MODEL CALIBRATION

We often encounter the calibration of models. A model must be optimized so that the result is as good as possible. Such models may contain many variables—20 or sometimes even more. When optimizing models, it is very important to identify the key parameters. Usually there is one or just a few of them. All the others can be classified as so-called “noise.” These are variables that do not have a decisive impact on the model, yet they can still significantly improve it—provided that the main variables are chosen correctly.

So, as I mentioned, the most important thing in optimizing a model is to correctly identify the key indicators. I remember how one of our university lecturers said that, if desired, one could even derive a correlation between the number of young men in Africa and changes in fertility among women in Lithuania. What is interesting is that such a correlation might actually work for a time and produce fairly reliable results. However, this can only last for a while. In the long run, such a model will collapse.

For us as Christians, it is also very important to calibrate the model of our faith. How do we correctly choose the most important parameters? For this, we have been given Holy Scripture. It tells us to examine ourselves and the Bible:

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16, ESV)

Let us look at a few examples. I will not touch on the most important criteria—such as faithfulness and love for God—as I have written enough about them elsewhere. Nor will I examine the life of David, as that would require a separate article. Instead, let us consider a few other examples.

For instance, why did God choose the tribe of Judah from all twelve tribes of Israel, so that David and Christ would come from it? Looking at Judah’s life, we can find several episodes. First of all, Judah took action to save his brother Joseph:

“Then Judah said to his brothers, ‘What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites… for he is our brother, our own flesh.’ And his brothers listened to him.” (Genesis 37:26–27, ESV)

However, his greatest act was his self-sacrifice, when he offered to become a slave in place of Benjamin:

“Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers… For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me?” (Genesis 44:33–34, ESV)

From this example, we see that God greatly values self-denial and sacrifice, as well as love and respect for one’s father (parents). Here Judah reflected Christ Himself.

Some criteria are harder to identify. Let us consider why God chose the tribe of Levi to serve Him, setting apart Aaron and his descendants as priests. Why was Levi given such a blessing?

At first, it seemed more like a curse than a blessing, after Levi and Simeon slaughtered all the men of Shechem because of their sister Dinah. Before his death, Jacob prophesied concerning them:

“Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords… Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce… I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” (Genesis 49:5–7, ESV)

Indeed, this prophecy was fulfilled. Yet it was not entirely negative. Simeon received land within Judah and, in time, became dispersed within it, while still surviving longer than many other tribes and being able to serve God in the temple in Jerusalem after the kingdom divided and calf worship was introduced in the north.

The Levites were distributed among all the tribes as servants of God—to teach the people, to serve as judges, and so on. Thus, we may conclude that while God did not approve of their excessive reaction, He did value their loyalty to family, their determination, and their intolerance of sin. In a certain sense, their zeal was pleasing to God (though it had gone too far).

But what ultimately determined that God chose the tribe of Levi? This happened after the incident of idol worship:

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, ‘Who is on the LORD’s side? Come to me.’ And all the sons of Levi gathered around him… And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell.” (Exodus 32:26–29, ESV)

Why did the Levites respond? First, because Moses himself was a Levite—perhaps their faith was stronger. Their decisiveness in dealing with sin was also crucial—they killed three thousand of their own brothers and companions. The same zeal and determination that Levi had earlier were still present.

We can also mention loyalty to family and support for one’s own people (since everything begins there). Other Israelites did not demonstrate such resolve. For them, personal relationships were more important than faithfulness to God:

“The next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron…” (Numbers 16:41, ESV)

Because of such misplaced “love,” they nearly perished themselves.

We could also mention Absalom, who avenged his sister in a way similar to Levi and Simeon. Although he killed his half-brother and later rebelled against his father, it is noteworthy that his line entered the royal lineage of David:

“Abijam began to reign over Judah… His mother’s name was Maacah the daughter of Absalom.” (1 Kings 15:1–2, ESV)

Another example is Phinehas, who pierced the sinful leader along with a Midianite woman and received a special covenant from God:

“It shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.” (Numbers 25:13, ESV)

Thus, we can add another key indicator: loyalty to family (without it, one cannot be faithful to God), as well as zeal in defending truth. This kind of zeal is often lacking today. Many Christians have immersed themselves in tolerance toward sin, calling it “love” and holding to the principle “do not judge.”

As I mentioned, it is crucial to identify the main indicators of the model. Many Christians build their service on “noise” indicators—that is, secondary things that do not fundamentally affect the final outcome. Why? Because such a model can work well for a time and may even appear superior.

Let us recall Christ’s example in Matthew 7 about the house built on sand and the house built on rock. The man who built on sand (perhaps because rain was rare in that region) saved time and money by not laying a foundation. He could move in faster and spend more on decoration. For a while, his model looked better. But only for a time:

“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:27, ESV)

As an example of service built on “noise” indicators, we can take King Saul. When he learned that God had rejected him and anointed David as king, he did not humble himself but tried to kill David. He attempted to compensate for his rebellion and disobedience with works.

He offered sacrifices, sought God before battles, swore by His name, and tried to follow God’s commandments (where it did not conflict with his interests). For example:

“Then Saul said to Ahijah, ‘Bring the ark of God here.’” (1 Samuel 14:18, ESV)

“Saul said, ‘Let every man bring his ox or his sheep and slaughter them here and eat, and do not sin against the LORD by eating with the blood.’” (1 Samuel 14:34, ESV)

“And Saul built an altar to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 14:35, ESV)

He even tried to show zeal by destroying foreigners (though this turned out to be wrong):

“Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.” (2 Samuel 21:2, ESV)

From the outside, everything seemed fine—the model worked, and it appeared that God accepted his service. But the model lacked the key parameters: obedience and true faithfulness to God. He did not sincerely seek the LORD, except when he needed help before battles. In the end, the model collapsed:

“So Saul died for his breach of faith… He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death…” (1 Chronicles 10:13–14, ESV)

Another example of a model built on “noise” indicators:

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name…?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:22–23, ESV)

Today, Christians often hardly differ from the world—in lifestyle, appearance, and priorities. Like Saul, they think they can win God over by works: attending church, participating in events, festivals, and so on. But the result may not be what they expect, especially if the key indicators are ignored:

“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD… I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly… When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you…” (Isaiah 1:12–15, ESV)

So let us examine the parameters of our faith. Perhaps the most important ones are missing.