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Tyranny of the Urgent
Read Leviticus 24:1-23
You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 24:22
A man was frantically waving at motorists to stop and help bring his pregnant wife to the hospital. They had just been knocked off their motorcycle at a busy junction at 7 a.m. Nobody stopped. Everybody was rushing somewhere. The woman and her unborn twins died. This incident that happened in Malaysia some years back reflects the tyranny of the urgent over the important in modern affluent society.
Preparing for the festivals was certainly urgent (and very important), but the most important duties in the worship of God consisted of two simple ‘household chores’:
i) Lighting the lamps served a practical purpose i.e. giving light to the Holy Place so that the priests could minister there.
ii) Putting bread on the table was an expression of gratitude to God for His provision.
Light is also symbolic of the word of God (Psalm 119:105); oil is a symbol of the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6) and incense is a symbol of prayer (Psam 141:2). In our busy lives, do we often ‘stop’ to perform the ‘household chores’ of reading the word, asking the Spirit’s help, praying and giving thanks? Do we take time to teach our children to do the same? The blasphemer’s mother (24:11) was mentioned by name as a warning to all parents. Unfaithfulness in little things can lead to gross sin.
The death sentence for blasphemy led to a discussion of other public judgments. Ironically, the objective of the lex talionis or ‘law of retaliation’ was not retaliation but equivalent compensation, which could be in material form (except for murder). Disciples of Jesus, however, are to forgive the offenders in private matters. This is especially difficult for today’s kiasu (afraid to lose) generation.
Prayerfully distinguish between the urgent and the important matters in your life. What adjustments will you have to make?
Spend time extolling and honouring God’s Name in worship.
Read Leviticus 24:1-23
You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 24:22
A man was frantically waving at motorists to stop and help bring his pregnant wife to the hospital. They had just been knocked off their motorcycle at a busy junction at 7 a.m. Nobody stopped. Everybody was rushing somewhere. The woman and her unborn twins died. This incident that happened in Malaysia some years back reflects the tyranny of the urgent over the important in modern affluent society.
Preparing for the festivals was certainly urgent (and very important), but the most important duties in the worship of God consisted of two simple ‘household chores’:
i) Lighting the lamps served a practical purpose i.e. giving light to the Holy Place so that the priests could minister there.
ii) Putting bread on the table was an expression of gratitude to God for His provision.
Light is also symbolic of the word of God (Psalm 119:105); oil is a symbol of the power of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:6) and incense is a symbol of prayer (Psam 141:2). In our busy lives, do we often ‘stop’ to perform the ‘household chores’ of reading the word, asking the Spirit’s help, praying and giving thanks? Do we take time to teach our children to do the same? The blasphemer’s mother (24:11) was mentioned by name as a warning to all parents. Unfaithfulness in little things can lead to gross sin.
The death sentence for blasphemy led to a discussion of other public judgments. Ironically, the objective of the lex talionis or ‘law of retaliation’ was not retaliation but equivalent compensation, which could be in material form (except for murder). Disciples of Jesus, however, are to forgive the offenders in private matters. This is especially difficult for today’s kiasu (afraid to lose) generation.
Prayerfully distinguish between the urgent and the important matters in your life. What adjustments will you have to make?
Spend time extolling and honouring God’s Name in worship.
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About this Plan
Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia's Bible reflections are devotional readings from the thoughts and insights of Asian writers. Consisting of 8 volumes, they cover the whole Bible in four years. Each volume contains books from the Old and New Testaments, and has a mix of historical, poetic and prophetic books, the gospels and epistles. Using this you can cultivate the discipline of a regular, systematic engagement with Scripture and gain an understanding of its magnificent story.
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