Understanding the Times
Esther 1:13 “Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times…”
When I was reading through Esther, this verse really made me wonder. Is understanding the times a good thing or a bad thing for Christians? In this part of Esther, the king isn’t a godly man. He’s drunk and rash and capricious. His “wise men” are also self-serving, so the fact that they understand the times just contributes to the poor quality of their advice.
And yet, when Jesus sent out his disciples without him, he told them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).” It’s hard to know what this means in practical terms. Snakes are predatory and secretive. Doves are trusting and defenseless. Sheep among wolves are usually doomed.
We need to be shrewd enough to understand what evil times we live in, to understand that we are indeed among wolves and to be able to recognize the dangers we face each day. And at the same time, we need to be innocent enough not to wrap ourselves in the culture with which we are so familiar. We step into that culture in order to meet people where they are, but we need to be different enough—innocent enough—so those people see something they want to have or want to be.
The difference is Christ. The innocence is the robe of His righteousness we wear because we are His. And it is His wisdom that lets us understand the times without surrendering to them.
In what ways have you become part of the world? How have you allowed it to entice you? To break free, read again the prayer Jesus prayed for you in John chapter 17, and hold tight to the knowledge that God can and will answer that prayer on your behalf.
May you have the full measure of Christ’s joy within you.
Brenda
When I was reading through Esther, this verse really made me wonder. Is understanding the times a good thing or a bad thing for Christians? In this part of Esther, the king isn’t a godly man. He’s drunk and rash and capricious. His “wise men” are also self-serving, so the fact that they understand the times just contributes to the poor quality of their advice.
And yet, when Jesus sent out his disciples without him, he told them, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).” It’s hard to know what this means in practical terms. Snakes are predatory and secretive. Doves are trusting and defenseless. Sheep among wolves are usually doomed.
We need to be shrewd enough to understand what evil times we live in, to understand that we are indeed among wolves and to be able to recognize the dangers we face each day. And at the same time, we need to be innocent enough not to wrap ourselves in the culture with which we are so familiar. We step into that culture in order to meet people where they are, but we need to be different enough—innocent enough—so those people see something they want to have or want to be.
The difference is Christ. The innocence is the robe of His righteousness we wear because we are His. And it is His wisdom that lets us understand the times without surrendering to them.
In what ways have you become part of the world? How have you allowed it to entice you? To break free, read again the prayer Jesus prayed for you in John chapter 17, and hold tight to the knowledge that God can and will answer that prayer on your behalf.
May you have the full measure of Christ’s joy within you.
Brenda
posted by BreadBakers at 11:55 AM
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