This week began with the breaking news about the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas being tested as both parties violated the terms of this cease-fire once again. The fragile cease-fire is only in the first phase of the peace deal negotiated by President Trump and his administration.
I am not arguing who fired the first shot, like some little toddler who reacted to another’s threat or act of aggression, I do not care who threw the “first punch. ”
I am only pointing out that the killing and violence continue in the region, because any violence is the direct opposite of what a cease-fire is meant to do, and nothing has really changed. Both sides of the confrontation have only given lip service.
We all know that we live in a fallen world that does the opposite of what God does and commands His people to do (Isaiah 55:8-9, Philippians 3:18-20). Israel and God’s people are called to be people of change and to get this world going in the opposite direction of its corrupt state (Micah 6:8, James 1:22-25):
- Violent
- Vengeful
- Unloving
- Unforgiving
- Greedy
God’s people are called to be salt and light and to do good, instead of evil like this world (Proverbs 3:27, Matthew 5:13-16, James 4:17). Regardless of whether it is Israel or the American church, we are commanded to be different and change the world for the better (Proverbs 31:8-9, Titus 2:7-8)
What Is Change
As the seasons change, it is clear that the world continues to change and not for the better. We cannot call what God calls evil good or vice versa (Isaiah 5:1-30). Most of us understand that change is a guarantee in life. Things can get better or worse.
However, change is totally out of our control. Change can be either positive or it can be negative, depending on our response. This world is clearly corrupted; it is only changing for the worse, despite God’s people being in it.
God’s plan was to use His people to bring a change for good, not to embrace its evil ways (Jeremiah 29:9-12, Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9). That is why the Bible has a lot to say about change and how God’s people do good things (Ephesians 2:10, James 2:14).
This fallen kingdom is the opposite of God’s divine Kingdom and nature (John 18:36, 1 John 2: 15-17). If God’s people fail to repent of our evil and sinful nature, we will continue being like this corrupt world instead of being like God.
God’s people must obey God’s commands in ways if we are going to help bring good change to this evil world (Deuteronomy 6:17, John 15:10). We each must repent and turn from our own sinful ways if we are going to be different and do God’s will (Isaiah 1:16-17, Romans 2:4).
Repentance and change go hand in hand. If we don’t repent, we will repeat our sinful and evil ways (Acts 3:19; 26:20, Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about change and how it must lead to what is good.
Hāp̄aḵ
The prophet Moses tells us how, after the fall in the garden, this world and mankind kept moving away from God and His goodness (Genesis 3:8-10; 6:5). Instead of repenting, mankind kept changing for the worse by repeating its sinful ways and desires.
Instead of seeking God’s will and being like Him, mankind sought earthly greatness and knowing and doing evil (Genesis 3:4-5; 6:5). After the fall, things changed for the worse because mankind and creation did the exact opposite of what God instructed and does.
One of the most common Hebrew words in the Old Testament for change is hāp̄aḵ, and it can also mean “Overthrow, overturn, perverted, or tumbled.” This concept of change isn’t for the better, but a change for the worse, because it takes people away from God and His goodness.
It’s a lot like a good and sweet fruit that has become overripe or rotten. That is the state of this corrupt world we live in. God created everything and called it good, but the sin of mankind has corrupted it and changed it for the worse.
That is why God called His people out of this corrupt world to be set apart and holy to bring good change to the fallen creation (Leviticus 19:2, Deuteronomy 7:6). Unfortunately, God’s people still chose to listen to their evil natures and do the opposite of what God called them to do (2 Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 30:15; 53:6, Jeremiah):
- Idolatry
- Greed
- Injustice
- Revenge
- Deception
Thus, God’s people need a divine Savior to save them from their sinful ways (Isaiah 53:5-6, Matthew 1:21). Jesus warned His followers about following other shepherds who weren’t good and couldn’t save them (John 10:4-5, 27).
He warned His disciples about the evil hearts of men (Matthew 12: 34, 15:19). Our Lord rebuked the religious leaders of His day for doing the opposite of what God does (John 8:38-44).
Our Rabbi warned us about losing our saltiness and following the ways of this corrupt kingdom (Matthew 5:13, Luke 14:34-35). He revealed God’s heart for caring for the least of these and the marginalized amongst us (Matthew 25:40, Luke 14:13-14). When we put others first and take care of the least of these, we are doing what God does.
SNAP Benefits
In other big news this week, the Government shutdown became the second-longest shutdown in our nation’s nearly 250-year history. Our government has stopped working for the people it is called to serve.
Not only are federal employees not getting paid, but federal programs like SNAP are about to run out of funding, just before the holiday season. Conservative lawmakers are enjoying an extended break while the people they serve are experiencing hardships.
Not only are states warning recipients about cuts to SNAP benefits, government programs that help senior citizens and disabled persons are also losing funding. Food banks in America that received resources from the government are now running out of resources to help people in need.
Pres. Trump and his GOP leadership are hell-bent on not cutting government programs that aid those in need. The president even bragged about gutting programs that democratic leadership cares about.
The whole world is watching people who claim to serve “King Jesus” do the opposite of what He calls us to do:
- Seek justice
- Love others
- Serve others
As the prophets warned, they call evil good and good evil ( Isaiah 5:20, Amos 5:7, Micah 3:2, Malachi 2:17). It is sad to watch pastors, Christian leaders, and Bible teachers who are more concerned about saving money and an earthly kingdom than saving lives and helping those in need.
There is an entire cult of so-called Christians who are focused more on an earthly kingdom than the Kingdom of God (John 18:36). They choose to follow the evil and greedy ways of this world, instead of doing the good works of God (Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 1: 16, James 2:14-16). Because they have failed to repent, they will continue to hāp̄aḵ!
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