August 21 ▪ Day 233

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 21:30
Joshua 7–8
Mark 13
Psalms 49

Verse Focus (Proverbs 21:30)

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
     that can succeed against the LORD.

Meditation

Today’s verse focus is Proverbs 21:30, which says, in the NIV, “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.” As the NRSV says, “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.”

I happened to look up the Hebrew word that is being translated as “against.” I suppose I was wondering who would be fighting against the LORD. Who would oppose Him? Or His plans? To my surprise, although the word does mean “opposite” and “against,” it can also mean “in front of” or “in the sight [or presence] of.” So it’s not like men or their plans are necessarily fighting against God; it’s just that that wisdom is as nothing when in God’s presence. The verb “succeed” or “avail” is an accommodation for English. There is no such verb in the Hebrew sentence (although in some languages the verb “to be” is implied if no verb is present). Transliterated, it simply says, “No wisdom, and no understanding, and no counsel against/in the presence of Yahweh.”

Of course, God is the source of all wisdom. He is the source of insight. And His will prevails. What understanding we have comes from Him.

Any views that are not directly or indirectly from God and Scripture are not wise. For example, some cultures believe that revenge is necessary and beneficial. Indeed, many Americans grow up to believe that “payback” is wisdom. But Scripture refutes these attitudes. It is not wise. This proverb tells us that plans for revenge and payback will not succeed against God. I don’t think it means that you will be stopped in your tracks and prevented from doing something evil. But even if you carry out plans of revenge, you will still be judged by God. And that “wisdom” will be stripped away along with all the other false things.

I find this proverb very comforting. Nothing can avail against the LORD. Not bad things, and not even good things.

Father God, this proverb helps me to understand that you and your presence is immovable and steadfast. No purposes can thwart your will. No plans will prevail against you. You are sovereign. Thank you that you are also loving, gracious, and kind. Thank you for giving us wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joshua chapter 7 tells the story of the town of Ai. After the colossal defeat of Jericho, the Israelites become a bit proud and arrogant. Ai was small; they believe they can take it with just 3,000 men. Instead, they are repelled and defeated. Worse, there is the loss of 36 men. No one had been killed when they took Jericho, so for the Israelites to suddenly start having war casualties is a huge shock.

Joshua is distraught. He and the elders of Israel tear their clothes, fall on their faces before the ark of the covenant, and throw dust on their heads. They stay that way until evening. Finally, Joshua voices their confusion. Why? Why has this happened? Shockingly, Joshua says, in verse 7, “Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan!” This was the kind of complaint that the people of Israel had voiced in past incidents, but Moses had never joined in these kind of recriminations. So I was astounded to see that it was Joshua saying this.

Of course, as you know the story, it was because of Achan’s sin. He coveted some of the goods of Jericho and he had disobeyed God’s instructions. He took some of the items that were supposed to be devoted to destruction. Interestingly, as verse 1 and verse 11 makes clear, even though it was just one individual who sinned, the entire nation was held culpable. This is a very alien point of view for us. Corporate guilt does not compute. We believe that we are only held responsible for the sins that we commit directly. But this is not the way God relates to the nation of Israel.

Are we guilty of corporate sin? Does God still charge us with wrongdoing based on the sins of some individuals in a church, or in a nation? Now some will likely tell you that things are different now. Christ saves us as individuals. So they would argue against God holding us responsible for sins belonging to an entire group. But I’m not sure if this is true. Just because I don’t like it, and because it’s not the way we typically think about sin, doesn’t mean that God may not see certain types of sin as belonging to a community. Oh, I certainly believe the sins also belong to specific individuals!

The topic of corporate sin is more in the “food for thought” category because I don’t know what I fully believe in this matter. But one last comment… Jesus took on sin that was not his in order to redeem us. As an American, if I take the guilt for sin that is not personal to me but is part of America’s transgression, and if I then confess that sin and pray for it — am I not also functioning as Christ does? Am I not following in his footsteps?

Chapter 7 is also a bit shocking in terms of the punishment for Achan. He is stoned to death — but it is not just him, it is also “his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had (v. 24).” He confesses his sin. But the consequences of that initial transgression rippled outward and affected many people — first the entire nation with their military defeat and the death of 36 men, and then Achan’s family. While we don’t practice stoning in the United States, I suspect the ripple effects of sin are just as serious. So this chapter is worth remembering should we be tempted to go down the wrong path.

Joshua 8 continues the story of Ai. After Achan and his family are destroyed in the Valley of Achor, God’s anger turns away from Israel. And the LORD gives Joshua new instructions for defeating Ai. To begin with, God’s plan is for the Israelites to use all of their soldiers. Not just the 3,000 men they had tried to use earlier. And they set up a hidden ambush. The main force pretends that they are beaten, and they retreat, drawing out the men of Ai and Bethel in pursuit of the Israelites. “They left the city open,” says verse 17. So the men from the hidden ambush sweep in and set the city on fire. Once the city starts burning, the Israelites turn back against their pursuers. And so they wipe out the town of Ai. This time, God allows the Israelites to keep some of the spoil and the livestock from the town.

As chapter 8 concludes, Joshua renews the covenant with the people of Israel. He builds an altar to the LORD, and he writes a copy of the law on the stones. The priests lead the people in reciting the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. Finally, Joshua reads the entire law aloud for the assembly of Israel.

Mark 13 contains Jesus’ teaching about the end times. Since re-reading the chapter today, I’ve been thinking about verse 32. It says, in the ESV, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Jesus doesn’t know when the end will come. Heavenly beings don’t know when the end will come. Only God the Father knows the timing of the end of the age. Yet, somehow, people think that if they study Scripture and world events and pray for insight, they will find out when the end will come. And this Scripture tells us clearly that that is not going to happen.

Don’t get me wrong. I think there’s value in thinking deeply about God’s Word, and striving to properly interpret prophecy. And if that interpretation leads you to evangelize more, and to be ready for Christ’s return — all well and good. But if someone’s interpretation tries to tell you a specific date and time, that’s nonsense. God is not going to reveal it to one of His children when He won’t even tell Jesus. In verse 31, Jesus tells us, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” In other words, the truth that Christ does not know and will not know the timing of the end will not pass away — at least not until heaven and earth pass away.

Jesus warns us against false prophets in this chapter. Verse 22 says, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.” It’s a little scary to think of false prophets doing signs and wonders. We’re easily persuaded by the supernatural. But the signs and wonders must be in agreement with Scripture. Otherwise they are untrustworthy, and deceitful.

I wonder if it’s the desire for the supernatural, and for the inexplicable — or perhaps the desire to have secret knowledge — that’s at root of so much of the so-called prophecy happening in modern times. I believe there are people in my own family who have been led astray by false prophecy. It grieves me. And I wonder exactly what Jesus meant when he said, “if possible.” To least astray the elect — if possible. Do you think the elect can be led astray? I do. Perhaps not permanently. But, yes, genuine believers can be led astray.

That has to be one of the best reasons for knowing Scripture — so that you will be protected from false teachers and false prophecy. If you know the Bible, then you will know when someone is trying to teach you something that disagrees with what Scripture says. As Jesus says in verse 33, “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.”

Psalm 49 speaks about the worth of a person’s soul. Verses 7 through 9 say that it is impossible for a person to ransom either your own soul or that of another person. Whatever you may offer is not enough: “For the ransom of life is costly (v. 8).” Yet the psalmist has faith in God. God Himself will pay the ransom. As verse 15 says, “God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol… he will receive me.”

The psalm also points out that we should have no fear of the rich or wealthy, even when they persecute us. For rich and poor, wise man and fool, will all die. Their riches will pass to another and the grave will become their home. Mortals perish.

Father God, help us to keep an eternal perspective when we are in trouble or distress. The psalmist reminds us that humankind is mortal. We should not fear those who will pass away; we should only fear you. Your power is the only power that matters. Thank you for sending Christ Jesus to pay the ransom for our souls.

Father, help us to understand your Word more and more. Give us insight and wisdom. Protect us from any who might want to distort your truth. Help me to understand the idea of corporate guilt better, and to know if there are any applications for us today. Continue to work in us that which is pleasing to you. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and pour out your grace through Jesus Christ. In his name, Amen.