Category: Applied Theology

The Words of My Mouth

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Applied Theology, InspirationLeave a comment

Balaam is summoned by the king of the Moabites, Balak, to curse the children of Israel. When, however, Balaam (of no people) goes to Balak (waster), he says: “Look, I have come to you now! Balaam said to Balak. “Can I just say anything? I must speak only the message which God puts into my mouth” (Num. 22:38).

The fear of Israel had so stricken Balak that he takes the extraordinary step of hiring a prophet (Num. 22:6-7) to curse the people to preserve his kingdom. Yet, even for a house full of gold and silver, Balaam can only, הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר יָשִׂים אֱלֹהִים בְּפִי אֹתוֹ אֲדַבֵּר, “speak the words that the Lord puts in his mouth.” While ultimately Balaam speaks words of blessing over Israel that the Lord gives him, as we will read in next week’s portion, Pinchas, he also shows Balak Israel’s weakness.

Still, the portion of Balak contains some of the most beautiful and poetic text found in the Torah, as an example, מַה־טֹּבוּ אֹהָלֶיךָ יַעֲקֹב מִשְׁכְּנֹתֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל, “How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, and your dwelling places, O Israel!” (Num. 24:5). Two chapters of this portion containing three attempts of Balaam to curse Israel by, what amounts to, prophetic words of encouragement reflecting the love of the covenant Lord has for His people. When we speak, what do our words reflect?

While conceptually we understand the power of language at a young age, as we mature we begin to understand the lasting power language has on the human heart and mind. Most of us have experienced the effects of careless speech or pointed hurtful speech, recognizing the echoes of those words years and decades after they were spoken, and just how much of a “curse” they can be.

From the false prophet Balaam (known in rabbinic literature as Balaam HaRasha – Balaam the wicked one) we learn a valuable lesson: to consider our language. David writes, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14). His son Solomon writes, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit” (Pro. 15:4). Further, the apostle Paul exhorts, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Eph. 4:29; cf. Matt. 12:34; Eph. 5:4; Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:9-10).

Clearly there is a difference between godly speech and language formulated in the heart and mind of the flesh inflicting damage. This is why we must, by continued sanctification by the Holy Spirit, repent of past destructive speech and break the patterns of behavior that might lead us to use it the now.

How do we break these patterns? 1) By rebuking the ungodly internal chatter in the mind (2 Cor. 10:5); 2) By prayerful consideration of our words before speaking them (Jas. 1:19); 3) By considering how others may receive these words (Pro. 17:9); 4) By speaking words that conform to the revelation of Scripture, as Paul wrote, “but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion;” and 5) By sharing words, and their resulting actions, that reveal the new internal life (Col. 3:17).

Dr. Paul David Tripp explains, “Words belong to the Lord. What this means is that whenever you take words as belonging to you, your words lose their shelter from difficulty. You have never spoken a word that belongs to you, because words belong to the Lord. We think that words are not that important because we think of words as little utilitarian tools for making our life easier and more efficient, when they are actually a powerful gift given by a communicating God for his divine purpose.”

When we remember that words belong to the Lord, we can only speak the words of blessing and care He gives us to say, and in this we find an important lesson from a false prophet.

Maranatha. Shalom.  

The Gift of Priestly Ministry

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Applied Theology, InspirationLeave a comment

“But you and your sons with you are to maintain your priesthood for everything pertaining to the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the ministry of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone unauthorized who approaches will die”
(Num. 18:7).

When we consider the ministry of the Levitical priesthood, we probably would not think of it as a gift; yet, that is exactly what it is. As the Torah says: מַתָּנָה אֶתֵּן אֶת־כְּהֻנַּתְכֶם, “I give your priesthood as a gift.”

The Lord chose Aaron and his sons to serve as ministers in the Tabernacle, and later the Holy Temple. His choice of this particular family as servants to his sanctuary was a gift to them, and a type of grace. Still, this gift was not without responsibility.

At the opening of Numbers 18, the Lord warns the sons of Aaron, “You, your sons, and the house of your father with you will bear the guilt for the sanctuary, and you and your sons will bear the guilt for your priesthood” (Num. 18:1).

As Torah portion Korach opens, the priesthood of Aaron and his sons is challenged by Korach and over two hundred fifty men of renown (Num. 16:2). While all of the children of Israel are priests to the Lord (Ex. 19:6), not every person, or group of people, serve in exactly the same way. Korach, the leader of the rebellion, desired Aaron’s position for himself, even though his clan/family had more direct contact with the Ark of the Covenant; while Aaron only served at the Ark once a year.

This type of jealousy is not limited to ancient Israel and the Levitical tribe or clans; jealousy is a common issue among humans, even those born-again in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus. The Lord warned Aaron and his sons, and by extension us, to protect and take seriously the gift given to us; as Moses would not always be there to face down the opposition. Today, however, we often have to guard our gift from our own mishandling.

The apostle Paul identifies Gospel ministry as a type of priestly service, as he writes, “But I have written rather boldly to you on some points as a reminder – because of the grace given to me by God to be a servant of Messiah Yeshua to the Gentiles, in priestly service to the Good News of God – so that the offering up of the Gentiles might be pleasing, made holy by the Holy Spirit” (Ro. 15:15-16). Messiah, by the Great Commission, has given all of His followers a ministry (priestly service) by calling us to “make disciples” from among the nations (Matt. 28:19-20).

The gift of priestly ministry expresses itself differently in the Body of Messiah among those called (1 Cor. 12, 14). While some gifts and callings may seem more important or celebrated, the reality is that every gift given by the Lord through the Holy Spirit is vital to the proper functioning of the Body of Messiah. As Paul explains, some are given wisdom, others knowledge, to some faith is given, while others work in healing or miracles or prophecy or administrations; still, the gifts are not limited to those specifically mentioned (1 Cor 12:8-11). Paul writes, “But to each person is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the benefit of all” (1 Cor. 12:7). While Paul encourages us to seek the spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1), he does so by encouraging us to seek and grow in intimacy with the gift giver.

Paul admonishes his close disciple Timothy concerning his gift in much the same way the Lord admonishes the sons of Aaron, as he writes, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands of the elders. Practice these things – be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be clear to all. Give attention to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in these things, for in doing so you will save yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:14-16). Timothy had a responsibility to walk in the gift imparted to him, to guard it against critics (1 Tim. 4:12), to mature in it and use it to bless those in his care.

Korach was given the gift of tending to the Ark of the Covenant, the place of atonement for a nation, even a nation of priests. Rather than pressing into the giver of this gift, he rebelliously attempted to steal the gift, position and responsibility of Aaron. This jealousy cost not only his life, but also the lives of many in his family, and those who followed him.

Dear reader, every disciple of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus has been endowed with a gift or gifts through the Holy Spirit. As we learn from Paul, this is our priestly service as regards the Gospel, and in this service we are to bless those around us. While we may look longingly at the ministry (usage of gift for heavenly purpose) of our brothers and sisters, we must keep our attention on the gift that our covenant Lord has entrusted to us. We must search the Scriptures to understand how to properly apply our gift within the context of the covenant community, and the broader community. We must be thankful that the Lord has extended His grace, not only for our salvation, but also to the work specifically prepared for us (Eph. 2:8-10) and the gift that the Holy Spirit is working in us. This gift is for priestly service to others, not ourselves.

As you witness the gifts of other saints, admire not the gifting itself, but the faithful giver of the gift who will complete the work that He has begun in you (Phil. 1:6).

Maranatha. Shalom.

“What’s up with you?” Why the Left Turn?

On By Bp. Justin ElwellIn Applied Theology, InspirationLeave a comment

In Psalm 147:3, the psalmist writes, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” As one of the psalms of praise, Psalm 147 has been sung in the Temple, the synagogue, and the church for centuries. In v.1 it opens by saying “Hallelujah, for it is good to sing praises unto our God.” The psalmist then emphasizes how the Lord builds up, restores, and supports. It seems a rather interesting choice by the psalmist to have us sing: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

We have such a blessed assurance from the Word of God that in our times of distress, heartache, and pain that the Holy Spirit comforts us. Yet, why do we sing Psalm 147:3? We are reminded that the Lord not only heals and binds wounds supernaturally, but also naturally through us, the Body of Messiah.

There is an interesting teaching in the Mishnah regarding how people entered the gates of the Holy Temple. In Middot 2:2 we read, “All who enter the Temple mount would enter by the right, circle, and exit to the left, except for one who had suffered an incident, who would circle from the left and exit to the right. People would ask this person, “Why did you go around to the left?” He would reply: “Because I am bereaved.” They would say: “May the One Who dwells in this house comfort you.”

As the throngs of visitors entered the Holy Temple, they would continue past the gate to the right. Yet, as they moved deeper into the Temple they would meet others coming from the other direction. In the Mishnah, those who had entered by the right ask those they now met: מה לך מקיף לשמאל, translated, “Why did you go around to the left?” Or another way: “What’s up with you?”

They entered the same door, but they did not walk the same way. Why? So that they would meet face to face, and in that meeting one would inquire of the other, “Why did you go that way?” They knew there was something wrong, but they dignified the other by asking, and in the asking they became present for them. Then, an avenue for healing would be open.

The apostle Paul writes, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

Here is why we sing Psalm 147:3: “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.” The Lord healed us, bandaged our wounds, and prepared us to be present and available for the healing of others. Sometimes, however, those who are in need to comfort, help or aid do not know how to ask.

The leaders of the Temple made a way for others to do the asking: “Why did you go that way.” “I am bereaved … I am hurting … I am depressed … I am in pain … I need someone.” According to a report from the Surgeon General of the United States titled Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, “lacking social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”

In our technologically advanced and “connected” society, isolation, loneliness, depression, and heartache can make us feel overwhelmed and disconnected. The Temple said “enter by the left.” What do we say today? Well, we cannot always notice how people enter, but we can notice when people are not there.

As a pastor I notice when people are not in attendance in services, or when they are missing from my regular stops in life. What do I do? As best I can, I reach out. Not so much to say, “What’s up with you entering on the left … you who were not there,” but just to say hello. Personally, I know how easy to feel bereaved, overwhelmed and disconnected.

Dear reader, the Lord has comforted you, as Paul tells us, “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.” We can do this because when we turned to the left, the Lord met us from the right and graciously took the time to ask us, “What’s wrong?”

Perhaps this is not for you right now, but remember as you are praising the Lord this weekend, that you are able to lift your voice in praise because He healed you; and now He has prepared you to be an avenue of healing for others who are praying that someone will take notice of how they are walking.

Maranatha. Shabbat Shalom.