IT'S EASY TO FORGET

It would have been so easy in the midst of all the festivities of the festival celebrations to forget some of the menial tasks that had to be attended to. There were all the practical matters related to everyday living and the conduct of the services during the  festivals that needed to be taken care of. Oil for the lamps and bread for the offerings are especially mentioned for example.

   The LORD said to Moses, “Command the people of Israel to provide you with  pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually … You must bake twelve loaves of bread from choice flour, using three quarts of flour for each loaf. Place the bread in the LORD’s presence on the pure gold table, and arrange the loaves in two rows, with six in each row.” (vs. 1-2, 5-6)

Allen Ross[1] notes that …

   The ruling about oil and bread was a necessary and helpful addition to the preceding instructions, because in all the activities of these festivals these basic things might have been overlooked. The provision of oil for the light and the presentation of bread for the table were part of the worshippers’ contribution to the sanctuary. Making sure that the lamp was lit every day and that bread was brought every week stresses the day-in-day-out service of the holy place, for these activities might not have been so carefully attended during the year as they were during the great festivals.

There is a lesson here for all of us, a reminder that there are always practical matters to be taken care of for family life to function as it ought to. A reminder not to neglect …

THE EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD TASKS (vs. 1-9)

Food Preparation Would Come High On The List Of Basics

Martha and her sister Mary are often seen in this role, although Martha was prone to worrying too much, while Mary seemed to be more concerned with relationships. Jesus and the disciples were often welcome guests in the family home. For example on this occasion, when we Martha, for all her home making skills, was perhaps more prone to worry about how the meal would go, whereas Mary seems to have been more concerned with relationships …

   As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. (Luke 10:38-40a)

Among the qualities King Lemuel attributes to the ‘virtuous and capable wife’ we find this mention of a person who takes great care in preparing food for her family. “She is like a merchant’s ship, she brings her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household … ” (Proverbs 31:14-15a) And Paul reminds the young pastor Timothy to remind the members of the church under his care of the responsibility to adequately provide the means for caring for their families.

   Give the people these instructions too, that none may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:7-8)

And then there is …

A Willingness To Offer Hospitality.

This is another of the qualities mentioned in the Proverb quoted above, “She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20) Paul and his co-workers always appreciated the hospitality shown them as they travelled. For example the hospitality given them during Paul’s second missionary journey while teaching in Philippi. Luke writes in his journal …

   From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and next day on to Neapolis. From there we travelled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of the district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

   On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened here heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptised, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.”  And she persuaded us. (Acts 16:11-15 NIV)

Both Paul and Peter remind us in their letters to not neglect the ministry of hospitality in the midst of our busy lives. They rate hospitality on the same level as any other ministry.

   Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful. When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or if they need lodging, for the night. (Romans 12:9-13)

   The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

   God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Another of the basics not to be forgotten in daily living would be …

Attention To Household Matters

Keeping the house clean and tidy would be high on the list of practical matters not to be forgotten during the festival celebrations, and also for us today in what is often the hectic round of our church activities. The provision and mending of clothing would also be there. Here is another of the attributes of the good homemaker.

   She finds wool and flax and busily spins it … She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains. Her lights burn late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.  (Proverbs 31:13, 17-19)

In the days of the apostles, house churches came into being as the fruit of their teaching in many places. For Priscilla and Aquila in Rome for example, this would have meant making sure that all was in readiness in their home for the services—mats and cushions all in place for the guests, floors swept, food prepared, none of the practical matters forgotten. Paul made special mention of this down to earth couple in his letter to the Christians in Rome, also when writing from Ephesus[2] to those in Corinth.

   Greet Priscilla and Aquila. They have been co-workers in my ministry for Christ Jesus. In fact, they risked their lives  for me. I am not the only one who is thankful to them, so are all the Gentile churches. Please give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. (Romans 16:3-4)

    The churches here in the province of Asia greet you heartily in the Lord, along with Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. The other believers here have asked me to greet you for them. Greet each other in Christian love. (1 Corinthians 16:19-20)

Just as the people of Israel were not to forget the basic household tasks in the busy days of the festival celebrations, so are we today not to forget the basics in the life of the church. Yes, there are practical matters to be taken care of each week—getting the building ready, making sure the amplification system is working, and a multitude of other tasks to be attended to. Equally important among these basics is … 

THE TEACHING OF THE SCRIPTURES

Church members can become so busy in church activities that little energy is left for paying attention to the teaching. Pastors too can find that so much time is taken up in ‘running the church’ that they have limited time for study and preparation. Paul was so concerned that this might happen to Timothy that he made mention of it in one of his letters to the young pastor. It seems that false teachers had been stirring up confusion among the believers and there was a need for Timothy not to get caught up in it but to concentrate on teaching the Scriptures.

   Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and particularly of those who believe.

   Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

   Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecies spoken to you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:7-16)

The apostles were confronted with the problem of preserving time for study and teaching when a problem arose over who should be doing what in the church. Notice how the problem was solved.

   But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers.

   “We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program,” they said. “Now look around among yourselves, friends, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business. Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word.”

   This idea pleased the whole group … (Acts 6:1-5a)

Several pictures come to mind that illustrate the importance of not forgetting this basic ingredient in the life of the church, the teaching of the Scriptures.

There Is A Light To Keep Burning

One psalmist included these lines in his song that spoke of the importance of the Scriptures in his life.

   “Forever O LORD, your word stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your laws remain true today, for everything serves your plans. If your law hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for you have used them to restore  my joy and health … Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:89-93, 105)

There have been occasions in the history of Christianity when attempts have been made to extinguish that light. Sadly, many of these have come from within the church of the day. Men like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale for example, met intense opposition while they were translating the Scriptures into English.

To keep the tabernacle lamps burning during the festival celebrations, it was essential to keep up the supply of oil. This is why …

   The LORD said to Moses, “Command the people to provide you with pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually. Aaron will set it up outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle and must arrange to have the lamps tended continually, from evening until morning before the LORD. (vs. 1-3a)

There is a picture here of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as the oil kept the lamps alight, so the Holy Spirit lights up the Scriptures as we read. He is the one who gives insight as we read, just as Jesus promised.

   When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas, he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me. All that the Father has is mine, this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me. (John 16:13-15)

When we pray as the psalmist did, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law,”[3] it is the Holy Spirit, working like the oil in the tabernacle lamps, who lights up the Scriptures for us.

How essential it is then, to keep the oil topped up in our lives. That is, in the anticipation of his imminent return, to keep on relying on the Holy Spirit to give us light as we read the Scriptures. Jesus told this story to his disciples …

   “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all lay down and slept. At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and welcome him!’

   All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’

   But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ But he called back, ‘I don’t know you!’

   So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return. (Matthew 25:1-13)

Whenever Scripture teaching has been forbidden or neglected, the quality of church life declines and indeed that of the nation. Azariah, one of the prophets of old in Israel, reminded his people of a time when they were ‘without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without God’s law.’

   Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, and he went out to meet king Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. For a long time, Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without God’s law.

   But whenever you were in distress and turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him out, you found him. During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the nation on every hand. Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling you with every kind of problem. And now, you men of Judah, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:1-7)

We read of an earlier time, when teaching from the Scriptures was not entirely lacking, but was greatly diminished. It was the time when God was preparing young Samuel to fill the gap.

   Meanwhile, the boy Samuel was serving the LORD by assisting Eli. Now in those days messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had just gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the LORD called out, “Samuel! Samuel!” (1 Samuel 3:1-4a)

The scene is one in which the nation is far from God. The historical record tells us that “In those days there was no king in Israel, everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”[4] Few were listening to God, so that ‘in those days messages from the LORD were very rare.’ There was, as Amos wrote of another time, “… a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD.”[5] Charles Ryrie calls the time of the Judges ‘one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history.’[6] And now in the quietness of the night God is calling to Samuel. At first Samuel thinks that it is Eli calling out to him. And so he went quickly to Eli thinking that he may need something. After all, the priest was ninety eight years old and blind as well as being very much overweight. He may have had a stroke, or perhaps a life threatening heart attack. But after being told that Eli had not called for him Samuel went back to bed as he was told. This happened several more times until at last …

   Samuel did not yet know the LORD because he had never had a message from the LORD before. So now the LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. “Here I am,” he said. “What do you need?”

   Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Yes LORD, your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went back to bed.

   And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!’

   And Samuel replied, “Yes, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:7-10)

That night, as the lamp of God in the tabernacle shone dimly in the darkness but was not yet extinguished, Samuel began his lifelong ministry of teaching and administration. He later became the leader, if not the actual founder, of a student body who taught from the Scriptures as they studied. Edward Young[7] writes of Samuel’s involvement with this group.

   They arose during the lifetime of Samuel, after his childhood. In all probability they owed their origin to him, although the Scripture does not explicitly declare this … in 1 Samuel 19:20 he is pictured as the leader of the group. Its direction, at least, was under him … During Samuel’s lifetime we may witness the downfall of the sanctuary at Shiloh … No one, apparently, stood in a position of such high respect as did Samuel, and it was evidently he who thus brought into being the bodies known as schools of the prophets. Thus an attempt was made to check the declining religious life of the nation and to bring it back to the law of God.

Samuel himself lived in his own home in Ramah. From this base he travelled extensively as he taught the Scriptures and involved himself with the problems of his people. The biblical historian writes of this ministry …

   Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you are really serious about wanting to return to the LORD, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the LORD, then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” So the Israelites destroyed their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshipped only the LORD.

   Then Samuel told them, “Come to Mizpah, all of you. I will pray to the LORD for you.” So they gathered there and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the LORD. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the LORD. So it was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel’s judge …

   Samuel continued as Israel’s judge for the rest of his life. Each year he travelled around, setting up his court first at Bethel, then at Gilgal, and then at Mizpah. He judged the people of Israel at each of these places. Then he would return to his home at Ramah, and he would hear cases there too. And Samuel built an altar to the LORD at Ramah. (1 Samuel 7:3-6, 15-17)

Teachers like Samuel are still needed today in these times of deep spiritual darkness. Like it was in the times of Samuel the lamp of God is shining dimly in so many places but, as John wrote of the coming of Christ, that light has not, and never can be extinguished.

   In the beginning, the Word[8] already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn’t make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

   God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light. He was only a witness to the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world. (John 1:1-9)

Those who served in the tabernacle were instructed to carry out their duties in an orderly manner. A special place was designated for the lampstand, the oil had to be replaced regularly. The LORD said to Moses, “Command the people of Israel to provide you with pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually. Aaron will set it up outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle and must arrange to have the lamps tended continually, from evening until morning, before the LORD.” (vs. 1-3a) This and all the other activities had to be done methodically, as Paul would say of church activities many years later, “But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.”[9] Likewise …

The Truths Of Scripture Ought To Be Presented In An Orderly And Logical Way

Just as the doctor and Biblical historian Luke did for Theophilus.

   Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4 NIV)

Solomon also noted how important it is for a teacher to get his material in order if the presentation of it is to inspire his students.

   Because the teacher was wise, he taught the people everything he knew. He collected proverbs and classified them. Indeed, the teacher taught the plain truth, and he did so in an interesting way.

   A wise teacher’s words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd.

   But, my child, be warned: There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting. (Ecclesiastes 11:9-12)

Patience is required in teaching, especially when people have difficulty in accepting what is being taught. Paul reminded Timothy of this when he wrote to the young pastor …

   Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. The Lord’s servants must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach effectively and be patient with difficult people. They should gently teach those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will believe the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the Devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)

A teacher must also have confidence in the truth and relevance of what he is teaching. Peter expresses such confidence when he writes to fellow believers …

   I plan to keep on reminding you of these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth. Yes, I believe I should keep on reminding you of these things  as long as I live. But the Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that my days here on earth numbered and I am soon to die. So I will work hard to make these things clear to you. I want you to remember them long after I am gone.

   For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes. And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God’s glorious voice called down from heaven, “This is my beloved Son. I am pleased with him.” We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain.

   Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place—until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. (2 Peter 1:12-21)

As well as there being a light to be kept burning …

There Are Truths To Be Hammered Home

While false prophets are hammering on the door claiming to have God’s message, the Lord looks to his ‘true messengers’ to proclaim his word, liking its force to that of a hammer when he says …

   “I have not sent these prophets, yet they claim to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they prophesy. If they had listened to me, they would have spoken my words and turned my people from their evil ways. Am I a God who is only in one place?” asks the LORD, “Do they think I cannot see what they are doing? Can anyone hide from me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” asks the LORD.

   “I have heard these prophets say,’ Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name. How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshipping the idols of Baal. Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between chaff and wheat! Does not my word burn like fire?” asks the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:21-29)

There is nothing of substance in the dreams of the false prophets, no weight in their arguments to break the hard hearts, to soften the resistance of the cynics and the rebellious. Only the powerful strikes of God’s word can do that. Paul had the picture of the hammer in mind when he said, “I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—Jews first and also Gentiles.” (Romans 1:16)

Another of the instructions in this twenty fourth chapter of Leviticus reminding the people not to forget the basics, draws another picture for us of that primary need in our churches, to not neglect the teaching of the Scriptures.

There Is Bread To Be Carefully Set Before The People

Notice once again the orderliness in the arrangement of the bread as it is put on the table.

   “You must bake twelve loaves of bread from choice flour, using three quarts of flour for each loaf. Place the bread in the LORD’s presence on the pure gold table, and arrange the loaves in two rows, with six in each row … Every Sabbath day, this bread must be laid out before the LORD on behalf of the Israelites as a continual part of the covenant.” (vs. 5-6, 8)

Just as bread sustained him physically, Jeremiah tells us how God’s Word sustained and strengthened him in his spiritual life. Like bread, it was there to be eaten.

   You understand, O LORD. Remember me and care for me. Avenge me on my persecutors. You are long suffering—do not take me away. Think of how I suffer reproach for your sake. When your words came, I ate them. They were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. (Jeremiah 15:15-16 NIV)

Some however seem to prefer milk. Milk is sufficient for the newborn. Both Peter drew from this symbol when encouraging new Christians to go on to maturity.

   Therefore, rid yourself of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:1-2)

Paul however, was concerned that there were people in the church in Corinth who remained on the milk diet of infants, instead of looking for the solid food needed for growth in the Christian life.

   Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food because you couldn’t handle anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The apostle John tells us of an occasion when a large crowd had gathered to see what Jesus could do for them. After seeing what he had done in healing others, they had followed him into the hills rising up from the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had something he wanted to teach his disciples about him being ‘The Bread of Life’ and so …

   Turning to Philip, he asked, “Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip for he already knew what he was going to do.

   Philip replied, “It would take a small fortune to feed them!”

   Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

   “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus ordered. So all of them—the men alone numbered five thousand—sat down on the grassy slopes. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and passed them out to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate until they were full. “Now gather leftovers,” Jesus told his disciples, “so that nothing is wasted.” There were only five barley loaves to start with, but twelve baskets were filled with the pieces of bread the people did not eat! (John 6:5b-13)

The next day, on the other side of the lake, the crowds gathered again, wanting to find out more about this person Jesus. Hoping for further miracles from him they said to Jesus,

   “What does God want us to do?”

   Jesus told them, “This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent.”

   They replied, “You must show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What will you do for us? After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! As the Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”

   Jesus said, “I assure you. Moses didn’t give them bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

   “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day of our lives.”

   Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.” (John 6:28-35)

Just as God provided food for the people of Israel as they journeyed towards the land promised them, just as Jesus provided food for those people in the hills above the lake, so he provides spiritual food those who believe in him. He himself is that ‘bread of life.’

The teaching never to be neglected in the ministry of the church is therefore, is teaching in which Christ is central, for he is what the Scriptures are all about. He is the Messiah spoken of throughout the Scriptures. Speaking with two of his followers after joining them as they walked home to Emmaus after visiting Jerusalem, Jesus taught them about himself from the Scriptures. Responding to their account of recent events in the city …

   Jesus said to them, “You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his time of glory?” Then Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself. (Luke 24:25-27)

Later back in Jerusalem with those two from Emmaus, his eleven chosen disciples (the other disciple Judas had committed suicide by now) and other followers, Jesus asked them to tell pass on this teaching to people everywhere.

   Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.” The he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. And he said. “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.’ You are my witnesses of all these things.

   And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” (Luke 24:44-49)

Teaching of the Scriptures then, is one of the basics not to be neglected in the church of today, pictured for us in this twenty forth chapter of Leviticus—in the lampstand set up ‘outside the inner curtain of the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle,’ and in the bread placed ‘in the LORD’s presence on the pure gold table.’

Another of the basics not to be forgotten is this …

DON’T BE AFRAID TO DISCIPLINE (vs. 10-23)

The lesson to be learned from this section is that leaders are responsible to exercise discipline wherever and whenever wrongdoing occurs. Those who break the rules must learn that there is always consequences to follow. Neither exercising discipline, nor accepting it is ever easy. Parents are well aware of this. It is essential however if there is to be harmony in the home and well being for the one being disciplined. It is equally important that discipline be enacted by national leaders if stability is to be maintained. Solomon has both home and nation in mind as he writes …

   Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken without repair. When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted. A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it …

   A king who is fair to the poor will have a long reign. To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. When the wicked are in authority sin increases. But the godly will live to see the tyrant’s downfall. Discipline your children and they will give you happiness and peace of mind. When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy. For a servant mere words are not enough—discipline is needed. For the words may be understood, but they are not heeded. (Proverbs 29:1-4, 14-19)

The author of a devotional treatise written especially for people who had grown up trusting in a human priesthood for the forgiveness of their sins, writes of how hard it is to accept discipline, quoting firstly from a book of Jewish proverbs.

   “My child, don’t ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children.”[10]

   As you endure this divine discipline remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and you are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever?

   For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

   So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong. (Hebrews 12:5b-13)

Several matters calling for discipline are mentioned here in this twenty fourth chapter of Leviticus. Discipline is to be exercised in the case of …

Blasphemy (vs. 10-16, 23)

Blasphemy is listed as one of the eight “don’ts” of the ten commandments.

   Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. (Exodus 20:7)

A case of blasphemy being uttered during a fight between a young man of mixed birth and an Israelite is given as an example of blasphemy. We read of the event …

   One day a man who had an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father got into a fight with one of the Israelite men. During the fight, this son of an Israelite woman blasphemed the LORD’s name. So the man was brought to Moses for judgment. His mother’s name was  Shelomith. She was the daughter of Dibri of the tribe of Dan. They put the man in custody until the LORD’s will in the matter should become clear. (vs. 10-12)

Blasphemy is defined as ‘uttering a curse against someone, to hurl abuse against someone, to dishonor, slander, spurn, treat with contempt, to revile.’ Blasphemy against the Lord is nastiness at its very worst. In the heat of the moment, the man referred to above cursed the one he was fighting with in the name of the Lord, and so was judged to have ‘blasphemed the name of the LORD.’

The consequence for the unrepentant blasphemer in Israel was the death penalty.

   Then the LORD said to Moses, “… Anyone who blasphemes the LORD’s name must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel.” Any Israelite or foreigner among you who blasphemes the LORD’s name will surely die. (vs. 16)

Forgiveness Is Always Possible

Although there is always a consequence, it is good to remember that forgiveness is possible. Paul provides us with an example of one who experienced such forgiveness and the change in his life that followed. He writes of this in one of his letters to Timothy.

   I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

   Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:12-16 NIV)

As he wrote to Timothy, Paul would have been thinking back to the time on the road to Damascus when his murderous intentions were dramatically halted. Luke records his experience for us. At that time he was known as Saul.

   Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into jail … Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers, so he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

   As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down on him! He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

   “Who are you sir??” Saul asked.

   And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

   The men with Saul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice, but they saw no one! As Saul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days. And all that time he went without food and water. (Acts 8:3, 9:1-9)

And so it was that the man who would have strode into Damascus defiantly is led by the hand into the city. There, instead of being able to carry out his plans to destroy the church, he is left for three days to ponder the revelation he had been given. Humbled and repentant he is ready to change course. The Lord had “a believer in Damascus named Ananias,”[11] ready to help Paul begin his new life as a Christian. Ananias counseled Paul regarding the direction his life would now take. As Paul listened to Ananias, the way of salvation through the sacrificial death of Christ, as it fulfilled and replaced the old sacrificial system that Saul had been vigorously fighting for, became clear to him as the Lord opened his eyes of sight and of spiritual understanding.

   So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you may get your sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptised. Afterward he ate some food and was strengthened.

   Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God.”

   And all who heard him were amazed, “Isn’t this the same man who persecuted Jesus’ followers with such devastation in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And we understand that he came here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests.”

   Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. (Acts 9:17-22) 

But Blasphemy Against The Holy Spirit Is Unforgivable

Along with all kinds of sin, blasphemy can be forgiven but with one exception—when it is directed against the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained this during a discussion with some Jewish religious teachers who had been questioning the source of his teaching and miracles. Mark tells us of the occasion when Jesus was teaching the crowds of people who had gathered outside the house where he was staying.

   But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

   Jesus called them over and said to them by way of illustration, “How can Satan cast out Satan? A kingdom at war with itself will collapse. A home divided against itself is doomed. And if Satan is fighting against himself, how can he stand? He would never survive. Let me illustrate this. You can’t enter a strong man’s house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed!

   I assure you that any sin can be forgiven, including blasphemy, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin.” He told them this because they were saying he had an evil spirit. (Mark 3:22-30)

We learn from this that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is to attribute the work of God to Satan and his demons. This is the one sin that can never be forgiven because Satan has no mercy to offer to the sinner. And if the merciful works of Jesus are attributed to Satan, thus denying that he is God, where can a person go for forgiveness? There is now no possibility of forgiveness. ‘Anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven,’ not because God is unwilling to forgive, but because attributing God’s mercy to Satan cuts a person off from the only source of forgiveness, the Lord. As some of the religious teachers themselves said on another occasion, albeit mockingly, ‘Who but God can forgive sins!’[12] Mark tells us the story of that previous encounter.

   … Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of his arrival spread quickly through the town. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there wasn’t room for one more person, not even outside the door. And he preached the word to them. Four men arrived carrying a paralysed man on a mat. They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

   But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there said to themselves, “What? This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins!”

   Jesus knew what they were discussing among themselves, so he said to them, “Why do you think this is blasphemy? Is it easier to say to the paralysed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk?’ I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.”

   Then Jesus turned to the paralysed man and said, “Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!”

   The man jumped up, took the mat, and pushed his way through the stunned onlookers. They all praised God. “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” they explained. (Mark 2:1-12)

That then is what it means to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. It means the attributing of the work of God to Satan and his demons and cannot be forgiven because Satan has none to offer.  R. P. Martin[13] writes …

   The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29) carries with it the awful pronouncement that the sinner is ‘guilty of an eternal sin’ which cannot be forgiven. The verse is a solemn warning against persistent, deliberate rejection of the Spirit’s call to salvation in Christ. Human unresponsiveness inevitably leads to a state of moral insensibility and to a confusion of moral issues wherein evil is embraced as though it were good. (cf. Isaiah 5:18-20, John 3:18-21)

   The example of this attitude is that of the Pharisees, who attributed Jesus’ works of mercy to Satan. In such a frame of mind, repentance is not possible to the hardened heart because the recognition of sin is no longer possible, and God’s offer of mercy is in effect peremptorily. To be in this perilous condition is to cut oneself off from the source of forgiveness.

   Herbert adds a helpful pastoral note: ‘People who are distressed in their souls for fear that they have committed the sin against the Holy Ghost should in most cases be told that their distress is proof that they have not committed that sin.’ (TWBR, p. 32)

Blasphemy Often Indicates The Presence Of Underlying Anger

Like it did in the case of the young man in the example quoted in this 24^th chapter of Leviticus. It was in a fit of anger that he ‘blasphemed the name of the LORD.’ (vs. 10) Becoming angry is always something to be wary about for anger can quickly progress to blasphemy.

Depression can also stem from anger. A person who is down in the dumps, depressed, is often angry about something.  Cain, the brother of Abel, became ‘very angry and dejected’[14] when his way of approaching God was rejected, whereas Abel’s was accepted. He became so angry that when the opportunity arose while he and his brother were working together in the fields, ‘Cain attacked and killed his brother.’[15]

But once again, it is good to remember that forgiveness is possible. To illustrate that aspect of God’s love for his angry wayward children, Jesus told a story[16] about a son who left home for a time of ‘wild living’ in a far off country. The young man eventually ‘came to his senses.’

   “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ (Luke 15:20-21)

The father then organized a welcome home party for his repentant son saying,

   ‘We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. (vs. 23b-24)

But the older son would not attend the party, choosing instead to complain angrily about the welcome being given to his brother. Luke continues the story …

   Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the calf we were fattening and has prepared a great feast. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

   The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. (vs. 25-28)

Just like that older brother, Christians too can sometimes become angry with each other. Yes, fights can break out in the church just as quickly as in the home. It doesn’t take much for the old sinful nature to break out in resentment over some perceived advantage being gained by another. James writes of the problem that had arisen among some Jewish Christians of his time.

   What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it the whole army of evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous for what others have, and you can’t possess it, so you fight and quarrel to take it away from them. And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it. And even when you do ask, you don’t get it because your whole motive is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. (James 4:1-3)

Something to think about. Is it an angry person who produces anger? Or is it the anger which produces the angry person? The Scriptures suggest that it is the angry person who produces the anger.

   A hot tempered person starts fights and gets into all kinds of sin. (Proverbs 29:22)

Other matters calling for discipline that are mentioned here in this twenty fourth chapter of Leviticus are those of …

Murder (vs. 17)

The sixth of the ten commandments is clear and precise. “Do not murder.”[17] The consequence is the death penalty. “Anyone who takes another person’s life must be put to death.” (vs. 17 & 21) This is a penalty that was in place well before the instigation of the Mosaic law. It was part of God’s covenant with Noah following the judgement of the world wide flood.

   God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, “Multiply and fill the earth. All the wild animals, large and small, and all the birds and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them in your power. I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables. But you must never eat animals that still have their life blood in them.

   And murder is forbidden. Animals that kill people must die and any person who murders must be killed. Yes, you must execute anyone who murders another person, for to kill a person is to kill a living being made in God’s image.

   Now you must have many children and repopulate the earth. Yes, multiply and fill the earth!” (Genesis 9:1-7)

Jesus lifted the bar higher when he rated anger alongside murder while teaching the disciples one day in one of his favorite retreats in the hills above lake Galilee.

  “You have heard that the law of Moses says, ‘Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgement.’ But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgement! If you say to your friend, ‘You idiot,! You are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22)

The Destruction Of Personal Property (vs. 18)

The example given here is that of causing death to an animal belonging to someone. The community is responsible to see that the culprit replaces the animal with one of his own.

   “Anyone who kills another person’s animal must pay it back in full—a live animal for the animal that was killed.” (vs. 18 & 21)

Vandalism is still with us. Procedures need to be in place to ensure that in the case of irreparable damage, the property must be replaced by the person who caused the damage.

Injuring A Person In Some Way (vs. 19-21)

The injuries in mind here are primarily those of a physical nature. The law calls for compensation of a like kind.

   Anyone who injures another person  must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted—fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Whatever anyone does to hurt another person must be paid back in kind. Whoever kills an animal must make full restitution, but whoever kills another person must be put to death. (vs. 19-21)

Injuries may be inflicted in several ways …

Physically by some kind of weapon

Then, by the sword, arrow, dagger, club, or some other object, nowadays, by knife, gun, bayonet, bomb, hand grenade, explosive, gas attack, or some other way. These are hurts that are inflicted on the body, the outer person.

   The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. (Psalm 37:14)

But there are also hurts that afflict the inner person. These often come by way of …

Verbal assaults

David experienced this kind of hurt. He refers to it at a time when he was also coping with a time of sickness. He records for us his prayer for healing, acknowledging firstly his own sinfulness.

   “O LORD,” I prayed, “Have mercy on me. Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

    But my enemies say nothing but evil against me. “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask. They visit me as if they were friends, but all the while they gather gossip, and when they leave, they spread it everywhere. All who hate me whisper about me, imagining the worst for me. “Whatever he has, it is fatal,” they say. “He will never get out of that bed!” Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

   LORD, have mercy on me. Make me well again, so I can pay them back! I know that you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemy triumph over me. You have preserved my life because I am innocent, you have brought me into your presence forever. Bless the LORD, the God of Israel, who lives forever from eternal ages past. Amen and Amen! (Psalm 42:4-13)

Solomon equates the pain caused by verbal assaults with that of injuries inflicted by assault weapons.

   Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. (Proverbs 25:18)

James devotes a good part of his letter to reminding his readers of the hurt and widespread damage that can be inflicted by words, words dripping with poison and malice.

   The tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

   People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely my brothers and sisters, this is not right! (James 3:5-10)

Hurt can also be inflicted in …

Subtle ways

Isolating people by not talking to them can wound a person deeply. There were two women in the church in Philippi who hurt each other like that. A strong disagreement resulted in them not talking to each for a long time. Paul asked the church to provide some pastoral care for them in this distressing situation.

   And now I want to plead with those two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true teammate to help these women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. And they worked with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. (Philippians 4:2-3)

People can also be hurt when made to feel unwelcome by the group. Jesus himself was hurt in this way many times. Luke tells us of one such occasion.

   As the time drew near for his return to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers  ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But they were turned away. The people of the village refused to have anything to do with Jesus because he had resolved to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51-56)

As a new Christian Paul was given a cold reception when he tried to join the group of believers in Jerusalem.

    When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They thought he was only pretending to be a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus. Barnabas also told them what the Lord had said to Saul and how he had boldly preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. Then the apostles accepted Saul and after that he was constantly with them in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord (Acts 9:26-28)

With his own experience in mind Paul often put in a word for new Christians as they looked for a church home. While in prison because of his preaching, Paul met Onesimus who had run away from the home of Philemon, probably because of some misdemeanor committed while a servant there. When, as a new Christian, Onesimus wanted to take up his position again in the home, Paul wrote to Philemon on his behalf.

   Take this as a request from your friend Paul, an old man, now in prison for the sake of Christ Jesus. My plea is that you show kindness to Onesimus. I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you and with him comes my own heart …

   So if you consider me your partner, give him the same welcome you would give me if I were coming. If he has harmed you in any way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it. I, Paul, write this in my own handwriting; “I will repay it.” And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!

   Yes, dear brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!

   Please keep a guest room ready for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon. (Philemon vs. 9b-12, 17-22)

Speaking more generally of the need for Christians to be willing to welcome new comers as well as ‘old comers’ to their group, Paul writes to the Christians in Rome …

   Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it is all right to eat anything. But another believer who has a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won’t. And those who won’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn God’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should …

   May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other—each with the attitude of Christ Jesus to the other. The you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified. (Romans 14:1-4, 15:5-7)

Discipline is to be without favour

No one is to be given special treatment on the basis of their status in the community. Everyone is expected to obey the rules.

   These same regulations apply to Israelites by birth and foreigners who live among you. I, the LORD, am your God. After Moses gave all these instructions to the Israelites, they led the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him to death, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. (vs. 22-23)

In exercising discipline we are to fair and consistent, remembering that fairness is a characteristic of the Lord.

   O nations of the world, recognize the LORD. Recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship him. Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. Tell all the nations that the LORD is king. The world is firmly established and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.
   Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD!
   For the LORD is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness and all the nations with his truth. (Psalm 96:7-12)

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