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De-Thumbing Tyrants?

Links for today’s readings:

 Read: Judges 1 Listen: (5:08) Read: 1 Timothy 2 Listen: (1:38)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: Judges 2 Listen: (3:19) Read: 1 Timothy 3 Listen: (2:10)
Read: Judges 3 Listen: (4:30) Read: 1 Timothy 4 Listen: (2:05)

Scripture Focus: Judges 1.5-7

5 It was there that they found Adoni-Bezek and fought against him, putting to rout the Canaanites and Perizzites. 6 Adoni-Bezek fled, but they chased him and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7 Then Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have picked up scraps under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Reflection: De-Thumbing Tyrants?

By John Tillman

People often do to fallen tyrants as those tyrants have done countless times to others.

The reverse golden rule of retribution says that when one is generous in pain and oppression, it will be measured back, pressed down, shaken together, running over. (Luke 6.38b)

We rarely get details of the wickedness of the Canaanite kings and city-states. However, the glimpse we get from the confession of Adoni-Bezek is a gruesome hint at the type of societies Israel displaced.

Adoni-Bezek had cut off the thumbs and big toes of seventy kings, forcing them to scramble for food at his table. If this is how kings were treated, imagine how he treated the poor.

Mutilations of ancient captives were common. Captives were made eunuchs, branded on the soles of their feet, or mutilated in other ways.

Some mutilations were practical. Making eunuchs prevented future dynastic threats. Branded feet made slaves unlikely to escape. Toeless and thumbless warrior kings would struggle to rise to their feet and never wield a weapon. Resistance, rebellion, and revenge were cut off.

However, the primary purpose of mutilation was humiliation and dominance. Adoni-Bezek’s victims were not only defeated, they were made dependent on him, scrambling for scraps, like beggars. It was unusual for Israel to use mutilation. Those who defeated Adoni-Bezek must have witnessed his crimes and made an exception in his case.

But what about our case? What about the tyrants of today?

We must remember that the Canaanite conquest was not a blueprint for anyone to follow, especially the church. The Canaanite conquest shows us more failure than success. Israel wins battles but their heart is all wrong. They defeat humans but remain enslaved to sin. The entirety of the Old Testament demonstrates that violence fails to establish righteousness and political change fails to bring spiritual change.

It is not wrong for us to long for tyrants to be paid back or to celebrate when God brings the mighty down. (Luke 1.52) But that is not the church’s role. When God sends retribution, he typically chooses locusts, gnats, snakes, and other plagues. He whistles for wicked empires. (Isaiah 5.26-27; 7.18-20)

Retribution is not the church’s calling—spiritual change is. That doesn’t mean politics is unimportant, but spiritual change is the key to every other kind of change our world needs. Instead of looking for tyrants to de-thumb (even some who deserve it) we should be looking for hearts responsive to the gospel.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Who is like the Lord our God, who sits enthroned on high, but stoops to behold the heavens and the earth? — Psalm 113.5

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Dethroning Kings and Powers

The destruction of Canaanite city states made theological statements, disarming the gods of Canaan’s kings.

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The Testimony of Scripture

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Joshua 24 Listen: (5:49) Read: 1 Timothy 1 Listen: (2:59)

Scripture Focus: Joshua 24.24-27

24 And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and obey him.” 25 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. 26 And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the Lord. 27 “See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the Lord has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.”

Reflection: The Testimony of Scripture

By John Tillman

We sometimes overlook how politically odd the Hebrew community was. Moses was their singular spiritual, civil, and military leader, but he was not a king. He did not extract wealth from the people or pass down leadership in his family line. Tribes chose for themselves leaders who exercised delegated authority. (Deuteronomy 1.13-17)

Joshua took over this role from Moses, but did not hand it down to anyone as he stepped down from his position. Joshua essentially turned the people over to lead themselves as they followed God under the guidance of the priests and elders. It wasn’t exactly representative governance, but it was a stark differentiation from the despotism that was typical in that region and time period.

Many passages in the Bible describe how the documents that became the Bible came to be. They often are moments of transition, victory, or recommitment. This moment in Joshua is all three. Joshua reaffirmed the spiritual covenant and the decrees and laws, then wrote them down for the people. This would have included the writings compiled by Moses in other similar moments. (Exodus 17.14; 34.27-28; Deuteronomy 17.18; 27.3-8; 31.19-26)

Many times the writings are described as witnesses against the people. Scriptures were intended to remind the people not to forget God, but were also evidence against the people when they forgot God. The written words left no excuse for future wickedness.

Like the Israelite tribes, we do not have a tyrant over us forcing us to “do righteousness.” That’s how empires work—idealistic principles at the top and wicked brutality at ground level. However, we are representative ambassadors of a different kind of kingdom. Christ is our true king. His kingdom “comes from another place” and is not established by violence. (John 18.36-37) We announce and represent Jesus’ kingdom which frees us from the empires we live among. (Luke 4.16-21)

However, being Christ’s representatives brings responsibilities. We are accountable to Christ’s new covenant and the wisdom gained from the whole of scripture. We need regular reminders of God’s faithfulness and our unfaithfulness. This is not for our discouragement but for our encouragement.

Make the Bible your teacher and listen to its testimony through the Holy Spirit. When we transgress, its words testify against us. When we repent they redeem us. When we obey, they help us repair and restore wrongs. Jesus’ words are life for us and his wisdom comes to us from every corner of scripture. Eat, heed, and live out Jesus words.

Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading

Jesus taught us, saying: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that bears no fruit he cuts away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it bear even more. You are pruned already, by means of the word that I have spoken to you.” — John 15.1-3

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

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When you know the scriptures inside and out, they get inside you and come out of you…we can search our souls for streams of scripture.

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The Legacy of Growing Old

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Joshua 23 Listen: (2:31) Read: Philippians 4 Listen: (3:20)

Scripture Focus: Joshua 23:1-2

1 After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, 2 summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old.”

Reflection: The Legacy of Growing Old

By Erin Newton

According to developmental psychology, after six or seven decades of living, a person’s priority often turns to “leaving a legacy.” The human mind begins to reflect on life, what has happened and what they want to be remembered for. Joshua seems no different.

At the end of his life, Joshua looked out across the land now inhabited by God’s people. He stopped to give them his final words: “You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done… But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now” (Josh 23:3, 8).

The same sentiments we see echoed in Ecclesiastes: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, … before the silver cord is severed, … and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to the God who gave it” (Eccl 12:1, 6-7).

Much like the aging teacher in Ecclesiastes, it is Joshua who feels the grip of old age closing tighter. He is the strong man who stoops. The almond tree blossoms as his hair fades to silvery gray. He echoes the same messages as the wise man did centuries later: Everything is meaningless apart from the memory of God’s faithfulness.

The legacy Joshua hopes to impart is one that memorializes the uniqueness of God. The people are commissioned to remember his faithfulness. Joshua has seen it over and over, in all his long years. They are to remember that it was God who did the work—not them, not another deity.

So much of the Old Testament is a call to remember. One of the greatest gifts of aging is the lengthy history one has with God. Those who grow in years have had more opportunities to see divine providence in action. And each year that passes is another step closer to hearing the answer to one’s prayers.

But our world is obsessed with anti-aging. Even if we can prevent wrinkles or color our graying hair, aging is an honorable gift to be received. Aging is the continued mercy from God. Aging gives us more opportunity to remember him.

It should not burden us to see another gray hair or watch our skin fold into new creases by our eyes. Like Joshua, we should fix our minds on what message we will leave for our community. Like Joshua, may our legacy be a testimony about the faithfulness of God.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

O God of hosts, show us the light of your countaenance, and we shall be saved. — Psalm 80.7

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

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The fearful majority of Caleb’s generation overwhelmingly forgot God, yet God remembered the faithful.

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The One True Altar

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Joshua 22 Listen: (6:16) Read: Philippians 3 Listen: (3:21)

Scripture Focus: Joshua 22.24-28

24 “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel? 25 The Lord has made the Jordan a boundary between us and you—you Reubenites and Gadites! You have no share in the Lord.’ So your descendants might cause ours to stop fearing the Lord. 26 “That is why we said, ‘Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.’ 27 On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no share in the Lord.’ 28 “And we said, ‘If they ever say this to us, or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the Lord’s altar, which our ancestors built, not for burnt offerings and sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’

Hebrews 13.10, 15-16

10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Reflection: The One True Altar

By John Tillman

As a kid, “altars” confused me.

Our church’s “altar” was just steps up to where the preacher, music minister, and choir stood. But altars in scripture weren’t about teaching or singing. One memorable sanctuary had red-carpeted steps. I couldn’t imagine cutting up animals there. (But maybe that’s why they were red?)

“Altar calls” confused me. They happened anywhere, without red-carpeted steps. At evangelistic events in giant sports stadiums or around campfires at camps, we had “altar calls” with no altar in sight.

The confusion was partly linguistic. English uses “altar,” from the Latin “altare,” meaning a raised structure for offerings. But in Hebrew and Greek, the words more explicitly mean “to slaughter” or “to sacrifice.” To Hebrews especially, an altar without sacrifices was a strange thing.

This is why the western tribes assumed the eastern tribes’ altar violated the covenant. Instead, the eastern tribes explained, it was a non-functional, symbolic altar, a “place of sacrifice” without sacrifices. It represented the true altar where sacrifices were made. It was not a symbol of disunity, but a reminder of unity.

As Christians, our strange “altars” with no sacrifices, and our calls to come to the metaphorical altar do a similar thing. Hebrews makes clear that our altars point to the true and better altar—the cross of Christ.

The western tribes feared the eastern tribes betrayed the one true altar. The eastern tribes feared losing access to the one true altar. In reality, both altars pointed to the one true and better altar we all access. All altars point to Jesus and the cross.

Modern altars point back to the cross and every altar of God’s people in the Old Testament points forward to it. In a very real sense, there has only ever been and only ever will be one true altar—the cross. All other altars were and are only symbols.

When we corporately worship at or on a stage, we bring a sacrifice of praise, professing the name of Jesus. “Altar calls” call people to the cross. Our prayer lives happen at the altar of the cross.

Are you regularly approaching the true altar? Christ’s altar is one of unity. Don’t make the mistake of accusing believers of betrayal if their altars point to Christ’s altar.

Individually and corporately, make sure you regularly approach the true altar, bringing praise, repentance, and thanksgiving to Jesus.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse

My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. — Psalm 84.1

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

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Balancing Justice and Mercy

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Joshua 20-21 Listen: (6:58) Read: Philippians 2 Listen: (3:45)

Scripture Focus: Joshua 20.2-6

2 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. 4 When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them. 5 If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. 6 They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.”

Reflection: Balancing Justice and Mercy

By John Tillman

In some ways, Mosaic law is harsher than our current laws because it is more protective of human life. In some ways, Mosaic law is more merciful than our current laws because it is more protective of human life.

The “Cities of Refuge” were strategically placed to be easily reached. If someone accidentally killed someone, they could flee to these cities for protection until the death was investigated. The “Avenger of blood,” a close relative of the victim, would not be allowed to kill them before they stood trial.

When emotions are high, hot tempers can overwhelm evidence or explanations. The designation of “Cities of Refuge” was a way of stopping unintentional, accidental killings from setting off a cycle of violence and revenge. Revenge is best left to God. Justice is best served cold.

The outcome of the trial determined the penalty. The minimum penalty was confinement in the city until the death of the High Priest. Other penalties could include financial compensation or death.

Any law can be bent toward evil. Joab abused the law of the avenger of blood in order to murder a political rival during David’s reign. (2 Samuel 3.24-28) I’m sure Joab wasn’t the only one to abuse the law. Having balanced systems minimizes the opportunity for human corruption, but doesn’t eliminate it. We have a role to play in keeping the balance of justice and mercy.

God takes every human death seriously and demands justice from every community. Whether people in our communities die by neglect of our responsibilities, the malice of our actions or policies, the abuse of our power, or the violence of crime or of excessive punishment, we are responsible to provide justice.

Our power to affect our legal system is limited and slow-working. But that is not the only place to apply these lessons. It’s easy to advocate for mercy toward those who haven’t harmed us directly. It is when we have suffered that the test of our principles begins.

The desire for revenge is a personal, sinful twist of God’s desire for justice. In our personal lives, we need checks on our emotions. We need to make places of refuge for those who may harm us. We can take every harm seriously without seriously harming others.

Let us work in our personal and communal lives to be people who balance loving mercy with doing justice and doing it all in a spirit of humility. (Micah 6.8)

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

I call with my whole heart; answer me, O Lord, that I may keep your statutes. — Psalm 119.145

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

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