For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
1 Pet. 2
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” (1 Pet. 2:13-14). Wouldn’t it be nice if our government leaders and other authorities actually punished wrong-doers and commended those who do right? Things would be so much easier! Sadly, this is all too often not the case. Especially so these days, when it seems just the opposite is true. The interesting thing about Peter’s statement, though, is that I doubt leaders in his day were very good at dealing with right and wrong appropriately either.
What I know, however, is that our obedience to God is not predicated on whether or not anybody else is doing what they are supposed to do. We are not excused from submitting ourselves to authorities because the authorities don’t do their jobs right. That’s why Peter says we should submit to harsh masters as well as good ones. Yes, it is hard to honor and respect evil people. It is likewise difficult to endure suffering for doing good. But God desires our obedience in every situation, not just when it is easy. In fact, the harder it is to obey Him, the more commendable our obedience is. “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.” (1 Pet. 2:19).
So Peter tells us how we are to live. “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (2 Pet. 2:17). We do these things for God, regardless of how the other parties behave. And when we suffer for doing good, Peter says, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21).
Is. 19-20
What is God’s ultimate end for Egypt? Where have you seen God’s judgment on sin bring about someone’s redemption? Isaiah’s prophecies, along with many others in the Old Testament, declare God’s judgment not only against Israel, but also against all the surrounding nations. However, it is not just God’s judgment that Israel shares with the nations. They share His restoration as well. God’s redemption plan is for the whole world. The thing that jumped out at me about that this morning, though, is that God’s restoration is twofold. Most importantly, God restores us to Himself. But secondary to that is that God restores us to each other. Though God would use Assyria to destroy Egypt, He promised a day when “Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.” (Is. 19:23b). God will remove all enmity and count every nation as His own.