Readings for today: Numbers 32:1-33:39, Luke 4:31-5:11, Psalms 64, Proverbs 11:22
There is a difference between a covenant and a contract. A contract is ultimately self-centered. You enter into a relationship in order to get your needs met. You agree with another party to serve them so long as they agree to serve you. As soon as they fail or fall down on the job, the contact is broken and you are set free from any obligations. A covenant is different. It is ultimately “other-centered.” Yes, there is still an agreement between two parties. Yes, the agreement involves both parties getting their needs met. But it recognizes that failure is part of life. People are not perfect. Expectations are not always met. People’s feelings do get hurt. Covenants, however, cannot be broken. Forgiveness and grace are extended and reconciliation pursued instead of simply walking away.
The people of Israel have made it. They are on the cusp of the Promised Land. Two of the tribes - Reuben and Gad - want to settle down in the land they’ve just conquered. This puts the covenant relationship of the people of God to the test. If they hold to a contractual understanding of community then Reuben and Gad have no incentive to go further. Their needs are met. They’ve received their inheritance. They can build their cities and feed their livestock and plant their fields and raise their families. They can walk away. But Moses reminds them their relationship runs much deeper. They are part of the covenant people of God. As such, their work isn’t done until all the tribes come into their own. This isn’t about them. They are not the center of the universe. They cannot use the other tribes to serve their own purposes. The other tribes sacrificed a great deal to help them claim their territory and now it is their turn to do the same. Furthermore, there are dire consequences associated with breaking the covenant. The previous generation wandered for forty years under the judgment of God for failing to keep their covenant promises. Would this generation make the same mistake?
Tragically, we live in a narcissistic age. The spirit of the age is selfishness. Self-esteem. Self-care. Self-help. Self-centeredness is the rule rather than the exception. As such, all our relationships are fundamentally contractual in nature. As soon as we are let down. As soon as we are disappointed. As soon as our expectations are not met. As soon as we get bored. We break fellowship. We walk away. The results are devastating. Fruitful partnerships dissolve. Successful businesses fail. Loving marriages end in divorce. Churches split. It’s heartbreaking.
The spirit of our age infects everyone. None of us are immune. I cannot tell you how many parents I’ve talked to who have switched their kids from school to school or team to team because their child experiences disappointment. I cannot tell you how many people I’ve talked to who jump from church to church because they aren’t “getting fed”, their needs aren’t “getting met”, or they’ve been disappointed and let down. I cannot tell you the number of couples I’ve counseled who tell me they’ve fallen “out of love” or the spark has “gone out” or they have irreconcilable differences and are getting divorced...again.
The heart of the gospel is the covenant God makes with us to be our God no matter what. To be our God no matter how many times we fail or let Him down. God is faithful. Period. Nothing can separate us from His love and He wants us to exhibit the same kind of covenant commitment in our relationships with one another. Frankly, this is why we take vows when we join a church. To remind ourselves that we need each other. To remind ourselves that we are committed to each other. Through thick and thin. In good times and in bad. For better or for worse. We are all part of the same family and as such need to stick it out even when things get hard. There’s only one way this works. Grace. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. The gospel given concrete expression in each of our lives. The reality is you will only experience the grace and forgiveness of God as you extend grace and forgiveness to others. These two are inexorably tied together. They cannot be experienced independent of one another. If you cannot find it in your heart to forgive those who hurt you. If you cannot find it in your heart to extend grace to those who disappoint you or let you down. If you would rather walk away than reconcile then you are committing the grave sin of breaking a covenant relationship and you will fall under God’s judgment. He will discipline you until the covenant is restored for this is His will for your life and mine.
Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 33:40-35:34, Luke 5:12-28, Psalms 65, Proverbs 11:23