We’re currently in a part of Scripture that deals more with history than theology (or God-principles, as I like to put it).
So here’s the thing.
When we’re studying the historical parts of Scripture, the events are usually communicated to us in a very neutral way.
There’s no extra commentary on whether the actions of certain characters were good or bad from the Lord’s perspective.
It’s left up to us, the readers, to determine the morality or immorality of what took place.
So how are we to make such a determination?
Well, homeroos, the answer is something I’ve been railing on ever since I started this blog over a decade ago.
Study Adonai’s commands, precepts, and laws.
In other words, study His Torah!
Folks in Solomon’s day were supposed to know right from wrong since Moses had given it to them hundreds of years earlier.
But tragically, your average homie had about as much Torah knowledge as the cockroach I killed in my kitchen the other day.
In other words, not very much.
As a result, what happened?
A new law emerged called “The Law of the King.”
That’s just some fancy pants way of saying the King began creating his own laws.
Now I’m not saying he did this in a willy-nilly fashion or anything.
But sometimes the laws he created didn’t align with Torah.
Sometimes they did.
But sometimes they didn’t.
And your average person couldn’t tell the difference.
That’s a problem.
Sometimes even the King couldn’t tell the difference.
That’s even more of a problem.
This leads to our takeaway for today.
Many believers in the 21st century are living in the same situation.
Today, the laws created by governments have replaced God’s commandments found in Scripture.
Allowing murderers to live instead of executing them is just one example of many.
Sometimes we notice the conflict between the two, and sometimes we have no clue about what’s going on.
Other times, we knowingly tolerate laws or cultural standards that push us to compromise what God has said.
The root problem is the same one that existed in the days of Solomon: Ignorance of God’s instructions.
The Gentile church, especially when it engages in abominations such as performing same-sex marriages, is a perfect example of Torah ignorance gone hog wild to the extreme.
Tragically, that’s a case where ignorance is not accidental but chosen.
So what’s the remedy?
Well, for starters, get the hell out of any congregation that teaches that the Messiah has done away with the Law.
Second, make Torah study a daily practice, as regular as brushing your teeth in the morning and night (heck, read my blog regularly to fulfill this instruction if you want).
Third, in your community, vote for laws and leaders aligned with God’s Word rather than against it.
Finally, I leave you with these words of the Psalmist that should be more than sufficient to drive today’s lesson home:
“Blessed is the one
who does not walk with the wicked
or stand with sinful people
or sit among proud mockers.
Instead, his delight is in
the law of the Lord,
and he meditates on it
day and night.
He is like a tree
planted beside flowing streams,
yielding fruit in its season,
with leaves that never wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
But the wicked are not so.
They are like worthless chaff
blown away by the wind.
Therefore, the wicked will not stand
in the day of judgment,
nor sinners among the righteous assembly.
For the Lord watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the path of the wicked
leads only to destruction.”
-Psalm 1:1-6
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Do not think I came
to abolish the Law
or the Prophets.
I did not come
to abolish them
but to fulfill them.
For truly I tell you,
until heaven and earth disappear,
not the smallest letter,
nor the tiniest pen stroke,
will disappear from the Law
until everything is accomplished.
Therefore, anyone who sets aside
even the least command
and teaches others likewise
will be called least
in the kingdom of heaven.
But whoever practices
and teaches these commands
will be called great
in the kingdom of heaven.
For I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses
that of the Pharisees
and teachers of the law,
you will certainly not enter
the kingdom of heaven.”
-Matthew 5:17-20
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