Do-Attitudes and Be-Attitudes (Part 2)

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:13-16

Just as the blessings declared by Moses were natural, the curses declared by Moses were also natural, but it's the preconditions that are of particular interest here. The precondition cited in Deuteronomy 11:16 is infidelity to Yaweh, specifically by following other gods. This is the context where the curses would be manifested. These idols would be the source of evil influence on his people.

With this in mind, Jesus warns of these new curses by bringing out the metaphor of salt and light. For salt is easily diluted. But it also is used to bring out or enhance the flavor of whatever it comes in contact with. It's a very similar message that Moses declared – if we allow the influences of this world (ie. idols) to dilute you, we will be trampled underfoot. Cursed. But if we remain faithful to God we will stand out from those around us, and we will be blessed. We will even enhance (change) the flavors of those around us. And finally, we will overcome the darkness with an outstanding light.

We must follow the Lord with no regard to how the story pans out, for that part is always his doing and we can trust that it's always good. And in doing so, we will radically stand out for the world to behold and know that Yaweh is so very good in our lives.

Israel's Anthem

come all to Him
who struggle with Jah
and you will be satisfied
come all you who reside
hostage-prisoners to questions
questions laid hold of your heel
for now in Him your ransom is revealed

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Immanuel has come to you, o Israel!

- revel8r 12-23-17

Do-Attitudes and Be-Attitudes

See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse

Deuteronomy 11:26

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

Moses proclaimed that he was presenting them with blessings and curses – blessings contingent on fidelity through obedience and curses upon infidelity through allowing other gods into their lives.  These blessings and curses were to be declared on two mountains – Mount Gerazim and Mount Ebal about 18 miles into the heart of the Promised Land (Israel) after crossing the Jordan.  After they had seen the hand of Yaweh working before their eyes by expelling tribes much stronger than their motley crew of refugees.

In the same way, Jesus (our second Moses) called his first disciples.  They immediately followed him, and upon doing so he began healing people and casting out demons.  After this, he withdrew with his disciples and began teaching them by declaring blessings over them, for it was they who had  followed him and crossed over into the great unknown before he had shown them his wonders.  Now he was declaring these blessings to this new Israel.

But these blessings stand in a stark difference to the blessings of Moses' address.  The blessings cited by Moses were natural blessings: health, prosperity and victory.  Rather the blessings cited by Jesus are unnatural and spiritual: comfort, inheritance, beholding God, etc.  And what's more, the preconditions for the blessings are different.  Those cited by Moses are obedience to laws - “do-attitudes”.  These were the ways to show fidelity, even love to Yaweh.  But Jesus came with a different set of conditions – the “be-attitudes”.

To mourn, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to be pure in heart, etc. – all of these are states of the soul that lead to the Kingdom blessings.  And they are eternal - much more intangible and difficult to achieve, making our need for him inescapable.

Avail yourself to allow Jesus to change your soul, that you can be of a Kingdom attitude.  Once you do so, he will do mighty things that will bring you to a place of eternal, supernatural blessing.