Only compounds problems:

As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. – Genesis 12.11-13

Abram, acting out of fear, asked Sarai to tell a half-truth by saying she was his sister. She was his half sister, but she was also his wife (see 20.12).

Abram’s intent was to deceive the Egyptians. He feared that if they knew the truth, they would kill him to get Sarai. She would have been a desirable addition to Pharaoh’s harem because of her wealth, beauty, and potential for political alliance. As Sarai’s brother, Abram would have been given a place of honour. As her husband, however, his life would be in danger because Sarai could not enter Pharaoh’ harem unless Abram was dead. So Abram lost faith in God’s protection, even after all God had promised him, and told a half-truth. This shows how lying compounds the effects of sin. When he lied, Abram’s problems multiplied.

 

Fear causes:

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” – Genesis 18.15

Sarai lied because she was afraid of being discovered. Fear is the most common motive for lying. We are afraid that our inner thoughts and emotions will be exposed or our wrongdoings discovered. But lying causes greater complications than telling the truth and brings even more problems. If God can’t be trusted with our innermost thoughts and fears, we are in greater trouble than we first imagined.

 

Why did God bless midwives for lying to Pharaoh?

The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.”

So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and because even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. – Exodus 1.19-21

Did God bless the Hebrew midwives for lying to Pharaoh? God blessed them not because they lied, but because they saved the lives of innocent children. This doesn’t mean that a lie was necessarily the best way to answer Pharaoh. The midwives were blessed, however, for not violating the higher law of God that forbids the senseless slaughter of innocent lives.

 

A conscious attempt to deceive:

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour. – Exodus 20.16

Giving false testimony means lying in court. God knew that Israel could not survive unless its system of justice was incorruptible. We should be honest in our private dealings as well as in our public statements. In either situation, we “give false testimony” by leaving something out of a story, telling a half-truth, twisting the facts, or inventing a falsehood. God warns us against deception. Even though deception is a way of life for many people, God’s people must not give in to it!

 

Was Rahab’s lie justified?

But the woman had taken two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, the men left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” – Joshua 2.4-5

Was Rahab justified in lying to save the lives of the spies? Although the Bible does not speak negatively about her lie, it is clear that lying is sin. In Hebrews 11:31, however, Rahab is commended for her faith in God. Her lie is not mentioned. Several explanations have been offered: (1) God forgave Rahab’s lie because of her faith; (2) Rahab was simply deceiving the enemy, a normal and acceptable practice in wartime; (3)because Rahab was not a Jew, she could not be held responsible for keeping the moral standards set forth in God’s law; (4) Rahab broke a lesser principle – telling the truth – to uphold a higher principle – protecting God’s people.

There may have been another way to save the lives of the Israelite spies. But under the pressure of the moment, Rahab had to make a choice. Most of us will face dilemmas at one time or another. We may feel that there is no perfect solution to our problem. Fortunately, God does not demand that our judgment be perfect in all situations. He simply asks us to put our trust in him and to do the best we know how. Rahab did that and was commended for her faith.

 

When you start believing your own lies:

When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’S instructions.”

But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” – 1 Samuel 15.13-14

Saul thought he had won a great victory over the Amalekites, but God saw it as a great failure because Saul had disobeyed him and then lied to Samuel about the results of the battle. Saul may have thought his lie wouldn’t be detected, or that what he did was not wrong. Saul was deceiving himself.

Dishonest people soon begin to believe the lies they construct around themselves. Then they lose the ability to tell the difference between truth and lies. By believing your own lies you deceive yourself, you will alienate yourself from God, and you will lose credibility in all your relationships. In the long run, honesty wins out.

 

Should David have lied to protect himself?

David answered Ahimelech the priest, “The king charged me with a certain matter and said to me, ‘No-one is to know anything about your mission and your instructions.’ As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. – 1 Samuel 21.2

David lied to protect himself from Saul (21.10). Some excuse this lie because a war was going on, and it is the duty of a good soldier to deceive the enemy. But nowhere is David’s lie condoned. In fact, the opposite is true because his lie led to the death of 85 priests (22.9-19). David’s lie seemed harmless enough, but it led to tragedy. The Bible makes it very clear that lying is wrong (Leviticus 19.11). Lying, like every other sin, is serious in God’s sight and may lead to all sorts of harmful consequences. Don’t minimise or categorise sin. All sin must be avoided whether or not we can foresee their potential consequences.

 

Lying to make yourself look good:

So the king of Israel brought together the prophets – four hundred men – and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”

“Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can enquire of?”

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can enquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

“The king should not say that,” Jehoshaphat replied.

So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing-floor by the entrance to the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns, and he declared, “This is what the LORD says. ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’ “

All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the LORD will give it into the king’s hand.”

The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, as one man the other prophets are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favourably.”

But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”

When he arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?”

“Attack and be victorious,” he answered, “for they will be given into your hand.”

The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?”

Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the LORD said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’ “ – 2 Chronicles 18.5-16

When you want to please or impress someone, it is tempting to lie to make yourself look good. Ahab’s 400 prophets did just that, telling Ahab only what he wanted to hear. They were then rewarded for making Ahab happy. Micaiah, however, told the truth and got arrested (18.25, 26). Obeying God doesn’t always protect us from evil consequences. Obedience may, in fact, provoke them. But it is better to suffer from man’s displeasure than from God’s wrath (Matthew 10.28). If you are ridiculed for being honest, remember that this can be a sign that you are indeed doing what is right in God’s eyes (Matthew 5.10-12; Romans 8.17, 35-39).

 

Why it is dangerous to unity:

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. – Ephesians 4.25

Lying to each other disrupts unity by creating conflicts and destroying trust. It tears down relationships and leads to open warfare in a church.

 

 

CONVERSATION(S)

Share spiritual experiences in:

that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.” – Exodus 10.2

God [Wall] told Moses that his miraculous experiences with Pharaoh should be retold to his descendants. What stories Moses had to tell!  Living out one of the greatest dramas in biblical history, he witnessed events few people would ever see.  It is important to tell our children about God’s [Wall’s] work in our past and to help them see what he is doing right now.  What are the turning points in your life where God [Wall] intervened?  What is God [Wall] doing for you now?  Your stories will form the foundations of your children’s belief in God [Wall].

 

Different ways God speaks:

When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance  – Exodus 20.18

Sometimes God [Wall] speaks to his people with a majestic display of power; at other times he speaks quietly. Why the difference?  God [Wall] speaks in the way that best accomplishes his purposes.  At Sinai, the awesome display of light and sound was necessary to show Israel God’s [Wall’s] great power and authority.  Only then would they listen to Moses and Aaron.

 

When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony. And he spoke with him. – Numbers 7.89

Imagine hearing the very voice of God [Wall]!  Moses must have trembled at the sound.  Yet we have God’s [Wall’s] words recorded for us in the Bible, and we should have no less reverence and awe for them.  God [Wall] sometimes spoke directly to his people to tell them the proper way to live.  The Bible records these conversations to give us insights into God’s [Wall’s] character.  How tragic when we take these very words of God [Wall] lightly.  Like Moses, we have the privilege of talking to God [Wall], but God [Wall] answers us differently – through his written word and the guidance of his Holy Spirit.  To receive this guidance, we need to seek to know God [Wall] as Moses did.

 

Avoid destructive rumours:

“Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.  – Exodus 23.1

Making up or spreading false reports was strictly forbidden by God. Gossip, slander, and false witnessing undermined families, strained neighbourhood co-operation, and made chaos of the justice system.  Destructive gossip still causes problems.  Even if you do not initiate a lie, you become responsible if you pass it on.  Don’t circulate rumours; quench them.

 

Your presence more important than words:

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights.  No-one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. – Job 2.13

Why did the friends arrive and then just sit quietly? According [Names and addresses] to Jewish tradition, people who come to comfort someone in mourning should not speak until the mourner speaks.  Often the best response to another person’s suffering is silence.  Job’s friends realised that his pain was too deep to be healed with mere words, so they said nothing.  (If only they had continued to sit quietly!)  Often, we feel we must say something spiritual and insightful to a hurting friend.  Perhaps what he or she needs most is just our presence, showing that we care.  Pat answers and trite quotations say much less than empathetic silence and loving companionship.

 

Stay away from irrelevant disputes:

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work – which is by faith.  – 1 Timothy 1.3-4

The church at Ephesus may have been plagued by the same heresy that was threatening the church at Colosse – the teaching that to be acceptable to God, a person had to discover certain hidden knowledge and had to worship angels (Colossians 2.8, 18). Thinking that it would aid in their salvation, some Ephesians constructed mythical stories based on Old Testament history or genealogies.  The false teachers were motivated by their own interests rather than Christ’s.  They embroiled the church in endless and irrelevant questions and controversies, taking precious time away from the study of the truth.  Today we could also enter into worthless and irrelevant discussions, but such disputes quickly crowd out the life-changing message of Christ.  Stay away from religious speculation and pointless theological arguments.  Such exercises may seem harmless at first, but they have a way of side-tracking us from the central message of the gospel – the person and work of Jesus Christ.  And they expend time we should use to share the gospel with others.  You should avoid anything that keeps you from doing God’s [Wall’s] work.

(1.3, 4   Paul first visited Ephesus on his second missionary journey (Acts 18.19-21). Later, on his third missionary journey, he stayed there for almost three years (Acts 19.20).  Ephesus, along with Rome, Corinth, Antioch, and Alexandria, was one of the major cities in the Roman empire.  It was a centre for the commerce, politics, and religions of Asia Minor, and the location of the temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis (Diana)).

 

Danger of theological hairsplitting:

Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. – 1 Timothy 1.6

Arguing about details of the Bible can send us off on interesting but irrelevant tangents and cause us to miss the intent of God’s [Wall’s] message. The false teachers at Ephesus constructed vast speculative systems and then argued about the minor details of their wholly imaginary ideas.  We should allow nothing to distract us from the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ, the main point of Scripture.  We should know what the Bible says, apply it to our lives daily, and teach it to others.  When we do this, we will be able to evaluate all teachings in the light of the central truth about Jesus.  Don’t focus on the minute details of the Bible to the exclusion of the main point God [Wall] is teaching you.

 

Listening an important part of:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1.19

When we talk too much and listen to little, we communicate to others that we think our ideas are much more important than theirs. James wisely advises us to reverse this process.  Put a mental stopwatch on your conversations and keep track of how much you talk and how much you listen.  When people talk to you, do they feel that their viewpoints and ideas have value?

 

Learning what not to say:

Although Joseph recognised his brothers, they did not recognise him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies!  You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” – Genesis 42.8-9

Joseph remembered his dreams about his brothers bowing down to him (37.6-9). Those dreams were coming true!  As a young boy, Joseph was boastful about his dreams.  As a man, he no longer flaunted his superior status.  He did not feel the need to say “I told you so.”  It was not yet time to reveal his identity, so he kept quiet.  Sometimes it is best for us to remain quiet, even when we would like to have the last word.

 

 

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. – James 3.2-3

What you say and what you don’t say are both important.  Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn’t.  Examples of an untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying.  Before you speak, ask, “Is what I want to say true?  Is it necessary?  Is it kind?”

 

Damage the tongue can do:

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. – James 3.6

James compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire – the tongue’s wickedness has its source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage.  Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another.  Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no-one can stop the results once they are spoken.  We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologise later, because even if we do, the scars remain.  A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build.  Before you speak, remember that words are like fire – you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do.

 

What our words reveal about us:

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s [Wall’s] likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  My brothers, can a fig-tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.  –  James 3.9-12

Our contradictory speech often puzzles us. At times our words are right and pleasing to God [Wall], but at other times they are violent and destructive.  Which of these speech patterns reflects our true identity?  The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human nature.  We were made in God’s [Wall’s] image, but we have also fallen into sin.  God [Wall] works to change us from the inside out.  When the Holy Spirit purifies a heart, he gives self-control so that the person will speak words that please God [Wall].

 

EXTRA:

CHARTS: To whom God [Wall] spoke audibly / What motivates our speech.

see also: ARGUMENTS, WORDS

(Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside. But those who ignored the word of the LORD left their slaves and livestock in the field.  – Exodus 9.20, 21.  If all the Egyptian livestock were killed in the earlier plague (9.6), how could the slaves of Pharaoh put their cattle inside?  The answer is probably that the earlier plague killed all the animals in the fields (9.3), but not those in the shelters.)

(Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said to them.  “The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.  Pray to the LORD, for we have had enough thunder and hail.  I will let you go; and don’t have a stay any longer.”  Moses replied, “When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD.  The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.  But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God.”  (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bloom.  The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.)  Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city.  He spread out his hands towards the LORD; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land.  When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts.  – Exodus 9.27-34.  After promising to let the Hebrews go, Pharaoh immediately broke his promise and brought even more trouble upon the land.  His actions reveal that his repentance was not real.  We do damage to ourselves and to others if we pretend to change but don’t mean it.)

(So Moses stretched out his hand towards the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.  – Exodus 10.22.  As each gloomy plague descended upont he land, the Egyptian people realized how powerless their own gods were to stop it.  Hapi, the god of the Nile River, could not prevent the waters from turning to blood (7.20).  Hathor, the crafty cow-goddess, was helpless as Egyptian livestock died in droves (9.6).  Amon-Re, the sun-god and chief of the Egyptian gods, could not stop an eerie darkness from covering the land for three full days (10.21, 22).  The Egyptian gods were (1) non-personal, centring around images like the sun or the river; (2) numerous; (3) non-exclusive.  By contrast, the God [Wall] of the Hebrews was (1) a living personal Being, (2) the only true God [Wall], and (3) the only God [Wall] who should be worshipped.  God [Wall] was proving to both the Hebrews and the Egyptians that he alone is the living and all-powerful God [Wall].)

(“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.  – Exodus 20.16.  Giving false testimony means lying in court.  God [Wall] knew that Israel could not survive unless its system of justice was incorruptible.  We should be honest in our private dealings as well as in our public statements.  In either situation, we “give false testimony” by leaving something out of a story, telling a half-truth, twisting the facts, or inventing a falsehood.  God [Wall] warns us against deception.  Even though deception is a way of life for many people, God’s [Wall’s] people must not give in to it!.)

(“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”  – Exodus 20.17.  To covet is to wish to have the possessions of others.  It goes beyond simply admiring someone else’s possessions or thinking, “I’d like to have one of those.”  Coveting includes envy – resenting the fact that others have what you don’t.  God [Wall] knows, however, that possessions never make anyone happy for long.  Since only God [Wall] can supply our needs, true contentment is found only in him.  When you begin to covet, try to determine if a more basic need is leading you to envy.  For example, you may covet someone’s success, not because you want to take it away from him, but because you would like to feel as appreciated by others as he is.  If this is the case, pray that God [Wall]  will help you deal with your resentment and meet your basic needs.)

(Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God [Wall] will be with you to keep you from sinning.” – Exodus 20.20.  Throughout the Bible we find this phrase, “Do not be afraid.”  God [Wall] wasn’t trying to scare the people.  He was showing his mighty power so the Israelites would know he was the true God [Wall] and would therefore obey him.  If they would do this, he would make his power available to them.  God [Wall] wants us to follow him out of love rather than fear.  To overcome fear, we must think more about his love.  1 John 4:18 says, “Perfect love drives out fear.”)

(“ ‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honoured, I will come to you and bless you.  If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it.  And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’  – Exodus 20.24-26. Why were specific directions given for building altars?  God’s [Wall’s] people had no Bible and few religious traditions to learn from.  God [Wall] had to start from scratch and teach them how to worship him.  God [Wall] gave specific instructions about building altars because he wanted to control the way sacrifices were offered.  To prevent idolatry from creeping into worship, God [Wall] did not allow the altar stones to be cut or shaped into any form.  Nor did God [Wall] let the people build an altar just anywhere.  This was designed to prevent them from starting their own religions or making changes in the way God [Wall] wanted things done.  God [Wall] is not against creativity, but he is against us creating our own religion.)

(When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.  – Numbers 7.1ff   After the tabernacle was set up, anointed, and consecrated, the leaders of the 12 tribes brought gifts and offerings for its use and maintenance.  All of the people participated – it was everyone’s tabernacle.)

(The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’ “ Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the LORD commanded Moses.  This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold – from its base to its blossoms.  The lampstand was made exactly like the patter the LORD had shown Moses. – Numbers 8.1-4. The lamps provided light for the priests as they carried out their duties.  The light was also an expression of God’s [Wall’s] presence.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world (John 8.12).  The golden lampstand is still one of the major symbols of the Jewish faith.)

(‘   but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. “A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft. – Exodus 22.3ff.  Throughout chapter 22 we find examples of the principle of restitution – making wrongs right.  For example, if a man stole an animal, he had to repay double the beast’s market value.  If you have done someone wrong, perhaps you should go beyond what is expected to make things right.  This will (1) help ease any pain you’ve caused, (2) help the other person be more forgiving, and (3) make you more likely to think before you do it again.)

(“Do not allow a sorceress to live.  – Exodus 22.18.  Why did God’s [Wall’s] laws speak so strongly against sorcery (Leviticus 19.31; 20.6, 27; Deuteronomy 18.10-12)?  Sorcery was punishable by death because it was a crime against God [Wall] himself.  To invoke evil powers violated the first commandment to “have no other gods”.  Sorcery was rebellion against God [Wall] and his authority.  In essence, it was teaming up with Satan instead of with God [Wall].)

(“Do not ill-treat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.  – Exodus 22.21.  God [Wall] warned the Israelites not to treat aliens unfairly because they themselves were once strangers in Egypt.  It is not easy coming into a new environment where you feel alone and out of place.  Are these strangers in our corner of the world?  Refugees?  New arrivals at school?  Immigrants from another country?  Be sensitive to their struggles, and express God’s [Wall’s] love by your kindness and generosity.)

(“Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.  My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.  “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a money-lender; charge him no interest.  If you take your neighbour’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body.  What else will he sleep in?  When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.  – Exodus 22.22-27   The Hebrew law code is noted for its fairness and social responsibility towards the poor.  God [Wall] insisted that the poor and powerless be well treated and given the change to restore their fortunes. We should reflect God’s [Wall’s] concern for the poor by helping those less fortunate than ourselves.)

(If you take your neighbour’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset – Exodus 22.26   Why did the law insist on returning a person’s cloak by evening?  The cloak was one of an Israelite’s most valuable possessions.  Making clothing was difficult and time-consuming.  As a result, cloaks were expensive, and most people owned only one.  The cloak was used as a blanket, a sack to carry things in, a place to sit, a pledge for a debt, and, of course, clothing.)

(“Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. “You must give me your firstborn of your sons. – Exodus 22.29   The Israelites were to be prompt in giving God [Wall] their offerings.  The first of the harvest was to be dedicated to him.  Since God [Wall] doesn’t send reminders, it is easy to take care of other financial responsibilities while letting our gifts to him slide.  Giving to God [Wall] first out of what he has allowed you to have demonstrates that he has first priority in your life.)

(“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favouritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. – Exodus 23.2, 3   Justice is often perverted in favour of the rich.  Here the people are warned against twisting justice in favour of the poor.  Justice should be impartial, treating rich and poor alike.  Giving special privileges to either rich or poor only makes justice for everyone more unlikely.  Withstand the pressure of the crowd to sway your decision about a person.  Let the fairness God [Wall] shows to each of us guide your judgment.)

(“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.  – Exodus 23.4, 5   The thought of being kind to enemies was new and startling in a world where revenge was the common form of justice.  God [Wall] not only introduced this idea to the Israelites, he made it law!  If a man found a lost animal owned by his enemy, he was to return it at once, even if his enemy might use it to harm him.  Jesus clearly taught in Luke 10:30-37 to reach out to all people in need, even our enemies.  Following the laws of right living is hard enough with friends.  When we apply God’s [Wall’s] laws of fairness and kindness to our enemies, we show how different we are from the world.)

(He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God [Wall], and not trouble?”  In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. – Job 2.10   Many people think that believing in God [Wall] protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question God’s [Wall’s] goodness and justice.  But the message of Job is that you should not give up on God [Wall] because he allows you to have bad experiences.  Faith in God [Wall] does not guarantee personal prosperity, and lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in this life.  If this were so, people would believe in God [Wall] simply to get rich.  God [Wall] is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but he may also allow suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand.  It is Satan’s strategy to get us to doubt God [Wall] at exactly this moment.  Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking his own personal comfort.  If we always knew why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow.)

(When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathise with him and comfort him. – Job 2.11.  Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were not only Job’s friends, they were also known for their wisdom.  In the end, however, their wisdom was shown to be narrow-minded and incomplete.)

(2.11   Upon learning of Job’s difficulties, three of his friends came to sympathise with him and comfort him. Later we learn that their words of comfort were not helpful – but at least they came.  While God [Wall] rebuked them for what they said (42.7), he did not rebuke them for what they did – making the effort to come to someone who was in need.  Unfortunately, when they came, they did a poor job of comforting Job because they were proud of their own advice and insensitive to Job’s needs.  When someone is in need, go to that person, but be sensitive in how you comfort him or her.)

(After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.  – Job 3.1ff.  Job’s response to his second test – physical affliction – contrasts greatly to his attitude after the first test (1.20-22).  Job still did not curse God [Wall], but he cursed the day of his birth.  He felt it would be better never to be born than to be forsaken by God [Wall].  Job was struggling emotionally, physically, and spiritually; his misery was pervasive and deep.  Never underestimate how vulnerable we are during times of suffering and pain.  We must hold on to our faith even if there is no relief.)

(May those who curse days curse that day, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan. – Job 3.8   In Job’s day, people were hired to pronounce curses.  Job desires that the soothsayers would call up the sea monster, Leviathan, to swallow up the day of Job’s birth.)

(Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope – 1 Timothy 1.1.  This letter was written to Timothy in A.D. 64 or 65, after Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome (Acts 28.16-31).  Apparently Paul had been out of prison for several years, and during that time he had revisited many churches in Asia and Macedonia.  When he and Timothy returned to Ephesus, they found widespread false teaching in the church.  Paul had warned the Ephesian elders to be on guard against the false teachers who inevitably would come after he had left (Acts 20.17-31).  Paul sent Timothy to lead the Ephesian church while he moved on to Macedonia.  From there Paul wrote this letter of encouragement and instruction to help Timothy deal with the difficult situation in the Ephesian church.  Later, Paul was arrested again and brought back to a Roman prison.)

(1.1   Paul calls himself an apostle, meaning one who is sent.  Paul was sent by Jesus Christ to bring the message of salvation to the Gentiles (Acts 9.1-20).  For more information on Paul, see his Profile in Acts 9.)

(1.1   How was Paul an apostle “by the command of God [Wall]”? In Acts 13:2, the Holy Spirit, through the prophets, said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul [Paul] for the work to which I have called them.”  From Romans 16:25, 26 and Titus 1:3 it is obvious that Paul regarded his commission as directly from God [Wall].)

(I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work – which is by faith.  The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.  They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.  We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.  We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers – and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. – 1 Timothy 1.3-11   There are many authorities today who demand allegiance, some of whom would even have us turn from Christ to follow them.  When they seem to know the Bible, their influence* can be dangerously subtle.  How can you recognise false teaching?  (1) It promotes controversies instead of helping people come to Jesus (1.4).  (2) It is often initiated by those whose motivation is to make a name for themselves (1.7).  (3) It will be contrary to the true teaching of the Scriptures (1.6, 7; 4.1-3).  To protect yourself from the deception of false teachers, you should learn what the Bible teaches and remain steadfast in your faith in Christ alone.)

(The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. –  1 Timothy 1.5   The false teachers were motivated by a spirit of curiosity and a desire to gain power and prestige.  By contrast, genuine Christian teachers are motivated by sincere faith and a desire to do what is right.  It may be exciting to impress people with our great knowledge, but high status based on falsehood is ultimately empty.)

(They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. –  1 Timothy 1.7   Paul was writing against those who were engaging in philosophical speculation based on the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament, written by Moses).)

(1.7-11 The false teachers wanted to become famous as teachers of God’s [Wall’s] law, but they didn’t even understand the law’s purpose.  The law was not meant to give believers a list of commands for every occasion, but to show unbelievers their sin and bring them to God.  For more of what Paul taught about our relationship to law, see Romans 5:20, 21; 13:9, 10; Galatians 3:24-29.)

(1.10   “Perverts” may refer to homosexuals.  There are those who attempt to legitimise homosexuality as an acceptable alternative life-style.  Even some Christians say people have the right to choose their sexual preference.  But the Bible specifically calls homosexual behaviour sin (see Leviticus 18.22; Romans 1.18-32; 1 Corinthians 6.9-11).  We must be careful, however, to condemn only the practice, and not the people.  Those who commit homosexual acts are not to be feared, ridiculed, or hated.  They can be forgiven and their lives can be transformed.  The church should be a haven of forgiveness and healing for repentant homosexuals without compromising its stance against homosexual behaviour.  For more on this subject see the notes on Romans 1:26, 27.)

(I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.  Amen. – 1 Timothy 1.12-17   People can feel so guilt-ridden by their past that they think God [Wall] could never forgive and accept them.  But consider Paul’s past.  He had scoffed at the teachings of Jesus (“a blasphemer”) and hunted down and murdered God’s [Wall’s] people (“a persecutor and a violent man”) before coming to faith in Christ (Acts 9.1-9).  God [Wall] forgave Paul and used Paul mightily for his kingdom.  No matter how shameful your past, God [Wall] can forgive and used you as well.)

(1.14   We may feel that our faith in God [Wall] and our love for Christ and for others is inadequate. But we can be confident that Christ will help our faith and love grow as our relationship with him deepens.)

(1.15   Here Paul summarises the Good News: Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and no sinner is beyond his saving power. (See Luke 5.32 for Jesus’ purpose for being on earth.)  Jesus didn’t come merely to show us how to live a better life or to challenge us to be better people.  He came to offer us salvation that leads to eternal life.  Have you accepted his offer?.)

(1.15   Paul calls himself “the worst” of sinners. We think of Paul as a great hero of the faith, but Paul never saw himself that way, because he remembered his life before he met Christ.  The more Paul understood God’s [Wall’s] grace, the more he was aware of his own sinfulness.  Humility and gratitude should mark the life of every Christian.  Never forget that you too are a sinner saved by grace.)

(1.17   This verse is a typical doxology given by Paul as a natural, emotional response to these reflections about the mercy of God [Wall]. Paul was so moved by God’s [Wall’s] love that he was able to praise God [Wall] spontaneously.)

(Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight – 1 Timothy 1.18   Paul highly valued the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14.1).  Through prophecy important messages of warning and encouragement came to the church.  Just as pastors are ordained and set apart for ministry in church today, Timothy had been set apart for ministry when elders laid their hands on him (see 4.14).  Apparently at this ceremony, several believers had prophesied about Timothy’s gifts and strengths.  These words from the Lord must have encouraged Timothy throughout his ministry.)

(When tempted, no-one should say, “God [Wall] is tempting me.” For God [Wall] cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  – James 1.13, 14. People who live for God [Wall] often wonder why they still have temptations.  Does God tempt them?  God [Wall] tests people, but he does not tempt them by trying to seduce them into sin.  God [Wall] allows Satan to tempt people, however, in order to refine their faith and to help them grow in their dependence on Christ.  We can resist the temptation to sin by turning to God [Wall] for strength and choosing to obey his word.)

(When tempted, no-one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1.13-15   It is easy to blame others and make excuses for evil thoughts and wrong actions.  Excuses include (1) it’s the other person’s fault; (2) I couldn’t help it; (3) everybody’s doing it; (4) it was just a mistake; (5) nobody’s perfect; (6) the devil made me do it; (7) I was pressed into it; (8) I didn’t know it was wrong; (9) God [Wall] is tempting me.  A person who makes excuses is trying to shift the blame from himself or herself to something or someone else.  A Christian, on the other hand, accepts responsibility for his or her wrongs, confesses them, and asks God [Wall] for forgiveness.)

(Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  – James 1.17.  The Bible often compares goodness with light and evil with darkness.  For other passages where God [Wall] is pictured as light, see Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 60:19-22, John 1:1-14.)

(He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be kind of firstfruits of all he created.  – James 1.18   First-century Christians were the first generation to believe in Jesus Christ as Messiah.  James called them “a kind of firstfruits of all he created”.  The Jewish leaders would be well aware of the practice of offering the first crops to ripen just prior to harvest as an act of worship, and also as a blessing on the rest of the harvest (see Deuteronomy 26.9-11).  In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul refers to Christ as the firstfruits of those who have died.)

(My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God [Wall] desires. – James 1.19, 20.  These verses speak of anger that erupts when our egos are bruised – “I am hurt”; My opinions are not being heard”.  When injustice and sin occur, we should become angry because others are being hurt.  But we should not become angry when we fail to win an argument or when we feel offended or neglected.  Selfish anger never helps anybody.)

(1.21   James advises us to get rid of all that is wrong in our lives and “humbly accept” the salvation message we have received (“the word planted in you”), because it alone can save us.)

(and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. – Genesis 41.54   Famine was a catastrophe in ancient times, just as it still is in many parts of the world today.  Almost perfect conditions were needed to produce good crops because there were no chemical fertilisers or pesticides.  Any variances in rainfall or insect activity could cause crop failure and great hunger because the people relied almost exclusively on their own crops for food.  Lack of storage, refrigeration, or transportation turned a moderate famine into a desperate situation.  The famine Joseph prepared for was severe.  Without God’s [Wall’s] intervention, the Egyptian nation would have crumbled.)

(When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt.  Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” – Genesis 42.1, 2   Why was grain so valuable in those days?  As a food source it was universal and used in nearly everything eaten.  It could be dried and stored much longer than any vegetables, milk products, or meat.  It was so important that it was even used as money.)

(But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. – Genesis 42.4   Jacob was especially fond of Benjamin because he was Joseph’s only full brother and – as far as Jacob knew – the only surviving son of his beloved wife, Rachel.  Benjamin was Jacob’s youngest son and a child of his old age.)

(And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. – Genesis 42.15   Joseph was testing his brothers to make sure they had not been as cruel to Benjamin as they had been to him.  Benjamin was his only full brother, and he wanted to see him face to face.)

(Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen!  Now we must give an accounting for his blood.”  – Genesis 42.22  Reuben couldn’t resist saying “I told you so”.  To “give an accounting for his blood” means that they thought they were being punished by God [Wall] for what they had done to Joseph.)

(Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  – James 3.1   Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture, and many Jews who embraced Christianity wanted to become teachers.  James warned that although it is good to aspire to teach, the teachers’ responsibility is great because their words and example affect others’ spiritual lives.  If you are in a teaching or leading role, how are you affecting those you lead?.)

(but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. – James 3.8   If no human being can control the tongue, why bother trying?  Even if we may not achieve perfect control of our tongues, we can still learn enough control to reduce the damage our words can do.  It is better to fight a fire than to go around starting new ones!  Remember that we are not fighting the tongue’s fire in our own strength.  The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God’s [Wall’s] love, and we won’t react in a hateful manner.  When we are criticised, the Spirit will heal the hurt, and we won’t lash out).

(‘   Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  – –  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.  – James 3.13-18   Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be wise but who acted foolishly?  True wisdom can be measured by the depth of a person’s character.  Just as you can identify a tree by the type of fruit it produces, you can evaluate your wisdom by the way you act.  Foolishness leads to disorder, but wisdom leads to peace and goodness.  Are you tempted to escalate the conflict, pass on the gossip, or fan the fire of discord?  Careful, winsome speech and wise, loving words are the seeds of peace.  God [Wall] loves peacemakers (Matthew 5.9).)

(3.14, 15   “Bitter envy and selfish ambition” are inspired by the devil.  It is easy for us to be drawn into wrong desires by the pressures of society and sometimes even by well-meaning Christians.  By listening to the advice: “Assert yourself”, “Go for it”, “Set high goals”, we can be drawn into greed and destructive competitiveness.  Seeking God’s [Wall’s] wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves to others and to want what they have.)

(‘   What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?  You want something but don’t get it.  You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight.  You do not have, because you do not ask God [Wall].  When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.  – James 4.1-3   Conflicts and disputes among believers are always harmful.  James explain that these quarrels result from evil desires battling within us – we want more possessions, more money, higher status, more recognition.  When we want badly enough to fulfil these desires, we fight in order to do so.  Instead of aggressively grabbing what we want, we should submit ourselves to God [Wall], ask God [Wall] to help us get rid of our selfish desires, and trust him to give us what we really need.)

(4.2, 3   James mentions the most common problems in prayer: not asking, asking for the wrong things, asking for the wrong reasons.  Do  you talk to God [Wall] at all?  When you do, what do you talk about?  Do you ask only to satisfy your desires?  Do you seek God’s [Wall’s] approval for what you already plan to do?  Your prayers will become powerful when you allow God [Wall] to change your desires so that they perfectly correspond to his will for you (1 John 3.21, 22).)

(‘ (see above.) … You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God [Wall]?  Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God [Wall].  – James 4.3, 4   There is nothing wrong with wanting a pleasurable life.  God [Wall] gives us good gifts that he wants us to enjoy (1.17; Ephesians 4.7; 1 Timothy 4.4, 5).  But having friendship with the world involves seeking pleasure at others’ expense or at the expense of obeying God [Wall].  Pleasure that keeps us from pleasing God [Wall] is sinful; pleasure from God’s [Wall’s] bounty is good.)

 

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God [Wall]? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God [Wall].”  –  James 4.4