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2 Thes. 3
As believers in Christ, part of encouraging one another toward living a Godly life is not encouraging un-Godly behavior. Twice in this passage Paul told the Church to “keep away from” and “not associate with” those who don’t live according to the gospel he passed on to them. We have this idea that we need to be “accepting” of everybody. That’s true to a point. But we are absolutely NOT to be accepting of every behavior. I think there are a couple of reasons for that.
One is that once we wander off the path of righteousness even a step toward that slippery slope of “acceptance”, we discover that it is a quick trip to the bottom of that hill. As the body of Christ and as individuals, we need to be constantly striving toward God. It is easy – natural, even – for us to wander, but it takes constant effort to stay the course. We can’t allow the yeast of one person’s rebellious and defiant heart to spread into ours.
The other reason is that it is far more important to love others than to “accept” them. There is no self-righteousness or condemnation in Paul’s instruction. Rather, he founded it on love. “Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.” (2 Thes. 3:15). Paul’s desire was always for the Spiritual welfare of the believers he served. Our desire should be likewise. Where’s the love in allowing them to continue on a path that is contrary to God? We should neither go with them down that path nor allow them to continue on it without compassionately making an effort to help them turn back.
2 Kings 25
So ends the long sad story of Israel and Judah’s decline. Why do you think the author ends the story with Jehoiachin freed from prison and eating at the king’s table? Wow – I have never really thought about this detail before! But it is clearly one more graphic depiction of God’s redemption plan for us. We were all exiled – put out of God’s presence – because of our sin. But Jesus, our King, freed us from prison and invited us to eat at His table for the rest of our eternal lives. I noticed that Jehoiachin’s story is repeated in Jeremiah, reinforcing the story’s prophetic nature. Pretty cool!
Ps. 72
What is the first thing the psalmist asks God to give the king? Why is that first? I’m a little slow sometimes, but I just figured out that this Psalm was David’s prayer for Solomon when he handed him the throne. David was asking God to bless his son’s reign. Naturally, David would ask first that Solomon would rule in God’s righteousness and justice, as nobody understood more than David the importance of keeping God first. David knew, long before Jesus ever spoke the words, to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt. 6:33). I wonder if this prayer of David’s influenced Solomon’s answer when God first appeared to him to give him whatever he asked.
One other interesting note, in light of my new-found understanding regarding the nature of this Psalm, is the part of David’s prayer in verses 10 and 15. “May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.” (From Ps. 72:10). And, “May gold from Sheba be given him.” (From Ps. 72:15). We know this part of David’s prayer saw fulfillment when the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, bringing him a wealth of gold, spices, and precious stones.