Beware of Patterns That that Burn

Paradise is burning. The current Maui Hawaii fire has killed at least 80 people and have leveled entire communities. Tourism is shut down. It will cost billions to restore places like Lahaina, once the capital of the string of islands that make up America’s 50th state. Authorities now admit that they should have seen the disaster coming. The pattern was there: high winds, dry conditions and sources of ignition, be it nature or man.

Ignore negative patterns and you’re inviting trouble. Israel did and suffered captivity and costly loss in the promised land requiring God to provide them a deliverer, a judge—a Shaphat—thus the name of the Old Testament Book of Judges. We can learn from their mistake to avoid preventable personal and corporate spiritual disasters: beware of patterns that burn.

A snap shot of the “pattern of the judges’ can be seen in the first God-appointed judge—Othniel—in Judges 3:7-11:

7The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. 8Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, so that He sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. 9When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. 10The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. When he went out to war, the LORD gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand, so that he prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. 11Then the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.

The “pattern of judges” generally followed this sequence: (1) Apostacy, (2) Judgment, (3) Repentance, (4) Deliverance, (5) Rest.

Apostacy. Apostacy is a falling away from the standards God. It’s called sin. In most cases for Israel, their sin was serving another god. (v. 7) "The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth." This falling away generally takes root in human nature when there is peace, prosperity and promise. We relax. We take God for granted who provides the peace, prosperity and promise, and embrace other gods—even ourselves—as the sole author of our success. Application. Be on guard in periods of blessings and peace. (Matt. 26:41) "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Judgment. God will always respond to sin with retribution. It is consistent with His nature of holiness to reject unholiness lest He becomes unholy, unclean. (Romans 1:18) "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." In this first judgment of apostacy, God turned them over to its enemies whose god they embraced. They were in slavery for eight years. (8) and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years. Application. Expect consequences for our actions. (Gal. 6:6-9) "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. · For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption..."

Repentance. God’s judgment on His people for their sins is not intended for destruction but correction. Israel’s response was to change their perspective. They returned to the God who loves them by crying out to Him. (9) "When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD…" It is in the nature of God’s love relationship with His people to incline His ear their situation. He hears us because He loves us. Application. We should, therefore, ground our love for God in a relationship where God is ever present and always caring. (Psalm 116:1-2) "I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.'

Deliverance. God not only hears but responds to His people appropriately. He delivered them by appointing a deliverer, a Yasha. (10)"the LORD raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother." Othniel’s chief qualification to be a judge—a Shaphat—was that God was in him, that His Spirit would give him victory over Israel’s oppressor. 10"The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel." Application: When you select leadership to guide you in your deliverance, choose a Spirit-led leader. Anything less will mean more trouble.

Rest/Peace. The result of the Spirit-filled leadership of Judge Othniel was a sabbath rest for Israel from its enemies. But leaders come and go. (11). "11Then the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died." The Hebrew view of peace is not one of the cessations of war—though it can be—but Old Testament shalom is a state of confidence in the midst of conflict. Israel can now proceed in the promised land knowing God is still with them even through periods of their self-inflected disasters. But they must be wary of leadership change and the laxity that can come with peace. Application: No one mistake can define one’s life and relationship with God. His grace is sufficient. You’ll know God’s hand is on you when you experience a peace only God, not the world, can give you. (John `4:27) "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

The “pattern of judges” generally followed this sequence: (1) Apostacy, (2) Judgment, (3) Repentance, (4) Deliverance, (Rest). Much of the troubles Israel experienced was because they failed to recognize their cycles of life that triggered negative consequences that scorched their land like a fire.

Strong winds, dry conditions, and ignition sources—Hawaii authorities admit they did not pay enough attention to this pattern that contributed to their current disaster that has burned paradise. We pray and contribute to their recovery. We also recognize we need to give due respect to the negative spiritual patterns that can scorch our lives.

Be watchful in times of peace. Don’t relax. Accept God’s judgment. Repent. Turnback to God. Cry out to him. Follow God’s Spirit-filled leadership.