Here is an interesting concept

We think of sinning as an active verb.  It is something we "do".  But is that always the case?  Are there time we sin by not doing something?
 

James 4:17(NKJV)

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

 

Now we know the answer don’t we? Not doing something can sometimes be as sinful as doing something. 

 

I love when Scripture keeps it simple.

 

Is this "discernment" training?

There are several places in the Bible that leave me wondering exactly what I am supposed to learn from the text.  Things in the text that just make you go 'huh?".  Here is one that I ran across today.

 

2 Samuel 9:11-13(NKJV)

Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.” “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.” 

Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. 

So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.

 

Here is what I find odd about this.  When Mephibosheth is introduced earlier in this chapter it is noted that he is lame in his feet.  I just find it odd the way God ends by noting again that he was lame in his feet.  Why?

 

The fact that God took the time to point that out again makes me think that there must be some reason he did so.  Must be something I am to learn from that maybe?  But for the life of me I can't figure out what it is!  :)

That is what makes me think that little things like this are "discernment" training.  We need to learn to discern the important from the inconsequential.  Seems to me that this is one way to accomplish that goal.  Make sense?

Some things I just don't get

 There are several things in the Bible that I just don't get and this is one of them.

 

2 Samuel 6:6-7(NKJV)

And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 

Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God. 

 

Why was God angry about that?  Uzzah didn't do anything out of disrespect or anything.  He did it out of love and concern.  He didn't want God's ark to fall off of the cart.  God is supposed to be a God of justice.  Where is the justice in this? 

 

2nd Samuel 5 - simple but important lesson

In 2nd Samuel we see David consolidating his Kingdom over not just Judah but all of Israel.  The Philistines decide it is time to take David out.  Now here is the lesson.

Both times, before committing to an action, David inquired of God.  David let God guide him. 

 

But does that always mean you will be successful if God says proceed?  In this case it worked out both time for David.  But it isn't always so.  Why is that?
 

Here is my take on it.  In my life there have been times when I have taken a certain action or strategy that I was sure God was leading me to.  Does that mean God got it wrong?  It could certainly seem that way in the moment. 

But with the benefit of hindsight I can see that in the situations that didn't work out I generally learned lessons or new skills that I needed for down the road.  God is a really awesome long term thinker!

So if you find yourself in that situation where something you were sure God was leading you to didn't work out, don't doubt God.  Do what I try to do.  Follow Gods success plan in Romans 5:3-5 and keep the faith!

 

When did this change?

This has always puzzled me.  In the Old Testament there are many examples of men of God having multiple wives and concubines.  Here we have David taking not one but two wives after  Nabal died.

1 Samuel 25:41-43(NKJV)

Then she arose, bowed her face to the earth, and said, “Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” 

So Abigail rose in haste and rode on a donkey, attended by five of her maidens; and she followed the messengers of David, and became his wife. 

David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel, and so both of them were his wives.

 

I don't see that it was condemned by God at all.  Then all of a sudden it seemed to disappear and it became one wife only. 

 

What I find so puzzling about it is that there is no decree by God in Scripture that it be change.  It just changed.  Seems weird to me that it just changed like that.  Societies don't normally just spontaneously change centuries old behavior in that way. 

And just to be clear, I have a great wife and am not looking or another one or anything.  Just find it puzzling. 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God

 

I believe that is true.  But does that mean that every word in Scripture is true and has to be taken literally or is some of Scripture to be taken as an allegory or parable?  Does God put some weird stuff in there just to see if we are paying attention? :)

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Here are a couple of my thoughts on the subject. 

 

Jesus told us that he often He taught with allegories and parables.  So is it not probable that God did the same thing in other parts of the Bible? 

 

Scripture also tells us in multiple places that we need to learn to discern God's word.  If every single word in the Bible was to be taken at face value their would be nothing to discern would there?  Part of discernment is learning to separate the wheat from the chaff so to speak. 

 

 Lastly I think God has a great sense of humor.  I truly believe that God puts some stuff in there just to mess with us and see of we are paying attention! 

 

As a father I used to good naturedly screw with my kids just to see if they were paying attention.  As God the father, would it be out of character for God to do the same?  Its part of what I love about my study of Scripture.  :) 

If you had but one goal per day, this would be a great one!

 

What a great goal to have at the beginning of every day and what a great yardstick to measure against at the end of the day!

 

2 Timothy 2:15-16(NKJV)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 

 

My prayer for us all today is that we are all diligent to present ourselves approved to God.  Today and everyday.  Amen!