Journal Entry - 9/4/2005

This morning provided an original thought in the quiet rest as my wife and I lay together - an original thought about God's purpose for Israel. I was thinking about my brother's position, in what I call, legalism, and how determined he is to honor God's written word. It occurred to me again that by focusing so much attention there, he seems to have missed the living word of God. The living word of his creation, of life, of all that is around us. I even imagined pointing to my brother and noting the living word of God in him. Yet where was the honor for that?

When our identity is crushed we seem incapable of honoring the living word of God's creation in us. It's from there, it occurred to me, the nation of Israel was in an opposite - yet equally extreme - position. Though they sought to claim their unique relationship with God at the exclusion of those around them, it was actually God's purpose to include the gentiles through Christ. It was never meant to be just about them. Nor were they the sole focus of his purpose. They were a part. They are what I have termed - the David before Goliath.

Let me explain.
Goliath was not merely a man - he was a giant among men; a warrior of warriors; the mightiest of men. Yet before him stands David; not a king, a shepherd - a young boy.
Now had Goliath been defeated by a man - another warrior - great would have been the claim of the nation he fought for. And the honor would fall upon the man and the nation.
But, defeat the mightiest of men with a young boy, and now the honor falls to the God behind the boy. It was all about revelation - God's revelation to all the peoples the nation of Israel encountered.

So now that brings to mind two questions for each of us:

1. What is God's pupose for me in this life?
2. Who around me is that purpose being fulfilled for?