Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
2 Chronicles 21-24
The musical Fiddler on the Roof follows events in the Jewish part of a little Russian village in the nineteenth century through the eyes of Tevye, the milkman. Tevye is both pious and knowledgeable in the Bible; he will quote the “good book” on every possible occasion, even to God himself, until he remembers that it was God who had written the book in the first place. Tevye leads his life by the rules and traditions of East European Orthodox Judaism.
A large part of the story is how Tevye’s three daughters find their husbands and how he reacts to each one. All three push the bounds of what Tevye thought was acceptable. First Tzeitel, the oldest daughter, pledged her troth to a young and impoverished tailor, bypassing the traditional role of the matchmaker in arranging marriages. Tevye, though torn, reconciled himself to this breach; the tailor, after all, was observant of proper customs in all his other affairs. Then, Hodel, the middle daughter, fell in love with a revolutionary activist who wound up being exiled to Siberia. Still, he was Jewish, and Hodel promised to get married “under a canopy,” in a traditional Jewish ceremony, so Tevye could accept this marriage as well.
However, things go too far for Tevye with Chava, the youngest daughter. She fell in love with a Gentile boy, and Tevye could not possibly approve of their union. To Chava’s protestations that they loved each other, Tevye said, “A bird may love a fish, but where would they build a home together?”
Tevye’s saying has relevance to the children of God, whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament, and their partnership with unbelievers. The apostle Paul said, “Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers…” (2 Cor. 6:14). This verse is often applied to marriages between believers and unbelievers, and that is quite correct. However, we must remember it speaks to any close relationship in which the believer runs the risk of violating principles contrary to his faith. It is not possible for a Christian to make common cause with a non-Christian on an intimate basis.
Let us not make Jehoshaphat’s mistake. He was a godly man in many respects, virtually flawless in the description that the chronicler gives. And yet, Jehoshaphat apparently never came to terms with how deep the divide was between himself and the house of Ahab. Unfortunately, too many Christians ignore this truth and find themselves reaping the consequences of their foolish decisions.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to love people and be friendly to people, but may I only allow my heart to be impacted by those who love you and honor you.
- Lord, please help me to separate from people graciously if need be, but give me the backbone to separate when necessary.
- Lord, please help my boys to learn this principle and honor this principle all their life.
Political
- Representative Sue Allor – District 106 – Wolverine
- US Representative Justin Amash – District 3 – Cascade Twp.
- Senator Jim Ananich – District 27 – Flint