May 16 ▪ Day 136

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 17:19
Ezekiel 23–24
II Thessalonians 1–3
Psalms 136

Verse Focus (Proverbs 17:19)

Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
     whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

Meditation

I read Proverbs 17:19 this morning in the ESV translation: “Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.” Then I saw the NIV translation, which translated the first half of the proverb quite differently: “Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.” Curious, I looked at the Hebrew interlinear for the verse. In transliterated English, this is what the verse says: “He who loves transgression/rebellion loves strife/contention, and he who exalts his gate (opening/doorway/entrance) seeks destruction (breaking/fracture/shattering/crushing/ or breach/crash/ruin).”

While I totally agree with what the NIV put — whoever loves a quarrel loves sin — I don’t quite see how they got that out of the Hebrew for this verse. Perhaps their translation springs from another ancient manuscript; however, for the purposes of today’s meditation, I will focus on the translation that reads “whoever loves transgression loves strife.”

Transgression is not a word we use everyday. So I looked up the meaning to remind myself. A transgression is an offense, or a violation of a rule or law. Sin, of course, is often used as a synonym for transgression. Other synonyms are lawbreaking, trespass, or crime. So you might say, “Whoever loves breaking the law” or “whoever loves a law being broken.” Of course, most of us don’t murder or steal for a living, but there are still laws we routinely break. Are you always on time for work and your appointments? What about the speed limit? Littering? Lying?

My purpose is not to point a finger, but to show that there is a bit of “love” for transgression in all of us. And if we see where that leads — to a love for strife and contention — then perhaps we’ll take these lapses more seriously. Instead of excusing them, we’ll work to change our behavior as the Holy Spirit makes us aware of how we transgress.

The second half of the proverb is interesting, partly because I don’t see an immediate connection between the two halves of the proverb. Perhaps the connection is in the pride and in the nature of the person who loves both transgression and making a high gate. Whether you think of it as a gate or an opening or an entrance really doesn’t matter. The key is that you want to make it “high” — perhaps this is meant to make a more inaccessible barrier. Or perhaps it is a display of wealth — to show how much better you are through your property. Either way, it’s an invitation for burglars to recognize that your house might be worth their time.

The proverb also implies that that a “high” gate is not the norm. So those that build a high gate or a high wall or a fancy door — they stand out. And it implies pride or arrogance. We were reading just yesterday about how God exalts the low and humbles the proud. This might be another way of talking about that principle.

But I also think about metaphorical applications to this proverb. People who build high walls are often those who have been hurt. They do not want to let anyone in. But healing doesn’t really begin until those walls start to come down. Whether the “destruction” in this metaphorical interpretation comes from the outside, or whether it is more of a self-destructive occurrence is for you to decide. However, I think the point of the proverb is that — metaphorically speaking — those high walls need to come down. Perhaps making a more accessible doorway would be a start.

Father God, forgive us for minimizing some of the ways we break the law. Help us to transform into better people. Keep us from loving strife. Help us also to avoid making a high gate. We pray for your grace in our lives, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Ezekiel 23 is another prophecy that I find difficult to read because of the sexual metaphors used to describe the infidelities of Israel and Judah. The prophet describes two sisters, both prostitutes. As verse 4 says, “Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.” In the Hebrew, the meaning of these names is similar, but points to the differences in religion. Oholah means “her tent” or “her own tabernacle.” Oholibah means “my tent in her” or “my tabernacle in her.” Samaria had stopped worshiping in Jerusalem, and set up their own places of worship. Jerusalem still did have the temple, and was the place where the LORD was supposed to be worshiped.

Again, Jerusalem is told that “she became more corrupt than her sister (v. 11).” And in verse 32, Judah is told that she will “drink your sister’s cup” — as Israel was led away into captivity, so too will Judah be led into exile.

As Ezekiel speaks of how Oholibah lusted after the men from Assyria and Chaldea, verse 16 says, “[She] sent messengers to them in Chaldea.” And I realize that part of Judah’s downfall came from wanting to be an international player, and part came from the desire for trade. As you may recall, Hezekiah was miraculously healed — God made the sun go back up ten steps as proof that Hezekiah would get well — and this news went far and wide. Hezekiah received well wishes from Babylonia, and he showed off all his treasures. This happened in about 711 BC, over a hundred years before the Babylonians came to capture Judah. But there had probably been continued trade negotiations ever since then.

Ezekiel 24 tells us of when the siege of Jerusalem begins. Verse 1 tells us it happened in “the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month.” It was 588 BC. Ezekiel tells a parable of a cooking pot full of bones. Verse 14 is particularly chilling as the LORD decrees that there is no going back from the destruction that Jerusalem will soon face. “I am the LORD. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the LORD God.”

In the second half of the chapter, Ezekiel’s wife dies. The LORD tells him not to mourn or weep — this is to be a sign to the people of Israel because those in Jerusalem will do exactly the same as Ezekiel has done when the sanctuary is violated. Furthermore, a fugitive from Jerusalem will come bring the news to the exiles once it happens. Until then, Ezekiel will no longer prophesy to the Israelites. For 18 months, he shall be mute to them. As verse 27 says, “So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.”

As I was reading chapter 24 today, I was struck by verse 15. “The word of the LORD came to me.” Simple. This is how all of Ezekiel’s revelations begin. But the revelation he receives is that his wife is going to die. The LORD tells him, “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes.” And he receives instructions that he is not to mourn the dead or do any of the customary rituals.

On the one hand, part of me thinks how harsh it is that God tells Ezekiel about his wife’s impending death. On the other hand, I marvel at God’s mercy. If God had been silent about this personal tragedy, how would Ezekiel have felt about being God’s spokesperson? And it’s interesting that this time of personal mourning will coincide with the final siege of Jerusalem, and with the temporary cessation of prophecy.

2 Thessalonians was written not long after the first letter. Apparently, a rumor started circulating that the day of the LORD had already come. The Thessalonians thought that the persecution they suffered was part of the end times. Indeed, as 2 Thessalonians 2:2 seems to indicate, there may even have been a false letter that was said to have been written by Paul. That’s why at the end of this letter Paul writes a few sentences in his own handwriting. This is also why this practice is repeated in Paul’s later letters: it “is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine (3:17).”

The letter begins with the traditional greeting as well as the thanksgiving that marks so many of Paul’s letters. Paul tells the Thessalonians that they “boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” Although this letter is brief in comparison to most of Paul’s letters, he makes sure to compliment them on their faith.

Paul then goes on to assure them that their trials will end when Jesus returns; those who have persecuted them will be punished. He assures them that they will be among the elect, and tells them that he and the others are praying for them, that God “may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power (1:11).”

Paul reminds them of the teaching about end times. The day of the LORD has not yet come because before it comes two things will happen: there will be a rebellion, and “the man of lawlessness (2:3)” will be revealed. The man of lawlessness is also called the “son of destruction (2:3)” — and he will take “his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God (2:4).” 2 Thessalonians 2:9 makes it clear that the son of destruction is not Satan himself; presumably this will be a human ruler. However, his coming will be accompanied by “power and false signs and wonders (2:9).” Paul also writes that this man of lawlessness is being restrained from being revealed, although the “mystery of lawlessness is already at work (2:7).”

As I read 2 Thessalonians today, the verses that really strike me are verses 10 and 11 in chapter 2. Verse 10 speaks of a “wicked deception” that deceives people because “they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” “Therefore,” says verse 11, “God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.” The idea that God would send or allow the coming of a delusion is terrifying. Verse 13 is quick to reassure the believers, however, that we are saved “through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”

We spoke a few days ago about the problem of false prophets and how this affects us even today. 2 Chronicles 18 speaks about God sending a lying spirit to deceive people in order to achieve a particular outcome. As I have watched the news in the past year, part of me has wondered if a lying spirit hasn’t been sent to our country. I have no other explanation for how so many people of faith can be so sharply divided on politics; how so many people seem to be blind to certain aspects of the truth. However, with media bias and the deliberate spread of misinformation, knowing what and whom to trust can be difficult. This is why prayer for wisdom is so important. In all the chaos and confusion, we must make certain that we are relying on Scripture and the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Paul also exhorts the Thessalonians to stand firm and hold fast to Scripture. He prays that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will “encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word (2:17).”

After discussing the end times in chapter 2, chapter 3 concludes with more practical issues. Paul requests prayer, but assures us all of God’s faithfulness — “he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one (3:3).” Paul warns them against idleness, and encourages them to “not grow weary in doing good (3:13).” He prays for their peace, and finalizes the letter by writing the last few lines in his own handwriting.

Psalm 136 is striking because of its repeated refrain. Every verse includes a praise and the response: “For his steadfast love endures forever.”

The psalm has been used in responsive worship for thousands of years. Reading it by yourself, however, gives new perspective on some of the praises. We see that God’s character and everything He does is a manifestation of his steadfast love. Even in wrath and destruction — when God struck down the firstborn and overthrew kings — this, too, is a manifestation of His love. God’s faithfulness is everlasting. It is not possible to separate God’s actions from the faithfulness of His love and mercy, because this is an essential part of His character and being. His love endures forever. Amen!

Father God, thank you for reminding us of your faithful and enduring love. When we read prophecies of judgment, or consider what will happen in the end times, we can sometimes lose sight of the depth of your love. Thank you that because of Jesus Christ, nothing will ever separate us from you. We can rely on you to bring us safely through all our trials and tribulations. I praise you for your grace and your protection. In Jesus’ name, Amen.