God tells Israel to Destroy the Amalekites 1 Samuel 15:1-3

There are many who struggle with this passage, and understandably so.  It is a view of God in Western American culture that makes us quite uncomfortable.  As a Christian who finds total joy in the nature and character of God, I find joy and comfort in this passage for several reasons. 

1. God is actually bringing justice upon the wickedness of these people, and He has given them about 430 years to repent of their sin.  In Genesis 15:13-16 we find God telling Abraham that He is waiting until these people fill up the cup of their condemnation.  He tells Abraham that these people will persecute the nation of Israel for 400 years before He enacts justice upon them.  We read of the Amalekites treatment of Israel in Exodus 17:8 and Deuteronomy 25:17-18.  This went on for a long time! 

People struggle here because God is actually ordering the death of an entire group of people.  Why do we struggle with this idea?  If a person molested and killed several people, we would ask for his death as payment for what he did.  If a person brutally kills another person, we would call out for his death as well.  We embrace the “eye for an eye” thought process, and that is what we see here. 

2. God uses human and sinful people to enact justice.  I am so thankful that God has granted to us wise people who are set above us to determine what is right. Even though you might point out the flaws in the system, I would put our system up against any in the world as the best and most just system.  None is perfect, but some do a really good job. 

3. I also take sympathy with the innocent Amalekites.  Although I find great joy in the justice of God, my heart goes out to the women and children who were victims of the sin of their fathers.  Certainly, there were those who had never killed a Jewish person.  There were those who had never assaulted one of God’s people.  However, we know from life and Exodus 34:7-8 that the sin of our fathers greatly impacts us.  When generation after generation of sin goes on, it has a great impact on every part of that nation.  Look at our own nation!  The longer certain sins go on the more it will impact our children and their children.  This is a law in life and ought not to be our source of struggle. 

4. Finally, here is a picture of why I need Christ.  I am an Amalekite!  I have rebelled, I have sinned against God and the verdict and judgment are upon me as well.  God is going to enact justice for me sin and rebellion.  I am so thankful that God sent His Son to take the justice of God in my place.  If Christ did not take the punishment for my sin, death; I could not have life with God in heaven.  So just remember, as you read this passage, you should not struggle too much, for in it is the rationale for why Christ came and took your place.  You may just be arguing against the basis for your own salvation!

 

May Grace and Peace be with you this day! 

Marriage and the Gospel

"While remaining the foundational divine institution for humanity, which should be nurtured, cared for, and protected, marriage should not be viewed as an end in itself, but should be subordinated to God's larger salvation purposes." Andreas J. Kostenberger

As I read the book God, Marriage, and Family I was struck by this statement.  It brings out three very important things for us to remember in relationship to marriage.  The first of which is an easy thing, the last two much harder.

Marriage is a good thing!

God instituted marriage back as far as the Garden when He said that it was not “good for man to be alone, I will make him a helper fit for him” Genesis 2:18.  Marriage is a relationship with divine origins.  We all know that it is good and should be nurtured, cared for and protected.  We should make time for our spouses, care for our spouses, and protect our relationship with our spouses for God has brought them to us and has made them “fit for us.”  God has given you your spouse, flaws and all  for a reason.

Marriage is not an end in itself!

This is a little harder for us to grasp.  Unlike what most of culture tells us, marriage is not an end in itself.  We do not marry for the sake of marrying.  There is a divine purpose and reason that God gave us the institution of marriage.

Too often marriage is entered into for it’s benefits, even by Christian people.  It is entered into for the physical relationship.  It is entered into for the support, for the fulfilling of the dream of kids.  For every reason, not all of them bad, under the sun that makes marriage the end in itself.

The real issue here becomes when those benefits no longer seem real to us, then the marriage becomes a burden.  Leading to a host of sin and problems.  So what is the real purpose to marriage?

Marriage is to further God salvation purposes!

The divine reason that God gave us marriage is for His salvation purposes.  This occurs in at least three ways:

1. It occurs in the relationship itself: when we enter into a relationship like marriage we are immediately confronted with our sin.  We at least see our selfishness and our complete inability to naturally place another’s desires above our own.  We also find a helper in the battle against sin.  Not only does the relationship reveal our sin, but it also gives us a person to help us in the battle.  Someone to walk side by side with through this battle that is the Christian life.  When marriage is an end in itself, this becomes “nagging” and “…not letting me live my own life.”

2. It occurs in our kids: those who have kids have the tremendous opportunity to share the gospel with them.  The command to be fruitful and multiply relates to our desire to not only have kids, but to see our kids experience new birth and spread the gospel themselves.  However, when marriage and kids are an end in themselves, the marriage and parenting become more about fulfilling a dream, getting a good career and teaching our kids to be polite; rather than about expanding the kingdom of God (not that the former are bad things to strive towards). 

3. It occurs in a dual effort to share the gospel: every couple has different strengths.  In a marriage relationship, there is a great partnership is sharing the gospel.  Partnering together to have people over for meals, coffee, and just to hang out.  It opens a whole new world of opportunities that we can use to access people who do not know and trust Christ atonement on their behalf.  Marriage gives us a partnership for seeking out these people and sharing the truth of God’s love with them.  When marriage is an end in itself, these avenues are too inconvenient and not desirable. 

This is a great quote and thought that deserves out thoughts and attention.  Whether you are single or married, think through this idea and pray that God would guide and direct you as you seek His face.  Look to God’s Word and behold the face of the Sovereign One!