Deuteronomy 30 v19

Partially quoting Deuteronomy 30:19, it says: “I take the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you today that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the curse”. This taking “the heavens and earth” as witnesses, was it mere illustrative hyperbole? We know that under the Law, a human witness can testify against a person and, if found guilty, be the first to throw a stone intended to cause death. But do we have any indication that the heavens and earth condemned people to death? Indeed we do. We need only remember the case of Sodom and Gomorrah and/or the case of Korah where the earth swallowed up wicked people.

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Assuming Approval

Sometimes what Jehovah says and does comes across as harsh, unyielding. This can be readily illustrated in the case of Uzzah. For what seemed to be a good deed, namely preventing the Ark from toppling over, he was immediately executed by God. Some may have reasoned that dismissal from his Levitical appointment would have sufficed. Even King David was said to be angered against Jehovah for this punishment against Uzzah. The one principle the Bible reminds us is that God is ultimately righteous in everything he does. Nothing he does is unjust. This article helps us to understand that even more clearly. Collaborating that, is this article from gotquestions.com.

Perhaps this may also have been a case of wrong expectations that God would approve. Korah was a warning example of that type of thinking. He felt Moses was misusing the authority God had given him and stood up against Moses declaring ‘enough of you! The whole assembly of God is holy, not just you!’ Did Korah think he could do a better job? Even if that were so, he learned the hard way that when God has set up a means of handling a matter, revolting or even chafing at such is a direct rebellion against God’s decision. Moses wasn’t perfect. Perfection wasn’t a requirement. But Moses did closely listen and follow the directions God gave. (As a sideline, Moses didn’t feel superior. In fact, at one point he stated that he wished everyone had his power and authority.)

Another case of not following direction, which Jehovah viewed as blatant disregard, not for Moses, but for God himself, was the case of what happened when the 12 spies came back from their expedition. Except for Joshua and Caleb, the other 10 men all gave a bad report, which disheartened the nation, making them afraid to take possession of the land Jehovah promised them. (See Numbers chapters 13 & 14.) Once the people heard that their refusal to trust in God resulted in a condemnation of wandering for 40 years, they immediately changed their tune and, then once again in disobedience, refused to listen and tried to go up to war. Here are the devastating consequences.

Why do I cite these cases? Some have contended that “all religions (especially those claiming to be Christian) are approved by God.” With that claim, they find fault with me because I disagree. One of the key scriptures here is Matthew 7:21-23. The individuals mentioned there seemed shocked that they were rejected. What they did in “prophesying, expelling demons, and performing many powerful works,” all to Christ’s credit, are exactly what Jesus himself did. Yet he did not approve -- expressly because they did not do what they were directed to do. They didn't follow direction. 

I would hope that most would agree with me that today’s fake miracle workers, the insatiably money-hungry evangelists, and others who have little but selfish motives would absolutely fit in this category. But what of others who, just as supposedly sincere as the ones mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 7, likewise feel they are serving God. Indeed, no one, including me, is in any position to take God’s place as judge. He and his son, Jesus, are capable of reading the hearts that we mere humans cannot. I personally can only go on what I read and understand in the Bible. The Bible teaches there is only one God, Jehovah. The Bible teaches permanent destruction of wicked, not an eternal torment. There is more than ample evidence in scripture that Jesus is the Son of God, not God the Son, not God-in-flesh on earth, not half man, half God. I believe these things so wholeheartedly that I am convinced those who don’t, no matter how sincere they are, have deceived themselves; and like Uzzah, Korah, and those others who decide for themselves what and how much they will do for God, will suffer the consequences. 

Before anyone condemns me, I’d ask you -- Do you have such strong faith in your beliefs that you are thoroughly convinced of them and want to take strong issue with me? If so, then you are essentially doing the same thing I am doing -- being thoroughly convinced and sharing your beliefs with others. But unlike those that find fault with me and want to silence me, I respect that God gave us free will. I have no problem with people defending their beliefs in a respectful, calm manner. (Please note that I will not treat those who disagree with me with disrespect. Although I am completely, resolutely convinced I have found the one and only truth, I am not the judge of anyone.)

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Recall The Love You Had At First

Do you remember when you first learned the Bible’s wonderful hope for the future, the heartwarming love that God has for mankind, and experienced the true international brotherhood? Do you remember how you felt invigorated and gained a newfound love for life? Maybe now it has been a while. Now you are in a groove of daily living as a Christian and maybe gotten a little bored? Being in a groove can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Consider the old vinyl records that played music so many decades ago. For the needle to stay in the groove is exactly what it was supposed to do. For the needle to skip over tracks (grooves) was damaging to the precious records and irritating to the human ear. But sweet music came when the needle stayed faithfully in the groove.

But staying in the groove was not always what the listener wanted. Sometimes the listener wanted to skip ahead so they would gingerly lift the arm and gently set it on the track of choice. In today’s world, DJs love to take a turn table and brutally move it back and forth for special effects. In this case the music is not as important as the effect. Still, the needle faithfully does what the user wants.

Following the illustration, the path (groove) of Christian loyalty can be likened to a needle that follows the groove and faithfully “plays” the Kingdom message without wavering. However, at times changes can jazz up our lives. Changing the “tune” from “house to house” to witnessing in business areas, rural areas, areas less worked, foreign lands and other situations can be like the DJ that gets everyone (our minds, hearts, emotions, and more) excited and rejuvenated.

But coming back to the idea of the feeling we first had when we realized what a treasure we had found. We enjoyed learning. We loved the Bible discussions and having our questions answered. It was as wonderful as a blind man seeing for the first time. Can even a person once blind take their sight for granted? It is possible. After a long time of seeing, such a person may become over confident and not paying attention to where they walk. But when they first gained their sight, they marveled as they took in all they could. Just like that person, after having known God, the Bible and Christian living for a while, it has happened that believers fall into a rut. Just like the formerly blind person who needs to recall how precious sight is, we may need to remind ourselves how precious our spiritual sight is. How?

One way is to regain a love of learning. There is so much in the Bible that is NOT covered as frequently as many main Bible topics are at Christian meetings. For example, just recently I was reading Jude 11 wherein Jude mentions Cain, Balaam, and Korah. Have you ever wondered why those three specific men? I did. Here is some personal observations I made about them. Would you like to rejuvenate your love of learning? Start reading the Bible daily. If you read just 15 minutes every day, you could easily finish the whole Bible in less than 2 years. The schedule I set for myself is a bit more aggressive. But don’t just read it. Make notes about things you read that you do not understand. Then research them. Use them as conversation pieces to see what others may have learned about them. Yes, learning will invigorate you in ways you may have forgotten.

A second way to invigorate your love of the Bible and Christian life is to find someone else to teach it to. I can pretty much guarantee you that as you teach someone else, they will come up with questions and phrase things in ways you never considered before. Maybe when you first learned the point they are inquiring about, it was a non-issue for you – you just accepted it. But now that you’ve been challenged to explain it, you realize you didn’t understand it clearly enough to convince someone who does have an issue with it. When you find the answer and successfully explain it, you have taught not only your student but yourself as well.

Taking all these actions will help you recall “the love you had at first.”

Divisive Arrogance

Jude, starting at verse 8 thru the end, is speaking of those who slyly speak against others who are obviously approved by God and their direction and decisions that are obviously being blessed.

Instead of cooperatively supporting those approved by God, like Cain they allow jealousy to grow in their hearts and then they assault their brothers, even if only verbally. Finally, when the damage is done, they take an aloof attitude, in effect arrogantly stating "am I my brother's keeper?"

Like Balaam, whom Jude said was looking for a reward, such men seek authority and recognition in the congregation as a selfish reward to be grasped, at the risk and expense of wholesome unity and spirituality of everyone affected.

Like Korah, who challenged Moses' rightful leadership, those who promote their own ways as better and oppose direction given by those whom God is blessing, demonstrate that they are actually working against God Himself. Indeed they are "despising authority." (vS8) It would be a different situation if these turned apostate and went off to form their group. Instead, they seek to subvert the congregation by remaining in it.

In all these cases, those who act like that would have done themselves a favor if they had only conducted themselves like Jesus who, verse 9, left the matter in God's hands. Yet in that instance Jesus would have been 100% correct in setting Satan straight. In contrast, none of our brothers are Satan, so how much more careful we need to be when we feel some indignation over a perceived wrong. Regardless of how wrong or right our view is, arrogance, stubbornness, and insulting words are not the answer. 
Now this is not to say that we cannot express our honest viewpoint just not in arrogance or at the expense of our brother's dignity. Nor should it be something that we talk around to others, spreading dissension in the congregation. If we truly have a problem with a person, we should first approach them alone. But to spread negative talk is exactly what Jude referred to as "rocks under the water" (vs.12). Such rocks in the ocean could completely tear a ship apart. We don't want our words, attitudes, or actions to tear the congregation apart.

Although in context verse 12 was talking about prideful divisive forces in the congregation, in grander application this would apply to anything that could tear apart a congregation, especially cunning and premeditated motives. 

To reduce The effect our imperfect speech can have on others, remember the carpenters saying:  "measure twice, cut once." Indeed, think carefully and then measure out your words slowly. Address the issue, but cut short before insulting your brother or becoming a divisive, corrosive agent in the congregation.