Leviticus 18:19-28; 1 Chronicles 12:19-23, 32 7. “Violence & Holiness” Leviticus 18:19-28; 1 Chronicles 12:19-23, 32 p. 109, 380

Violence & Holiness A tough week in Canada – attacks Violence, War & Genocide in the OT Not trying to explain it away It is there, it is real, it has a purpose. An adjustment to our perspective on: Ourselves, Humanity Sin The character of God

1. Context – 1,000 BC Two aspects of context: The time in salvation history The prevalence of great evil in the world. 1. The time: Where we are in the salvation story Example of a parent & child Age and stage make a big difference. About 400 years earlier delivered from slavery in Egypt. .

1. Context – 1,000 BC . . . Delivered by YHWH, Moses – given the Law. Arrived in the Promised land and destroyed the nations Because of their wickedness (Deut 9:5) Did not obey YHWH fully – allowed some to remain They became a “snare” (Judges 2:2-3) Israel eventually unified under a king – Saul He disobeyed and they’re unstable

Israel is still a little child. 1. Context – 1,000 BC . . . Law not well understood or implemented. The great prophets are still in the future. Israel is still a little child. They had to be protected.

1. Context – 1,000 BC . . . 2. The Prevalence of Evil. Imagine every nation on earth is like ISIS So bad almost every nation agrees they need to be eradicated. Ideally, they should repent and turn from evil. Only alternative is to wipe them out. In David’s time all surrounding nations are like ISIS Israel was to be different Be a light to the nations.

1. Context – 1,000 BC . . . First: Israel had to be established. Israel needed time to unlearn Pagan behaviours & assumptions Reveals the extreme seriousness of evil. It must be opposed vigorously God’s people were to fight by faith in YHWH.

Nuances for us living after Jesus & Pentecost: 1. Context – 1,000 BC . . . Nuances for us living after Jesus & Pentecost: Pacifists at the personal level Willing to fight for good at the community level. To establish Israel, had to destroy the other nations. Task fell to David Solomon inherited a secure & powerful kingdom David was “contaminated” by his task (1 Chron 28:3)

2. Context – 2,000 AD Today we face the same challenges. Called to be different to the world around us. Unlearn assumptions, values, behaviours of our culture The men of Issachar (1 Chron 12:32) Understood the times Knew what Israel should do. They chose to join David.

The financial situation at UC.\ 2. Context 2,000 AD . . . We should be the same. The financial situation at UC.\ We do not have a sense of cutting back ministries.

Acknowledging all that God has done: 2. Context 2,000 AD . . . Acknowledging all that God has done: Rule of thumb: $1,000 pa per person in pews We’re more than double that. You are faithful givers. Vision Ministries – M.M.F. You are faithful servers in ministry At Retreat: have deep fellowship & are multi-cultural We enjoy rich fellwoship Many of you serve faithfully in so many ways. You are faithful to the work of God

Our financial crunch is not because we’re not pulling together. 2. Context 2,000 AD . . . Our demographic has changed in recent years. Our financial crunch is not because we’re not pulling together. You are all doing the work of ministry As it should be.

Living it FIRST: Solution Not working harder or sacrificing more We should not do more than God intends. If you are new, pray about God’s will for you. Not only pastors are called to minister Be faithful stewards of what God is calling you to do.

God’s will is good. He is with us. Living it SECOND: Pray for discernment & guidance. Ask for a miracle, or bring a prophetic word. We have seen following God’s will can be tough Let us not shrink from God’s leading Let us not be fearful about making hard decisions. God’s will is good. He is with us.