(Having mentioned 16^th century poet John Donne in the previous post, we’re now misquoting William Shakespeare! Apologies to the bard…)

Some have said that Paul’s views on eating meat sold in the meat market are contradictory, apparently encouraging this practice in 1 Cor 10:27 and then warning against it in 1 Cor 10:20-22, 28-29.

It is easy to want ‘one size fits all’ rules which can somehow stretch to fit every scenario and every possible permutation to guide us through the mazes of life. Such a path will lead to legalism, however, adding countless rules and regulations to legislate for every possible variant. Paul speaks to ‘sensible people’ who can ‘judge for yourselves what I say.’ (1 Cor 10:15) He gives them principles to think through, not cast-iron rules which are unyielding, and it’s because of this approach to principles (not laws) that we ultimately can reach maturity.

When children are very young, they need the absolute certainty of rules: ‘don’t touch the fire’, ‘eat your greens’ and so on. That’s all they can understand. As they get older, however, reasons and explanations are added to the rules: ‘don’t touch the fire or you will be burned’, ‘eat your greens because they provide essential nutrients and vitamins that will help to keep you healthy.’

Paul gives guidance to the Corinthians which will help them to think through this scenario and reach conclusions which show consistency of principles. Left-over meat from sacrifices has no intrinsic evil in it, since ‘the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.’ (1 Cor 10:26, quoting Ps 24:1). Therefore, it can be eaten with no qualms. But if objections are raised (either by Christians of weaker faith or by unbelievers), it’s better to refrain from eating it so as not to cause others to stumble. Idol-worship is, ultimately, not to be trifled with, since this kind of worship is satanically inspired (1 Cor 10:20). Better to avoid it in that situation so as not to trip anyone else up. Consideration for other people’s consciences remains a key principle.

The real issue is not just what we eat, however (something the Corinthians probably had not realised.) The real issue is having an undivided heart. Paul reminds the Corinthians that now they partake in Christ (symbolised by the bread and wine, referred to in 1 Cor 10:16-17). The one cup and the one loaf of Holy Communion do not only represent the blood and body of Christ, they represent the unity of the church. We must do nothing to damage that unity (see Eph 4:1-2).

Idolatry demands worship that is due to God alone. Paul issues stern warnings to the Corinthians: ‘You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.’ (1 Cor 10:21) If we were not only to eat the meat sacrificed to idols but to actually participate in the temple ceremonies, that would be dangerous indeed – not because the idol is itself anything in comparison to God, but because our allegiance would then be divided. Jesus said a similar thing: ‘no one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.’ (Matt 6:24) Having an undivided heart is ultimately more crucial than what meat we eat. Paul takes the Corinthians further than the surface question and shows them that the answers to their questions are more complex than they perhaps wanted them to be! When we discussed ‘Growing Up In God’, we said that one of the signs of immaturity is the belief that one size fits all; another sign is when we think we know it all and anyone who disagrees with us is wrong! Paul wants us to ‘grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.’ (Eph 4:15) We can only do this as we learn to apply spiritual principles to every situation we face in life.

Paul’s letters are like so many conversations: they don’t always stick to the point in a linear fashion, but tend to ‘meander’ somewhat. He is writing 1 Corinthians to answer questions that have been raised, and from 1 Cor 8 has been talking about the question of what believers are free to do, especially regarding food sacrificed to idols. This has led him to consider also all the means at our disposal for reaching out to others and to reflect on the need to continue faithfully in God’s ways (unlike so many of the Israelites during the wilderness wanderings.) Now he returns to the theme of our behaviour in relation to food, underlining key principles that ‘everything may well be permissible’ (a favourite Corinthian saying, apparently – see 1 Cor 6:12, 1 Cor 10:23), but not everything is beneficial or constructive.

In 1 Cor 8, Paul has shown us that the meat sacrificed to idols can really have no power or authority over us, for God is far greater than idols. He reminds us, however, that a greater concern for him than what we eat is the issue of how we treat people. ‘Be careful that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling-block to the weak.’ (1 Cor 8:9) The Christian should not live as an island, selfishly thinking only of himself.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were:
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee. (John Donne)

This principle is reiterated in 1 Cor 10:14-11:1. ‘Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others,’ Paul says (1 Cor 10:24) ‘Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everybody in every day. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.’ (1 Cor 10:32-33)

This is Paul’s bottom line: ‘Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.’ (1 Cor 10:31) – a view expressed also in Col 3:17 (‘Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.’) God wants our whole-hearted devotion and service, hence Paul’s command to ‘flee from idolatry (1 Cor 10:14). Anything less is dishonouring to God and will provoke Him to jealousy (1 Cor 10:22). Our total allegiance is to be given to God first, and from this will come a desire to serve others, following Paul’s example as he follows the example of Christ. (1 Cor 11:1, Phil 2:1-11).

Continuing the culinary metaphors…

Preparing a Bible study is like preparing a beef casserole. When planning a meal, ingredients have to be bought and assembled. Beef cubes, potatoes, onions, carrots, peppers, courgettes, leeks, mushrooms… whatever vegetables you like can be put into a casserole. When preparing a Bible study, I go ‘shopping’ in different ways: reading different versions of the Bible to get a better understanding of the passage, reading different commentaries, digging out the meaning of words which feature, looking at Bible references outside the passage which help to understand it and so on. At this stage, my shopping may well look disorganised, a pile of ingredients that aren’t necessarily appetising. I try not to worry about the ‘messiness’ of this stage; it’s crucial to have all the ingredients, but they’re not necessarily in any kind of order.

Then I have to start work on the ingredients: peeling potatoes and carrots and onions. Dicing them. Chopping off the fat from the meat. Assembling all I will need: a glass of red wine, perhaps; a jugful of beef stock; a handful of herbs. This stage of the Bible study involves praying as I sift through all the ingredients, looking for themes, overviews, common thoughts, repeated ideas, where the emphasis really lies in this passage, trying to ‘make sense’ of the ingredients I have.

The best casseroles usually involve marinating the meat, allowing the flavours (wine, oil, herbs) to soak in and soften the meat. Time is the one ingredient in preparation which can’t be overlooked. It’s ‘extra’ time that has to be factored in. Not much looks to be happening at this point in preparation, but actually, this ‘mulling’ time, this thinking time, this time for prayer and meditation, is essential. It might appear unproductive to outsiders, but it’s crucial. During this time, you can perhaps be doing other things as well; the study is ‘on hold’ at this stage, allowing God to pull the pieces together, reminding you of things, working things out. You can’t (alas!) dictate how long this stage will take, but in my experience, the longer you have for this marinating, the better the final outcome will be.

When the meat has marinated, all the ingredients are put into a casserole dish and the meal is put into an oven. Again, the best casseroles in my opinion are cooked slowly at a low temperature so that the ingredients soften and are tender. To rush at this stage, giving short bursts of heat at higher temperatures, may well result in the meal being cooked, but the casserole lacks the tenderness and flavour of slow cooking. In the same way, the stage of actually putting the Bible study together should not be rushed. Drawing the ideas and words and themes into a flavoursome meal that will nourish souls is a huge privilege and responsibility and ought not to be rushed.

Then the meal is served. It’s difficult to gauge the ‘effect’ of a meal. A beef casserole obviously has good nutritional value (protein, carbohydrates, vitamins etc.) and therefore helps to nurture our physical health. In the same way, a Bible study needs the nutritional value of God’s Word, Scripture interpreting Scripture so that we are not led astray through contextual misunderstandings, and will, because of the ‘quality’ of the Word, do us good. But when we eat a meal there is more than nutrition going on. Atmosphere, conversation, personal tastes all colour our evaluation, enjoyment and memory of the meal. Do you like salt and pepper with your meal? What about sauces? Do you want a drink as well? All these things influence our appreciation of the meal. The Bible study, because it’s a discussion and isn’t delivered in the same didactic way as a sermon, needs the condiments of other people’s contributions and points of view. Someone else’s perspective helps us to see things differently yet again and can be the difference between something which may do us good on one level and something which has the power to change and transform us; the difference between that functional casserole gobbled down in a rush before moving on to the next job and the same casserole eaten in leisurely fashion with friends or family, chatting, laughing, debating.

This week’s Bible study will be looking at 1 Cor 10:14-11:1. Why not start your casserole shopping today and begin to ponder this passage? God wants to speak to us from His Word; we all need His shafts of light to illuminate our darkness. As we read, pray, ponder, study and prepare, may God give us a feast to savour come Thursday!

Today is Shrove Tuesday, ‘Mardi Gras’ in French (‘fat Tuesday’, when all the fat was used up before the forty days of Lent.) Apparently it’s also Safer Internet Day, though I must confess I don’t know how I can connect these two facts! In many countries, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated by eating pancakes, and Garry will indeed be making pancakes at our house tonight (he’s much better than I am at tossing them and his pancake culinary skills far exceed mine!) I’m a lemon pancake fan (not entirely sure what that says about me, possibly a reflection of my personality…), but we’ll also be serving golden syrup and bananas and orange juice on the pancakes.

The expression ‘Shrove Tuesday’ comes from the old word ‘to shrive’, which means to absolve and is connected to the idea of repentance. Christians traditionally ‘make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God’s help in dealing with’ on this occasion. The period of Lent (which starts tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, and ends at Easter) is traditionally a time for ‘giving up’ something in order to focus on God (alcohol and chocolate are frequently ‘given up’ at this time, though in line with the Safer Internet Day, maybe we could also look at giving up some of our online passions.) Self-discipline and self-sacrifice are, of course, not to be restricted to one forty-day period (excluding Sundays!), but sometimes having an external focus can be helpful to people.

Eating pancakes to use up the fat and eggs we have before the period of Lent may well not apply to everyone today. But it’s always good to pause and to ask God to examine our hearts as well as to pray for those who are less fortunate than we are and for whom, perhaps, a pancake would be a feast of a meal on any occasion.

What are we to do when (not if!)  the situation gets worse rather than better, then?!

Moses sought God and (just as the psalmist did in Ps 129) was honest about his frustrations. Moses is an example to us in being honest. He never pretends to God. He is also an example in that He brought his frustrations and worries directly to God in prayer. This needs to be our first step.

God answers him in Ex 6:1-8. He gives an unequivocal promise: ‘Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.‘ (Ex 6:1) That promise may well have seemed totally impossible to Moses and the people, but if God gives us an ‘I will…’ promise, we can be sure He will fulfil it. (Heb 10:23, 2 Cor 1:20)

God also reminds Moses of who He is: ‘I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.‘ (Ex 6:2-3) When things are dark, we have to remind ourselves of God’s identity. Who God is will always be enough for us, no matter what the situation we face.

He reminds Moses of His faithfulness (Ex 6:4) and His compassion (Ex 6:5). God does not break His promises or His covenant; even though we may feel we have to wait a long time for God, He does not forget us!

He gives Moses something fresh to take back to the people: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.  I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’‘ (Ex 6:6-8) He promises deliverance and freedom, but even more amazing than this, He promises a personal, intimate relationship with them: ‘I will be your God.’

The key thing we have to do in the darkness is to keep holding on to the promises of God. This requires faith, the ability to trust in what we cannot see. By faith we say ‘You are the Lord. That is Your name.’ (see Is 42:8, ‘You Are The Lord’, Jeremy Camp) It didn’t get easier for Moses and the people of Israel for some considerable time. But God did indeed bring them out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and lead them to the land He swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac and Jacob. God will do all that He has promised.

In football, the aim of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team. This is not as easy as it sounds, but at least there is a fixed point in that aim. The ball has to cross the line and go in the net in order for a goal to be scored.

For those of us with limited ball skills, scoring a goal even when there’s an empty net and no one trying to stop us is a hard enough task! For others, the enjoyment of the game is partly to do with proving your skill against opponents who are equally skilful.

But it’s a fair game because the rules are fixed. It would be vastly different and much more difficult if the goalposts, the net, were to be moved actually during the game and you never knew quite where you were supposed to be aiming to score that elusive goal.

One of the tactics used in oppression is to keep moving the goalposts. When Moses went to face Pharaoh and ask that the Israelites be allowed to go and worship God for three days, Pharaoh’s reaction was hostility. (Ex 5:1-18) Far from listening to him and believing, he decided that the ‘goalposts’ for the Israelites should be moved, so that the same quota of bricks made by the slaves had to be made without giving them the straw to make them, thus giving them additional work. That same tactic is used by many employers today. No additional pay is given, but additional work is piled on (usually because an employee has left work and not been replaced in order to ‘save money’). Or the ‘goalposts’ are changed so that the work itself is different (teachers facing new specifications or new measures for evaluating ‘standards’ on the governments’ whims face this on a regular basis.) The goalposts of a contract are changed subtly, unobtrusively, piling on the work until the worker is completely broken down, stressed, miserable and unhappy.

Not surprisingly, the Israelites were not happy about this worsening situation. Moses had promised deliverance and rescue, and they were now facing worse conditions than before. They had appealed to Pharaoh’s overseers in the proper manner (Ex 5:15-16), only to be told they were lazy! (Ex 5:17-18) (Another common work tactic is to blame the worker, no matter how unreasonable the demands made.) Now, their anger and frustration spills over to Moses: ‘May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.’ (Ex 5:21)

It is a biblical pattern that God’s call and vision do not lead to instant improvement, gratification or fulfilment, that there is often a ‘testing time’ between the promise of God and its fulfilment. Nicky Gumbel, in commenting on Ex 4-6, says ‘then all the battles started and things got worse instead of better’! It’s at that point we are most easily tempted to give up. No one really wants to be obnoxious to those who have authority over us and the power to make life even more difficult than it already is! Moses went back to God in frustration: ‘Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.’ (Ex 5:22-23)

Perhaps this is why there is so much emphasis in the Bible on the need for us to persevere. If we read this story in the present tense, not knowing the outcome of the rest of the book of Exodus, we would probably give up at this point. Moses has tried. And failed. The Israelites are still slaves. They’re actually in a worse position than before, because they’re having to make the same number of bricks but have to go looking for their own straw as well. End of story.

Except it isn’t. To borrow an operatic analogy, ‘it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.’

Even when we feel things are getting worse rather than better, God urges us to keep hoping, keep trusting, keep believing. His plan of salvation and deliverance wasn’t about to be thwarted by any attempt to move the goalposts which Pharaoh dreamt up. His plans for our lives and our church will not be thwarted, no matter what it looks like at this moment, on this page of our story. God continues to work, often behind the scenes, invisibly, until that moment when His salvation and deliverance break out.

If you’re at the stage where it’s getting worse rather than better and you can’t see a way out, don’t give up. If the enemy is pouring lies into your heart that are wrecking you, call to God for deliverance. God will bring the victory. (‘Deliver Me’, Aaron Shust)