A Few Thoughts on Micah 7:1-6

Micah 7:1-6 NLT How miserable I am! I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest who can find nothing to eat. Not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig can be found to satisfy my hunger. 2 The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brothers. 3 Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice. 4 Even the best of them is like a brier; the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns. But your judgment day is coming swiftly now. Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion. 5 Don't trust anyone—not your best friend or even your wife! 6 For the son despises his father. The daughter defies her mother. The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law. Your enemies are right in your own household!

The background

B1 Micah prophesied to Israel (the northern kingdom) and to Judah (the southern kingdom).

B2 Both are corrupt and evil. So evil that Samaria, the capital of Israel, is captured and destroyed. Later, Jerusalem, the capital of Judah will also be captured.

Micah is concerned with the amount and type of evil.

B1 The religious leaders are corrupt and evil.

B2 The political leaders are corrupt and evil.

B3 Just about everyone else is also corrupt and evil.

God warns people of their evil to convict people of their sins which will lead to repentance, and trusting in God for salvation. It is the same today.

In our passage above, the prophet laments the evil.

B1 Evil is stressful.

B2 Evil is overwhelming.

B3 Evil brings disorder.

B4 Evil brings panic which leads to loss of freedom and increasingly stupid decisions.

B5 Evil brings judgment.

The specific evils that Micah notes are

B1 Dishonesty

B2 Murder

B3 Bribery

B4 Injustice (described as twisting justice)

B5 Distrust

B6 Truth has all but disappeared

Passage

B1 Verse 1, the prophet describes his misery at the evil he sees.

C1 He is miserable, depressed, and experiencing loss of joy.

C2 He describes it as being hungry but harvest has finished. He cannot find any fruit to eat that he so enjoys.

C3 Hunger especially for one’s favorite foods is difficult.

B2 Verse 2, note how godly and honest are joined.

C1 The Hebrew word for godly is חָסִיד châçîyd. It means

D1 Referring to God as merciful and gracious.

D2 Referring to those who believe and trust in God as worshipers sharing those character traits with God.

D3 Referring to people: Psalm 12:1 NLT For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument. Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!

D4 Referring to God: Psalm 145:17 NLT The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.

D5 We are to have these character traits, too.

C2 The Hebrew word for honest is יָשָׁר yâshâr. It means something straight. In this case straight as on the narrow road that God himself travels. We are to be in the image of God as converted people. Romans 8:29 NIV For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

C3 Note that all are described as murderers. Pride leads to jealousy which leads to hate which leads to murder.

B3 Verse 3:

C1 Note how their evil is described as skilled. They have spent much time perfecting and practicing evil. God has a low opinion of these people: Deuteronomy 29:19-20 NLT Those who hear the warnings of this curse should not congratulate themselves, thinking, 'I am safe, even though I am following the desires of my own stubborn heart.' This would lead to utter ruin! 20 The LORD will never pardon such people. Instead his anger and jealousy will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will come down on them, and the LORD will erase their names from under heaven.

C2 These evil people, who have influence (politics, money, lust for control) make sure they have control by abuse and power.

C3 Justice gets twisted.

D1 Truth becomes whatever those in power claim it to be.

D2 Truth as reality is discarded.

D3 Truth is suppressed. Lying is exalted.

E1 2 Peter 3:16 NLT speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

E2 Colossians 3:9-11 NLT Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

B4 Verse 4:

C1 These people hurt others just like briers and thorns.

C2 Their actions will be punished. God sees and God revenges.

C3 Compare this prophecy about the anti-Christ: Daniel 7:25 NLT He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.

B5 Verse 5-6

C1 Be skeptical of everyone, even your family.

C2 Be careful. Be wary.

C3 Contrast that with God who is trustworthy and the Counselor of all counselors.

D1 God hears. God listens. When He answers is future. We don’t know when. Psalm 116:1-2 NIV I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

D2 1 Peter 3:12 NIV For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

D3 Proverbs 15:29 NIV The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

We learn about character traits

B1 God’s

C1 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

C2 2 Peter 1:3-8

C3 Galatians 5:22-23

B2 Devil’s

C1 Galatians 5:19-21

C2 Proverbs 6:16-19

C3 John 10:10

C4 John 8:44

Questions

B1 Why is society experiencing so many troubles?

B2 Why does racism exist?

B3 What is the cause/motive for these issues?

B4 What rules would make a safer society?

B5 Whose character traits should we emulate?

B6 Why is society falling apart?

1 Timothy 1:3-11

Oppose false teachers

B1 There are always false teachers.

B2 We must always be aware of the fact that there are false teachers. 2 Peter 2:1 NRSV But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

B3 Often false teachers appear to be the holiest people in the congregation.

C1 They have a fake holiness.

C2 They have a fake love.

C3 They have charisma in their presence, teaching, and leading.

C4 They have and love control over people.

C5 They can bully and shame people.

C6 They usually have secret lives.

C7 A few Bible examples

D1 2 Corinthians 11:3 CSB But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

D2 2 Timothy 2:16-18 CSB Avoid irreverent and empty speech, since those who engage in it will produce even more godlessness, 17 and their teaching will spread like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among them. 18 They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.

D3 Revelation 2:20 NRSV But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

B4 If we have studied, know, and believe the truth, we will spot them much more quickly.

C1 John 8:32 CSB "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

C2 It is part of God’s armor: Ephesians 6:14 CSB Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest.

C3 1 Thessalonians 5:21 CSB but test all things. Hold on to what is good.

B4 It is important and a responsibility of the pastor to know what other ,people believe and are teaching, so to warn the brothers and sisters.

B5 False teachers will

C1 Teach something false. Sometimes it is very subtle, so we must clarify at times. They may even change the common definition to what they want it to mean.

C2 Teach things that are speculation to be an important doctrine/s.

C3 Teach the Law (Torah) without even understanding what it really means and/or how it applies to the Christian. Compare the controversy in Acts 15:1-35.

C4 Use every method of Bible interpretation except the plain, normal sense consistently.

B6 This false teaching has an effect on the people leading to discussions, debates, disagreements, etc. so in effect diverting the people from what is important to what is not important.

B7 Paul teaches that the Law is useful for convicting a person of their sins by showing God’s holy standard of thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

1 Timothy 1:1-2

Chapter 1

1 Timothy 1:1-2

Greetings

B1 Paul identifies himself as Apostle writing to Timothy.

C1 Note that Paul’s call and commission came from God the Father and God the Son.

C2 The Father ordered it, and the Son called and commissioned Paul. Acts 22:7-10 EMTV And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 8 "So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' 9 "And those who were with me observed the light and became terrified, but they did not hear the voice of the *One* speaking to me. 10 So I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arise and go into Damascus, and it will be told to you about all the things which it has been appointed for you to do.'

C3 Jesus Christ is our hope.

D1 Hope is confidence.

D2 Confidence in salvation, forgiveness of sins, heaven after death, fellowship with God, holy angels, and believers.

D3 We can die in peace and rest in suffering.

B2 Timothy is identified as my true son in the faith.

C1 Son/child carries the idea of a young convert.

C2 We preach. God convicts. The individual responds.

C3 True son refers to the confidence Paul has in Timothy’s conversion and calling.

C4 The faith refers to the faith that Jesus taught. Jesus taught the Gospel, a belief system (doctrine), and a lifestyle (worldview). His way is always best.

D1 His wisdom is superior.

D2 His decisions are perfect and fair.

D3 His motives are pure, in truth, and with love.

B3 Grace, mercy, and peace.

C1 Grace is receiving what we do not deserve.

C2 Mercy is a grace of God that we do not deserve.

C3 Peace is another grace that flows out of God’s mercy.

C4 Grace leads to mercy which results in peace.

B4 Paul had preached the Gospel to Timothy.

B4 Timothy had been prepared from birth by his grandmother and mother.

B5 We can learn that grandparents and parents can have a great influence in the spiritual life of a child by reading and teaching the Scriptures.

B6 We can learn, too, that by memorizing Scripture as a child will be used later by the Holy Spirit to open their mind and heart to the Gospel.

A Few Thoughts About Racism

Defined

B1 the theory or opinion that a certain race or races of people, usu. one's own, are superior to others because of certain inborn characteristics. (Source)

B2 Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. (Source)

What the Bible teaches

B1 One race

C1 Acts 17:26 WPNT And from one blood He made every ethnic nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.

D1 Wilbur Pickering adds: Modern medicine has discovered this to be true; blood transfusions across racial boundaries are perfectly possible. Some 4.5% of the Greek manuscripts omit ‘blood’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). (Source See note 3 on Acts 17:26. This is a pdf download).

D2 Jamieson, Faussett, Brown notes: Holding with the Old Testament teaching, that in the blood is the life (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11; Deuteronomy 12:23), the apostle sees this life stream of the whole human race to be one, flowing from one source [Baumgarten]. (Source. Scroll down).

C2 Genesis 10:32 GNB All these peoples are the descendants of Noah, nation by nation, according to their different lines of descent. After the flood all the nations of the earth were descended from the sons of Noah.

C3 ISBE: The solidarity of the race may be said to be as distinctly a doctrine of science as it is of Scripture. It is implied in the account of the Creation and of the Deluge. It is strongly affirmed by Paul in his address to the Athenians (Acts 17:26), and is the foundation of the Biblical scheme of redemption (John 3:16). The human race in the Old Testament is described as "sons of Adam" (Deut 32:8 the King James Version), as derived from one pair (Genesis 1:27; 3:20), as having its origin in one individual (2:18; cf, 1 Corinthians 11:8, where woman is described as derived 'from man'). Hence the term "Adam" is applied to the race as well as to the individual (Genesis 1:26; 2:5, 7; 3:22, 24; 5:2); while in the New Testament this doctrine is applied to the history of redemption - Christ as the "second Adam" restoring what was lost in the "first Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 47-49).

B2 One attitude

C1 God wants all saved:

D1 John 3:16 WPNT Because God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes into Him should not be wasted but should have eternal life.

D2 Acts 10:34-35 NRSV Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

C2 God wants all. Compare the Christian family. Acts 2:43-47 NLT A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

B3 One Law

C1 Love neighbor as one’s self

D1 Leviticus 19:18 NRSV You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

D2 Matthew 5:43-45 NRSV You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

D3 Romans 13:10 NRSV Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

D4 How? Jesus answers with the illustration of the Good Samaritan.

E1 We learn that those who know the Mosaic Law best, frequently practice it the least.

E2 Those who are very religious are often only religious in words only, not in what they do.

E3 Those who are despised for their origins or family history by governments and society usually do help those in need.

E4 These are examples/principles for us to follow.

E5 Jesus lived the same as He taught. Compare Syrophoenician Woman (Mark 7:24ff), Roman officer (Luke 7:1ff), Gentile region of the Gadarenes (Mark 5:1ff), and a Samaritan city Sychar (John 4:1ff).

C2 Fair

D1 Treating all equally.

D2 Leviticus 19:15 NLT Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

D3 Deuteronomy 24:17 NLT True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow's garment as security for her debt.

D4 Deuteronomy 27:19 NLT Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'

D5 Proverbs 18:5 NLT It is not right to acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

D6 Isaiah 61:11 NLT The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.

D7 James 2:1-4 NRSV My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? 2 For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

D8 God does treat those who love God and keep His rules more than those who hate God and rebel against His rules.

C3 Treat all well

D1 Luke 6:31 NRSV Do to others as you would have them do to you.

D2 Proverbs 16:11 GNB The LORD wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.

The heart is what is important not the characteristics of one’s body.

B1 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

B2 Proverbs 21:2 NLT People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.

B3 1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

Jeremiah 17:10 NLT But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.

There is only one race.

Outward character traits mean nothing.

We are to show love and kindness to all.

We are to think and live God’s ways.

A Few Thoughts About Evidences That One is a Christian

A1 Outline

B1 Changed life

B2 Changed attitude

B3 Changed actions

B4 Changed habits

B5 Changed motivations

B6 Changed love

B7 Changed talk

B8 Changed reading

B9 Changed studying

B10 Changed friends

B11 Changed fellowship

B12 Changed family

A2 Changed life

B1 Before

C1 Self and sinful pleasure

C2 2 Timothy 3:2-4 EMTV For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, not loving what is good, 4 traitors, headstrong, having been puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

B2 After

C1 God and pleasing Him

C2 Hebrews 11:5-6 EMTV By faith Enoch was translated [so as] not to see death, "and he was not found, because God translated him"; for before his translation he had obtained witness that he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please [God], for it is necessary [for] the [one] approaching God to believe that He is, and that He becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

A4 Changed actions

B1 Before

C1 Seeks their own self.

C2 Romans 2:8 NIV But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

C3 Also read Psalm 10.

B2 After

C1 Seeks God.

C2 Psalms 63:1 BSB A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

A5 Changed habits

B1 Before

C1 Habits of thoughts, desires, words, and deeds that displease God.

C2 Proverbs 12:22 NIV The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

C3 Proverbs 6:16-19 NLT There are six things the LORD hates—no, seven things he detests: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

C4 1 Kings 21:25 CSB Still, there was no one like Ahab, who devoted himself to do what was evil in the LORD's sight, because his wife Jezebel incited him.

B2 After

C1 Habits of thoughts, desires, words, and deeds that please God.

C2 Psalms 15:2 BSB He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart.

C3 Romans 14:17-18 NLT For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too.

A6 Changed motivations

B1 Before

C1 This is desiring what is evil. The motive is to satisfy evil desire. Sometimes the motive is because they hate God and want to spite Him.

C2 Proverbs 21:2 NET All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.

C3 Romans 1:30 BSB slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.

B2 After

C1 Now desiring to do what is holy. They want fellowship with Him, want to serve Him, want to be with those who also want to work for Him.

C2 1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

A7 Changed love

B1 Before

C1 No love for God. Have love for anything else, especially themselves.

C2 John 5:42 GW But I know what kind of people you are. You don't have any love for God.

C3 Isaiah 5:20 NLT What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

B2 After

C1 Love God. This is seen in their actions in public and private.

C2 Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

C3 1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

A8 Changed talk

B1 Before

C1 Evil speaking in all forms. It includes deception in all forms.

C2 Psalm 52:3-4 NIV You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. 4 You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!

C3 Romans 3:13-14 NIV Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips. 14 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.

B2 After

C1 Now we want godly speaking in truth and kindness.

C2 Psalm 37:30-31 NET The godly speak wise words and promote justice. 31 The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip.

A9 Changed reading

B1 Before

C1 The eyes and mind want to see evil.

C2 Matthew 6:23 LEB But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark. Therefore if the light in you is darkness, how great [is] the darkness!

B2 After

C1 Now the desire is to see goodness and the other godly character traits.

C2 Psalms 119:37 GW Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Give me a new life in your ways.

A10 Changed studying

B1 Before

C1 Many study how to be evil.

C2 Micah 2:1 NLT What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.

B2 After

C1 Now we want to study God’s ways, thoughts, character traits, worldview, lifestyle, etc.

C2 Psalms 119:15 GW I want to reflect on your guiding principles and study your ways.

A11 Changed friends

B1 Before

C1 They want friends just like them.

C2 Psalms 50:18 GW When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery.

B2 After

C1 We want friends just like the Lord.

C2 Malachi 3:16 GW Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD paid attention and listened. A book was written in his presence to be a reminder to those who feared the LORD and respected his name.

A12 Changed fellowship

B1 Before

C1 A desire to be companions with evil people who hate God and His ways.

C2 Isaiah 1:23 NKJV Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

B2 After

C1 A desire to be with those like-minded people who love God and His ways.

C2 Psalm 119:63 NIV I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.

A13 Changed family

B1 Before

C1 Following evil examples and fellowships. Also in the Kingdom of Darkness.

C2 2 Kings 8:27 NLT Ahaziah followed the evil example of King Ahab's family. He did what was evil in the LORD's sight, just as Ahab's family had done, for he was related by marriage to the family of Ahab.

C3 Matthew 12:25-26 NIV Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

B2 After

C1 Following good examples and fellowships. Also in the Kingdom of God.

C2 Mark 10:28-30 NIV Then Peter spoke up, "We have left everything to follow you!" 29 "Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--along with persecutions--and in the age to come eternal life.

C3 1 John 3:1-2 NIV See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

2 Corinthians 5:17 EMTV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

A Few Thoughts About Righteous+Unrighteous Anger

Righteous versus Unrighteousness Anger

How do we know the difference?

Psalm 106:32-33 LITV And they angered Him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill for Moses because of them; 33 for they provoked his spirit, and he spoke rashly with his lips.

Both God and Moses were angry.

Both were angry at disobedient, unbelieving, rebellious Israel.

One was righteous anger—God.

One was unrighteous anger—Moses.

The difference appears

B1 God

C1 Is the King of all kings.

C2 Is the Lawgiver.

C3 Is the Judge.

B2 Moses

C1 Is the servant of God.

C2 Is the prophet of God.

C3 Is governor under God’s authority.

There was a situation, a need, an appeal, a decision, and a command. God delegated to Moses.

Numbers 20:2, 6-12 WEB There was no water for the congregation; and they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron...6 Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and fell on their faces. Yahweh’s glory appeared to them. 7 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it pour out its water. You shall bring water to them out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.” 9 Moses took the rod from before Yahweh, as he commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Moses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice, and water came out abundantly. The congregation and their livestock drank. 12 Yahweh said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t believe in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.

Moses did not follow the command of God. He disobeyed by hitting the rock instead of speaking to it. God told Moses that he did not honor God.

B1 Moses did not believe God or sanctify God.

C1 Believe God in this sense is to obey. Obedience shows we believe. Adam did not obey, which shows he did not believe.

C2 Sanctify God in the sense of showing God’s holiness. Just a word is needed without any human effort to strike the rock.

B2 Honoring God is related to recognizing that He is God, giving Him credit for all He has done, and thanking Him. Moses did not honor God by disobedience.

C1 Romans 1:20-21 NKJV For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

C2 Regarding Messiah: Daniel 7:13-14 NLT As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

B3 In the College Press, it is written on Numbers 20:12:

Initially it appears that Moses will do exactly as the Lord has asked. He gathers the assembly and, after rebuking them by labelling them rebels, addresses himself to the problem. And what was his sin? Some have pointed to the fact that Moses used the plural “we” in reference to the miracle soon to be performed, thus seeming to equate his part in the miracle with the Lord’s; or, to say the least, sharing somewhat in it. Others point to the fact that Moses struck the rock twice, whether motivated by anger, righteousness, or impatience; still others remind us that he was told only to speak to the rock, and should not have touched it at all, Any one of these might have been enough, but if we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, God Himself refers to Moses’ failure to glorify His name (Num_20:12), thus singling out the greatest offense.

I’m sure I would have done the same as Moses.

Nevertheless, the anger that Moses had, led to a bad decision with serious consequences. Numbers 20:12 CSB But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust me to demonstrate my holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.

Moses’ anger was unrighteous because it caused wrong actions. He disobeyed God.

The Lord Jesus had righteous anger. Let us study Him. (This is adapted from 6 Things That Made Jesus Angry).

B1 At hypocrites. God is interested in truth. We must be true. Matthew 7:3-5 EMTV And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not notice the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how will you say to your brother, 'Permit me to remove the speck from your eye'; and look, there is a plank in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother's eye.

B2 At greed. Many problems are caused by greed. We are to love God and His ways (fellowship, worldview, character traits, and lifestyle) more than money or anything. John 2:14-16 EMTV And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers sitting there. 15 And having made a scourge out of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and He poured out the coins of the moneychangers, and He overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those selling the doves, "Take these things away from here! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"

B3 Non-committal. We need to be one way or another. What is our real commitment to God? Revelation 3:15-16 EMTV I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 Therefore, since you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.

B4 Hardheartedness. Refusing to believe God and His ways. Mark 3:5 EMTV And looking around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

B5 Superiority. This is pride. The idea is, “I’m better than you.”

C1 Matthew 23:4 EMTV For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they do not desire to move them with their finger.

C2 Luke 18:11-14 EMTV The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I tithe on all things, as many as I acquire.' 13 And the tax collector, standing far away, would not so much as lift his eyes towards heaven, but beat on his chest, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 I say to you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.

B6 Practicing religious duties publicly for others to see and praise them. Matthew 6:5-6 EMTV And whenever you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and on the streetcorners, so that they may be seen by men. Assuredly I say to you, that they receive their reward in full. 6 But you, whenever you pray, enter into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly.

We learn:

B1 When God speaks, take Him literally, at His word. He speaks to us in the writings of Scripture.

B2 Disobedience is easy.

B3 High emotional states can lead to poor thinking, which leads to poor actions, which leads to poor outcomes, which lead to difficulties for all.

B4 We are not to modify God’s plan.

B5 God gives us grace to do what is for every need. 2 Corinthians 12:9 GNB But his answer was: "My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak." I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

God help us all.

A resource of interest: How Anger Affects Our Body (pdf)

A Few Thoughts About Deaconesses

Updated 22 May 20

Is it Scriptural?

Definition

One who serves the church of God (the believers in Jesus Christ) under the direction of the pastors/elders.

Scriptures

B1 Romans 16:1-2 WEL I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Cenchrea, 2 So you may welcome her in the Lord in a worthy manner as saints and assist her in whatever matter she has need of you, for she has been a helper to many including me.

B2 Other Scriptures mention deacons but otherwise not much is said. It is safe to imply the qualifications of deacon to be applied to deaconess.

Other ancient literature

B1 Pliny in his letter to the Emperor Trajan:

Even this, they affirmed, they had ceased to do after my edict by which, in accordance with your instructions, I had forbidden political associations. Accordingly, I judged it all the more necessary to find out what the truth was by torturing two female slaves who were called deaconesses.

B2 Likewise a number of times in the Apostolic Constitutions as here:

For let the bishop preside over you as one honoured with the authority of God, which he is to exercise over the clergy, and by which he is to govern all the people. But let the deacon minister to him, as Christ does to His Father; and let him serve him unblameably in all things, as Christ does nothing of Himself, but does always those things that please His Father. Let also the deaconess be honoured by you in the place of the Holy Ghost, and not do or say anything without the deacon; as neither does the Comforter say or do anything of Himself, but gives glory to Christ by waiting for His pleasure. And as we cannot believe in Christ without the teaching of the Spirit, so let not any woman address herself to the deacon or bishop without the deaconess. (ii 26)

Notes

B1 Duties of deacons/deaconess

C1 A helper for their fellow Christians. Phoebe was a helper to Paul and the local church. Note that she was of the church, so probably she was a church recognized church leader.

C2 Assist with financial matters of church, that is, believers.

C3 Assist sick, helpless, homeless, etc.

C4 Teach the Gospel, what we believe (doctrine), and how we should live (worldview and lifestyle). This is according to Scriptures as given by Jesus Christ directly or through the Apostles, prophets, and prophetesses of the New Testament era (only so because the Apostles could authenticate the teaching because they had personally been taught by Jesus).

C5 Evangelize (aren't we all?)

B2 Qualifications:

C1 Godly character: 1 Timothy 3:8-12 WEL In the same way, deacons must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to lots of wine, not greedy for filthy money, 9 Keeping the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 Let these also first be proven, then, if found blameless, let them have the position of a deacon. 11 In the same way, women must be dignified, not slanderers, free from the influence of wine, totally faithful. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.

D1 Dignified, that is, of good character.

D2 Sincerity, that is, not two-faced

D3 Not addicted to alcohol

D4 Not greedy, that is, does not have the love of money

D5 Know, acknowledge, be committed to the truth of Biblical Christianity as taught by the Lord Jesus

E1 Knowledge of Bible

E2 Knowledge of Theology

E3 Knowledge of Practical Theology

E4 Knowledge of God’s rules in the New Testament

E5 Knowledge of how to live the Christian life

E6 Knowledge of godly counsel

E7 Knowledge of finances

E8 Knowledge of how to study, apply, live, and teach the Bible

E9 Knowledge of the faith in order to defend the faith

D6 Be tested, that is, not a new Christian, but one who has lived the Christian life for a few years and has faced the trials of life and remained faithful. The Apostles were with the Lord Jesus for 3 years, so was Paul.

D7 If married, the spouse must also be committed to Jesus Christ.

E1 Good character,

E2 Not be a gossiper

E3 Sober (not addicted to alcohol or drugs) God wants us to have a clear mind at all times, so that we will be alert to make good decisions and to recognize spiritual and physical dangers.

E4 Honest in everything,

E5 Only one spouse

E6 If children, then obedient.

D8 Full of wisdom (not worldly wisdom but Godly wisdom)

C2 Godly wisdom: James 3:17-18 WEL But the wisdom that is from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, approachable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and without hypocrisy. 18 Moreover, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

D1 Pure

E1 Pure has the idea of pure in God’s eyes and opinion. Pure is purged and made clean. The only pure is something that is down by God alone.

F1 Acts 15:9 NIV He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

F2 Hebrews 9:13-14 NRSV For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

E2 It is consistent thinking and acting according to God’s rules. 1 Corinthians 15:58 BSB Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

E3 It is a purity of thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D2 Peaceful, that is, not a bully or trying to start a fight

D3 Gentle Even when needing to rebuke. The object is to have one see the error of their ways, repent, and be restored. We must think like Jesus.

D4 Willingly to yield, instead of being stubborn and pushy for one’s own thinking.

D5 Compassion, that is showing mercy, not giving what one deserves.

D6 Full of good deeds.

E1 This would be helping the brethren with needs. Some examples would be moving, house cleaning, mowing, driving to an appointment, balancing a checkbook, etc. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod describes their ministry as:

Where do deaconesses serve?

Deaconesses serve primarily in three settings:

Missions — both foreign and domestic;

Congregations — teaching, visiting the sick and imprisoned, or serving in family or other caring ministry; and

Institutions — serving as chaplains in hospitals, prisons, retirement communities, and facilities that care for people with developmental disabilities.

In order for a deaconess to be endorsed as an LCMS institutional chaplain, she first must complete a master’s degree in theology along with four units of clinical pastoral education (CPE). As an institutional chaplain, a deaconess provides valuable spiritual care to those she encounters, complementing the Word and Sacrament ministry of an ordained pastor.

E2 Remember the deacons are to be ready for this, too. If they cannot themselves, they arrange for someone to help.

D7 Free from prejudice. They need to treat all with compassion and according to God’s standard of loving our neighbor.

D8 Free from hypocrisy

C3 Not having earthly wisdom

D1 James 3:14-16 WEL If you have bitter envying and self-ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This [kind of] wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, sensual, [and] devilish. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there [is] disorder and every evil work.

E1 Jealous (of others in any way but especially abilities, etc.)

E2 Bitterness (long-standing anger may result in bitterness)

E3 Selfish

E4 Arrogant about one’s own wisdom(?) as compared to God’s wisdom.

E5 Leads to disorder and every kind of evil.

D2 Philippians 3:17-20 GW Brothers and sisters, imitate me, and pay attention to those who live by the example we have given you.18 I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things. 20 We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior.

E1 Their real god is themselves and pleasure.

E2 Pride of what they should be ashamed of

E3 Thinking of things belonging to this world (power, fame, glory)

C4 Full of the Holy Spirit (that is submitted to Jesus Christ and willing to obey the Scriptures at all cost).

D1 Full in the sense of the fruit of the Holy Spirit

D2 Full in the sense of dedication to God, His kingdom, and all His ways (thus God’s character traits, likes and dislikes, attitudes, desires, etc.)

D3 Full in the sense of ministry effect. Is there just emotional dedication and change from their ministry, or is there a life changing dedication and change from their ministry?

Guidelines

B1 Counsel and console

C1 Counsel by the help of the Holy Spirit:

D1 Proverbs 18:4 NLT Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

E1 They know how to listen, ask wise questions, and evaluate the real intent and problem.

E2 When asked, or occasionally offered, give godly advice.

D2 Proverbs 20:5 GNB A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.

D3 Proverbs 8:12-14 NIV I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. 13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

D4 This would include financial, emotional, spiritual, etc.

D5 The so-called Biblical Counseling is abusive. A true deacon/deaconess will avoid it.

E1 Biblical Counseling and Domestic Abuse

E2 Your Christian counselor may destroy your marriage (Abuse series part 8)

C2 Console

D1 This is prophesied of the Messiah Yeshua, but the Holy Spirit gives a measure that all of us can do the following. God gives the grace. A deacon/deaconess will have a greater ministry in this area because of the graces given by the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 61:1-2 NIV The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.

D2 Philemon 1:7 GNB Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.

C3 Counsel believers regarding any afflictions, situations, difficulties, and questions that they may have.

C4 Counsel believers on financial matters that the Bible teaches about.

B2 Be church administrator, be responsible for church finances, and other helps in the church.

B3 Work in and for the church/assembly/congregation. Philippians 4:3 NKJV And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Objections

B1 No Bible verse explicitly mentions the office of deaconess.

C1 Roman 16:1 is highly suggestive of it, plus verses speaking of women who have helped in the furtherance of the Gospel. Phoebe is addressed officially.

C2 The word “servant” used here is diakonos and is used in the letters that Paul wrote consistently referring to church officials.

C3 The word their is not in the Greek. Likewise, refers to both a deacon and a deaconess; they are parallel.

B2 The passage in 1 Timothy 3 refers to men only (husbands of one wife).

C1 So? The argument from silence that is, since it is not mentioned means it is wrong is possible.

C2 Again the word “their” as in “their wives” is not in the Greek. If it is their wives, then why aren't the wives of elders mentioned?

C3 Wilbur Pickering notes:

That's what the Text says, just 'women'—no article and no possessive pronoun. Because Paul returns to the deacons in verse 12, most versions take the reference here to be to their wives, but the grammatical construction of verse 11 is parallel to that of verse 8, which is parallel to verse 2. I take it that the grammar obliges us to see a third office in the congregation, one filled by women—deaconesses, or something of the sort. Counseling women can be dangerous for a man; certain matters are best handled by a mature, sanctified woman; if she has an official standing in the congregation, so much the better.

C4 I might add that women do understand women better than men.

B3 1 Timothy 3 was written late in the first century, so there can’t be deaconesses? Huh?

Articles

B1 Deacons and deaconesses by Gregory Brown

B2 This article has much information, but as always beware. Why Have Women Deacons?

B3 deaconesses

B4 For further reading how the deaconesses minister is here.

Conclusion

B1 Christian women can be deaconesses.

B2 It is practical.

B3 It is spiritual for meeting the needs of the saints.