Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Apr 8 2020 - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 – Passing world

As I said yesterday, it’s not easy to understand some parts of 1 Corinthians. It’s clear that there were a number of issues over which the Corinthians were divided or were seeking advice, and Paul sets about addressing these issues. But for us it’s like listening to one end of a telephone conversation and trying to work out what it’s all about.

The latter part of chapter 7 is a case in point. Paul speaks about a particular crisis facing the Corinthians and discusses whether it is good to marry in these circumstances. We don’t know what that crisis was and it’s therefore difficult to understand how Paul’s words relate to the issues we face. Maybe the Christians at Corinth were facing a threat of persecution that was leading some to think that might have to flee the city, or maybe, as so often in first century cities, there was an outbreak of a deadly infectious disease.

Whatever the crisis may have been, one thing is clear; Paul reminds the Corinthians that the present order of the world is passing away. He wants Christians to live for, and towards, the age to come rather than living simply for the present world. He warns them about clinging onto present possessions as if these were the things that defined their life: “What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Corinthians 7:29-31). The inclusion of their closest relationships in this list may seem harsh, but I believe that Paul is reminding them that those they love most deeply in this world could easily be snatched away from them. They are to be ready to face the loss of all things.

In the goodness of God, we may not be facing a crisis like that threatening the Christians at Corinth, but we too need to be reminded that “this world in its present form is passing away.” We are to live lightly towards the things of this world but also to use generously and well all that is given to us. We are to acknowledge that we are strangers and pilgrims who are seeking a better city, a city with foundations. 

It’s not easy to get this balance right. It’s not that we are to turn our backs on the things of this world, for it remains the good creation of our heavenly Father. But neither are we to make worldly goods, reputation or power our aim and pursuit. All these things can easily be stripped from us; we brought nothing into this world and we will take nothing out of it except our character. We need to build for the coming kingdom and not for the present moment. What are you devoting your energies to? Will it last the test of time – and of eternity?

Heavenly Father, I find this passage confusing and difficult to understand. But help me to understand this, that “this world in its present form is passing away.” I rejoice that the day will come when there will be no more injustice, no more pain, no more conflict and warfare. You have promised that, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, there will be a new heavens and a new earth characterised by righteousness and peace. Help me by your Spirit to live now as one who is praying and working for the world that he will create at his coming, when all things shall be made new.

Apr 8 2019 - Judges 6:1-40 – Reluctant Gideon

Israelite disobedience had resulted in the withdrawal of the Lord's favour and protection. For seven years they had been oppressed by the Midianites and Amalekites who would invade their land at harvest time to plunder their crops and steal their livestock. In the end, in their despair the Israelites turned to the Lord and cried to him for help.

The Lord sent a prophet, but his message was not very encouraging. He reminded the people of all that the Lord had done for them and of their own ingratitude and unfaithfulness. The prophet's message seems to have amounted to little more than, "What do you expect if you abandon the Lord?" God wanted his people to understand that he is the source of all their blessing and prosperity; without him, they are in deep trouble.

But that is only the beginning of the Lord's response to his people's cry. The angel of the Lord (the Lord himself in human appearance), came down to visit a young man called Gideon and greeted him with the astonishing words, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12).

The words are surprising on two counts. The first is expressed in Gideon's response, "If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?" (6:13). The second is the surprising description of Gideon as a mighty warrior. The angel has found him hiding from the Midianites in a winepress as he threshes wheat for the family; hardly the actions of a mighty warrior.

God's words are prophetic; they declare what shall be and what God is about to do through Gideon – God's word performs what it declares. Like Moses before him, Gideon is a reluctant leader of God's people, one who is anything but confident in his own ability. But this is the person whom God chooses to use; the person who knows that they are utterly dependent upon the presence and power of the Lord. When Gideon protests his weakness, the Lord promises, as he had promised Moses and Joshua, "I will be with you" (6:16).

But for Gideon, the promise of the messenger is not enough, he needs a sign. It is only when the food Gideon has brought for the visitor is consumed by fire that he realises that he has been in the presence of the Lord.

Gideon's first task is to remove idolatry from his town and family. Even in this he seems a reluctant warrior, for he destroys the altar of Baal and Ashterah pole during cover of darkness.

Before he will lead the tribe of Manasseh against the Midianites reluctant Gideon seeks further signs that the Lord will be with him. Twice he lays out his fleece and twice the Lord grants him a sign to confirm that he will be with him.

It's good to be a reluctant leader and to know that we can do nothing in our own strength. But it's also good to trust God and to take him at his word. It's good for us to remember that he has given us the ultimate sign of his faithfulness and power in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This is the demonstration of his love for and commitment to a weak and sinful people. This is the demonstration of his power to save and the promise that we shall be more than conquerors through him who loves us.

Mighty God, teach me my weakness and my perpetual need of your favour, presence and power. Then make me strong in you and equip me through the promises of your word and the power of your Spirit to do all that you purpose to do through me for the furtherance of your kingdom and the glory of your great name.

Peter Misselbrook