Genesis 11, Matthew 2

Monday, Dec 10, 2007 – Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 11, Matthew 2)

(Genesis 11)

What an interesting story reminding us about our sinful nature. God had recently given a new covenant to Noah and his sons marking it with a sign of restoration and safety. I would imagine each one of them had a firm understanding of the authority of God, His power, His love (the list goes on and on) and yet here in Genesis 11, just a handful of generations away, Idolatry enters with scene. The tower of babel was the chief seat of that idolatry. Instead of continuing to uphold our end of the covenant, we build idols and seek ways to achieve forms of “godliness” ourselves. Can you imagine how foolish it would be to build a tower in which we really thought we could reach heaven?

Verse 4 says, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

The word “name” comes from the Hebrew word “renown”. By it’s own definition, they were literally saying let us create for ourselves a “memorial of individuality, by implication, honor and authority.” It doesn’t denote, necessarily, an actual “name” but more so a “position”. In this context, their position was in relationship to heaven and celestial beings (angels), and God himself.

I’ve always been confused about this scripture and wondered why God didn’t just appreciate their desire to be close to Him. Here’s why: They weren’t trying to be close to God or do something to honor God, they were trying to position themselves on par with God. They were trying to be gods. That’s always been a HUGE problem with God.

Verse 6 shares some insight. “The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” He was saying, geeze, if they’ll do this, they’ll try anything!

God was not making a statement of FACT that nothing was impossible for them to achieve. He was making a statement of what they believed. He knew that if they felt any type of success in this building (which in our humanity, we always measure our success by our standards, not Gods) it would only create more self-destructive tendencies. This wasn’t an overnight project, this probably was taking years, imagine the cultural shifting that was taking place during this project of tangent “hope”.

He said, “nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” Key words, “for them”. It was THEIR reality. But, it was NOT reality.

In their own minds, if they tried this, there was nothing they wouldn’t try. The Hebrew says that “nothing would be restrained” in their “plotting, devise, and purpose”. God was NOT creating more of a dependency upon Him, he was protecting them from themselves.

But as we know, God took care of things. How? Did he wipe them out again? No, he promised he wouldn’t do that (although he could, since man had already broken their side of the covenant). He simply confused them, and sent them on their own way.

Was God afraid they would actually reach heaven? No, of course not. I believe that the Tower of Babel was a form of grace. Mankind was up to something terrible. They had lost their focus. They were replacing God in their minds. God stepped in, and separated them from themselves. Kind of like breaking up a fight with your brother. Like only a father would.

Father, thank you for saving us from ourselves. Thank you that you know what our nature and our weaknesses are. Thank you for intervening in our lives.

(Matthew 2)

It’s amazing what happens in our carnal minds when God is calling us to do something spiritual that “disturbs” our lifestyle, “disturbs” the pattern of something we want to keep doing, “disturbs” our grip on something we’ve always thought we had “control” on, or “disturbs” an area of life we’d rather God not change.

I guess that’s how Herod felt when Jesus was born, “ When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” What TERRIBLE things followed.

God, may we see the areas in our life that you want to change as a blessing. Help us to see it as a joy on our journey that we might have such a faith, that even what might seem as a disturbance, can be seen in the way you intended. May that strengthen our faith and our dependency upon you.

Genesis 10, Matthew 1

Friday, Dec 7, 2007 – Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 10, Matthew 1)

(Genesis 10)

This chapter speaks of the three sons of Noah, that of them was the whole earth overspread. No nation but that of the Jews can be sure from which of these seventy it has come. The lists of names of fathers and sons were preserved of the Jews alone, for the sake of the Messiah. This morning I am reminded how from the beginning, what an amazing, intentional God we have.

(Matthew 1)

“Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.” Matthew 1:17

Once again, we see the amazing deliberacy (is that a word?) of our God. I find myself amazed by how what started in Genesis, truly leads to the birth of Christ. I am amazed how the entire message of the Old Testament points towards the need and coming of our Savior. It’s interesting, while we feel Christ is just for us, really He’s part of the Fathers plan to bring us back to Him.

I think sometimes we read God’s word and lose perspective. It’s so easy to make it about us instead of what God is doing in the world, his plan, and how we might fit into it. Since we’re in Matthew, let’s think about Christmas, for example. It’s the celebration of the birth of Jesus, but the reality is, we have truly made it about us, and our families. I don’t believe it’s wrong to give gifts to one another and have an amazing family time, but let’s remember others during this season that are without. Let’s remember Christ’s purpose as much as His existence. To serve others.

Father, this entire lineage points to Jesus, from there we can all become heirs to the throne through the cross. Thank you for your grace. Teach us God to be concerned about others and to love others as much as ourselves.

Genesis 9, Jude

Thursday, Dec 6, 2007 – Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 9, Jude)

(Genesis 9)

In reading Genesis 9, I was struck by God’s attention to detail in describing our responsibility before him in relationship to animals. He even said for each one he will demand an accounting. I think that’s an insight to the responsibility that comes with the position of authority. That’s a great word picture when I think about how we treat those in our lives whom God has placed us in authority over, whether it’s our children, wives, even employees.

But I’m even more struck by the last part of verse 5 when he writes, “And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.”

The word used to describe the “life blood” that is used in this verse in the NIV, comes from the word “vitality”. As the church, we have such great responsibility in the accounting for the life of others. While certainly each one of us will stand before God and give an account for our life, I believe with all my heart the health of a church, it’s ministries, it’s passions, it’s authentic relationships impact greatly the “vitality” of each person’s faith and faith journey. This is a sobering thought when I think about all the lives that will walk through our doors, hear about our church, be served a free meal on the street, be challenged to love on another, sit through a sermon, or visit a community group (the list goes on and on). My question today for me, for the people in my life, or for just in my day, am I contributing to the “vitality” of their life (in Christ)? I believe even the neutral we will give an account.

The other thing that caught my eye was from verse 17, “So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth."

When we think about God’s covenant, we should remember that it literally represents a two-sided agreement. So many times we think of it as only something we must do. On the contrary, and not that he owes us anything, God is making a promise to us. No doubt, he has been and will be found faithful. How terrible the day, in light of his faithfulness, to be found out that we did not uphold our side of the bargain!

First Father, I pray that we would see others through your eyes. Help us to recognize the negative or neutral impact we have on others so that we might press forward into fostering vitality in the lives of your children. God, may it start with us. Give us a JOY that surpasses all understanding. Give us a JOY that your Word says is our strength. May your Spirit fill us so much that our vitality overflows into the lives of others. May we be found faithful, father, in our service to you and others.

(Jude)

The list is huge. All the things Jude outlines as characteristics and accusations of the ungodly. I began to write them all down but instead was encouraged by the very first verse when Jude described the ones whom this letter was penned for, “To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.”

Of all the warnings, I’m drawn by the description of verse 12 about the “clouds without rain”.

So many times we can look at the wrong things we’ve done and easily critique or try not to do it again. So many times we can justify our actions as being okay in our own minds. But a cloud without rain is just useless. It does nothing. It offers no nourishment (although it’s designed to do so). It does not fulfill it’s role in nature and if all clouds were the same, it would literally break down the ecosystem cycle. All it does is block the sun. Literally.

God, may we stay in your Word that we might always keep in the front of our minds the things that oppose your ways. Help us to do as the Psalmist says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Through your Word, help us to see our nature of selfishness. Help us to see it as a problem, that on this journey we would constantly fight against. Thank you God that we are just a part of this great plan. We recognize that it does not all depend on us, but thank you for the thrill and privilege of being a part of it. May we be found faithfull.

Genesis 8, 3 John

Wednesday, Dec 5, 2007 – Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 8, 3 John)


(Genesis 8)

In verse 15, God told Noah to let out every animal and have all of his family exit the ark. At that point, he gave them a divine task. “…multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number upon it.”

Not only are we to multiply, but also be fruitful. Of all the things God wanted them to do, these were the first two things he said to them. It’s such a simple thought, but important. So many times we seem to just exist. When we do, the impact of our lives is minimal and most certainly not intentional. I think it’s interesting that it is more of our nature to “multiply”, but more of God’s leading that makes us fruitful. While I don’t know if that is an intentional connection to a relationship or not, it seems that in order to do both well, we would need God’s hand.

I think that is a great list of two things for the church. Honestly, that’s the first thing I thought of when I read the chapter today. I’ve always believed a healthy church is a growing (multiplying) church. If it’s not, something is off. It doesn’t mean they are bad, just that something is off a bit (or a lot). Maybe it wouldn’t be growing in ways we can see or in ways we would typically measure it, but when God is honored, he will draw people to him. But the fruit, the fruit should be obvious. I’m not talking about fruit that we benefit from only, I’m talking about fruit for others, efforts for others, impact for others.

God, help us today to see the areas in our lives that we are not looking outward. Help us to have a heart and mind for multiplying ministry and sharing the Good News to those around us. Help us dear God to pursue the things in our lives that will produce a fruit that is from you and your Word in our lives. Help us to remain in you, attached to the vine.

(3 John)

While 1 John was written to all believers, 2 John a specific church, 3 John was to a specific leader in the church, Gaius. I’ve always thought 3 John presents a great list of questions we can ask ourselves as a measuring stick of our walk as leaders in the church. Each question comes from something John commended Gaius for.

1. Is your SOUL getting along well? (vs.2)
2. What do others REPORT about you? (vs.3-4)
3. Who are you SERVING? (vs.5)
4. Are you on a TEAM? (vs.7-8)
5. Is your PRIDE in check? (vs.9-10)
6. Do you IMITATE what is good? (vs.11)
7. Do you make effort to KNOW others? (vs.13-14)

Genesis 7, 2 John 1

Tuesday, Dec 4, 2007 – Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 7, 2 John 1)

(Genesis 7)

I’ve always thought that the most awful way to die would be to drown. Whenever I’ve seen it in a movie, it seems to suck me in, and I find myself gasping for breath as I watch. To be honest with you, I find myself short of breath right now just thinking about it. While I imagine it would seem like an eternity, it only takes a moment to drown.

I know it’s a morbid thought. I know many struggle with God’s judgment. I’m having a difficult time writing about it. But the consequence of God flooding the earth was just. But here is a question, why did God need to flood the earth for 150 days? Verse 24 says, “The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.” It certainly did not take that amount of time to accomplish a complete “cleansing” of the earth.

I wonder if it was for Noah. I wonder if, for him and his family, it was a time God was working on them. Imagine being on that boat, in complete isolation, as a result of following God. They were saved and they had 150 days of nothing to do but think about that fact. You couldn’t help but ponder what God had in store next. You couldn’t help but be humbled by the fact that He chose to spare you. You couldn’t help but wonder, “how long is this gonna last?” You couldn’t help but wonder, “Does God know we’re about to run out of food?” Then, once again, he is found faithful.

Hopefully, we would learn, that He already knew all those answers.

So whatever place we are in today, whatever spiritual, emotional, or physical condition, what is God teaching us? What are the questions in our minds and spirits? What have we learned from God’s faithfulness in the past about HIS nature vs MAN’S nature? What can we learn about God today?

Father, thank you for the tough experiences in our lives, that increase our dependency on you. May each struggle and victory as a parent, a child, a husband or wife, an employee or boss, as a man or woman of God draw us closer to you. Help us to continuously see each day as a part of the journey of faith, each day.

(2 John 1)

I absolutely love what John had to say in this first chapter. Verse 5-6 say, “I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

At first blush, you might say, “Wait a minute, Jesus said in John 13 (and John was the one who wrote it down) that to love one another was a NEW command, then John said it was NOT a new command. What’s the deal?”

When we typically speak about the beginning, our minds go straight to Genesis. We think about the creation of the earth. We think about God creating Adam and Eve. We think about the fall of man and the Journey thereafter in the Old Testament. The thing I love about John is that when he speaks about the beginning, he speaks about Jesus.

John had completely thrown off the past and covenant of old. He truly believed and lived that the beginning of his existence, as well as the churches, began with Jesus. It was new command that Jesus gave, but it was the same “old” command that Jesus gave later, that John gave. The beginning was Jesus. Like John said, “As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

It’s not just part two. It’s a new life. It’s a new way. It’s a new covenant. It’s a new Spirit.

God, give us the perspective and faith of John. Help us to see the ways of Jesus, life in him, forgiveness through him, and our future with Him as EVERYTHING. May we cast off the ways of old. May we cherish every moment as children of God through the blood of Christ.