THE LORD SPOKE (March 18)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 17-19

This is an application, not an interpretation. It’s an allegory of sorts. The clear interpretation of Deuteronomy 17:15-20 has to do with God’s requirements for Israel’s kings. But here’s the connection: to Man has been given the “rule” over creation (Gen. 1:26-29; 2:15; 9:2). From this passage in Deuteronomy we can extract a lesson on how man is responsible to God to rule over the earth and his environment.

I. He is a REGAL SOVEREIGN.

He is “not a foreigner” - in our context, we need to recognize that we too are a part of God’s creation. We are part of the very creation over which we are placed as lords. You don’t have to be a “hug-a-tree” new-ager to appreciate that! We are responsible to rule over it, to provide for it, to use it, to not abuse it, but to enjoy it!

II. He is to be a REASONABLE SHAREHOLDER.

He is “not [to] acquire great numbers”. By law, no individual(s) should be allowed to monopolize the land or resources. Certainly none should waste or abuse resources, nor should he not allow others to do so. There’s an interesting paragraph written by Benjamin Franklin but eventually not included in the Declaration of Independence which says: “That an enormous proportion of property vested in a few individuals is dangerous to the rights and destructive of the common happiness of mankind; and therefore every free state hath a right by its laws to discourage the possession of such property.”

III. He should be a READY STUDENT.

The king was to “write...read...learn...follow” God’s commands as written down in Scripture. In our ecological context, we too should learn all about our environment, understand how it functions, do everything to make it work the way God intended for it, and love it!

IV. He must consider himself a RESPONSIBLE SUBJECT.

The king was to “not consider himself better...and turn”. He must understand that he is not above the law himself. Lex Rex not Rex Lex. Likewise, every individual must abide by the rules in order for creation to function properly. One must never think, “those laws apply to everybody else - not to me”.

Bible believers should be the best of ecologists because they have a biblical mandate. The Bible gives us the right to use the earth’s resources for our pleasure and benefit but never to abuse or waste them. If we don’t take these matters seriously, resources will be depleted and the earth a worse place to live. (A good rule of thumb: If everybody did just as I do, would this be a better world?)

Big job? You bet! But God has given it to us. C.S. Lewis said about the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953: “The pressing of that huge, heavy crown on that small, young head was a symbol of the situation of all men. God has called humanity to be His vice-regent and high priest on earth.”


New Testament: John 9

From the moment he received sight, he was embroiled in controversy. Because it took place on a Sabbath (Jn. 9:14), Jesus’ miracle of healing plunged him into conflict with the Pharisees. It even spilled over to his parents. They were called on the carpet for their son’s “sin” and, fearful of reprisals, they distanced themselves from their boy (Jn. 9:20-23). After all, they didn’t want to be kicked out of the synagogue.

Consider him for a moment. The process was rather messy. He had to grope his way to a very public place to wash the mud off his face. If anyone really could, he’d grown used to begging for his livelihood but now he could actually see the looks people cast his way. Or worse, the looks they wouldn’t give him, staring straight ahead or off to the unfocused side when they passed him on the street. He’d never felt like a whole person but now even his own parents didn’t want to be associated with him.

And the interrogations mounted. The many questions (Jn. 9:15, 15, 26) became increasingly harsh and accusatory. There was little attempt to conceal the desire for entrapment and self-incrimination. They needed someone to hold guilty for this outrage and Jesus Himself was always agonizingly beyond their reach. Their recriminations never seemed to bother Him.

Don’t you love the formerly blind man’s answers?! He starts with the perfect personal testimony that is still the most effective witness any man can possibly give:

• I don’t know all the fancy arguments but there’s one thing I know for sure. I used to be blind, but now I can see! (Jn. 9:25)

When they persist, even adding personal insults, he puts them on the spot with the very observation they should have been grappling with from the start:

• You can’t deny that a God-size miracle took place here. Why can’t you see (!) that God must be involved?

The irony was thick in the air. Here a formerly blind beggar was arguing with the religious authorities about spiritual sight. Be sure to notice his own progress in spiritual insight. He goes from seeing the Lord as...

1. “the man they call Jesus” (vs. 11), to...
2. “a prophet” (vs. 17), to...
3. one who could/should be followed by disciples (vs. 27), to...
4. One whom he worshiped (vs. 38).