Something historic has been taking place in our nation. Two Supreme Court decisions which have occurred in my lifetime have signaled a significant change, not only in our culture, but in our laws. Roe v. Wade (1973) legalized the killing of the innocent and defenseless unborn. In Obergefell v. Hodges (June 26, 2015) same sex marriage was declared to be legal in every state of the union. People have much to say on the subject, Christians among them. Sadly, a great deal of Christian reaction is sub-par when compared to the Scriptures. This is a time when Christians need to think, act, and speak biblically. This will be a series of messages on the Christian mindset and lifestyle which God requires of His people, particularly in times of opposition and persecution.
—Robert Deffinbaugh, July, 2015
The first lesson focuses on our Lord’s words to His disciples shortly before His death, and it could not be more relevant to Christians today. Let us listen well to our Lord and to His inspired and inerrant words, so that we may “gird up the loins of our minds” (1 Peter 1:13, KJV, NKJV) and manifest God’s holiness to a godless world (1 Peter 1:14-16). [Authored by Bob Deffinbaugh]
The second lesson reminds us that God is King! He is sovereign, and He has not lost control of this world. This is a word that will keep us from wringing our hands as though everything is out of control. This will turn us from our fears to faith in the all-powerful, all-knowing God. (Psalm 47) [Authored by Jeff Horch]
The third lesson reminds us of the Divine perspective on success and suffering. How should we look at life and God's involvement when it seems that everywhere we look the righteous suffer without the external blessing of the Lord, while the wicked flourish and and abound in their successes? (Psalm 73) [Authored by Bob Deffinbaugh]
The fourth lesson focuses our attention on the things which should be paramount in our thinking as we approach the coming elections in our nation. These eternal truths and principles are just as relevant today as they were 30 years ago, or nearly 3,000 years ago, when Proverbs was written.
Something historic has been taking place in our nation. Two Supreme Court decisions which have occurred in my lifetime have signaled a significant change, not only in our culture, but in our laws. Roe v. Wade (1973) legalized the killing of the innocent and defenseless unborn. In Obergefell v. Hodges (June 26, 2015) same sex marriage was declared to be legal in every state of the union. People have much to say on the subject, Christians among them. Sadly, a great deal of Christian reaction is sub-par when compared to the Scriptures. This is a time when Christians need to think, act, and speak biblically. This message will commence a series of messages on the Christian mindset and lifestyle which God requires of His people, particularly in times of opposition and persecution. This lesson focuses on our Lord’s words to His disciples shortly before His death, and it could not be more relevant to Christians today. Let us listen well to our Lord and to His inspired and inerrant words, so that we may “gird up the loins of our minds” (1 Peter 1:13, KJV, NKJV) and manifest God’s holiness to a godless world (1 Peter 1:14-16).
Our text for this introductory article is found in Luke 22:31-38, but it is set against the backdrop of our Lord’s commission to His disciples at the outset of His earthly ministry. This earlier commission is found in Luke 9:1-9:
1 After Jesus called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
3 He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey– no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and do not take an extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area.
5 Wherever they do not receive you, as you leave that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 Then they departed and went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. 7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was happening, and he was thoroughly perplexed, because some people were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 while others were saying that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had risen. 9 Herod said, “I had John beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus (Luke 9:1-9).1
Here, Jesus is sending out the 12, who are given authority over all demons, and who also are granted the power to heal diseases. This power is given so that their message will be received as authoritative. Their message, as indicated in Matthew 10:7 is, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The disciples, like John the Baptist, were preparing the way of the Lord (Mark 1:1-3).
When Jesus sends out the twelve, He sends them without the supplies that one would normally take on such a mission. In part, this was to teach the disciples to depend upon the Lord to supply their every need, and thus to develop and strengthen their faith (Luke 22:35). But in this mission, God’s provision would not come through miraculous means (e.g. Matthew 17:27), it would come through the people to whom they ministered. This was a test of sorts, an indication of the acceptance or rejection of the disciples and their ministry by those to whom they came. Did they welcome the Lord’s messengers and their message? Were they looking to Jesus as the One who would bring in the kingdom of God? If so, they would receive the Lord’s messengers into their homes, and provide for their needs. If not, the disciples would simply move on to those who were receptive (Matthew 10:11-15).
It is interesting to note Herod’s response here to Jesus and His ministry (as extended by His disciples). Just as Herod had been fascinated by John the Baptist and his ministry, he was likewise interested in Jesus. Perhaps a guilty conscience led him to wonder if Jesus was John raised from the dead. But at this point in our Lord’s ministry, people were eager to hear more about Jesus, and to be the recipients of His healing power. Herod, too, wanted to meet Jesus. Jesus was a popular personality, and thus He could send out the twelve without provisions.
All of this is essential background for our text in Luke chapter 22, for Jesus will refer to the early days of His ministry, when He sent out the twelve without provisions.
31 “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me.” 35 Then Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out with no money bag, or traveler’s bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?” They replied, “Nothing.” 36 He said to them, “But now, the one who has a money bag must take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag too. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me is being fulfilled.” 38 So they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” Then he told them, “It is enough” (Luke 22:31-38).
To grasp what is taking place here, we need to look back and review the preceding verses in this chapter. Here is a summary of the events leading up to our Lord’s new commission:
The Passover is at hand, and the popularity of Jesus is alarming to the Jewish religious leaders (verse 1). They now believed they had no alternative but to kill Jesus, and quickly. We see this resolve boldly stated a few days earlier, in response to our Lord’s raising Lazarus from the dead:
46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and reported to them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees called the council together and said, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on in this way, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away our sanctuary and our nation.” 49 Then one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is more to your advantage to have one man die for the people than for the whole nation to perish” (John 11:46-50).
The opponents of our Lord faced a daunting problem. Jesus’ popularity was at an all-time high among the people. The crowds would not tolerate the arrest and murder of Jesus; indeed, they may very well riot. That would be a disaster. And so they resolved to arrest and kill Jesus at a time other than Passover, and in a way other than public stoning, away from the crowds:
1 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he told his disciples, 2”You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people met together in the palace of the high priest, who was named Caiaphas. 4They planned to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5But they said, “Not during the feast, so that there won’t be a riot among the people” (Matthew 26:1-5).
Judas was the answer to the Jewish leaders’ prayers (so to speak). To carry out their plans they needed the help of someone from among Jesus’ closest followers, who could inform them of Jesus’ activities, and of his whereabouts. Judas, having resolved to betray the Lord Jesus for money (John 12:1-8; Matthew 26:1-16), went to these leaders and offered them a deal they could not refuse: he would give them the opportunity to arrest Jesus at a time and place when it would not be observed by the crowds. It was a bargain made in hell (Satan had entered into Judas’ heart, Luke 22:3).
Our Lord’s plans and previous prophecies required Jesus to be crucified during Passover, as the Passover Lamb. This was the same time that the chief priests and elder did not wish to kill Jesus. Doing so might provoke a riot among the people, something Rome would not like. Jesus took action in such a way as to foil the efforts of Judas (and the religious leaders), and to bring about His death during the feast. First, Jesus kept Judas from knowing where He would observe Passover with His disciples. Even the two sent to make preparations for it did not know until the Lord’s pre-arrangements were made known to them. And when the disciples, including Judas, did gather to celebrate Passover, Jesus caught Judas completely off guard. He told all of His disciples that He was about to be betrayed by one of them (Luke 22:21-22). And then He made it clear to Judas that He knew he was the one who would betray Him.
21 When he had said these things, Jesus was greatly distressed in spirit, and testified, “I tell you the solemn truth, one of you will betray me.” 22The disciples began to look at one another, worried and perplexed to know which of them he was talking about. 23One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved, was at the table to the right of Jesus in a place of honor. 24So Simon Peter gestured to this disciple to ask Jesus who it was he was referring to. 25Then the disciple whom Jesus loved leaned back against Jesus’ chest and asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus replied, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it in the dish.” Then he dipped the piece of bread in the dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son. 27And after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28(Now none of those present at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas. 29Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him to buy whatever they needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.) 30Judas took the piece of bread and went out immediately. (Now it was night.) (John 13:21-30).
Can you imagine the panic which overcame Judas at this moment?
The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing,
but the righteous person is as confident as a lion (Proverbs 28:1).
Imagine the thoughts racing through Judas’ head. “Did Peter hear what Jesus just said to me? He’ll kill me if he did.” Jesus told Judas he was the betrayer, in front of the rest of the disciples. He could never return to this intimate circle again. And so he fled, never to return, except to betray Jesus. If Jesus were to be captured and killed, it would not be the way the religious leaders – or Judas – wanted it.
But the disciples were oblivious to the conversation between Judas and Jesus. They were too occupied with their own efforts to discern who the culprit was. Their conversation quickly deteriorated, turning from identifying the betrayer to a debate over which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:23-24).2 (After all, the betrayer could not be the greatest, so the greatest among these men could not be the one Jesus spoke of.) Jesus then reminded them that Christian leadership was about serving, while Gentile leadership was about “lording it over” others (Luke 22:25-27). Gentile leadership is about being in control. Christian leadership is about serving with humility (Philippians 2:5ff.).
Jesus then promised His disciples that they would be rewarded for their faithfulness. When He established His kingdom, they would sit on twelve thrones, judging the tribes of Israel (Luke 22:28-30). How this must have set the disciples’ minds to pondering what their future would look like, a future that they believed to be immanent. Based upon his remembrance of our Lord’s words to him in Matthew 16:17-19, Peter must have been feeling optimistic and confident. Good things were in store for him, and soon.
But our Lord’s response to Peter must have hit him like a slap in the face. What a shock it must have been to hear Jesus warn him of his imminent denial, rather than assure him of good times ahead:
31 “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you like wheat,
32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).
Our Lord’s words were shocking. Did Peter (or the others) discern the difference between “betrayal” (Judas) and “denial” (Peter)? Peter was quick to assure Jesus of his devotion, a devotion that would endure even if prison and death were to be the outcome (Luke 22:33-34).
Jesus’ words may sound strange to the reader, just as they did to the apostles. But I think His instruction lies at the heart of the issue, both for Peter, and for Christians today. Peter’s faith in Jesus, and his commitment to follow Him, was based on a mistaken view of what was soon to come. You might even say that Peter and his fellow disciples were following what might be called a “prosperity gospel.” This is not what Jesus taught, but it was what they took away from His words.3 They would soon learn that there would not be an immediate inauguration of the kingdom. Rather than peace and prosperity, suffering and persecution lay ahead for all the disciples. Peter’s first epistle would be dominated by the subject of suffering and persecution.
The disciples had gotten accustomed to being popular and well-received. They saw this as a kind of “first fruits” of what was to come. And they were wrong! Our Lord’s, “But now” in verse 36 introduces a new day that is about to come with our Lord’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Because He will be regarded as a criminal, so will His disciples. The “good old days” are soon to be gone, and difficult days lie ahead.
Men’s response to Jesus will likewise determine their response to His messengers (John 15:20-21). But now Jesus’ message and ministry is becoming unpopular, even to the masses. They want a different kind of Messiah, one much more like Barabbas than Jesus. Rather than to daydream of the good things which lie ahead, the disciples must brace up for the difficulties which will surely come their way. They must think and act differently than they have in the past. Instead of expecting a warm welcome they must expect resistance and opposition. Paul’s experience illustrates this:
11 To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads. 12We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, 13when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world’s dirt and scum, even now (1Corinthians 4:11-13).
Rather than to go their way, expecting to be supported, the disciples must now be prepared to meet their own needs (Luke 22:36-37). Beyond this, Jesus says something even more shocking:
36 He said to them, “But now, the one who has a money bag must take it, and likewise a traveler’s bag too. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one. 37For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me is being fulfilled” (Luke 22:36-37).
Should we take these words about a sword literally? It is quite evident that the disciples did, at least at first. Our Lord’s response, “It is enough” (verse 38) sounds to me like, “Enough of this for now; you don’t really get it yet.” We know that when Peter employed his sword in an effort to prevent Jesus’ arrest our Lord rebuked him:
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. 53Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and that he would send me more than twelve legions of angels right now? 54How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled?” (Matthew 26:52-54).
Jesus sheds further light on this matter when He says to Pilate,
36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).
As a rule I don’t think Jesus is speaking literally about getting a sword, but rather He is speaking metaphorically, as He often does.4 The disciples needed to be prepared for the hatred and opposition that was soon to come. Having said this, I would not entirely rule out a more literal interpretation in some extreme cases. There are those in hostile places in this world who may be in charge of an orphanage, or overseeing a hospital. If such a person was informed that hostile forces were approaching with the intent of kidnapping children and killing the rest, he or she might well be inclined to take Jesus’ words more literally, and I would not be eager to find fault with them.
Here is the essence of our Lord’s words to Peter and the others: “You will no longer be welcomed with open arms. This is due to the fact that the world hates Me, and thus it will hate you as well. This will require you to rethink your mission and ministry, so that you can survive (and even thrive) in a hostile environment. I find it most interesting to see that it is Peter who will have so much to say to Christians about persecution and suffering in his first epistle.
Recent events should cause our Lord’s words to Peter and the other disciples to sound very familiar to us. We are in exactly the same place that Peter and the others were. We in the west have enjoyed a “most favored” status in our world. Christian principles were acknowledged, if not obeyed. America was thought of as a Christian nation. No more. We are now entering a new chapter in American history; one that I doubt will be remedied by future elections. What the Supreme Court declared to be the law of the land is what most of the states, and a large number of Americans believe: same sex marriage is to be accepted as the new normal.
Fred Smith, a good friend who is now with the Lord, once said this to a fellow at a dinner party in New York City: “Your problem is that you don’t acknowledge the difference between sin and crime. There are a lot of crimes that aren’t sin, and there are a lot of sins that aren’t crime.” How true! We are now living in a day when what God’s Word calls sin is no longer considered a crime. And if we persist in calling it sin, the world is going to become hostile toward us, and toward the gospel.
We in America have been living in a kind of bubble, while the rest of the world (and the church throughout its history) has experienced the norm: suffering for Christ’s sake. Jesus and His apostles made it clear that suffering and persecution would be the new norm:
20 “Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too. 21But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me” (John 15:20-21).
21 After they had proclaimed the good news in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch. 22They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions” (Acts 14:21-22).
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, 11as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all. 12Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:10-12).
12 Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad. 14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you (1Peter 4:12-14).
32 But remember the former days when you endured a harsh conflict of suffering after you were enlightened. 33At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way. 34For in fact you shared the sufferings of those in prison, and you accepted the confiscation of your belongings with joy, because you knew that you certainly had a better and lasting possession (Hebrews 10:32-34).
Jesus tells us that hard times are coming, and the apostles bear witness that hard times have come. We can no longer continue to believe and live out the gospel as we once did – with favor. We must rethink our mission and ministry in the light of Jesus’ words to His disciples. We must think defensively, as well as offensively. As Peter puts it, “We must gird up the loins of our mind, and purpose to be holy in a godless world” (see 1 Peter chapter 1). The lessons which follow in this series will seek to promote a biblical mindset, so that we can live out the gospel and carry out the Great Commission in a hostile world.
1 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotes will be from the NET Bible.
2 If time permitted, it would be worthwhile to consider how typical this is of Christians. We easily and often are side-tracked by focusing on self-centered matters, rather than on the critical issues at hand.
3 See Acts 1:6.
4 The disciples seemed to have no problem taking Jesus’ words literally, but they had great difficulty taking them metaphorically (see Matthew 16:6-12).
“In God We Trust.” That’s what we find written on our coins and currency. Christians are well aware that this statement no longer represents the perspective of many Americans. The real question is, “Does this statement accurately represent the firm conviction of many evangelical Christians in America?” This question is especially pertinent after an election that hasn’t put our candidate into office, or after an executive order or Supreme Court decision that is directly opposed to biblical values and principles.
Jeff Horch has a word for us that we really need to hear. This message was initially delivered on November 4, 2012, a couple of days before the 2012 Presidential Election. It is just as applicable to us today, as we watch all branches of our government turn from scriptural principles and values. Jeff has a crucial message for us: God is King! He is sovereign, and He has not lost control of this world. This is a word that will keep us from wringing our hands as though everything is out of control. This will turn us from our fears to faith in the all-powerful, all-knowing God. This is the mindset that will sustain every Christian. I urge you to read this message from Psalm 47.
Click here for the audio version
Click here to read For King or Country: Where Does Our Hope Lie? (Psalm 47)
1 Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pains in their death,
And their body is fat.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
The garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart run riot.
8 They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak from on high.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue parades through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
11 They say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge with the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked;
And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;
14 For I have been stricken all day long
And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16 When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused,
You will despise their form.
21 When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22 Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24 With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works (Psalm 73:1-28, NAU).
Some may think of the psalmists and their words as “long ago and far away,” but it doesn’t take a great deal of effort to see the relevance of Psalm 73 to Christians today, and more specifically to American Christians in times like these. Let’s begin by taking a “bird’s eye” view of the entire Psalm, and then consider the message God has for us in these inspired words. Verse one is Asaph’s affirmation of faith in God’s goodness. In a sense, it serves as both Asaph’s introduction and as his conclusion. It indicates where Asaph is headed in this psalm,1 and it is where Asaph will end up when all is said and done. From verses 2-14 Asaph confesses his sin (of envying the wicked) by describing how he viewed his circumstances from a merely human point of view. In verses 15-17 we see the point to which his observations led him – the temptation to give up his pursuit of God to live a sinful lifestyle that seemingly led to prosperity – and the turning point that set him straight in his thinking. In verses 18—26 Asaph is now able to view life through different eyes, and thus to articulate a divine perspective on the very things that had once troubled him. This led him to a greater love for God. Verses 27 and 28 summarize the outcome of his transformed thinking regarding living in a fallen world, where the wicked appear to be the winners and the righteous appear to be the losers.
Asaph2 is the psalmist here, and he confesses that at one point in time he was very unhappy with what he saw going on about him in Israel: the wicked appeared to be blessed, while the “righteous” seemed destined for suffering:
3 For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pains in their death,
And their body is fat.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like mankind (Psalm 73:3-5).
Parenthetically, let me say that it is very difficult to see life clearly when seeking to do so through the tear-filled eyes of self-pity. Asaph overstates (all right, he exaggerates) the prosperity and ease of the wicked, and the suffering of the righteous as well. Nevertheless, his words accurately convey the way he once viewed life.
Asaph is right about one thing: from a merely human perspective, the wicked do seem to be succeeding in their sinful pursuits. Worse yet, they are emboldened by their apparent success. They flaunt their opulence, and they are more than willing to resort to violence. Through Asaph’s eyes, they take great pleasure in doing so. Indeed, they are inspired by their “success” to devise even more wicked schemes.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace;
The garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart run riot (Psalm 73:6-7).
The success of the wicked makes them arrogant toward their fellow men; they even become arrogant toward God:
8 They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak from on high.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue parades through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return to this place,
And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
11 They say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge with the Most High?” (Psalm 73:8-11)
Asaph notes that the wicked seem to have concluded either that God is ignorant of their sin, or (worse yet) that He is indifferent toward it.
Before I become too critical of Asaph here, it would be good to consider some of the reasons for his mental and spiritual torment. Asaph knew that God is righteous, that He hates sin, and that He punishes the wicked. He also believed that God had promised to bless the righteous. This assurance of God’s hatred of sin, judgment of the wicked, and blessing of the righteous is based upon God’s words in the giving of the Law of Moses:
15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. 17 “But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. 19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20; see also Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28).
In Asaph’s mind, God seemed to be doing just the opposite. God appeared to be blessing the wicked, while at the same time He was punishing the righteous. God’s actions were perceived as inconsistent with His promises.
Looking back on his agony of soul, Asaph admits that his motivation and thinking were sinful:
1 Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked (Psalm 73:1-3).
Asaph was envious of the wicked. Expressed in different words, Asaph had more affection for the gold (God’s material blessings) than he did for God. As I look at God’s commandments in the Law I see great emphasis on loving God, which motivates one to obey His commands. God is more emphatic about loving Him and thus obeying His commands than He is about the material benefits of obedience. Notice how a love for God should motivate our obedience to God, resulting in blessing, while turning from God (to other gods) leads to disobedience and judgment.
13 “It shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, 14 that He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, that you may gather in your grain and your new wine and your oil. 15 “He will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. 16 “Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them. 17 “Or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit; and you will perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you (Deuteronomy 11:13-17, emphasis mine).
I can understand why the psalmist would be perplexed. Didn’t God promise to bless His people for their obedience to His law, and to punish those who disobeyed? We should remember that Asaph had written these words in Psalm 50:
14 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving
And pay your vows to the Most High;
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”
16 But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of My statutes
And to take My covenant in your mouth?
17 “For you hate discipline,
And you cast My words behind you.
18 “When you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
And you associate with adulterers.
19 “You let your mouth loose in evil
And your tongue frames deceit.
20 “You sit and speak against your brother;
You slander your own mother’s son.
21 “These things you have done and I kept silence;
You thought that I was just like you;
I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.
22 “Now consider this, you who forget God,
Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.
23 “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:14-23).
Asaph’s earlier words in Psalm 50 certainly seem to promise salvation and blessings to the righteous, and judgment to the wicked. No wonder that Asaph is perplexed by what he sees. It would appear that God is not playing by the rules or, worse yet, that He is unaware or unconcerned by what is going on. Asaph is troubled to the point of considering giving up on persevering in the face of adversity.
If Asaph’s first confession is that of his envy of the material prosperity of the wicked, his second confession is that he began to think of his faith and obedience as a useless waste of energy:
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;
14 For I have been stricken all day long
And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children (Psalm 73:13-15).
This kind of thinking tempted Asaph to cast his faith aside and join the wicked in their evil pursuits (and thus to join them in their prosperity).
Psalm 73:15-26
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have betrayed the generation of Your children.
16 When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused,
You will despise their form.
21 When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22 Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
24 With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:1-26).
The turning point in Asaph’s relationship with God was brought about by a change in his perspective. The psalmist says his perspective changed when he “came into the sanctuary of God” (verse 17). I believe Asaph means by these words that he came into the tabernacle3 (the temple was later constructed by Solomon), and doing so changed his perspective.
How can going into the Tabernacle, the sanctuary of God, produce such a dramatic change in Asaph’s perspective? The tabernacle (and later the temple) were symbols that were an earthly picture of heaven. I get this from the writer to the Hebrews:
1 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN” (Hebrews 8:1-5, emphasis mine).
The earthly tabernacle (and temple) were but copies of the heavenly reality. Thus, when Asaph (or anyone else qualified to do so) entered the tabernacle, he was immediately reminded of the heavenly realities not yet seen by man. From this heavenly perspective Asaph now views the temporary “success” of the wicked as just that, a very short-lived period of apparent blessing, to be followed by an eternity of judgment.
17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment!
They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused,
You will despise their form (Psalm 73:17-20).
27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You (Psalm 73:27).
An eternal perspective enables Asaph to see his spiritual condition, his present circumstances, and his future destiny clearly:
21 When my heart was embittered
And I was pierced within,
22 Then I was senseless and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You have taken hold of my right hand.
4 With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory (Psalm 73:21-24).
Asaph’s envy of the wicked and his anger toward God was beastly: His earthly perspective failed to grasp spiritual and eternal realities. It was not God who was in the wrong; it was Asaph. The prosperity of the wicked did not turn them toward God; it turned them from God. Asaph’s suffering drew him closer to God. Not only was he assured of spending eternity in the presence of God; he was assured of God’s presence with him in the midst of his earthly adversities. His present distress made him more aware of the nearness of God.
Asaph’s problem boiled down to a proper definition of “good.” Initially, he thought that “good” meant material prosperity and a trouble-free life. Then, when his perspective changed, so did Asaph’s definition of “good” and “evil”:
27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works (Psalm 73:28).
If “nearness to God” is our good, then whatever draws us to Him is good, and whatever draws us away from Him is not good. The prosperity of the wicked lures them away from God. The suffering of the righteous is intended to draw them into closer fellowship with God. When we look at life from a divine and eternal perspective, we can see that.
So, how do Asaph’s spiritual struggles impact us? Let me suggest three vital areas of application.
Asaph’s words should serve as a warning to the wicked. By “wicked” I am not referring to a small group of violent and evil folks, but to that broader group of “the wicked” who take pride in their success and who don’t love God or think that they need Him. The wicked would also include those who are religious. Asaph himself came close to being wicked; indeed, he would confess that his thoughts and motives were wicked. He envied the wealth and ease of the wicked. He even considered casting his faith aside to join them, in order to prosper as they did.
When we come to the New Testament we find that many of the Jewish religious leaders were wicked. Take the Pharisees for example:
14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God (Luke 16:14-15).4
The assumptions of the Pharisees were very much like those of Asaph when he failed to see things rightly. Of course they loved money because of what it would do for them. But they also loved money because of what they thought their prosperity proved – piety. In their minds, the pious prospered while the wicked suffered. Their wealth proved their piety, to themselves at least. And the poverty of others proved that they were under divine judgment (and thus they need not help the poor, because that would be working against God’s judgment in their lives).
Jesus rocked their world and challenged their thinking when He taught:
20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh (Luke 6:20-21).
But the great shock must have come when Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). The rich man died and went to hell, while a poor beggar – Lazarus – died and went to heaven. How could this be?
Even the disciples were influenced by the thinking of the Pharisees. When they came upon a man who was born blind, they assumed that his blindness was God’s punishment for sin, either his sin or that of his parents (John 9:1-3).
I fear that the prosperity, comfort, and peace that most Americans5 have experienced has somehow lulled many into a false sense of security. Either they sense that God is blessing them, indicating that they are O.K. with Him, or they believe that He is uninterested and unconcerned regarding their rejection of Him (Read 2 Peter 3:1-10).
My dear friend, having a comfortable life here and now is no indication that you will be comfortable for all eternity. That is what the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is all about. There is only one way to be comfortable throughout all eternity, and that is through faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ was truly God and truly man, and that He lived a sinless life in perfect obedience to God. It likewise informs us that while Jesus is without sin, we are not (Read Romans 3:9-20). The solution for our sins is Jesus Christ, who willingly died in the sinner’s place, so that all who acknowledge their sin and place their trust in Jesus may be forgiven of their sins and assured of eternal life in the presence of God (Read John 14:6; Romans 3:21-26; 10:9-11; 1 John 5:10-12). The good news is that even the very wicked who trust in Him will be saved (see Luke 23:39-43; 1 Timothy 1:12-15). Do not be deceived by thinking your current comfort and prosperity assures you of being right with God. Don’t let your prosperity turn you from God.
Over the years I have consistently warned of the error of those who preach a “prosperity gospel.” But while I have recognized the dangers of the more extreme forms of this teaching, it has been this study of Psalm 73 which has awakened me to the possibility that many of us (American Christians) have become infected with a strain of this kind of false teaching.
Is it not possible that those of us who are Christians in America have come to view our ease and prosperity as an evidence of God’s favor, and thus as a kind of proof of our piety? Are we really affluent and comfortable because we have been so godly? Do we even realize how affluent we are, compared to others? Are those saints who are suffering in hostile countries suffering because of their sin, or because of their godliness? Have we come to the place where we feel entitled to our prosperity, and worthy of it? Then I would suggest that we have become like Asaph by feeling entitled to peace and prosperity.
I don’t find the saints being assured of peace and prosperity in this life. Rather, I find many indications that the saints will suffer in this ungodly world, while the wicked may seem to prosper.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me” (John 15:18-21).
21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21-22).
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29).
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Philippians 3:10).
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin (Hebrews 12:3-4).
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. 19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls (1 Peter 2:18-25).
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name (1 Peter 4:12-16).
Jesus never proclaimed a path of ease and comfort. He called those who would follow Him to a life of sacrifice and self-denial:
32 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 “For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; 36 and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. 37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:32-38).
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:57-62).
Christians need to toughen up. We need to expect men to reject us for their faith, and to be opposed and persecuted, just as Jesus was. We need to get over the false notion that becoming a Christian is the pathway to an easy and comfortable life. And, we need to realize that what is truly good is intimacy with God, not the possession of goods.
15 Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions” (Luke 12:15).
Asaph’s difficulties were rooted in a false perception of what constitutes “good.” It was not until he entered the sanctuary of God that he came to see things from a divine and eternal perspective. We need to have this same perspective. I believe that is what Peter and other New Testament writers are challenging us to do – to get our minds thinking straight, so that we see things from God’s perspective.
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY” (1 Peter 1:13-16; see Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-24; Philippians 4:17-21; Colossians 3:1-2).
We do not have an earthly tabernacle or temple to go to, in order to transform our thinking, but we have something far better.
Let us take advantage of all these blessings, so that we will view our current lives through the eyes of our Lord.
1 This is not the way I initially read verse one. At first I thought that verse one was the basis for Asaph’s complaint. I thought that the psalmist was asserting God’s “goodness” to Israel as the reason for his complaint: If God is truly “good” to Israel, how can He be prospering the wicked and punishing the righteous? I now see this statement as the outcome of Asaph’s struggles; it is telling us where Asaph is headed in the psalm. Surely God is good to Israel, and specifically to those who are pure in heart. The key to understanding God’s “goodness” is to rightly understand what is “good.” Seeing his circumstances from God’s eternal perspective, Asaph realizes that peace and prosperity are not necessarily good, but the nearness of God (verse 28) is.
2 Asaph was one of David’s musicians, who participated in Israel’s worship (1 Chronicles 15:16-18; 16:4-7). Asaph was one of the musicians who ministered before the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 16:37). He is designated as the human author of Psalms 50, 73-83.
3 See Exodus 25:8; Leviticus 4:6; 21:12; Numbers 3:28ff.
4 Look at Jesus’ indictment of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-36.
5 I say most Americans because even those living on welfare are vastly better off than most of those living in the rest of the world.
Here is a message on politics in the Book of Proverbs which I (Bob) unearthed recently from the study "The Way of the Wise." It was written over thirty years ago. You won't find either Republican or Democratic propaganda, and you won't find the name Trump or Clinton. This message focuses our attention on the things which should be paramount in our thinking as we approach the coming elections in our nation. These eternal truths and principles are just as relevant today as they were 30 years ago, or nearly 3,000 years ago, when Proverbs was written.
This page is designed to provide additional helpful resources for Pastor's, Church leaders, and individuals relating to Same-Sex Marriage, Homosexuality, and the church.