It is weird living in two Kingdoms at the same time. As Exiles, the Jews still believed God would return and bring reconciliation and redemption. They had to develop an “exile ethic” that kept a balance between their loyalty to the nation where they lived and their loyalty to the kingdom they were from. This tension looks like a form of loyalty and subversion. We see this with Daniel and Co. taking on new names, positions within the government, and adopting the Babylonian education and culture. But then they continue to hold to their food purity codes that set them apart for God. This week, I want to look at another familiar story that’s focused more on the “and Co.” of Daniel and Co. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to bow down to a statue erected by Nebuchadnezzar. Only the one true God receives their allegiance, adoration, and worship.
What are some things in the world around you which ask for your allegiance, your worship, or adoration?
I’ve found that it is often easier for me to spot the idolatry in other people than in myself. Take time to examine yourself, sitting in silence asking God to reveal in you the things that come into conflict with your allegiance to him. Here are some questions I ask myself for this kind of reflection: What receives most of my time? Energy? Passion? Money? Etc. What angers me the most? What excites me the most?
These questions do not point directly to the idols in our lives, but they help lead to deeper questions to revelation.
This exile ethic was carried back into the Promise Land when the Jews went home. They arrived home to a destroyed temple inside a destroyed Jerusalem (Ezra-Nehemiah). They were back in the land, but it doesn’t quite seem to be all that God had promised. In the generations to come they would exchange one oppressor for another till the time of Jesus. They were exiles in their own land. They were home but not. This becomes one of the major themes of the New Testament (which we looked at in 1 Peter).
Jesus’ ministry and message were all about the coming of the Kingdom of God. John the Baptist prepared the way by calling Israel back to the wilderness to “reenter” the land as people of God’s Kingdom through Baptism. This is also what happens in our Baptism, we enter God’s Kingdom as citizens. We enter his Family, through New Birth.
The question is, what does this exile ethic look like for those who claim the Kingdom of God? The Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) is one of the best places to go for Jesus’ “exile ethic” or “Kingdom ethic” for how his followers should live while living in exile. Don’t just be good citizens, go above and beyond in your goodness so that you are a light to the nation you live in. Read through the Sermon on the Mount.
Which teachings do you find the hardest to live up to?
When you loosen your grip on “winning,” how much easier is it to love your enemies, bless those who persecute, turn the cheek, go the extra mile, etc. (5:38-48)?
Finally, I want to look at Jesus’ comments about “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26). This passage is usually focused on for why we should pay our taxes. I want to look a little closer at a nuanced distinction Jesus is making in what he says. Jesus is asked about paying taxes. He answers with a question about “images,” and then says, “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
What has the image of God that should be given to God?
What happens when the things that belong to God are given to things that hold another image?
Dwelling in the Word for this Sunday be on Matt 5:38-48. Send me a message if you would like to share what you’re hearing from God in this text.