next in a series of [somewhat edited] letters sent to a friend, giving him an update on how life with the Hazys has changed
Hey brother,
Sorry for the looonngg time between letters - we just finished up “birthday month” (five birthdays in one month!), and - as you know - there have been major plumbing issues over here, too…so my research time for this letter has been rather hard to come by. (edit: It's now been two months since I started writing the letter; life at home and at work has been rather busy!)
“Research Time” - yeah, that’s been kind of necessary on this topic. Come to think of it, that’s how we’re supposed to do it all, right? I remember having a conversation with a young man from our church a few years back that turned into something of a role-play. He was pretending to have a non-Christian opinion on a topic, and I continued to use the question, “…yeah, but what does the Bible say?” to drive my reasoning in the conversation. That question has guided a lot of counsel that Shannon and I have taken and given over the years, and I think it’s the right approach
You see, I recognize in myself the same tendency I see in others - be it individuals, groups, churches, denomination, religions, nationalities, etc., etc… we often take our opinions, preconceived notions, whatever - and then find support for them in Scripture. Now, to be sure, I think it’s acceptable to have opinions, well-informed political views, good religious doctrine, thoughtful world-views, etc., etc., and I don’t think everyone needs to think or talk or live exactly the same to get along (or maybe to even be “right”, but that’s getting waaaayyy off-topic).
Here’s where I’m going: we shouldn’t use the Bible to justify or legitimize or support our opinions or politics or doctrines; that’s not how it’s supposed to work. Instead, we’re supposed to follow the instructions and examples given in Scripture to develop our opinions, politics, doctrines, etc..
…and so, from time to time, I want to make sure I’m living according to what the Bible says, rather than using the Bible to justify what I want to think or say or do. Still trying to come back from the edge of the stage and re-orient to the center of it all.
Well that’s quite a rambling introduction, isn’t it? Let’s get to it: I want to share with you an important life lesson I learned a long time ago, to share how it has blessed me, and you, and others along the way, and then show you how it’s displayed (and even “blown up” - in a good way) in Scripture.
…and in a bit of an “off subject” side trip, I want to share how the Lord used an unlikely source to help me become more Biblical in my approach to all of this…
Remember a few letters back when I shred the “bus driver” story? During that same season in my life, I not only attended [that church], I also often went to services at [another church in the area]. One of my earliest memories from that other church - it may have actually been from the first service I attended - was regarding how God sets the solitary in families. Taken from Psalm 68:6, in the midst of a passage where his people are provided for while his enemies get dealt with, there’s a promise that, even when you’re alone, God provides a way for you to not be alone.
The truly amazing part is how my family lived that out for me, with me - to me. My cousins (well, technically, my cousin and her husband) were members to that church, and were probably at that service (can’t remember 100%). What I do remember is that they opened their home to me and let me stay with them as I transitioned out of my “failed” life [Ipreviously wrote you about] and tried to get my bearings on “what’s next?” They loved on me and included me in their family life, and never pressure me to become…them.
—>disclaimer: as with - I guess - all of life and every story, there’s more to tell, but I want to focus on my cousins’ obedience to Scripture and their kindness and hospitality to me when I was a sojourner in their home…even though it might have seemed like I was more of a “freeloader” at times!! end of disclaimer.<—
Sojourner. That’s an important word I want to explore a bit with you. It was probably last year - maaaybe 2020 - when I realized something significant about Israel’s Exodus from Egypt: they weren’t alone.
In Exodus 12, after God’s people celebrated the first Passover, after the tenth plague that followed (the death of the firstborn), then Pharaoh relented and let the people go - see verses 30-38. I want to point out something from that last verse:
“…a mixed multitude also went up with them…”
For most of my life, if you would have asked me, “who did Moses lead out of Egypt?” I would have thought “only” the people of Israel. And yet here it is: there was a large crowd of non-Hebrews, and not only that…it was a “mixed” crowd: there were lots of different kinds of folks headed out with Moses & crew.
Now I don’t know what you think about the mixed multitude, but that verse changed my view of this “Old Testament” version of God. Here’s what I mean: from waaaaayyy before the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem in Acts 2 - way back here in Exodus, even before the founding of “the nation”…the invitation to come out of this world, to leave the past behind and become his set-apart people…it was always open to whomever wanted to go God’s way and become his people - even if you weren’t a Hebrew. That was a pretty stunning discovery to me: I thought the OT faith was a “Jewish” one that was later expanded and modified to become the New Testament Gospel. (an oversimplification, for sure, but that’s what I thought, and what most Christians would more or less agree to)
So yeah, finding out the invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven was an open one from the get-go...that was an eye-opener for me. And I can’t think of a better example of this concept than Caleb.
You know Caleb, of course. Pretty much everyone with a basic knowledge of the Old Testament does. He was the other “spy” who (along with Joshua) told the people of Israel, “We can do it! We can win! Let’s follow Moses’ direction and conquer Canaan!” That guy, the one who represented the tribe of Judah…was not a Hebrew.
Whenever he’s “officially” described in Scripture, it's always (correction: usually) as “Caleb, the son of Jephunnah, the Kenazzite”. I want you to do your own research here to confirm what I found, but I’ll sum up what I discovered: Caleb was one of Kenaz’s people, and Kenaz was a grandson of Esau, Jacob’s hairy twin brother, the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham.
Caleb was an Edomite, not an Israelite.
At some point, Caleb, this Edomite/Kenazzite, began to “sojourn” with the Hebrews. He could have joined them in the wilderness; he could have left Egypt with them; he could have been there before all the plagues went down. I don’t know for sure. We know that during and after the Canaan wars the Kenazzites joined Caleb in conquering the hill country around (and including…? I think) Jerusalem, and eventually became absorbed into the tribe of Judah, as Caleb was. His brother Othniel was even the first “Judge” of Israel.
So Caleb “walked with” the Hebrews, joined up with Judah, obviously adopting their way of life and embracing the faith - so much so that when spies were chosen to represent their tribes, no one objected to Caleb representing Judah.
We know - of course - that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to all who will follow our King and walk in his ways - accepting the salvation only he can provide and trusting in his faithfulness, while growing in our faith and faithfulness to him along the way, from the slavery of our past to the place that he has prepared for us.
Another example of this sojourner principle can be found in Matthew 15:21-28. Yeshua was encountered by a Gentile/Canaanite/Syrophoenician woman who asked for help. He told her he wasn’t (at this point) “here for her” - but she pressed in faith and appealed for mercy. It was obvious to Yeshua that she wanted to become one of “His” people - and the Messiah once again opened the Kingdom to one who wanted to join the journey - God sets the solitary in families, whether it’s a Kenazzite joining Judah, a Canaanite coming into the Kingdom, or you and me being adopted into the family of God.
OK, a lesson from an unlikely source.
I told you I did some research on this topic, and I’ve included those research notes here in the letter’s envelope. One thing I came across was a YouTube video of someone from a rather different, rather controversial, um, faith who think they’re the “true” descendants of God’s people. This guy was using certain Bible resources (translation, interlinear text, Hebrew lexicon, concordances) to back up his doctrinal position on Caleb & his brother Othniel, their family, the tribe of Judah, Israel’s history/destiny, Bible translations, and a few other things.
In watching that video with our two older sons, I pointed out to the boys a few hermeneutical mistakes he was making. I also recognized that he was making some good observations and valid points - specifically about Caleb and Othniel being brothers. Here’s my point: truth is truth because it’s true, without regard as to who said it. I had a certain opinion about Calebs’ family (and family tree); after watching the video, I went back, researched/studied some more, and changed my opinion. It’s possible (of course!) that I’m still not right about who Caleb (or his family) is and how they fit into the narrative of God’s family. That’s why I’ll continue to approach my “journey” as… well, I’m just trying to follow my Rabbi, my King - trying to think like he thinks, walk like he walks, talk like he talks, live like he lives.
…and the next time I come around to Caleb’s story, the Lord may teach me something else that changes my opinion on things. I’m good with that. The goal for me is not to win a debate with anyone whose faith or religion or politics or life is different than mine - my goal is to know the God of the Bible, and to help others (like my sons and my friends) to do the same.
Anyways…check my work. See what you think, and let me know - I’m happy to hear your thoughts on it.
I love you brother - look forward to talking to you soon enough,
