Being diplomatically correct can be fatal

Are we blinded by the need to be diplomatically correct? It is a subtle word used to deflect the need to correct someone when they are doing wrong. True friends are those who help point out that bit of food sitting in the side of your mouth in a discreet manner. We help people become better by pointing out the wrong. But Israel had a problem with the Midianites.

Numbers 25:3, So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.

Some started to worship the gods of the Midianites and one even married into the people. This was forbidden among the people Israel because God knew that it will bring in other gods into their midst. Why did they do this?

Ever been invited to a religious celebration not your own? In order not to offend the host, you usually participate in the program. This is what happened here.

Numbers 25:2, They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods.

Why serve other gods when the living God who delivered you out of Egypt and sustained you through the wilderness is with you? This baffles all. Phinehas did the right thing.

Numbers 25:7-8, Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel.

It was very harsh, but needed to save the people of Israel from self destruction. Father, help me to speak strongly to save those who are perishing.

Comments

My Journey of Faith

Sreedhar standing to the left of his grandfather in the center Almost 55 years ago a son was born to a Hindu family. The parents were 2nd generation Malaysians raised in a rubber estate near a small town called Sungei Petani in Northern Malaya at that time. This first child was given much love and care by their parents and had the privilege of growing up in 3 different states of Malaysia, most of which was in Petaling Jaya. He was blessed with his first domestic airplane ride when he was 10 years old, and made his first trip by airplane to Bangkok at the age of 11. In the mid 1970's the family moved to a large house in a relatively exclusive neighborhood in Petaling Jaya. This was a result of the favor his father, aged about 35 at that time, had in the workplace,. As a result, this son grew up in a mostly multicultural environment with Indian, Chinese and Malay children. In the process, his perspectives became cosmopolitan and racially neutral. On...

Stand and raise your hands

I apologize if I offend anyone, but I feel free to lift up my hands when I worship the Lord. I would do it while standing up. It is only natural when you are worshiping the Almighty God, creator of heaven of earth. He is after all the God loves me and redeemed me by dying on the dying on the cross. The Psalmist agrees with me on this one. Psalm 134:1-2 Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord. There are key elements to be observed here in this chapter being shared by the Psalmist. The familiar ones are us blessing God, doing it with hands raised, we doing this as servants of God. But a new element that I did not see before is doing all this at night, though it may have been said in other parts of the Word. The Psalmist ends with acknowledging God as the one who made heaven and earth. Reflection from 2016: Speaks to me about ...

All must engage

There are so many conflicts in the world today that it is very difficult to keep up. The other day I shared about the problems in Venezuela. And then there are more bombings aimed at Israel. And yet again, notwithstanding that some of you reading this may feel it unfair, Israel is preserved. Psalm 69:35-36, For God will save Zion And build the cities of Judah, That they may dwell there and possess it. Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it, And those who love His name shall dwell in it. There is a promise, and only God knows how it will be fulfilled. The impossible becomes possible because God is in charge. The trajectory for His Word to go forth to all peoples is set. Much evil is trying to prevent this. But, no weapons formed against us shall succeed. The technologies in place today allows instant reach of billions. The people of God have been prepared for this day, and now must be mobilized to engage in this ministry of reconciliation. There is no time to waste wh...

Marriage is permanent

I am in the last chapter of the Song of Solomon and it continues in intensity about the value of love. It is priceless. It is equated to a mother's love in some sense. Money cannot buy it. The Song of Solomon 8:2 I would lead you and bring you Into the house of my mother, She who used to instruct me. I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, Of the juice of my pomegranate. If your interest is temporary illicit love, stop because it cannot be bought or earned. It is a God thing. Our relationship with our beloved wife is like a mother's. Do not take it lightly as it is a new permanent relationship. Don't enter it in haste. Consider it carefully and once the relationship is consummated it is permanent. Someone asked Lee Yen how many years we have been married. I am not sure why the question was asked. My relationship with Lee Yen is as permanent as my relationship with my Mum. Yes, till death do us apart. Praise God. Father, thank you for the wife...

276 Safe - An appropriate headline for a miracle

Are we there yet? I can just hear my children asking, when they were young. When you are on a long journey, or even a short one, children get restless about being confined to a car during a journey. I do not blame them because they have limited or no historical experience to rely on. Thankfully the mode of transport available to us today is diverse and efficient to get us to a place faster than years ago in the days of animal drawn carriages and wind driven vessels. In Paul's days the best way for him to travel to Rome was on a sailing ship. Acts 27:2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. This was no cruise ship. And after boarding this regional vessel, they transferred to a ship going to Italy. But the weather conditions were against them unexpectedly. Seasoned sailors made the wrong call. A teacher of the law and now tentmaker was "giving advise" not to sail...

I have decided to do right today

Have you been told off for something that you may or may not have done wrong? How did you feel? I usually feel rotten. I get a mix of guilt and anger, but these situations have tremendously reduced with my growing relationship with God. You want to say many things to justify your actions (or inaction), but it is usually of little value. Accept everything said (or written) as good feedback, and do better the next time. Amos 1:2 And he said: “The LORD roars from Zion, And utters His voice from Jerusalem; The pastures of the shepherds mourn, And the top of Carmel withers.” Amos the prophet must have been in great fear as he spoke. So many negative things against so many people. The pronouncement of judgement can make you angry or repent. I am reminded of King David's reaction to Nathan the prophet when he confronted him about his relationship with Bathsheba. He cried out to God and repented. Many of Israel's kings never repented and the Lord c...

Sreedhar's Journey

Search This Blog