THE LORD SPOKE (March 16)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 12-13

Critics say it’s evidence of the deuteronomist’s hand. When Moses talks about “the place the Lord your God will choose” (see Deut. 12:4,11,14,18,26, and many other places), they identify it as an addition by later editors trying to pad their case. The priests, according to these “scholars”, are just trying to prove that their religious system centered in Jerusalem had the authority of Moses behind it. In other words, this thing about the centrality of Jerusalem developed much later and the editors of Deuteronomy are practicing a little historical revision. They’re rewriting history to prove the validity of their system.

Not so! Many places in Scripture speak of God’s love and choice of Jerusalem:

• Psalm 48:2-3 - “...Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her...”
• Psalm 68:16 - “Why gaze in envy, O rugged mountains, at the mountain where God chooses to reign, where the LORD himself will dwell forever?” (speaking of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem)
• Psalm 76:2 - “His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.”
• Psalm 87:2-3 - “the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God.”
• Isaiah 2:2-3 - “In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
• Isaiah 62:1 - “For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
• Ezekiel 5:5 - "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This is Jerusalem, which I have set in the center of the nations, with countries all around her.”
• Zechariah 2:5,8 - “‘And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within’. ...For whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye.

If you go with the “deuteronomistic history” idea of how the Pentateuch was composed, you’ll have to keep going through all the Torah, the Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings) and do the same. You’ll end up with a mutilated Old Testament, a messed up theological system, and a muted Word from God.

Maybe that’s what they want. But not me!


New Testament: John 7

Did Jesus “want to become a public figure”? Jesus’ brothers seemed to think so, judging by the advice they gave Him (Jn. 7:2-4). But then, they did not believe in Him themselves (Jn. 7:5). He never gave any indication that His purpose was to become a public figure.

On many occasions He worked hard to avoid publicity. He struggled at times to get away from the crowds to spend some time with His disciples. In order to have any personal quiet time, He got up “very early in the morning, while it was still dark” to find a solitary place (Mk. 1:35) and occasionally He spent the whole night in solitary prayer.

He was aware that a time would come when He would be thrust into public attention but repeatedly He acknowledged that His time “had not yet come” (Jn. 2:4; 7:6; 7:8; c.f. 7:30 and Mat. 26:18). He was faithful to His calling but awaited the appropriate moment. There was no ambition to become a public figure.

The response of the people, leaders included, fell into three categories. When they heard His words and saw His works, some concluded that He was a LIAR. While some thought He was “a good man”, others said, “No, he deceives the people” so how could He be good? He’s a liar (Jn. 7:12-13).

Others thought He was demon-possessed (7:20), a raving LUNATIC. They attributed His powers to Beelzebub and refused to acknowledge His authority. Anyone who claims to be God must be plumb crazy.

But some recognized Him as LORD. The question, “Is He the Christ?” was already circulating (Jn. 7:26; c.f. 4:29). Some thought He was the Prophet long prophesied (Jn. 7:40) while others believed “He is the Christ” (Jn. 7:41). One who did so was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, and one who’d had a personal encounter with Jesus (Jn. 3). The religious club couldn’t stand that. They ridiculed anyone who voiced a positive opinion, threatened such “mob thinking” with a curse, and tried to shut up even honest questions (Jn. 7:45-52).

When you have to resort to such measures, doesn’t that tell you something? The options really are limited. Either He is a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord of all. Which is it for you?