Street Theater.

Street theater is the man playing the saxophone between the skyscrapers in downtown Houston. It’s children tap dancing in the French Quarter with bottle caps nailed to their sneakers.  It’s breakdancers turning Bourbon Street into a stage, spinning on their heads to the accompaniment of kids drumming on overturned 5-gallon buckets.  There are buskers singing below ground in New York City subway stations.  There are magicians, acrobats, clowns, jugglers, sword swallowers, and fire breathers on sidewalks, streets, and beaches all over the world.  Street theater remains a cutting edge force for creativity.

The Bible contains street theater.  Not the preachers—their role is more analogous to Roman orators.  Not the priests—they are the “inside men” who run the institution of the temple. 

Biblical street theater belongs to Old Testament prophets.  The lives of the prophets are among the most enigmatic in the Bible. God uses not the words but the LIVES of His prophets as messages.  The things that happen through these men seem outrageous—crazy outrageous—until you consider it street theater. It is a visual message requiring no translation.  Everyone will understand (or not understand) equally.

Lot’s wife was turned to salt. The Nile River was turned to blood.  The Earth opened and swallowed the mutineers.  Balaam’s donkey talked to him. Elijah was caught up to heaven on a chariot of fire. Elisha called bears from the woods to destroy mockers.  Jonah spent three days in the belly of a whale—which Jesus described as a sign He would spend three days in the tomb.  Ezekiel, the master of Biblical street performers, built a model of Jerusalem—then built a siege around it.  He bound himself and lay on the ground for a year to illustrate coming bondage. He cut off his hair and burned it to demonstrate the imminent destruction of the Hebrew people.

–And what about this man tossed hurriedly into Elisha’s grave and brought back to life?

“Once, as the Israelites were burying a man, they saw a raiding party, so they threw the man into Elisha’s tomb. When he touched Elisha’s bones, the man revived and stood up!” 2 Kings 13:21.

God’s ways and messages are not always clear.  But we can glean several truths from the street theater of Old Testament prophets:  God is HOLY.  God is ALL POWERFUL.  God is a MIRACLE WORKER.  And God LOVES HIS PEOPLE.

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Don’t Try Anything—People Know You!

In 1995 I was sent to teach at the brand-new Austin High School.  The state-of-the-art school had dry-erase “whiteboards” instead of chalkboards, computers in every classroom, and an abundance of windows and open spaces.  Even students said it was a great facility.

The library had a computer behind the desk for teacher use only.  The default screensaver said “Austin Bulldogs,” the red words bouncing around the black screen like a slow-moving game of Pong.  One afternoon when the place was deserted, I changed the screensaver to “Readers are Leaders.” 

The next morning the librarian saw me and said, “Did you change the screen saver?”

I stared at her. 

“How did you know?”

“I just thought about it and you’re the only teacher that would do it.”

“Out of 200 teachers, the name Steven Wales just popped into your head?”

I was dumbfounded.  This woman I had only met a week before looked at me and read me like a book. 

I still think about that.  Thirty years later I remind myself: Don’t do it.  They’ll know it was you!   That memory has curbed some of my playfulness! It has also stopped me from pulling harmless pranks and maybe a few that were not so harmless. I can’t shake the knowledge that people can see right through me.

Have you learned that lesson? Do you know how easily people spot your fingerprints on something? The way you draft a comment on the web?  The way you arrange your space or possessions? The way you drive your car? People are watching.  Use that knowledge not only to stay out of trouble but to glorify God.

Once a watchman was reporting on a chariot as it approached from far away. 

“The driving is like Jehu son of Nimshi—he drives like a madman!” 2 Kings 9:20. 

Of course, it WAS Jehu–because he was driving like a madman, same as always.

The point is, people pay more attention than you think: they know how you walk, talk, write, eat, drive, and everything else. (You’re never gonna get away with it!)

Like I said—people pay attention.  People know you better than you think.  They also know things about you that you don’t know about yourself.  Be careful about pranks, jokes, and secrets—because you will get caught.

And now that you know everyone is watching, live a life that glorifies Christ.

“Let your light shine before me so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” Matthew 5:16.

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What Will They Write on Your Tombstone?

MLK’s epitaph says “Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God Almighty, I’m Free at Last.” Frank Sinatra’s says “The Best is Yet to Come.” (Not “I Did it My Way.”) Mel Blanc’s says “That’s All Folks.” Merv Griffin’s says “I Will NOT Be Right Back After This Message.” Rodney Dangerfield’s says “There Goes the Neighborhood.”

Some epitaphs are a wry commentary written by the departed before his death. But most are sincere tributes from the grieving, such as “loving husband and father.”

King Jehoram was evil and the Bible records quite an epitaph:

“HE DIED TO NO ONE’S REGRET.”

The man became king at 32. First, he slew his six younger brothers to ensure there was no competition for the throne. Then he made Israel worship idols. When he was 38, God sent a disease that caused his intestines to slowly work their way to the outside of his body, and he died from the condition—two years later. Imagine the shame and the stench and humiliation of having your bowels turned inside out! God humbled the king in a dramatic fashion.

The story concludes:

“He reigned eight years in Jerusalem. He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings.” 2 Chronicles 21:20.

Do you ever think about what will be said about you when you are gone? I think about it all the time—and it helps me make better decisions.

“The day of death is better than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning,… for that is the end of all men and the living should take it to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:1-4.

Think about your death. What do you want people to say about you? How should your life be summed up? Finish this sentence about yourself (changing pronouns as needed):

“He lived his life ________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________.”

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Crime Doesn’t Pay.

More specifically, SIN does not pay.  Do not be deceived by appearances. God is watching and He will address it.  After all, He says, “vengeance is Mine. I will repay” Romans 12:19.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” Galatians 6:7.

Consider the many punishments in a 7-page Bible reading: King Jehoram was evil, and led God’s people into idol worship.  Elijah announced he would be “struck with MANY diseases, including an illness of the intestines, until his intestines come out day after day….” 2 Chronicles 21:15.  Finally, “he died TO NO ONE’S REGRET” v.20.  (Imagine having THAT on your tombstone!) 

King Ahab and Jezebel were worse than Jehoram.  “The whole house of Ahab will perish… The dogs will EAT Jezebel in the plot of land at Jezreel.  No one will bury her” 2 Kings 9:8,10.  The good king Jehu had Jezebel thrown down from a window, her blood spattered on the walls, and Jehu rode over her in his chariot.  Later, out of respect for the queen, he sent men to bury her, but wild dogs had eaten her and only her skull, feet, and palms could be found, vv.33-35.  Ahab and Jezebel also had 70 evil sons.  But the people cut off their heads, put 70 heads in 70 baskets and sent them to King Jehu.   Finally, Jehu located all the priests of Baal, had them slaughtered in the temple of Baal, then burned the temple down over them, and made the area a latrine.

We are called to love people, to offer a message of grace, hope, and redemption. But when you feel discouraged by war, or human trafficking, or child abuse, or worse, it helps to remember that we serve a God who SEES.  He sees and He can handle it.  He will punish the wrongdoer—and redeem the victims.  His amazing grace can transform your deepest hurt into your greatest victory. 

God, thank you for your love, justice, and grace.  Show us how to love people, while also demanding righteousness and integrity from ourselves and from others.

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“He Died to No One’s Regret.”

Most epitaphs say something nice, like “Loving Father and Husband,” or “Forever in Our Hearts,” or even “Sixth Generation Texan.” But the life of King Jehoram was summed up as:

“HE DIED TO NO ONE’S REGRET” 2 Chronicles 21:20.

Imagine that on a tombstone!  What happened?  King Asa, great-grandson of King Solomon, followed the Lord.  His son, Jehoshaphat, was a good king, but made some compromises:

“Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed…. Later, Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Ahaziah, King of Israel, who acted wickedly. Then Eliezer … prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying ‘Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works’” 1 Kings 22:32-37.

Jehoshaphat ignored the places for idol worship, and he made an alliance with the evil king Ahaziah.  He compromised—but you might say he was “pretty good.”  What happens when parents allow a little bit of sin, but remain “pretty good”? 

John Bisagno used to say, “What the parents allow in moderation, the children will allow in excess.”

Consider the next generation, the children of King Jehoshaphat:

“Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat became king of Judah … He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight” 2 Kings 8:16-18. 

Okay, but how evil?  Maybe he had a few drinks and liked to drive too fast on the freeway?  No.

“When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened his position by killing with the sword all his brothers as well as some of the princes of Israel” 2 Chronicles 21:4.  (He killed all his brothers! What?!) Jehoram added much more to his list of sins and crimes before finally, HE DIED TO NO ONE’S REGRET.

As I have written elsewhere, we should not blame parents for the sins of their children.  Our duty is to give grace, not judgment. But while making your own decisions as a parent, knowing that your children are watching your every move, remember human nature:

“WHAT THE PARENTS ALLOW IN MODERATION, THE CHILDREN WILL ALLOW IN EXCESS.” 

We must strive to live holy, Godly lives.  “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received” Ephesians 4:1.

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The Invisible.

When you feel outnumbered, do you remember that GOD IS FOR YOU?  Do you encourage yourself with that?  No matter how many betray you, desert you, or attack you—GOD IS FOR YOU.

When Elisha angered an enemy king, the king sent an army to the town of Dothan to capture the prophet.  The next morning Elisha’s servant saw the hills in every direction covered with soldiers. 

“‘Oh, my master, what are we to do?’

Elisha answered, ‘Don’t be afraid, for THOSE WITH US OUTNUMBER THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM.’

Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.”  So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes.  He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with HORSES AND CHARIOTS OF FIRE all around Elisha.”  2 Kings 6:15-17.

The MESSAGE BIBLE uses a great phrase for God.  What is traditionally translated “the Lord of Hosts,” Eugene Peterson (creator of the MESSAGE) called “the GOD OF THE ANGEL-ARMIES.”  There really are armies of angels, thousands upon thousands of heavenly beings any one of whom could overwhelm a human army. 

And those angel armies ARE FOR YOU. 

God and His armies are on your side.  But God remains invisible, angels are invisible, and we are to walk by faith not by sight.  Someday, maybe one time in your life, God will do what he did for Elisha’s servant and ‘open your eyes and let you see.’  But usually you will not see THE INVISIBLE.  But that doesn’t mean the invisible is not present and real. 

GOD IS WITH YOU, but invisible.  ANGELS PROTECT YOU, but you never see them.

Nevertheless: YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 

“THOSE WITH US OUTNUMBER THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM.”

Dear God, remind us of Your presence.  You are the GOD WHO’S STANDING NEAR.  Remind us of the vast ANGEL ARMIES that defend us, help us, encourage us. Help us remember to exercise our faith, to claim these words and encourage our own hearts when we need to remember that You and Your angel armies are WITH US.

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Big Dreams and Big Sacrifices.

What is your big dream? It can be anything—a good marriage, a great career, a talent, a warm family. What are you willing to give up to achieve your dream? Are you willing to make sacrifices? And do you EXPECT to make sacrifices? Would it disappoint you if you did not?

Naaman had a big dream. He had a skin condition and wanted to be healed. He came to Elisha, and was prepared to pay dearly. Naaman arrived with 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and 10 changes of clothes.

But when Naaman reached Elisha’s door, the prophet did not answer, but sent a messenger who told Naaman to go dip in the Jordan river seven times. Naaman was insulted and left angry. But his servants convinced him to give it a try:

“My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more should you do it when he tells you, ‘Wash and be clean’?” 2 Kings 5:13

So Naaman did it, and after the seventh time, “his skin was restored and became like the flesh of a small boy.” 2 Kings 5:13-14.

But Elisha refused payment. God did NOT desire sacrifices from Naaman. God’s healing cannot be bought, just as God’s forgiveness and grace cannot be bought. We are like Naaman—we want to pay for heaven and God’s forgiveness. The idea that it is a free gift offends our pride. But if we don’t get over that, we will never receive God’s gift.

Sometimes God asks us to do things not because they are great sacrifices, but because they seem irrational to our “adult” minds. What God did HUMBLED Naaman, showing him that God’s ways are not man’s ways. And Naaman declared that from that day forward he would worship and serve only the God of Israel. “I know there’s no God in the whole world except in Israel” verse 15.

Lord, give us the humility to accept Your free gifts.

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Leadership, Cannibalism, Supply and Demand.

It’s easy to pray about your home and family—the little world around you.  But God controls EVERYTHING.  When the world is suffering, God can fix it.

The burden of leadership weighed heavily on the king of Israel when Samaria was under siege.  His people were starving.

“As the king was passing by on the city wall, a woman cried out, ‘My Lord the king, help!’” Then she told her story:

“This woman said ‘Give up your son and we will eat him today. Then we will eat my son tomorrow.’ So we boiled my son and ate him, and I said to her the next day, ‘Give up your son and we will eat him,’ but she has hidden her son.”  When the king heard the woman’s words, he tore his clothes” 2 Kings 6:26-30.

This woman just admitted to the murder and cannibalization of HER OWN SON!  And what may be worse, she was not afraid to admit these unspeakable crimes to the king. What kind of nation is this man running? 

The king could do NOTHING to help.  But God was on His throne.  During the siege the appetizing head of a donkey sold for fifty dollars and a pint of delicious dove’s dung for three dollars. But then God terrified the Aramean army, causing them to run away so fast they abandoned not only the siege but a mountain of food and supplies. Israel’s economy righted itself IN A SINGLE DAY: suddenly two gallons of flour and four gallons of grain sold for one dollar, 2 Kings 6:25 and 7:16 (TLB). 

Leaders face heavy burdens, weight far beyond their power to lift.

The president can no more fix the economy than he can stop a hurricane.  But God can do ANYTHING. 

There is no burden He cannot lift, no problem He cannot solve. In fact, the global economy is no bigger to Him than a splinter in a child’s finger. Every earthly problem is infinitely small to a God whose power is unlimited.

Watch the news—and PRAY ABOUT IT.  Because NOTHING is impossible with God—the economy, wars, elections, COVID—nothing (Luke 1:37).

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Five Points From History.

Never forget the historical context of the Bible.  For example, did you know Jews were history’s first MONOTHEISTS?  Before Abraham, the world believed in many gods, worshipping the sun, moon, stars, and idols.  The Jews were actually called “atheists” because they rejected every ‘god’ but their own. 

Second–a related point—these monotheists were the first to see time as linear rather than cyclical: they believed their God gave time a beginning, middle, and end; time does not eternally recycle itself as reincarnation suggests.

Third: No one in Bible times voted. Every society was a monarchy, ruled by a king—often one who inherited his title whether qualified or not. 

Fourth: Biblical Medicine was primitive.  Preachers refer to “Doctor Luke,” implying that the writer of LUKE and ACTS attended medical school, passed Board Exams, and survived a four-year residency. But doctoring then was not based on science but on pragmatism. Luke would have put poultices on wounds, used splints to correct broken bones, and employed a variety of treatments to relieve pains in various parts of the body.

Although I have sometimes speculated that Luke employed “heroic medicine” based on the theory of the humors, I have learned that that is false. Heroic medicine used purging, starving, vomiting, and bloodletting to relieve the body of various fluids believed to be out of balance. Think leeches and drilling holes in the head. The practice of heroic medicine began with the Greek philosopher and physician Claudius Galen who was born in 129 AD, long after Luke’s death. Nevertheless, heroic medicine is a reminder just how primitive medical science was in the first century A.D.  Luke was a careful writer, but whether his occupation as a ‘physician’ has anything to do with his meticulous record keeping is unclear.

Fifth—the Jews were readers.  They were not as literate as modern cultures, but Jewish families who could would train their children to read so the next generation of fathers could teach children the law. Jesus read aloud from Isaiah, and the disciples Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Peter—none of whom needed to read for their jobs (with the possible exception of Matthew the tax collector)—all wrote books of the Bible.  Finally, consider this rare mention of bedroom furnishings:

“Let’s make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for [Elisha]” 2 Kings 4:10.

(Sounds surprisingly modern!) The oil lamp was provided so Elisha could read and write.

Dear God, help us learn the history that we need to know so we can be better students of Your word.

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What’s So Bad About Idol Worship?

What’s so bad about idol worship? Some idols are believed to be inspired by demons, thus idol worship is demon worship. And idol worship involved “temple prostitutes” of both sexes. When babies were born to them, the girls joined their mothers as sex slaves, and the boys were killed. Idolatry also involved child sacrifice.

When the king of Moab was about to lose a battle, he was desperate.

“When the king saw that the battle was too fierce for him … he took his firstborn son who was to become king in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering on the city wall” 2 Kings 3:26-27.

No wonder God hates idol worship.

First-time readers of the Old Testament are sometimes shocked to discover that God’s people—the nation of Israel—killed all the people in the Promised Land.  When the Hebrews left Egypt, they moved into the land now known as Israel, and systematically slaughtered the people. 

Israel killed thousands; not all of them soldiers.  Some were the very young and the very old.

How do we reconcile such hard facts with God’s love and holiness?

First, God had been watching the pagans for centuries.  He mentioned wiping them out centuries before while speaking to Abraham in a dream, but the idol worshippers had not yet “filled up the full measure of their sin” Genesis 15:16. He was patient. 

Second, God exists outside of time.  He knows everyone is going to die, and earthly death is when REAL life begins.  Leaving this life at death is like leaving the womb at birth: a newborn hates to leave the womb because it is all he knows. But birth into this life is better than the womb. Similarly, dying and joining eternity is better than this life. 

Third, the innocent children who arouse our compassion the most were actually better off. Rather than grow up to be idol worshippers likely to spend eternity in hell, many were killed so young, God would not hold them accountable for sins, and they would instead be granted eternal life in Heaven.

All religions are not the same: idolatry has often led to sex trafficking and the slaughter of babies and children. But Jesus offers a “more excellent way” 1 Corinthians 12:31.

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