Tag: work

Skilled Work (1 Kings 5:1-12)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
King Solomon and King Hiram, by Unknown artist

Because King Hiram of Tyre was loyal to David throughout his rule, Hiram sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that Solomon had become king after his father. Solomon sent the following message to Hiram: 

“You know that my father David wasn’t able to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God. This was because of the enemies that fought him on all sides until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. Now the Lord my God has given me peace on every side, without enemies or misfortune. So I’m planning to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God, just as the Lord indicated to my father David, ‘I will give you a son to follow you on your throne. He will build the temple for my name.’ Now give the order and have the cedars of Lebanon cut down for me. My servants will work with your servants. I’ll pay your servants whatever price you set, because you know we have no one here who is skilled in cutting wood like the Sidonians.”

Hiram was thrilled when he heard Solomon’s message. He said, “Today the Lord is blessed because he has given David a wise son who is in charge of this great people.” Hiram sent word back to Solomon:

“I have heard your message to me. I will do as you wish with the cedar and pinewood. My servants will bring the wood down the Lebanon Mountains to the sea. I’ll make rafts out of them and float them on the sea to the place you specify. There I’ll dismantle them, and you can carry them away. Now, as for what you must do for me in return, I ask you to provide for my royal house.”

So Hiram gave Solomon all the cedar and pinewood that he wanted. In return, Solomon gave an annual gift to Hiram of twenty thousand kors [2,000 tons] of wheat to eat, and twenty thousand kors [4,000 liters] of pure oil for his palace use. Now the Lord made Solomon wise, just as he had promised. Solomon and Hiram made a covenant and had peace. (Common English Bible)

King Solomon was granted by God all the wisdom necessary to rule over Israel and Judah (1 Kings 3:1-15). Early in his reign, he began the construction of a permanent Temple in Jerusalem – a task that was originally in the heart of his father King David.

Today’s Old Testament lesson is the beginning of the account of Solomon’s grand building project. It focuses on the assistance offered by King Hiram of Tyre.

Skilled Leaders

The city of Tyre was a major port in Lebanon. The cedar trees of Lebanon were renowned in the ancient world as being large and strong. Solomon – always the savvy one in knowing where to find the best of the best – looked to King Hiram for the cedar logs needed for building the Temple.

What’s more, Solomon asked Hiram for the builders to help in construction of God’s Temple. King Solomon not only had a broad knowledge of just about everything in creation, but he also understood human nature. He named the reality that the Sidonians were the best at handling their exceptional lumber.

Furthermore, Solomon was clear about the reason for the ambitious building project of the Temple. He believed that the task of erecting the Temple was divinely given to him. Solomon therefore trusted God to help him complete the job.

As a result, the two kings negotiated a treaty in which Hiram provided the lumber and the lumbermen, with Solomon providing grain and olive oil for Hiram’s court. In recounting this, the editor of Kings emphasized Solomon’s wisdom, and the peaceful relations that Jerusalem and Tyre enjoyed.

Perhaps all of this rehashing of an old agreement between a couple of ancient kings seems irrelevant to the modern and post-modern person. Yet, it is a classic example of the realities concerning communication and theology.

Skilled Communication

Hiram had the resources for building, and the skilled builders; Solomon had the money, goods, and administrative knowledge to make their relationship a mutually beneficial one.

Each king negotiated successfully, namely because there was no disadvantage in their treaty relationship. The two nations balanced one another by offering it’s advantages to the other.

Solomon and Hiram came to a genuine win-win agreement. Each of them stated exactly what they wanted and what they would provide, without apology. Both kings promoted their own interests while showing concern for the other’s interests, as well.

The success of their deal was based on mutual trust, which began years earlier with King David.

Skilled Theology

Today’s narrative is more than an example of how to negotiate a deal. It fits into a larger narrative of what God was doing with the nation of Israel. Central to every biblical story is God, who is both object and subject of Holy Scripture.

The Lord revealed a slow and unfolding drama of redemption for people. The construction of the Temple was a prominent way of God revealing divine mercy to the people. It’s central place at the highest point in Jerusalem communicated that the Lord is in the middle of everything, and high above it all.

And the way in which Solomon went about constructing the Jewish Temple included non-Jewish builders. God, through divine sovereignty and grace, led Gentiles to hob-nob with Jews who worship Yahweh, and to thus experience a glimpse of the Lord through the people and the place.

Indeed, all things work together for good to those who love God. (Romans 8:28)

Gracious God, I ask that your love and goodness will have its way for all those who seek to live according to justice and righteousness. You are full of steadfast in love and abounding in mercy. Help me accept your love and mercy. May it flow powerfully in me, and through me, to your glory and honor. Amen.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility (2 Samuel 8:1-18)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment

In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute.

Moreover, David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, when he went to restore his monument at the Euphrates River. David captured a thousand of his chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers. He hamstrung all but a hundred of the chariot horses.

When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. From Tebah and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

When Tou king of Hamath heard that David had defeated the entire army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to King David to greet him and congratulate him on his victory in battle over Hadadezer, who had been at war with Tou. Joram brought with him articles of silver, of gold and of bronze.

King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued:Edom and Moab, the Ammonites and the Philistines, and Amalek. He also dedicated the plunder taken from Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.

And David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelek son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was secretary; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests.(New International Version)

“God’s sovereignty does not negate our responsibility; it empowers us to live out God’s purposes.”

D. A. Carson

In every biblical story, the real hero is God. That’s because, in each scriptural narrative, God’s sovereignty, power, and authority works on behalf of the people. The secondary characters – if they are good people – take up their mantle of responsibility by working for the people in fulfillment of God’s good promises to them.

Divine sovereignty and human responsibility work together. When that happens, it doesn’t matter what the odds of a situation are, because God’s people will emerge as recipients of God’s gracious promises.

It’s good to always keep in mind that God is working – albeit, mostly behind the scenes where we never see it – and that therefore we must remember to be ourselves continually responsible for acting consistent with God’s revealed will to us.

Up to this point in today’s story, the Ark of the Covenant has been brought to the new national capitol of Jerusalem. The Ark signifies the presence of God, and it’s central placement in the life of the Jewish nation, signifies King David’s desire to be responsible in working on God’s behalf.

So, this is why we have a litany of David’s successes, in order to show us the connection between God’s presence and the national advancement of Israel’s people in the region. King David was able to defeat Jewish enemies in all the geographic places around Israel and Judah.

King David’s Jerusalem, by Julia Goddard

All of the areas mentioned in today’s text fit the boundary promises given to the original Jewish ancestor Abraham, centuries earlier. (Genesis 15:18-21)

David defeated Judah’s main enemy in the West, the Philistines, by capturing their main city, and thus, controlling their entire territory. Philistia had been the major thorn in Judah’s side for a very long time. After David’s victory over them, the Philistines never regained their power again.

David defeated Israel and Judah’s enemies in the East. The Moabites were ancient foes, having tried to put a curse on Israel so that they could enter the Promised Land (Numbers 24:17). But the curse backfired. King David was perhaps merciful to them by not wiping out Moab altogether, but only humbling them with limited violence.

David defeated Israel’s enemies in the North by achieving an overwhelming decisive victory against the Arameans and the city of Damascus, despite insurmountable odds. Yahweh, Israel’s God, clearly outdid Aram’s storm god Hadad – proving to the people once and for all that the Lord is not limited to the geography of Israel.

David defeated Judah’s enemies in the South. The Edomites were always looking to take advantage of their brother Jews, constantly playing out the ancient rivalry between Esau and Jacob. Overcoming the nation of Edom, along with the other surrounding nations, allowed David’s kingdom to more than double in size.

The hallmark description of any good and godly leader is that they do what is right and just for all the people – which is precisely what King David sought to do, and did. And he didn’t do it alone, but had a solid group of good and godly people helping him in his royal administration.

King David acted according to his understanding of God’s will for the Jewish nation, which meant decisively handling the ancient enemies which previous leaders either could not or would not take on. David moved with confidence, believing that God was with him in all his endeavors, based upon divine promises from God’s covenant with Israel.

The God of David is still watching over the nations, and still yet remains sovereign. People are still responsible to act according to their understanding of God’s will – not confusing that responsibility with Israel’s, but knowing what their place is in the kingdom of God with King Jesus as the ultimate Sovereign.

Today, I believe that two significant problems plague us: 1) A lack of knowing God and God’s will for us; and 2) An unwillingness to act confidently in faith and take a risk based on a solid understanding of God. The result of these two problems is pervasive spiritual immaturity and mediocrity.

We have a lot of work to do. And it’s high time we roll up our sleeves and deal with the primary problems in front of us – not with military weapons and shedding blood – but by the means of knowledgeable prayer and loving actions.

May it be so, to the glory of God and for the blessing of the nations. Amen.

Life (Genesis 1:20-2:4a)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
The Creation of Heaven and Earth, by Unknown artist, c.18th century

God said, “Let the waters swarm with living things, and let birds fly above the earth up in the dome of the sky.” God created the great sea animals and all the tiny living things that swarm in the waters, each according to its kind, and all the winged birds, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was. Then God blessed them: “Be fertile and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”

There was evening and there was morning: the fifth day.

God said, “Let the earth produce every kind of living thing: livestock, crawling things, and wildlife.” And that’s what happened. God made every kind of wildlife, every kind of livestock, and every kind of creature that crawls on the ground. God saw how good it was. Then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth.”

God created humanity in God’s own image,
        in the divine image God created them,
            male and female God created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and master it. Take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, and everything crawling on the ground.” Then God said, “I now give to you all the plants on the earth that yield seeds and all the trees whose fruit produces its seeds within it. These will be your food. To all wildlife, to all the birds in the sky, and to everything crawling on the ground—to everything that breathes—I give all the green grasses for food.” And that’s what happened. God saw everything he had made; it was supremely good.

There was evening and there was morning: the sixth day.

The heavens and the earth and all who live in them were completed. On the sixth day God completed all the work that he had done, and on the seventh day God rested from all the work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work of creation. This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. (Common English Bible)

God Created Man in His Image – Male and Female, by Jill Steenhuis

In this Christian season of Eastertide, believers remember and celebrate new life in Jesus Christ. In today’s Old Testament lesson, the lectionary reminds us of original life – when God created the heavens and the earth.

The Beginning of Life

This was the beginning, before there were any words like sin, disobedience, guilt, and shame. This was the time when the original people, Adam and Eve, knew nothing about trying to chase after unconditional love. They had no concept of estrangement or heartache. Everything was fresh and alive and shiny. Disappointment, hurt, and sadness were unknown to them. Everywhere, the earth was teeming with abundant life.

God made it all; and all that was created was very good, supremely reflecting the goodness of the Creator. Life existed everywhere. The predictable and consistent rhythms of the universe were in place. Day and night, work and rest, creation and care, were all woven into the fabric of the world’s sights and seasons. The possibilities for growth were incredible. Life was indeed good.

“New” was simply part of all there was. Without any want or need, every day was an adventure of discovering all the newness which existed.

The Complicated Life

We all, however, know that it did not remain this way. People are now all too familiar with the myriad ways of injustice, and with the film of sin that covers the entire world like a noxious pollutant. And it is this situation, of course, which created the need for a “new” life, because the present life had become a moldy old leftover in the refrigerator of a life that doesn’t keep anything cold nor fresh.

People were created as good human beings. Even though sin has profoundly touched everything in creation, goodness is still within us as God’s image-bearers. The later introduction of human sin into the world in no way whatsoever removes the inherent stamp of the divine image upon us.

Humanity is the only creature who bears this likeness to God. We are related to the animal world, having been created on the same day, and sharing the same blessings of life. Yet, people are distinctive, set above all other creatures.

The Responsible Life

This is why people are given dominion over all other creatures. This is not a claim to privilege; it is, however, very much a claim to responsibility. People have been tasked with being faithful stewards of creation, entrusted with caring for other creatures and the created order.

And humanity was created as both male and female, together expressing the will and character of God in creation as they tend to it and care for it. Together with God, we are relational beings, and not just a race of individuals inhabiting the same earth.

God is a social being, existing as a community within the Godhead. Therefore, to exist as an image-bearer of God means that people are social creatures who need community – with both God and other people.

After God did all the work of creating the world with all its plants and animals and birds and fishes and people, God “rested.” This is why the seventh day is set aside as sacred; its different than the other days, sort of like how people are similar but different from the other creation.

God is clearly separated from the work and the creation itself, that is, God is transcendent and above all things as the Creator. The world is good, but the world is not divine. In the same way, by observing a day of rest, humanity recognizes and affirms and remembers that the work they have done is not divine.

Our human works, good as they may be, are not a thing to be worshiped or equated with God. Therefore, the Sabbath both celebrates the creation and the created order of things, as well as separates us from the idol worship of our hands.

To live into our inherent image of God means that we will work hard and tend to the gardens that are around us. Yet, at the same time, we will understand that in doing our responsible tasks, people are to live in community and love one another, without idolizing any other part of creation or what we creatively build with our own two hands. That is for God alone, who is distinct from all that God has created.

God our Father, you created the world and sent your own Son to live among us, made of the same stuff, breathing the same air, marveling at sunrise and sunset just as we do. Help us to participate in the life around and within us as your life, as you living in us and we living in you and in each other.

God of love and life, restore us to your peace, renew us through your power and teach us to love all that you have created and to care for the earth as your gift and our home. Amen.

All Work Is Spiritual (Exodus 31:1-11)

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Christian Spirituality Blog, Year ALeave a comment
Bezalel and Oholiab build the ark of the covenant, a woodcut from the Cologne Bible, 1479

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!

“And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:

the Tabernacle;
the Ark of the Covenant;
the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement;
all the furnishings of the Tabernacle;
the table and its utensils;
the pure gold lampstand with all its accessories;
the incense altar;
the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils;
the washbasin with its stand;
the beautifully stitched garments—the sacred garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments for his sons to wear as they minister as priests;
the anointing oil;
the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.

The craftsmen must make everything as I have commanded you.” (New Living Translation)

Methinks God cares about worship. After all, chapters 25-31 in Exodus are thoroughly dedicated to God communicating the specifics for the sacred spaces and symbols of worship for the Israelites.

Once the equipment for worship was described in detail, the one matter still needed was an artisan who could actually build and construct the objects. So, Yahweh also planned for the workers, as well. Bezalel was identified and designated as the person who would be divinely endowed for the task. He would be assisted by Oholiab, and together they carried out God’s instructions to the letter.

Although Bezalel and Oholiab were not priests and did not do “spiritual” work, nonetheless they were filled with the Spirit and set apart by God for their gifts to be used. In reality, all work is spiritual work, even the work of our hands. Everything we do is to be consecrated, set apart, and dedicated to the Lord for good and holy purposes.

The Spirit of God inspired and helped the two men in their very physical and mundane work. The Lord was present with them when they drew up the plans for making the objects, carved the wood, did the weaving and needlework of clothes, and the smithing of the gold. God cares about all work, not just the ethereal stuff.

A willing heart is one that follows in doing work for the Lord, and not following their own whims of how they think things ought to go. The craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, were to do their work just as the Lord had commanded them to do it, just like the pattern shown to Moses on Mount Sinai. (Exodus 25:39)

God is concerned about everything, great and small alike.

When it came to the Lord’s will, the Israelites did not so much seek God’s guidance, as they waited for it. When in the desert, the pillar of cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night, determined when they moved and when they stayed put. The people simply observed, then responded. In other words, they were patient and waited for God to move, speak, command, and do whatever God was going to do.

So, when the Lord lays down some very specific instructions, those directives are meant to be followed down to the minutest detail. For the Christian, Jesus is our example. God’s will was made known to Jesus in the daily privilege and discipline of meeting with his heavenly Father and doing exactly what the Father wanted.

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
    so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
    and opens my understanding to his will.
The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
    and I have listened.
    I have not rebelled or turned away. (Isaiah 50:4-5, NLT)

All work is God’s work, and is to be done in the way God prescribes. Worship is to be directed to God, and as such, is to be done as God commands – and not any old way we think is good and needed.

No matter who we are, where we are, or what circumstances we find ourselves in, consistency in doing the will of God is imperative. Nobody has any ground for excusing themselves from their God-ordained work and worship. The ancient Israelites were in a desert without a permanent abode, yet they were still expected to follow God’s directives.

In order to embrace the will of God when it comes, and not make excuses, there are some practices we can do to help receive and do what the Lord wants:

  • Don’t fixate on past mistakes. Learn to be present and focus on what is happening in a given moment, and then you will be able to act in doing God’s will. As a result, you can stop making excuses and learn from past mistakes.
  • Take responsibility for your own words and actions. Take charge of what you have control over. If we don’t own this, then the excuses come out for why we failed to do what was needed.
  • Focus on your spiritual gifts and your strengths and skills. By actively doing what God has enables you to do, you can get the most out of each situation, without succumbing to excuses.
  • Don’t compare yourself to others. We are all unique individuals with unique journeys. That’s why it’s unhealthy to compare ourselves to others and make excuses of “not being good enough” or not measuring up to the skills of Bezalel or Oholiab or someone else. The only person you should compare yourself to is you!

By being attentive to your own walk with God, and being responsive to God’s will for your life, you will find your place in this world and discover the meaning and purpose meant for you in blessing others.

Blessed Holy Spirt of God, with God the Father and God the Son, I adore you as the Holy Trinity, the God whom I serve. I give you my heart, and offer my thanks to you for the grace given me in Jesus Christ. Continue to visit me with your grace, and enable me for work and worship in your church and your world. Amen.