Poisoning the Heart of the Gospel — Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice is here: Over two-thirds of our devotionals get emailed responses from readers like you. Hearing that what we have written is meaningful to you is meaningful to us. That’s why we love sharing some of your comments and messages. Thank you, readers. We do what we do to serve you. There’s still time to tell us about your favorite, most meaningful posts of the year. If you shared it with someone, or it helped you, let us know via email, direct message, by or filling out the linked form.

From John: We begin Readers’ Choice this year with the post that got more positive responses than any other this year. The gospel must be protected from those who would corrupt it and manipulate it for other, worldly means. We continue to pray that this will come to pass so that many will be saved. I repost here, at the beginning of the post, the clarification I posted at the end of the devotional on its original publication date:

“Because this post condemns a phrase used in politics, I want to clarify how and when The Park Forum has and will speak about political issues. At The Park Forum, we do not and will not have a partisan affiliation. We do not and will not endorse or condemn any candidate or party. We do not and will not write according to the headlines of the day, but according to the text of the day. However, when the text brings up truths that are relevant to political issues of the day, we will speak to those issues according to the text and the whole counsel of scripture without regard or deference to any party or politician’s opinion. We do not seek to be “swayed by others, but…teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.” (Mark 12.14) We have readers from both major political parties in the United States and we need faithful Christians to be in both parties. Suppose a Christian is in the Republican or Democratic party. In that case, they are not there to toe the line as a good Republican or a good Democrat any more than Moses was to be a good Egyptian, Esther a good Persian, Daniel a good Babylonian, or Shiphrah and Puah obedient subjects of Pharaoh. Whatever your partisan affiliation, rather than toe a party line, we pray you will stand on scripture and be a check on your own party in the name of Jesus Christ. The Park Forum does not exist to change politics but to inform, educate, and inspire a vibrant faith that disciples the reader, strengthens their community of faith, and blesses the world with the gospel of Christ.”

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 1   Read: 1 Kings 3 Listen: (4:29) Read: Psalms 20-21Listen: (2:37)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Barbara, TN — Thank you, John!

Paula, SC — Thank you John! We belong to Christ and are always to live out HIS message.

Terri, CO — Thank you so much for this article! Thank you for speaking the truth boldly.

Lark — Thank you.

This post was originally published on February 18, 2025, based on readings from Exodus 1.8-10, 18-22.

Scripture Focus: Exodus 1.8-10, 18-22

8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”

18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” 19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” 20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. 22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”

Reflection: Poisoning the Heart of the Gospel — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

“There’s too many detestable foreigners endangering our country.”

Sound familiar? It should. It’s the ideology of the wicked Pharaoh at the beginning of Exodus. Similar ideologies have gripped many governments throughout history.

The spirit of Pharaoh echoes in Mein Kampf, by Adolf Hitler. He described the threat of non-Germans “poisoning the blood” of the country. He claimed their bad genes weakened the human race and accused them of plotting to control the government and oppress true Germans. Those deemed to be “poisoning the blood” of Nazi Germany were first vilified, then isolated in ghettos, then forcibly relocated to prison labor camps, then executed.

Pharaoh had followed a similar path. The Israelites were isolated, crushed with oppressive, brutal forced labor policies and violence. Then, Pharaoh instituted policies to murder their children.

The spirit of Pharaoh also shows up in China’s persecution of the Uyghur people and Russia’s treatment of Muslim Tatars and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv in Crimea.

“Poisoning the blood” has also been heard with increasing frequency in the last five years of American politics. It is unusual how broadly this phrase has been accepted and normalized. In a poll last year, one-third of Americans (including 60 percent of White Evangelical Protestants) agree with the sentiment that immigrants are “poisoning the blood” of the United States. (Axios article)

The approval of the phrase “poisoning the blood of our country” among Christians is theologically wrong, morally reprehensible, and politically dangerous. This phrase poisons the heart of the gospel. To believe this phrase, we must call Paul (Acts 17.26; Galatians 3.28), Peter (Acts 2.14-17, 10.34-36; 1 Peter 2.9-10), and Jesus (John 17.21; Matthew 28.19-20) liars.

At The Park Forum, we do not and will not endorse or condemn any political candidate or party, but we pray that faithful Christians in any political party will openly condemn this phrase, its implications, and any policies based in its racist logic. We pray that faithful Christians who have endorsed this phrase will repent after understanding its source, its theological errors, and the logical outcomes of believing it.

We pray that, like Shiphrah and Puah, faithful Christians will resist unjust rulers and policies in any way that God enables. We pray that the hearts of many that have gone cold, will be renewed. We pray that the nations that come to our country, especially those who are fleeing persecution from Pharaoh-like governments in their countries, would hear and experience freedom through the gospel of Christ and the salvation of their souls.

The Lord’s Prayer:

We will take a break from The Divine Hours prayers for the month of October and instead pray Dallas Willard’s paraphrase of The Lord’s Prayer:

Dear Father, always near us,
may your name be treasured and loved,
may your rule be completed in us-
may your will be done here on earth in
just the way it is done in heaven.
Give us today the things we need today,
and forgive us our sins and impositions on you
as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.
Please don’t put us through trials,
but deliver us from everything bad.
Because you are the one in charge,
and you have all the power, and the glory too is all yours-forever-
which is just the way we want it!

Readers’ Choice is here!

#ReadersChoice is time for you to share favorite Park Forum posts from the year.

What post lifted your spirit?

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Read more: Divide et Impera

There are both earthly and spiritual emperors who wish to divide and rule over us through the use of division and conspiracy. 

The Breastplate and The Cross

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Exodus 39 Listen: (5:24) Read: Luke 21 Listen: (4:18)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Read: Exodus 40 Listen: (4:07) Read: Luke 22 Listen: (7:58)
Read: Leviticus 1 Listen: (2:37) Read: Luke 23 Listen: (6:39)

Scripture Focus: Exodus 39.8-14

8 They fashioned the breastpiece—the work of a skilled craftsman. They made it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 9 It was square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double. 10 Then they mounted four rows of precious stones on it. The first row was carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 11 the second row was turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 12 the third row was jacinth, agate and amethyst; 13 the fourth row was topaz, onyx and jasper. They were mounted in gold filigree settings. 14 There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

Reflection: The Breastplate and The Cross

By John Tillman

Who is “near your heart?”

Westerners picture the heart as the seat of our emotions, identity, and self. When someone is near to our heart, their wellbeing is connected with ours. Our heart beats sympathetically with their sufferings. Our heart races with theirs in celebrations. Our heart aches for them when sin darkens their heart, turning them away from joy to bitterness, cynicism, anxiety, or abuse.

Most of scripture’s authors centered emotions in the bowels or diaphragm. We use these metaphors too, speaking about “gut feelings” or something “moving us” or “taking our breath away.”

Aaron’s jeweled breastplate covered his torso. The jewels represented Israel’s tribes. He bore the people near his heart. The breastplate was a tangible reminder of his task, to carry the people with him, representing them before God. Its weight reminded Aaron that he bore their sins and the responsibility to lead them towards righteousness. The gems reflected light from the lampstands in God’s presence, as Aaron and the people were to reflect God’s light to the world.

Who do you carry near your heart? Your spouse? Your family? Your friends and other loved ones? Carrying someone near to your heart is a priestly duty. But there is another wrinkle to our “priestly garments.”

Christ is our high priest, not Aaron. Christ’s holy of holies, where he made atonement was Calvary. Jesus bore no breastplate. He bore the cross for us while we were ungodly. He demonstrated love for us while we were sinners. He died for us while we were his enemies. He prayed, “Father forgive them” over his persecutors.

Our priestly duty goes beyond those for whom we already bear affection. (Luke 6.27-35) As priests under Christ, our enemies must also be on our hearts. We must bear the cross to love, sacrifice, pray for, and seek the good of our enemies as well as our loved ones.

Seeking an enemy’s good doesn’t mean seeking their success in doing evil. The greatest good we can seek for them is to know Christ and repent. Following that, we can pray that they “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6.8) with God. Failing that, we can pray that their evil will fail to accomplish its purpose.

In your heart, set apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3.15) and carry all people, both loved ones and enemies, before him with heartfelt prayers.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. — Psalm 118.26

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

Read more: Garments of Peace — Guided Prayer

Aaron’s heart felt the weight of Jacob’s children…May our hearts be weighted with loving concern for our communities.

Read more: Enemies Becoming One People

When you even talk about loving your enemies, you can be called a traitor. “Don’t you understand how dangerous they are? You are enabling them!”

Counting God’s Plunder

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Exodus 38 Listen: (4:23) Read: Luke 20 Listen: (5:07)

Scripture Focus: Exodus 38.21

21 These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant law, which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest.

Reflection: Counting God’s Plunder

By John Tillman

Why is Ithamar’s account of gifts to the Tabernacle in the Bible? What’s holy about a spreadsheet?

Ithamar wasn’t crediting the people’s generosity. He was counting God’s plunder.

Israel didn’t mine gold for the Tabernacle. They didn’t purchase it or trade for it or find it in their desert wanderings. The Egyptians gave it to them.

As Pharaoh’s heart hardened, God softened ordinary Egyptians’ hearts toward their Israelite neighbors. Faith-filled Israelite women obeyed God and asked their Egyptian neighbors for silver, gold, and clothing. When Israelite women asked, Egyptians gave freely. God described this as “plundering” the Egyptians. God’s blessings passed through female hands. (Exodus 3.21-22)

In the film, The Princess Bride, the man in black pursues Vizzini and his captive princess. Vizzini accuses the man in black of “trying to kidnap what I have rightfully stolen.” Jesus described himself as a thief, tying up a “strong man” in order to plunder his house. In the Exodus, God proved himself stronger than all the Egyptian gods, tying them up with his plagues. Then he plundered Egypt, liberating both people and possessions. When God steals, he liberates that which does not belong to those who hold it. Christ kidnaps what Satan has rightfully stolen.

In Christ, we are liberated from a kingdom of darkness into a kingdom of light (Colossians 1.13) and gifted with blessings we did not earn. (2 Corinthians 8.9) What the world gives us is not from the world anymore than what the Egyptians gave the Israelites was from Egypt. Neither spiritual nor material blessings belong to us. They are God’s plunder.

When was the last time you accounted for the blessings, the plunder, of God? Like Ithamar, you may need a spreadsheet.

Accounts of God’s blessings often contain moments of actual accounting. Biblical authors regularly note the numerical facts of miraculous events in both the Old and New Testaments. The water jars that were turned to wine held up to thirty gallons. (John 2.6) Over 4,000 people were fed. (Matthew 15.38) 3,000 people were added to their number. (Acts 2.41)

You carry God’s plunder. Have you accounted for it? What are you doing with it? (Luke 19.13)

With God’s plunder, Israel built the Tabernacle—an embassy of Eden where the sovereignty of heaven overlapped and overruled the sovereignty of the world. Put God’s plunder to work as his ambassadors to the world. Make holy space from which God’s blessings flow to all nations and in which slaves can find freedom.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you: O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not worship a foreign god.
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and said, “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” — Psalm 81.8-10

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

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Read more: The Gospel Heist

What has sin taken? What traps you? Are you blind, deaf, or dumb? Lame, leprous, or lifeless? Jesus comes to steal you back and set you free.

Overshadowing as Mercy

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Exodus 37 Listen: (3:14) Read: Luke 19 Listen: (5:29)

Scripture Focus: Exodus 37:8-9

8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.

Reflection: Overshadowing as Mercy

By Erin Newton

To overshadow the ark is not to darken the mercy seat.

The cherubim stand facing inward, wings touching. The wings create a hedge along the edge of the ark’s lid. In protective fashion, the “overshadowing” cherubim stand in service to God, holding the space where his glory will dwell.

The cherubim have been in a protective stance before at Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned and were cast from the garden, the cherubim stood to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen 3:24).

But what needs protection on the ark? Are the wings to keep us out or God’s glory in?

Cherubim not only guard and protect, in another passage they spread their wings like a throne for God. He rules the world from atop the cherubim-carried throne (Ps 80:1).

Is the ark the throne of God? Or is it something to be guarded?

I think what you have in this image is both. Numbers 7 reveals how the voice of God would bellow forth from atop the ark instructing Moses. When God chose to dwell with his people, the cherubim overshadowed where his glory dwelled. They were a veil for those who were in his presence. For no one can see God and live (Exod 33:20). The tree of life was also where God had dwelled with his people. Now tainted with sin, it is God’s act of mercy to provide a veil to the tree and a veil around his glory. To eat of the tree of life while under the burden of sin would be a fate worse than death.

The surrounding wingspan of the cherubim also represents the throne of God. As he dwells among Moses and the people, it is on earth as it is in heaven. There is no place that God does not rule.

When we think about the cherubim guarding the tree and overshadowing the ark, it is tempting to focus on how much people were separate from God. But when we see the cherubim as providing a safe space for us to commune with God, the veil is an act of mercy.

Since the death of Christ, the veil has been removed. No longer is there a need for protection from God’s presence. Why? Because of the indwelling of his Spirit. We are one with Christ. We no longer need to fear the presence of God in our lives.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm

Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and fall down before his footstool; he is the Holy One.
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.
He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; they kept his testimonies and the decree that he gave them.
O Lord our God, you answered them indeed; you were a God who forgave them, yet punished them for their evil deeds.
Proclaim the greatness of the Lord our God and worship him upon his holy hill; for the Lord our God is the Holy One. — Psalm 99.5-9

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

Read more: At The Mercy Seat

Instead of a gold-covered lid, Christ’s mercy seat is a blood-soaked hilltop. Instead of hovering between angels’ wings, Jesus hung between two thieves.

Read more: Unveiled

Paul describes believers as those with “unveiled faces”…If Moses’ face glowed, ours should be incandescent.

When Is It Enough?

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Exodus 36 Listen: (4:47) Read: Luke 18 Listen: (5:27)

Scripture Focus: Exodus 36.2-6

2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing 5 and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” 6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Reflection: When Is It Enough?

By John Tillman

Talking about money is intimidating, so ministers tend to deflect with humor.

Pastors often joke about this passage, saying: “It’s the only time in the history of God’s people when leaders had to tell people to stop giving instead of begging them to start giving.”

Faithful ministers don’t want to be associated with flamboyant huckster prosperity gospelers who abuse people and wealth. We also feel the lingering influence of the early pilgrims and Puritans. They viewed Europe’s ornamented cathedrals as a gateway to idolatry and adopted an austere aesthetic that remains stuck in the American consciousness.

Whenever a church or ministry does something “big,” such as a new building, production, film, or advertising campaign, Americans question the cost. “Shouldn’t they have fed the poor with this money?” (John 12.4-6)

Americans call ministers greedy if their salaries are similar to leaders of similarly-sized organizations. If they show signs of affluence or success, we question their character.

Because of this, ministers fear perceptions of materialism when asking for money. I fall into this trap too. I don’t talk often enough about our ministry’s financial needs.

The reality is that the ministries and ministers that you know live in the same economy you do. Their housing, food, transportation, and energy costs are comparable to yours. Ministries need cash flow, just like you. The church can’t pay its electric bill with handshakes. Websites don’t run on high-fives.

Bezalel stops the people’s giving because he recognizes when he has enough to do the job. The people were asked to give “from what you have” (Exodus 35.5), and “everyone who was willing” contributed. (Exodus 35.21) The people would never have given if they didn’t realize what they had was more than enough. How do you define enough?

I have seen Bezlel-like leaders say “enough” when giving campaign goals were met. I’ve seen projects built without special giving because the church had already given enough. But many ministries have unmet financial needs or work that is paused due to lack of funds.

Generosity and good leadership require the ability to recognize when we have enough. Do we recognize when we have enough? As individuals? As communities? As ministers? As leaders? Or will we just keep consuming, spending, upgrading, endlessly?

God does not require austerity. He promises abundance. Are we living and giving from abundance? Or are we forcing others to operate in austerity because we can’t say, “I have enough”?

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed. — Psalm 51.8

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

Read more: Work, Ministry, and Generosity

Which church are you? Are you receiving ministry funded by others or are you supporting ministry to others in need?

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