Adulterous Generation

Day 4: Genesis 16–20; Job 19–24; Matthew 10–12

The concept of faithfulness in covenant relationships where people pledge to one another loyalty, care, love and support is called "righteousness" in the faith relationship between God and His people.  When unfaithfulness occurs God often refers to it as adultery.  The biblical writers compare Israel's chosen status like unto a husband who chooses a wife.  The man leaves his mother and father and the two become one flesh.  Imagine the pain caused by adultery when fused flesh is ripped apart.  Siamese Twins can be surgically cut apart.  Sometimes they live.  Sometimes they cannot survive separated.

Can humanity survive when we, like Job's wicked men, say, "Leave us alone! We don't want to know His ways! Who is the Almighty that I should serve Him?" (Job 21:14-15)

God chooses Abraham to be blessed by Him and for the nation he fathers to be a blessing to the world (Gen 18:18-19).  God trusts Abraham to "command his children" and household servants and all future generations "to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just."  

In the same way Jesus chooses 12 apostles to share His divine authority by increasing His kingdom ministry.  Freely given this authority, the 12 are to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of heaven, heal and liberate the demon-possessed.   They are to trust God completely in this work by traveling light and expecting the Lord to provide their daily bread through the hospitality of homes open to the gospel.

But Jesus warns some will deny them.  Some will drag them into court, before judges and rulers. Even children will have their parents executed for religious heresy because of resistance to the message of God through Jesus Christ. 

Jesus faces resistance and ridicule from the Pharisees and from some of the Galileans where he ministers.  He healed and drove out demons and even raised the dead, but the cities of Capernaum, (where he lived in Peter's mother-in-law's house) Chorazim and Bethsaida would not turn toward Him and His message.  They did not repent of sinful attitudes and behavior.  Jesus compared them to Sodom and Gomorrah which God destroyed with fire because of their utter corruption.  And Jesus said it will be easier on the people of Sodom than for these Galileans on the day of Judgement at the end of this age. 

Can you imagine?  What a slap in the face!  He goes on to call them an adulterous generation, meaning their hearts don't really belong to God.  They are the children of Abraham, but they are not following the way of the Lord, doing with is right and just.  Israel is failing to keep the covenant as God intended.  Instead there is corruption and abuse of power.  Their hearts are not truly faithful to loving God and His people.  They love control and respect and taking advantage by the nature of their positions in Israel's religious life (See Mat 23:1-35).

But Jesus finds in the disciples that follow Him a childlike quality that the learned clergy and scholars of the temple and synagogue do not possess.  As a result the disciples can see the reality of the kingdom (God with us).  The Pharisees and teachers of the law cannot see Jesus for who He is.  Jesus is just a scam artist in their minds.  Someone who says he is something when he is nothing.

Adultery destroys marriages and families.  Entire communities are hurt by unfaithfulness.  Trust is part of what holds communities and relationships together.  The angles warned Lot to flee Sodom or he and his family would be consumed by the consequences for the perversity of the city (Gen. 19:15).  When trust is broken, health is at risk.  Abimelech was spared the plague on Pharaoh (Gen. 20:6; 12:17) because he had enough reverence for God to hear His voice in a dream warning him that the beautiful Sarah was Abraham's wife and not to touch her.  And Job recognizes along with his friends the fallout from a selfish, sinful life.  Often it's the next generation that suffers. 

When we give our hearts to something or someone other than God we are adulterous and we are not whole or healthy.  We were meant to be in love with God and loved by Him.  But we often look elsewhere for cheap substitutes.  We worship created things rather than the creator and all manner of evil comes from this break in trust.

God save me from my worldly loves that keep me from coming to you and keeping your way.  Make me whole by the washing of the waters of baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.