Proverbs 18:17-18

¹⁷In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. ¹⁸Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart.

Bargain

         Do you normally bargain when you buy from street vendors? Street vendors may increase or drop their price. But if you don’t like to haggle or ask for discounts, you can buy items with fix prices at department stores.

         To haggle for bargain prices is a practice for buyers and vendors may agree at some point. When students to ask for grace period from teachers about submission of projects, it’s also some sort of bargain or negotiation. Employees can also negotiate about their salary or job descriptions.

         Negotiation is part of business system to convince the other party. God knows what’s best for us. He designed his commands for better life. Yet we cannot easily decipher or interpret what’s better for us. So, we also negotiate with God. We need to seek God’s help to follow his plan for us.

         Observe how Gideon responded to God in Judges 6:36-40, ³⁶“If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— ³⁷look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” ³⁸And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. ³⁹Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” ⁴⁰That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

         God commanded Gideon, “Go in the strength you have to save Israel from the oppressive Midianites.” Gideon cannot believe what he heard. He said, “My clan Manasseh is the weakest clan in Israel, and I’m the least in my family.” Gideon expected his limited ability but God expected his victory.

         Usually, we choose leaders based on their credentials. But when God chooses anyone to lead, he won’t require what we can do. Our ability could just be a bonus. God looks at our heart, if we will follow him diligently.

         Seriously together, let’s reflect on what the Lord had declared in

         1 Samuel 16:7, ⁷Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

         David was a young shepherd. He was not the strongest among his brothers. He was the youngest. He was ignored by his father and brothers.

         But the Lord chose David as the next king of Israel and not his older and stronger brothers. God saw obedience in David. David obeyed God with all his heart. Obedience is what God requires for service to him. May we hear God’s call and respond decisively when he speaks to us.

1.  Speak

     ¹⁷In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

         Anyone can speak out their mind. Anyone can voice out their opinion. There’ll be foolish subscribers. And there’ll be blind followers. But what can we achieve if we just agree without blinking our eyes? Listen to defenses and arguments in a court of law and learn how to present logical statement.

         In a lawsuit, testimonies of witnesses are carefully considered. Both the accuser and defendant present exhibits of proofs for their claims.

         Likewise, Christ called us as his witnesses. Our personal adventure with him exhibits our proof of our claim as children of God. The Lord invites us in Isaiah 41:21, ²¹Present your case. Set forth your arguments.

         Anyone can claim to be Christian. Anyone can be confident they enter heaven when Jesus Christ returns. But God is righteous judge. He knows exactly if we personally encountered him or not yet. We are mandated to speak for Christ. When the Holy Spirit inspires, we gladly testify for him.

         People have a lot of time voicing out their disgust and opinion against the government. It is sad reality, and many church leaders are interested in political affairs more than witnessing for Christ. What can we do?

         Let’s reflect on what it says in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, ¹¹Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹²so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

         In the court of law, witnesses take oath. Anything they say in court can be used for and or against them. Articles posted online without proper annotation, without legit or legal confirmation could be used against the publisher. You may complain against the government, but be aware of legal consequences of anything you publish. Pray for concerned officials instead.

         Reflect. Whether we take oath or not, when we instinctively speak out our personal opinion, and when do things out of the inclination of our heart, we commit sin before the Lord. But praise God that he sent his precious Son Jesus Christ to be crucified sacrificially and settled everything for us.

2.  Settle

            ¹⁸Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. 

         The sacred means to settle disputes among the Israelites was casting lots with the Urim and Thummim. If they go to battle or not yet, they casted the Urim and Thummim. “Urim” means “lights,” and “Thummim” means “perfections.” They used the Urim and Thummim to determine God’s will.

         Casting lots is mentioned several times both in the New and Old Testament. On how they used the Urim and Thummim to determine the will of God is not clearly elaborated in the Scripture. Possibly, it was a cultural practice that the Israelites understood how it works. The nearest modern practice of casting lots is flipping a coin like: head or tail.

Exam

         Many years ago, I took a national exam. The exam required choosing the right answer from 1 to 6. I had two pencils. I marked 1 to 6 on the six sides of one pencil. When I was not familiar with a question, I cast lots. I rolled the pencil, and whatever number appeared on top I wrote down. Well most of the questions were easy for me to answer. So, I passed that exam.

         Casting lots can be entertaining way to resolve some issues but can you accept it that it is God’s will if you cast lots for get an answer? Question about the will of God may bother anyone. Have you discovered God’s will for you? We can start by following God’s instructions in the Scripture.

         Seriously reflect on what it declares in 1 Peter 2:13-17, ¹³Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. ¹⁶Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

         We are free to do whatever may attract us to do but we’ve got to be aware of our perimeters. Our behavior as Christians should testify of our knowledge of the will of God for us. Is this the will of God for me or not?

         Regularly, we should cross-examine our decisions based on what the Lord revealed in his word. Is it literally or clearly mentioned in the Bible? Be prayerful or you may cast lots if it may help get a result you can accept.

Nevertheless, may our faith increase to trust Christ in everything we do.

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