Week of 4/28/19 - Pages 151-170

When I read Leviticus I was struct with a new thought. If you take a loftier view of the detailed instructions to make offerings to God and the various roles,  I saw a language of relationship.  How do I, the one created, stay in relationship with a Perfect Holy God. This was unique to the Old Testament times. 

It is the key idea that gets expressed. It is easy to read this book and just get lost in the details of this offering and that offering, for correcting different states a person, a leader, a community, or a people have done or not done. It is strange to me, a person living in a predominately, information/technology rich world, to think of all the animal and grain sacrifices required in this language of relationship.  I did not grow up on a farm!

It was the Old Testament that really introduced to me to the essential idea of a Perfect Holy God.  A superior being that cannot be in the same space as anything evil.  God crushes anything evil, sinful, or unrighteous. It is not comfortable to know this. Nor do I fully understand it. Why it has to be this way.  The grand narrative does hang together for me.  I see how the OT and NT support each other.  Jesus is the glue between the two.

The cost for NOT being in good relationship with God is high. Justice is swift when any sinful creature breaks the protocol when serving a Perfect Holy God. Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Aliha, were set on fire for a simple mistake that was egregious to God. God’s grace is revealed in the dialog between Moses and Aaron when Aaron responds on behalf of his other two son’s mistakes when they failed to eat a certain sacrifice.

‘ “Today my sons presented both their sin offering and their burnt offering to the LORD.  And yet this tragedy   has happened to me. If I had eaten the people’s sin offering on such a tragic day as this, would the LORD have  been pleased?” And when Moses heard this, he was satisfied.’

The ritual language maintains a dialog between humankind and God through the ‘ aroma ‘. The visible smoke and smells God senses from these offerings.    The verbs or actions of this ritual relationship language are:

1. Burnt Offering

2. Sin offering 

3. Guilt Offering 

4. Voluntary Offering

5. Peace Offering

6. Ordination Offering

7. Special Offering 

There is tremendous symbolism in what parts are for God, for the priests, for the people, and what needs to be kept away from a Perfect Holy God. The Israelites lived in a nomadic and then an agrarian society. There is tremendous ongoing cost in terms of giving to God my defect free animals/grains for sacrifice (wealth), my attention,  my time, and self-awareness of how to be ‘righteous’ and ‘clean’ before God in the world that is unrighteous and unclean before God.  The OT presents a never ending set of rituals!

Week of 4/21/19 - Pages 144-150

Exiting Exodus.

As we exit the book of Exodus, let us pause to ponder the marvelous manifestations of our awesome, Almighty God! 

This is history that only God could have orchestrated.

Could anyone conceive the improbable rise to leadership of the magnanimous Moses? How about a burning bush, productive plagues, a protected Passover, a split sea, miraculous manna (free food), colossal commandments, and a traveling Tabernacle?

This is history that only God could have orchestrated.

In the final scenes of Exodus, the people of Israel listened intently to Moses as he conveyed God’s call for the construction of the Tabernacle. Men and women contributed skills and material wealth, so much so that Moses stopped them, saying: 

“Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!”

Can you imagine being in a desert with minimal resources, tasked with an elaborate construction project, and then somehow having more provisions than you need?!

This is history that only God could have orchestrated.

God’s specifications for the Tabernacle were precise, from the sturdiest structural supports to the subtle stitching on the priests’ garments. And the Israelites listened. The catalog of project milestones completed “… just as the LORD commanded Moses” is nearly exhausting to read.

“Just as the LORD commanded…” – the phrase appears so often it must be of intense importance, but we are talking about history, right? Is that relevant for me, in today’s world? Scripture is a gift from God, full of His instructions (or commandments) for us. The Word of the LORD guides us today, much like a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

“Seek the LORD while you can find him.” Today, will you be obedient to the prodding of the Holy Spirit? If so, you will:

Be an active part of this history that only God is orchestrating!

Week of 4/14/19 - Pages 131-143

It struck me how detailed God’s instructions for life were to Moses and Israel. And after giving the instructions, on page 138 The Lord said to Moses “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.”

Covenant means “agreement”, so we are getting into the meat of the old covenant or “old agreement”.

We Christians believe that God has since made a new agreement or new covenant as documented in the New Testament. While not completely doing away with the old covenant, the new covenant states that the main value of the old covenant and guidance therein is to make us realize that we cannot possibly be obedient enough or good enough to be acceptable to God. History has taught us that no matter how hard we try we cannot live up to the standards that God is laying out in this old covenant (the pages we just read or are about to read). Trying to live up to those laws led our ancestors/Israel to constantly ask for forgiveness and atonement for their shortcomings.

The new covenant that God makes with us is really good news. It says that we no longer have to constantly ask for forgiveness, and we are no longer subject to the penalty (death-or eternal separation from God) for not being obedient to all of God’s very specific instructions. God’s new covenant, which seems very generous to me, says, that once and for all the penalty for our errors or failures to obey Him, were paid when His perfect Son, Jesus, was tortured and put to death. As a result, if we accept that Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for our transgressions, we are forgiven. Completely forgiving, and made completely acceptable to God. 

Week of 4/7/19 - Pages 118-130

I admit that I have been mostly a New Testament Christian, meaning that I mostly avoid reading the Old Testament except for Psalms and Proverbs.  The truth is I’ve been afraid to read about an Old Testament God who seems very different than New Testament Jesus, a God whose ways seem violent and primitive.  However, as I read the Old Testament, I’m finding something different.  I don’t need to be afraid of the Old Testament because God really is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  By not reading the Old Testament in the same way I read the New Testament I’ve been missing out on a lot of good stuff.

Here are some headlines from pages 118 – 130, which is roughly Exodus 22 – 29.  Funny how all of these observations sound very much like of Jesus:

·      God is practical – he gave sensible laws to help his people live in peace and harmony.

·      God is jealous – he won’t tolerate idols and sorcerers amongst his people.

·      God is compassionate – he protects foreigners, orphans and widows.

·      God is just – he calls his people to honesty, fairness and to care for the poor.

·      God gives renewal – he says to take a day off each week, and even gives the land rest every seventh year.

·      God loves parties – he requires his people to celebrate three festivals every year.

·      God is covenantal – he makes promises and wants to bless his people with good things.

·      God is relational – he wants to live amongst his people and asks them to build him a house.

·      God leads – he gives detailed instructions for his house, ordination and atonement.

·      God is holy – to be with him, atonement is required.

As I read the Old Testament and this section, I’m struck by God’s holiness and the cost of forgiveness. The detailed instructions he gave the Israelites regarding the tabernacle, ordination of priests and daily sacrifices for sin were emphatic, bloody reminders of his holiness and that sin is death.  For me, with my modern sensibilities, even though I understand these concepts in a theological sense, they feel ancient and primitive.  Reading the Old Testament is breaking through some of my modern bias, and helping me to see and feel God’s holiness and the cost of forgiveness. And feeling it is much more powerful than just understanding it.

Father, please forgive me for overlooking this part of your Word.  Forgive me for my modern arrogance.  As I continue to read the Old Testament, I know there will be hard parts I don’t understand.  I ask for perseverance to finish it, wisdom to understand it, and faith to trust it. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Week of 3/31/19 - Pages 105-117

Choosing to Worship and NOT Complain    

In our reading this week, the Israelites observe countless miracles from God (daily food provisions, pillars of fire, water from a rock, parting of the Red Sea etc.) and yet they continually gripe whenever life got a little tough.  Moses and Aaron caught the brunt of it all and took the peoples complaints to God on their behalf… and every time, God answered with another miracle.

When we read the story, it appears as everything happened back to back and in quick succession, however, in reality, these events occurred over 40 years. That's a LONG time. This year I celebrate my 40th birthday… and it's fair to say, a LOT has happened within my last 40 years! I’ve reached many milestones, had great success and endured my fair share of epic failures. But like the Israelites, I’m often quick to forget the miracles God has done throughout my life and often resort to complaining about my current circumstances.

In our reading, God commanded the Israelites to “build an altar wherever I cause My name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you”. In other words, God is saying, “Build something to remember Me by, whenever I turn up and perform a miracle in your life. That way you can return to this place, remind yourself of what I’ve done and you’ll receive faith to trust Me for the future.” 

Of course!! Makes total sense right?

So why don’t we do it?

Why do we forget to journal an event or build something creative and put it in a place we traffic regularly that reminds us of what God has done in our lives? Why do we get so busy and forget to do this vitally important thing God has commanded us? Especially when God promises to bless us every time we return and remember what He did!

The encouragement I received from our reading this week is to go back to those memories in the past where God has provided, where He performed a miracle in my life and create mementos or something that will cause me to remember His goodness whenever I see it. I want the blessings God promises when we remember Him in worship.

When I worship, it's amazing how quickly the complaints disappear! 

Week of 3/24/19 - Pages 92-104

On Page 92 Moses is having a dialog with God.  I can’t imagine what that would be like today with all the craziness that is going on in this world.   And frankly I probably would be as reluctant as Moses to follow God’s instructions based on my inability to to perform up to God’s standards.  Which, of course, are my own imposed standards that make me feel inadequate or not up to the task.  But in this case, God used Aaron to be the speaker in Mose’s stead.  This reassures me that God really knows what’s best for me and He will make a way for me to accomplish His will.  If I listen and really understand His will.  Which is not always crystal clear.  The real wonder is that Moses actually could have a dialog with God and hear exactly the words God spoke and have a clear understanding of the steps that God wanted him to take to free the Israelites.

Imagine how Moses would have felt being told by God “Pay close attention to this.  I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh and your brother Aaron will be your prophet…” and  “I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.” (Pg 93)  Then God proceeded to use Moses and Aaron as his instrument to show Pharaoh “...you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth.  By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.  But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth”.

No wonder the Egyptians had become favorable toward Moses and the Israelites.  I think I would have been very upset about all the hardship and loss the Egyptians faced through all the plagues.  Especially knowing that Pharaoh was the one bringing it all upon them.  (Can we see a parallel with what is going on in our government today?  And feeling hopeless to do anything about it.  Leaving our elected officials to do the right thing and having no control over what that is).  But the final straw came when God instituted the instructions for the Lord’s Passover.  “Remember these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever….  Then your children will ask, “What does this ceremony mean?  And you will reply, “It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt.  And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.” (Pg 102). Now I understand better why the Passover celebration is still being celebrated today.  It was a huge deal to the Israelites and their descendants!

Be blessed!

Week of 3/17/19 - Pages 82-91

I don’t know about you but have you ever thought that God just isn’t listening? I know I have. In our fast paced world we usually want something and we want it now. Thankfully, God’s timing is perfect, because He knows our hearts. We see this when the Lord sought out Moses because the Lord had heard his people’s cries. Moses doubts the call because he isn’t listening. The Lord instructs Moses to tell the people who He is, “I AM WHO I AM, Yahweh, the God of your ancestors. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations.” God gives Moses assurance that he will not be alone.

What I love and am always amazed at is that God is the same today, as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow.  As I read these passages what stood out to me was its all in God’s timing and that it’s not about me. Rather its when the Lord calls on me. Am I listening? Its about how  the Lord sees me. That I am enough. Often times I can easily get in the way of what the Lord wants me to do, because I have my own agenda, a plea bargain, or self doubt. It’s when I get out of the way and let the Lord lead. It is then that I discover that the Lord fills me up and I sense His presence.

Time after time we are reminded that the Lord uses people like you and me. His promises hold true then and now. He is with us every step of the way. Moses is a great example. We see it when Moses pleads with the Lord and says, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” I love how the Lord asks Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?”  Then the Lord tells Moses to go and reminds him, “I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what you are to say.” This is our reminder that the Lord is with us every step of the way.  When we have doubts we can be assured that we are not alone. 

It’s our obedience to Him and resting in His truths. What we lack in ourselves, the Lord sees as great and uses for good. The Lord doesn’t seek to cause us harm rather he seeks to make us succeed. He uses us to make himself known. We cannot and should not be afraid to step out in faith.  

Week of 3/10/19 - Pages 66-81

I’ve always loved this portion of Joseph’s life. Often the focus is on Joseph’s amazing ability to forgive his brothers. What they intended for evil, God intended for good. This time around, I was struck by the fact that his brothers carried the weight of their sin during the years Joseph was in Egypt. When Joseph accused them of being spies, then tested how they would treat Benjamin. The brothers thought their misfortune was because of what they did to Joseph years before. Even years after Joseph had forgiven them and settled them in the best land of Egypt, they were fearful after their father died that Joseph would harm them.  It was as if they believed their actions were unforgivable and they were just waiting for their punishment. They couldn’t seem to accept the forgiveness offered by Joseph, despite the fact that he demonstrated it through word and deed. 

We all sin, we live with the consequences, guilt and regret of our own actions. If we don’t turn it over to God we carry the weight of our actions for years; like Joseph’s brothers not accepting forgiveness, waiting for punishment. On this side of the cross, through Jesus’ word and deed, we are offered the ultimate forgiveness. I love the fact that we have a Lord who loves us, is compassionate and gracious, he is slow to anger, abounding in love, he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us, Psalm 103:8-12.  Through Him we can live freely in forgiveness of our sin, which will in turn allow us to forgive others and ourselves when we fall short.

Week of 3/3/19 - Pages 53-65

I just love Joseph!  I can see how his brothers were just over him and what they perceived as his bragging. As someone who has a tendency to get a little over excited, I can see that he just wanted to share about his dream, not realizing the repercussions. I really don’t think Joseph thought that his sharing would land him in a well to die and that his brothers were that mad and jealous.  

 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” Romans 8:28. As I read this week’s reading, this verse played over and over in my head.  We don’t always see God’s hand in our everyday, but when we have been walking with Him for some time, we have the privilege to be able to look over our shoulder at the work God has done in our lives. God has taken some very bad things in my life and Joseph’s and used it for His glory.

 In my case, God has taken substance abuse, divorce, ADHD, and a mediocre childhood and used them to shape me into someone with compassion, joy, and awareness that I would otherwise not have. He has given me the opportunity to walk alongside people who have the same struggles. He has given me the chance to share His light and truth with others.  

 I feel that Joseph was the same way. He most likely would not have chosen all of the struggles he went through, but once he saw how God used those struggles to put him in a position to help his family and others, I don’t think he would have changed a thing if it meant ending up in a different place. 

Week of 2/24/19 - Pages 40-52

Often times you will hear people talk about the “Old Testament God” versus the “New Testament God” and their struggle to reconcile the perceived differences. People view the “Old Testament God” as wrathful, judgmental, condemning and punishing, while the “New Testament God” is loving, gracious, compassionate, and forgiving. Yet what stands out to me as I read this week’s passage of Jacob and Esau is God’s amazing grace in the midst of deception, betrayal and lies. 

The passage begins with Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau, scheming to deceive her husband Isaac in giving the blessing to their younger son Jacob. An elaborate ruse ensues and Jacob is given the much coveted blessing instead of Esau. Jacob’s life is in danger once Esau learns of the deception, so Jacob is sent to Laban, Rachel’s brother living in Haran. Here Jacob receives a taste of his own medicine as Laban offers Jacob his youngest daughter Rachel in marriage after working for him for seven years. But like his sister Rebekah, Laban deceives Jacob by giving him his older daughter Leah instead. Jacob has to work seven more years in order to marry the younger daughter Rachel. What trickery and deception!

Yet in the midst of all of this, God comes to Jacob in a personal and gracious way. As Jacob flees his home and makes his way to Haran to live with his uncle, God comes to him in a dream. In the dream God reminds Jacob who He is: “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac.” He then blesses Jacob saying, “The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as the dust of the earth…And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” Wow! Does God know what Jacob has done? Doesn’t he know how Jacob has deceived his brother Esau out of their father’s blessing? So although Jacob is living with the consequences of his deception, God continues to bless him and to use Jacob to bless others.

When Jacob awakes from his dream, he responds by saying, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” Isn’t that often the case in our own lives? As we go through various circumstances in our lives whether because of our own choices or not, we are often unaware that God is in that place with us. Like Jacob, we are caught off guard that our Heavenly Father is with us, that He meets us personally, that He promises to bless us and that He reminds us that He will never leave us. What circumstance do you currently find yourself in that you may be unaware that your loving, gracious, compassionate and forgiving God is with you?