Week 17

James 3-5
Be Doers of the Word

James writes to the early Jewish Christians. He is more concerned about practical Christianity. Being doers of the word rather than just listeners. As a result, he talks about:
1. Taming the tongue - you can either bless or curse, build or tear down, encourage or demoralize (Proverbs 12:18)
2. Living in wisdom - It is always recommended that we often do attitude checks on ourselves.
3. Do not judge others. Be humble.
4. Live a life of justice.
5. Austere living is important
6. Lead a prayerful life, of righteousness.

Submission and humility were two very important tenets of early Church. And the return of Jesus is the most important reason why we should live a holy life. Wherever Jesus' second coming is mentioned, there is some reference to 'so live right; so live holy life; etc). Therefore, the point with eschatological debate about when and how Jesus will come. What should be emphasized is the holy living, in preparation for Christ's return.

Final point is with regards to praying for the sick. James suggests that some sickness can be due to sins. And, the solution for such a sickness would lie in prayer. Also note how a righteous man's prayer is effective. Can you be that man? 

Proverbs 10 and 12

Similar to James' letter

The style in Proverbs is so similar to what James writes. These chapters in proverbs and James have a common theme - words, tongue, speech, lips. All the various references relate to the positive or negative effects of tongue and our words. 

The positive effects of tongue:1. Pr 10:11 - Fountain of life - God uses righteous people as his instrument through which life flows to others.
2. 10:13 - God brought wisdom through people.
3. 10:20 - Valuable speech - how important are people who have such valuable words for us when we are in need of advice.
4. 10:21 - nourishing words - Who do you nourish with your speech?
5. 10:32 - lips of the righteous is fitting - speaks the right word at the right time. A word fitly spoken is a rare treasure.
6. 12:6 - Speech of the upright rescues them. The integrity of the righteous is reflected in their words and often rescues them in difficult situations. Remember how God honored Shadrack Meshak and Abednego.
7. 12:14 - Our good words will bring blessings back to us.
8. 12:18 - Tongue of the wise brings healing - "I forgive you', "would you forgive me?".
9. 12:19 - Truthful words endures forever. One truthful word is powerful.
10. 12:25 - Kind word cheers people up. 

The negative effects of tongue:1. 10:6 and 10:11 - violent words overwhelms the wicked.
2. 10:8 - chattering words destroy people (gossip, loose talk etc) - where words are many, sin is not absent.
3. Lying lips
4. Slandering lips - can we make a promise never to pass along unsubstantiated words.
5. The evil man is always trapped by his own sinful words. Lie begets another. 

Numbers 1, 2

The Census

We just finished the first two sections of Acts - from the crucifixion of Jesus to the spread of Christianity in Jerusalem and Judea. Then  we read the book of James which was written during this period of early Church. We then read two chapters of Proverbs to show the old testament character of James.

Greek translation of the name 'Septuagint' means Numbers. This book covers a period of 39 years.
There can be three divisions:
First section is from chapter 1 - 10:10: this time span took 30 plus years. It portrays the journey of Israel in Sinai desert.
Section two deals with chapter 10:10 - 21: In route to Moab
Final section: Israel is at the gate of the promised land.

Moses reveals thoughts as a prophet in this book. What are the characteristics of a prophet?
1. He should speak what he hears from God.
2. The people should accept his authority as though what he speaks comes from God.

Does our pastor or priest have such an authority? Or are we willing to place such a tremendous responsibility on them?

Note that God's position in the center of the camp shows His position in our lives. 

Numbers 3-4, Lev 10:1-11
The Levites, Nadab and Abihu

Israel prepares to leave Mount Sinai in their journey to the promised land. God is seen organizing the Israelite's for the trip. The census of chapter 4 carries a purpose - it helps with allotting the heavy work of transporting the arc. If you notice, the age 30 is important in selection of the men who serve at the altar (Numbers 4:3). Jesus too starts his public ministry at the age of 30.

The principle of dividing the responsibilities among the various Levites is found in New Testament also - Paul mentions how we serve different purpose in the Church, and when we work together, it functions as God intends it to be.

Why did God substitute the Levites with the first born of Israelite's?
The story of Nadab and Abihu's death shows how when we come to God we have to come in His terms and not on ours. It is so similar to the story of Cain. They did not follow the specific instruction of God. They presumed that they could worship God in anyway they chose. God wants us to worship Him on his terms.

Numbers 5-6
The Nation continues its preparation

Chapter 3-4 deals with Levites responsibilities. Chapters 5-6 talks of cleansing, purity.
Why does 5:3 suggest that those with 'leprosy' could not come to the temple? Probably, this was God's way of preparing the Israelites from contagious illness. But the physical purity has a parallel with our spiritual purity. A holy God cannot have fellowship with an impure people. We have to keep a high level of purity. 1 John talks about how we must walk in purity.

Today's church does not exhibit the standards of moral purity that God expects from us. We, like Israelites, are on a journey to the promised land. Can we maintain the purity that God expects of us?

In chapter 5, why is the woman subjected to more rituals, if she was caught in adultery? Well, Deuteronomy does place equal stress on the male too. But it is unclear why these rituals are mentioned in such detail. But it is unequivocally stated that marital purity is paramount.