Barefoot, Naked and Ashamed

Day 46: Judges 6–9; Isaiah 19–24; 1 Corinthians 1–3

Gideon blows his trumpet and the Midianites flee in confusion, killing each other in their panic. Paul confronts childish believers in Corinth who form fan clubs around church leaders. Isaiah walks around barefoot and naked for three years to shame the country who ran to Egypt or Lybia (Cush) instead of Yahweh for help (Isa. 20:1-6).

It is a natural thing for humanity to worship, to belong to something of someone greater than themselves.  The problem with this natural tendency or giving honor and praise to great ones is that we give it to people and ideas or treasures and thrills rather than to the living God.  We have a tendency toward false worship or idolatry. 

I met a man who paints for one of my favorite cartoons.  I was thrilled.  I met a man who worked for the Beatles.  We are on a first name basis.  He likes me and thinks I'm cool! I am thrilled and feel good about myself.  Why?  Because I join in the pseudo-worship of the Beatles.  I made my children memorize this line.  It's a creed.  Who are the Beatles, kids?  They would respond in unison, "The most successful artists in the history of recorded sound."  I had them do this over microphone at Christian Rock concerts where I played.  What was I thinking?!!

The Lord delivered the Israelites from the Midianite oppression under Gideon's 300 men.  There was no way anyone could take credit for the win, but God alone.  It was a miracle.  When we obey God who wants to glorify Himself, we get to see Him do amazing things.  But when we wish to glory in mere men, we miss what God is offering.  Communities rise and fall on false hope in mere mortals.

Gideon made an ephod of gold from the booty after the defeat of the Midianites.  It became an object of worship, an idol.  They wanted to make the judge Gideon (also called Jerubbaal) their king.  But he replied, "I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you (Jdg. 8:23)."  Smart judge.  Too bad it didn't stick.

After he died one of his seven sons, Abimelech, convinced the princes of Shechem to choose him as king over his 70 brothers (Don't let the math confuse you. Gideon had 70 sons and Abimelech killed his 70 brothers, but  one escaped.  Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that he killed 68 brothers? Perhaps 70 has a symbolic meaning like the gentile nations).  He murdered all but one who escaped (Jotham).  But his treachery lead to his undoing and the destruction of the men of Shechem who gave him the honor.  Abimelech corners the fickle men of Shechem who rebelled against him by burning down a tower they had built to Baal. It is they had taken refuge.  In their trust in Baal they perished (Jdg 9:46-49).  And as Abimelech approach to do the same to people in Thebez, a woman dropped a grinding millstone on his head from the roof of the tower.  Bummer!

Isaiah continues as a prophetic voice for the Lord. Like Paul's Corithian congregation divided against each other over those who applaud Apollos and those who applaud Paul, the Lord will turn Egypt upon itself (Isa. 19:2).  Isaiah warns and warns, but he also consoles.  Besides being a lewd sign in his barefoot and naked appearances, he also consoles Egypt with these lovely words,

"When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and leader, and he will rescue them. The LORD will make Himself known to Egypt, and Egypt will know the LORD on that day. They will offer sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and fulfill them. The LORD will strike Egypt, striking and healing. Then they will return to the LORD and He will hear their prayers and heal them (Isa. 19: 20-23)."

I find hope in these words because it reveals the Old Testament God as one who really does love and care for all people, not just Israelites.  Israel is called to be the way of blessing.  Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's calling.  And all we Gentiles and Jews receive blessing upon blessing through faith in the Son of God.

It is not a bad thing to like and enjoy our sports heroes or our movie actors and pop singers, authors, artists and statesmen.  But when we cast our hopes in them.  When we draw our sense of self-worth from our love of them, we are on shaky ground.  We are in a tower built in honor of them that comes crashing down with all of us inside.

Lord, help me to see what Paul teaches...that the leaders and popular folks in our world are simply servants.  The real glory and honor belongs solely to You.  Protect me from my tendency to pseudo-worship.  Keep my heart from wondering. Seal it for Thy courts above.  Let me not be ashamed before You.  In Jesus' name, Amen.