May 13 ▪ Day 133

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 17:13
Ezekiel 15–17
Colossians 3–4
Psalms 133

Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:13)

Evil will never leave the house
     of one who pays back evil for good.

Meditation

Today’s proverb is a sober warning. Proverbs 17:13 says, in the ESV, “If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.” This is one of God’s rules about how things work. He will not allow a wicked person to go unpunished for returning evil to those from who you have received good. Ingratitude is something God takes very seriously. But this is worse than ingratitude.

Returning evil for evil may not be good, but it is at least understandable. However, returning evil for good is wickedness.

You curse yourself when you repay harm for good. Perhaps this is why the Bible takes it so seriously when people do not honor their parents. Our parents raised us, giving us food and clothing and shelter — as we have received good from them, it is despicable if we do not respond in kind.

David’s life is a testament to the truth of this proverb. He sinned, and coveted Bathsheba, the wife of his good friend Uriah. At the time, Uriah was off fighting a war for the kingdom. But for many years, Uriah had been one of David’s mighty men. He helped David when he was a fugitive from Saul, and later helped David win the throne of Israel. David repayed Uriah’s goodness with harm. He slept with Uriah’s wife, and then plotted to have him killed when Bathsheba became pregnant. This, of course, displeased God greatly. And David was punished for his sins — his son died. But evil never left David’s house. His daughter Tamar was raped by one of his sons. That son was later murdered by another of his sons, Absalom. Absalom was banished for a long time. After he came back, he set in motion a conspiracy to take the throne. He staged a coup, and David was driven out of his own palace. Absalom’s coup did not succeed; he died violently.

Was all this set in motion because of David’s treatment of Uriah? I don’t know that we can answer that question. Certainly, David had troubles before he ascended the throne, but these troubles did not involve his own family. After this sin, we do see fractures and discord from within David’s house. I’m sure there were many other factors at play besides David’s betrayal of Uriah. Nevertheless, we should take Scripture’s warning from today’s verse focus very seriously.

Father God, help us to never repay good with evil. Give us hearts full of thanksgiving to recognize and respond rightly to those to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ezekiel 15 is a short chapter in which the LORD compares the inhabitants of Jerusalem to the wood of a vine — not good for any use except as firewood. Chillingly, the LORD promises in verse 7, “Though they escape from the fire, the fire shall yet consume them, and you will know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.”

Ezekiel 16 uses another metaphor to describe the people of the LORD — as a cherished bride who commits multiple infidelities. It is an uncomfortable chapter to read with its graphic descriptions of prostitution. I find the invective painful, and I know that Ezekiel’s contemporaries would have been far more offended by these words. Twice Ezekiel tells the Israelites that “your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite (v. 3, v. 45).” Wickedness combined — these were the two most prominent of the Canaanite nations that were supposed to be destroyed when Israel entered the Promised Land. Telling Judah that Samaria and Sodom were her sisters was also a huge insult (v. 46). As the Jews saw it, Samaria was an amalgamation of nations that practiced a bastardized version of faith — the very definition of unclean and impure. Sodom, of course, was so wicked that God destroyed it with brimstone and fire. Yet the LORD tells them in verse 51, “Samaria has not committed half your sins. You have committed more abominations than they, and have made your sisters appear righteous by all the abominations that you have committed.”

There are other charges against Israel. Besides ingratitude, they are also guilty of pride. Verse 15 says, “But you trusted in your beauty.” Verse 49 lists the guilt of Sodom as “pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease” but notes that they “did not aid the poor and needy.”

Verse 30 is extremely poignant. “How sick is your heart,” cries the Sovereign LORD. Using a different vocalization with these same Hebrew letters, the words can also be translated as “How I am filled with anger against you!”

Yet despite all the sins and iniquities of the people, God promises that Sodom, Samaria, and Israel shall all “return to their former state (v. 55).” He will deal with Israel according to her sins (v. 59), but God will yet remember His covenant. He promises to set up “an everlasting covenant (v. 60)” with the people — indeed, Sodom and Samaria will become “daughters” to Israel (v. 61). And it is God Himself who will “atone for you all that you have done (v. 63).”

Ezekiel 17 gives a parable of two eagles and a vine as a metaphor to describe King Zedekiah and his actions. The two birds of prey symbolize Babylon and Egypt. Babylon conquered Judah and took the “top of the cedar” — King Jehoiachin and his court — to its own land (v. 1-4). Nebuchadnezzar elevated Zedekiah to the throne (v. 5-6). But then Zedekiah sought an alliance and protection from Egypt (v. 7-8). But this treachery is denounced (v. 9-10).

After speaking in a parable, Ezekiel interprets the word very clearly for the people of Judah. As the Scripture says in verses 13 to 15, “And he [Nebuchadnezzar] took one of the royal offspring [Zedekiah] and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath (the chief men of the land he had taken away), that the kingdom might be humble and not lift itself up, and keep his covenant that it might stand. But he [Zedekiah] rebelled against him [Nebuchadnezzar] by sending his ambassadors to Egypt, that they might give him horses and a large army. Will he [Zedekiah] thrive? Can one escape who does such things? Can he break the covenant and yet escape?” Ezekiel goes on to speak of how Zedekiah “despised the oath” — in verse 19, the LORD says, “As I live, surely it is my oath that he despised, and my covenant that he broke.” Ezekiel prophesies that Zedekiah will die in Babylon (v. 16).

However, as the chapter ends, God promises that He Himself will take a sprig from the “top of the cedar” — from the royal line — and plant and nurture it on God’s mountain. It will become a noble cedar (v. 23). And everyone will know that God is the one who brings about reversals.

In Colossians 3, Paul continues writing about what it means for us that we have “died with Christ (2:20).” As he writes in verse 3, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Therefore we are to “seek the things that are above (v. 1). We are to “put to death (v. 5)” whatever is earthly, and put on “the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

There is still theology and dense spiritual truths in these final two chapters of Colossians, but much of the instruction is now quite practical.

Paul writes that there are no divisions between us anymore because “Christ is all, and in all (v. 11).” He exhorts us to put on love, which binds all things together “in perfect harmony (v. 14).” Verses 16 and 17 are gems — highlighted many times down through the years.

Chapter 4 contains some final instructions. There are many beloved verses here, too. Verse 2 and verse 6 are favorites. But lately, it is the admonition in verse 5 to “make the most of every opportunity” that strikes me the most. Perhaps it is my age, perhaps it is the pandemic, or perhaps it is the work of the Holy Spirit — but I feel an increasing urgency that we are living in the last days. We need to make our time count. We need to be focusing on what is truly important. We need to do those things that God calls us to do.

In verse 12, Paul writes of Epaphras “struggling on your behalf in his prayers.” This is the second time in Colossians that Paul has mentioned struggling in prayer (at the beginning of chapter 2 Paul wrote about how he struggled in prayer for the Colossians and Laodiceans). I find I am challenged and convicted by this use of the word “struggle.” Clearly, as much as I may try to devote myself to prayer “being watchful and thankful (v. 2),” I have a long way to go as an intercessor.

The letter closes with Paul’s simple plea to “Remember my chains (v. 18).” I believe this is so much more than a prayer request for the Colossians to remember Paul’s current situation and his needs. It is a reminder of Paul’s hope in the gospel, and of his suffering for Christ. And it reminds us that none of us are so bound that we cannot make good use of the opportunities that God puts in our lives. Look at all Paul was able to accomplish while in chains! May God’s grace be with us as we live for Christ Jesus.

Psalm 133 is an extremely short Psalm of Ascent, written by David. Here he eulogizes the importance of unity among God’s people.

Verse 2 was always a little alienating to me. Like precious oil on your head, running down to the collar of your robes? Huh, say what? However, after reading through Exodus together, I realize that the psalmist is speaking about Aaron’s consecration. When Aaron was ordained as the high priest for the Hebrews, his head was anointed with oil — oil that spilled over and ran down to the top of his vestments. It was a special oil, perfumed with fragrant spices, only used in religious ceremonies. So David is saying that unity among God’s people is a sacred thing. It consecrates us for God’s service.

Father God, thank you for this new understanding of Psalm 133. Thank you that in Christ Jesus we are able to put on the love that binds us all together in harmony. Enable us to put on the new self and do away with what displeases you. Help us to make the most of the opportunities you give us. Let us be wise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.