Just A Big Misunderstanding

Yearly reading: Genesis 9-11

And the Lord said, "Look, they are one people and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another's speech. Genesis 11: 6-7 NRSV

I used to think this was the Biblical explanation for the many spoken languages on earth. But this morning, I have come to realize this is about misunderstanding.

My husband and I speak the same language. However, it is rare for us to actually hear what the other is saying. One of our marriage-building exercises is to repeat what we hear the other person saying. Many times we can get it correct but only with a great deal of effort. In other words, it works when we do the exercise but not when we speak to one another on a daily basis.

I also speak the same language as my parents. But often I can sense that many times they just don't get what I am saying. It really isn't a matter of understanding per se but a matter of seeing the world in a similar way. I have spent time in a regular basis to try to explain myself to my mother; I have given up on my father - he is only going to see things from his own perspective.

Then there is my son. He is only eight but I can begin to see what he is going to be like as a teenager. He has already learned how to tune me out.

And this is just in my own family! Forget working together in order to accomplish the impossible. If we can't communicate with one another, how can we hope to communicate with others?

We shall all have to depend upon God to accomplish the impossible.

Perhaps that is the meaning of today's scripture.

God, with you nothing is impossible. We place ourselves in your hands. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims

Testing God

Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let your anger burn against me, let me speak one more time: let me, please, make trial with the fleece just once more; let it be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew." And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. Judges 6:39-40 NRSV

The story of Gideon and the fleece my be the one part of his story that you remember from Bible school as a child.

In reading his story, I think I can understand his continued testing of God.

Gideon was asked to destroy the altar of Baal and the sacred pole. He did it after he was sure it was God instructing him to do so. As a result of what happened, Gideon was almost killed by his neighbors and friends. Now God is asking Gideon to lead troops from four of the tribes of Israel against the Midianites and the Amalekites. God has upped the ante, so to speak. No wonder Gideon tests and re-tests God's power and might!

Gideon wants proof that God will give them victory by laying out a fleece on the ground and seeing if the dew will only fall on the fleece with the surrounding ground remaining dry. This is an impossible natural occurrence. Only God could make this happen.

Although this happens, Gideon still wants to make sure this wasn't some type of fluke. He asks God to leave the fleece dry and have the ground to be wet. In the morning: viola! Truly God is behind this and will give them victory.

In the meantime, Gideon has cleverly put off actually carrying out the battle by two days.

Huh.

God, we are really good at testing you and putting off what you ask of us. Thank you for your patience. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: What have you been putting off by testing God?

Copyright Amelia G. Sims

Going Where God Calls

She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun. I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the Wadi Kishon with his chariots and his troops; and I will give him into your hand.' " Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go." And she said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Judges 4: 6-9 NRSV

Barak: I don't care who you are, I don't really believe you are a prophetess, I doubt God is speaking through you. You are probably just trying to get rid of me. So, I want you to go with me.

Deborah: Fine, whatever, I will go with you. But just know that your doubt has caused you to lose out on getting the glory in this battle. In fact, because you have doubted the words of a woman, it will be a woman who will defeat Sisera.

God: Sigh. Not sure if I should laugh or cry.

Us: I don't care what you say or how Spirit-filled you seem. I don't believe that God could really do all that. Hold my hand each step of the way - I cannot possibly do as you ask by myself.

Spiritual Leader/Mentor: I will hold your hand. But you are going to lose out on the special things God had in store for you.

God: Sigh. Will they never learn?

God, you are calling us to impossible tasks. We are scared. We want someone to go with us. Our doubts and fears are making us lose out on your favor, aren't they? We aren't sure at this point if we can overcome these but we will give it our best effort. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Question of the day: What is it God is instructing you to do?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims

The Biggest Surprise

The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died. So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of this army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-golim. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years. At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. Judges 4: 1-4 NRSV

You just cannot second-guess what God is going to do next or through whom God will do it. You think a left-handed man in a public bathroom was a bit much? You were surprised by the use of a farm tool for a massive offense? Ha! You haven't seen anything yet! God is going to use a woman to save Israel!

We just have no concept of how surprising all this would have been for the Israelites. I guess it would be like an Hispanic gay man who ran an abortion clinic leading America back to true worship and following of God through the efforts of his atheist friends. That would only happen if that person showed how bad they were and that got people back to God, right? What if God used that person instead? What if that person became God's instrument rather than the object of God's wrath?

Impossible.

Not gonna happen.

No way.

Just like God called a woman to be a judge in Israel.

Just like God using Deborah to lead the Israelites to freedom.

Just like God doing something right now with the person who is least expected.

You.

God, use me for your work in the world. Amen.

Question of the day: How is God using you for God's work in the world?

Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims