Tag: identity

Self Deception: Truth Matters

This past week the top American Newscaster for NBC news, Brian Williams, stepped down temporarily pending an investigation into his journalistic practices. In 2003 he was flying in a Chinook Helicopter. Another Chinook helicopter flying a completely different mission, in a completely different direction took fire. It took his production team, public relations team, camera crew and him at least an hour to get the the helicopter named “Big Windy.” When he landed what started out as a small half truth, began his downward spiral into self deception.

Nehemiah 4:3 “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”

What initially started out as a news report quickly became a story of stolen valor. The newscaster began to fabricate his personal tale of heroism and attribute the actions of the other valiant chinook crew to himself. Nearly 11 years later, dozens of talks shows, and countless primetime newslots later his story grew into an embellished tale of his heroism of RPG fire. What was all the furore about? We expect our journalists to speak truth. They are supposed to be a source of information not disinformation.

Tobiah, as we know is a Jewish name, but his identity is now “the Ammonite servant.” What caused this? Nothing more than self deception. Sir Walter Scott put it this way:

Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive

What starts out as a fib to avoid persecution, “I am Ammonite, not Jewish.” Years later will lead him to a complete loss of honour and dignity. He even becomes mean spirited and mocks his fellow Jews, “Why are you building these rubbled walls? If a fox jumps on them they will fall down.” If you have ever seen a fox, it is a very light creature. The walls of Jerusalem we know from archaelogical digs are nearly 9 feet thick. There is now way a small and nimble creature like a fox could topple the wall with their little paws. His self deception was complete.

Jesus said, “I am the Truth.”(John 14:6). Truth is important because it grants us a sense of identity. Borrowed glories, conflated half truths are transitory and will be found out. We will be left not knowing who we really are. Jesus promise to us is that truth will undo the damage of self deception. Live in the reality of the truth of his love and care. Lay aside your falsely borrowed glories and receive the truth of his gifted glory.

“…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

Nameless, Faceless

Ex. 1:1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob

Names are very useful, they define objects and subjects. They tell us what things are or what they are not. Exodus is the greek name for this book. The Hebrew title of this book is “Names.”

These are the names….

Shiprah, Puah, Jocheved, Miriam, Aaron, Moses, Pharaoh, Jethro, Zipporah, and YHWH, the LORD. One by one the writer of Exodus introduces us to each succeeding character. In majestic fashion he unfolds the cast, character by character. The remarkable thing about all these names is that Pharaoh alone is the one name that is not personal. It could roughly be translated as “king” (literally “the great house”). He is only his title his very identity is only what he does.

By introducing all the characters the writer wants to immortalize their deeds and identities. The Pharaoh remains unknown, to this day commentators debate as to whether he was Seti I or Ramses II. We will never know, but we know the bravery of Shiprah and Puah.

Shiprah and Puah were two midwives—not the most particularly most glorious profession in the ancient near east. Nearly 3,300 years later we still tell their story and have no idea who Pharaoh is.

Pharaoah, who struggles to build great treasure cities for himself, remains incognito for eternity, whilst the Shiprah and Puah are sung through the ages.

Tucked into this passage is the secret of these faceless and nameless midwives, “because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.”(Ex 1:21) What a telling story. Women who had no name and no future are forever remembered by God and granted families. To not have children was considered the end of your family name. Women who did not have names were relegated to helping other women have children but never have their own.

God miraculously rescues both the children of Israel and the midwives. They get to see their offspring in the land of the living and rejoice.  It is the fear of the Lord that assures their name forever. Paul speaks of this fear, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,”(Phil 2:9) when he speaks of Jesus choosing to fear God and obey. It is Christ’s obedience that guarantees we will never be forgotten.

The Psalmist speaks of this One, True Hero:

Psa. 22:22    
I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23  You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!