my life?

Uh, yes.

But – notice – He didn’t impose His wisdom on Lot!  He sometimes lets us stumble as a result of our choices.  I know – that seems mean and uncaring, but we had a choice, and we chose not to consult Him.  That’s on us – not Him! 

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Developing and maintaining a significant prayer life is hard!  Learning to wait in silence – however brief – is not easy.  We live with so many distractions and so much to do.

I remember years when I longed to have more time to spend in prayer and the Word!  Even then, I was getting up quite early to have some private time with God.  Now that I’m retired, I have the luxury of extended – almost unlimited – time with Him in prayer and in His Word. 

Please don’t think I’ve got this all wrapped up.  Some mornings I’m more into it than others.  Some mornings I pray with lackluster.  Some mornings I don’t seem to connect with what I’m reading.  Ah, but other mornings I do connect and have to eventually pull myself away! 

Some keys:

o   Find a place that works for you.  John Wesley’s mother – Susannah – had nineteen children.  She taught them that they were not to interrupt her when she sat in the kitchen with her apron over her head!  J  So, be creative!

o   Discern a time that works best for you.  I’m a morning person (partly because I now go to bed around 9:00 PM).  We’re all different!  My model won’t work for you.  Experiment until you find a time that works.  I knew a guy that drove to work quite early to avoid the traffic.  Then, he sat in his car for his devotional time before going in to work!

o   Don’t undervalue a pen and some paper.  A prayer list will help you stay accountable to those you promise to pray for.  If you think you are hearing from God – WRITE IT DOWN so you won’t forget. 

o   Be careful about overcommitting!  If you’re reading too much – chances are, you’ll quit.  If your prayer time is boring, you’ll fall asleep or avoid it in the future.  Obviously, we can go in-and-out of prayer throughout the day!  Take advantage of this privilege. 

Be persistent and find a way to stay engaged with the One who loves you more than anyone else!

TAKING THE WHEELS OFF

I would guestimate that around thirty years ago, one of our Free Methodist bishops gave a message titled “Taking Off the Wheels” (or something like that).  His text was Genesis 11:31-32. 

Terah took his son Abram and grandson Lot (Haran’s son) and his daughter-in-law Sarai (Abram’s wife). They left Ur of the Chaldeans together and traveled in the direction of the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Haran, they settled there. Terah was 205 years old at that time, and he ended up dying in Haran.

 

He suggested from this text that the original call to go to the land of Canaan had come to Terah – Abram’s father!  He had gathered up his family and embarked on the lengthy journey from Ur of Chaldea [near present day Kuwait City at the tip of the Persian Gulf] to Haran [in today’s north-central Syria – along the Euphrates River].  This has been estimated to have been a trip of approximately 600 miles and took place approximately 1,900 B.C.!

 

Arriving in Haran and finding the land livable and appealing, Terah took the wheels off the wagon and settled in.  However, after he died, Abram felt the compelling call of God to go on farther to the land o Canaan.  As a result, he put the wheels back on the wagon and completed the journey!

It’s easy to get distracted!  It’s part of the human condition to settle for less.  Terah was old and the journey had been LONG and HARD!  Living along the Euphrates must have been very appealing.  So, he settled!

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How often does this happen to us?

I believe that churches make this compromise frequently. 

Again, it’s easy to be distracted! 

The goal is to have a global impact, but once you begin to see fruit and your impact is making a difference – it suddenly becomes your Haran! 

The deadliest thing a church can do is to build a building! 

Now, you’re set the limits on your growth! 

Oh, you can go to multiple services [and many do].  But to some extent, you’ve compromised your mission. 

It’s a lot of work to take care of a growing congregation! 

·         Planning worship

·         Being creative

·         Visiting the sick

·         Caring for the needs of the people

·         Recruiting, training and releasing new workers and leaders

·         Property care

·         Etc.

The wheels either get taken off, or go flat!  The mission gets compromised. 

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How much does this happen in our personal lives, too?

When we first awaken to the call of Christ in our lives, we see all kinds of possibilities.  We work hard and make sacrifices.  But then life’s distractions come along and we may cool in our commitment to the mission He had shown us. 

Leadership gurus speak to this issue frequently.  How do we sustain the vision and keep our focus?  Whole books have been devoted to this topic. 

How do we maintain a daily walk with God?  J  Same question! 

We all know the answers for us personally:

            Prayer

            The Word

            Engagement with other believers

            Daily praise and worship

            Service in the name of Christ

For a church it has a lot to do with re-casting the vision consistently and frequently!  Also, with leaders holding one another accountable to the mission!

Lord,

Help us to stay focused – as people and as churches!

This is a journey we are on and we don’t want to be distracted.

Speak to us daily!  Correct us when we need it!  Lean on O King Eternal!

Amen!