VOWS: Vows were voluntary and were of three types: abstinence (eg. fasting), devotion (offerings) or destruction (in war). This was above and beyond what was owed (above the tithes, the sacrifices) and could include actions, motives, money, other people or animals. Eccl 5:4-5 says, "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."
When we make vows to God, they usually involve relationships, money, abstinence from something (other than sin - we abstain from sin without a vow involved, hopefully), and an agreed length of time.
THE MIDIANITES: Phinehas earned the right to avenge God's honor on the Midianites (Num 25) when he avenged slew the impudent Midianite woman "in the matter of Peor". Midian had "debauched" them and was a dangerous and malicious enemy.
REPONSE: It is interesting to note that God told Moses to "avenge Israel" and Moses told the people to "avenge the Lord". Perhaps he was enforcing the fact that vengeance belongs to God, not people. Make sure your motive is pure or you stand alone. Half-obedience is disobedience.
Any spoils of battle must pass through the fire and through the water - and that includes you and me! God still uses fire and water to purify. Both are symbols for the Holy Spirit and the Word and life's circumstances that give the opportunity to kill the flesh. If it doesn't make it through the test, you can't keep it!
LUKE 4:1-30
TESTS AND TEMPTATION: Tests and temptations do not come to us because we are sinners, but because we are human. Tests and temptation are a normal part of the Christian life. We face choices every day as part of our training and maturing process. The temptations are not about you; they are about God: That His Word, His provision, and His Presence are indeed enough. The devil wants us to live independently of God, to act on our own. That is the NATURE of temptation. Temptation comes from within, not from an outside force or pressure.
The Israelites were in the wilderness 40 years, Jesus was there 40 days. He quotes Deuteronomy in all three recorded temptations. Deut 8:2-3 says the purpose of the Wilderness experience is to humble us to know that everything we have comes from God , not ourselves. That we acknowledge our weakness and know our real, true need is for more of God. The second reason is to test us to know what is in our hearts, whether we will keep His commandments or not.
JESUS' EXAMPLE: Look at the chronology here: Baptism, Genealogy, Temptation. The genealogy looks inserted, but it actually brings Adam into the picture, with his temptation in the garden. The first Adam failed. The second Adam (Jesus) succeeded.
Jesus went into the wilderness "full of the Holy Spirit", and came out of the wilderness, "in the power of the Spirit". What happened to Him while He was there? It is important because Jesus is modeling for us what it means to live connected through repentance to God. The whole purpose of repentance is to connect with God in dependence and trust. Jesus obeyed in the matter of His baptism. The Father spoke words of assurance. Immediately he is led into the wilderness to be tested. He comes out of that ordeal "in the power of the Spirit". He gained the power to speak the truth with authority and He so does (Luke 4:18ff).
Jesus was tempted physically, soulishly and spiritually, in all three areas: body, soul and spirit - to please Himself. He had already fasted, been alone (with "wild beasts" and angels) and was at the end of His human resources, totally dependent on God at this point. And God was enough! Lust and pride make us independent of God. And that is the deceitfulness of sin - we can't go it alone and we can't depend on ourselves.
STANDING THE TEST: Cling to the Lord. Do not turn back to the old way of life. Do not give in to your emotions. Lean on your brothers and sisters in Christ.
MINISTRY OF COMPASSION: Now that He is "in the power of the Holy Spirit", Jesus' eyes turn to mission. Jesus summed up His ministry for 3-1/2 years as being sent to the "widows" and the "lepers". The vulnerable and the unclean. What really angered the religious crowd was not just Jesus' reference to the Gentile beneficiaries of the Gospel, but the 3-1/2 years of famine was to address the spiritual adultery in Israel - which Jesus also did in His own 3-1/2 years, at the end of which it rained (giving of Holy Spirit - James 5:17-18).
RESPONSE: I've got to admit, when I am tested, I think it's all about me! There are certain situations that just set me off, and recently I prayed before going into that situation, and took someone along for accountability. That's what repentance is for: submission to Reality. I went into that circumstance "in the power of the Holy Spirit" - and it worked! Or, I guess I mean, HE worked! His Word, His Provision, and His Presence are all I needed! All I need all the time.
PSALM 63:1-11
PROVERBS 11:20-21
Deceitful people are an abomination to God. "Might won't make right" - if they are wicked, the fact that "everybody is doing it" won't shield them from punishment.
RESPONSE: I am counting on the fact that "the seed of the righteous shall be delivered". Not just me, but my "seed". And as He is MY desire, I am also HIS desire. I don't mind praising God with joyful shouts either. When the Psalm says "rejoice" - it means LOUD.
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