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Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your word and for visiting us with your presence. May we come to understand You and your Kingdom more as we share our words and the thoughts of our hearts and gather together in your name. Amen.
Response to Exodus 34:1-35:9
Of all Old Testament readings, yesterday's was certainly filled with the anger and wrath of our almighty God and that of Moses. For me, and I am sure many of you, it was a bit uncomfortable. However, today's reading begins the healing process once again now that God has gotten our attention.
We begin with Moses cutting the stone for the second writing of the 10 commandments and his return to the mountain. Once again, he will spend 40 days during which our text tells us he fasted from food and water. I was struck by Exodus 33:19 yesterday and was glad to see that text repeated as God presented himself to Moses in today's reading in Exodus 34:5-7. Perhaps you were unable to read, so let me quote it here:
"Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." Exodus 34:5-7.
I reflected back to Exodus 20:4-6 when we first saw the 2nd commandment and the phrase "thousand generations." (for those of you using the one year bible, this can be found on February 4). In checking 10 english translations, 5 used the word "generations" and 5 did not. Also a footnote in The New Living Translation claimed the Hebrew is more accurately interpreted "thousands of those" which fits todays reading.
Common sense reminds me, however, that all of us are sinners, even those of us who confess love for the Lord. Yet, isn't it true that cycles of poverty or alchoholism and the like have the tendency to run for several generations? Personally, I believe these two passages speak much more regarding our earthly lives rather than eternity. As always, I cherish your thoughts on this.
Exodus 34:8 continues Moses confession for the sins of the people and his request that God continue his favor on this people as his inheritance. God then establishes his covenant with Moses that he will do signs and wonders for this nation and will fight their battles and lead them into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As we look back and progress through the word of God, it continues to be clear to me that the intent of God was to establish a Holy people on the earth from which He would bring redemption to all creation. Remember those words from Exodus 30:13? "I am the Lord who makes you Holy" footnotes in our One Year Bible rephrase this as "who sanctifies you" or "who sets you apart as holy." Obviously, God is acting with a purpose and this people has been specifically set apart throughtout History as God's chosen. Not so much because of their actions as they have rebelled and disobeyed, but because of what God has done and continues to do.
Through the rest of the chapter, God reminds Moses to discipline the people to honor Him, in presenting themselves to Him through sabbaths, festivals, and offerings. Even today, most of us are aware that without taking time out to specifically honor God, it is easy to take Him for granted - and even, unfortunately, consider that He does not exist and that life goes on regardless of His presence. However, all we have to do is open our eyes.
Open your eyes and see the awesomeness of the creation around you. Ask your dog or cat or fish to do so with you! Go to the zoo and call out to any of the creatures there to observe the beauty of their creation with you. Chances are, you will not find one creature other than man that can stop their everyday lives and observe this beauty with you. However, you are not alone. There is an entire planet of human beings that are able to relate to the consciousness of this awesome creation - earth, sea, and sky with you. Perhaps, you and they can even catch a glimpse of God's work within humanity on a worldwide scale! Perhaps you can see God at work within an enemy over the sea or within your enemy within the political spectrum. Have you taken the time today to take yourself off the pedestal and see God at work? Perhaps you are too busy. Take time out this week. Whether you honor God with Sunday or Saturday, or Wednesday, chances are He will visit with you with blessing and inspiration in return for your gift of time.
Call upon Him and He will make you Holy and grant you a purpose in changing our world.
Today, although it is good to look on the face of a pastor or priest, God has opened his word for you. In saying this, I realize I am preaching to the choir as you are reading this blog. The fact is, when you leave, there will be a glow on your face. You need not be afraid of glow on the face of another man of God as the Israelites became distant from Moses - you have been in the very presence of God. If you have allowed Him, He has opened the curtain of the Most Holy Place within you and entered in. You now reflect the presence of God to all who come into contact with you. Just remember, it is He who makes you Holy. This is not a right and a priviledge, this is a purpose and a responsibility to serve His Kingdom, changing our world with His Love.
Response to Matthew 27:15-31
In the midst of their revelry the week before, the Jews must have been shocked to see this homely man riding the foal of a donkey! Most of them carried spears or knives - even his desciples. Although they were the holy city, they had been redeemed by the likes of David, Judas Maccabees and his brothers, and others. I would imagine they expected that Jesus was going to be the next Savior of their people who would set the world right. "No more taxes!" "We are a Holy People set apart to offer the sacrifices for the Kingdom!" Sadly, as with the disciples who despised the Gentiles as well as the Jewish rulers who had taken their Rabbi whom they believed to be the promised Messiah, the city of God did not understand His very presence among them.
Their conversations of the week, realizing their religious leaders had condemned this man, changed their cries of "Hosannah, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" to "Crucify Him!" Indeed, Barrabas had not commtted crimes against God's Chosen people, but against the Roman oppressors who wished now to crucify Him. Thus, the choice between a traitor to the Jewish nation who had no voice or authority, or a champion of their cause with the gaul to stand up to Rome was probably an easy one.
Why is it that Religion still feels that war is the answer to our problems; Revenge for hostile acts, Protection of the chosen people, rejection of Peace on Earth or the power of God to bring it about? How is it that any man seeking the God of creation could be led to believe the answer to the religious dilemma in our world is to duke it out - even with nukes if possible - until the evil is erased from the world? Do they even comprehend the financial strain and crumbling moral reputation such action is causing? Do they truly believe that God can do mighty works without mighty militaries, or are those empty words? How can they refuse the ease of these burdens by talking about Love, Joy, and Peace? This absolutely can be done without being naive or stupid if we seek God while He can be found.
How many of us would have responded to this impish coward who had claimed to speak the Word of God the same way the people in that courtyard did that day? How many of us have dismissed that image of the servant, lamb, Prince of Peace, claiming the time was not yet right to establish His Kingdom?
Then again, How many of you believe His words "It is Finished" and believe you are serving that Kingdom and that King today? How many of you recognize Him and have the confidence and bravery necessary to go out into a hostile world and preach a Gospel that God really does love the sinner as handed down by the Prince of Peace who sits at the Right hand of our Father? How many of you will take up the cause of His cross today in service to humanity?
He could have called down 10,000 angels, but He knew the will of God. Redemption of Creation. (Romans 8:19-23, Isaiah 65:17, II Peter 3:9, John 12:47, I John 4:14-21)
Response to Psalm 33:12-22
In response to our reflections today, let me quote the words of the Psalmist as I can't say it any better.
Psalm 33:12-22 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. (We will find as we continue reading that through this shed blood of Jesus, you have been invited into this family of God and He accepts you as His child). From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth - he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all it's great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
The words of Heliodorus, a Greek military commander sent to destroy the Temple, testifies to the strength of the Lord in II Maccabees 3:39: He who has his dwelling in heaven watches over that Place and protects it, and he strikes down and destroys those who come to harm it."
This awesome power can be yours. Be a warrior for His Kingdom and help spread Love, Joy, and Peace on Earth.
Response to Proverbs 9:1-6
Proverbs 1:7 set the stage for the Proverbs to this point. comparing the wise to the foolish. The proverbs compare violence and peace. Chapter 5 spoke well on marriage comparing the joys and responsibilities of a good relationship as opposed to the pain of the foolish who breaks that bond.
Proverbs 6:16-19 mentions 7 sins which the Lord hates - compared to todays verse Proverbs 9:1 "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out it's seven pillars." We'll come back to this in a moment.
Proverbs 6:20-7:27 continues to speak to unchastity, foolishness, following the temptrous referred to here as the harlot. Most of what is written here we generally attribute to the temptations of d'evil (the devil).
Proverbs 8 began to speak of the better way! Wisdom. Who cannot see the corelation to the Word of God, whom John makes reference to in John 1:1 "The word was made flesh?". As a desciple, John claims this word was God and was manifest in the person, Jesus Christ, with whom he and others spend 3 years of their lives, witnessing to His testimony.
This testimony, written by Solomon now continues in today's study of Proverbs 9:1-6. Wisdom's house is built on 7 pillars anchored into the very creator of the creation on which it is built.
This word has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. I cannot help but imagine those first disciples in the upper room as the sacriment of Holy communion is first established in; Luke 22:19-20., Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25. A favorite passage of mine regarding this meal is Jesus comments in John 6:33-35 "For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world...I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst."
As believers, we are all invited to this table. Whether you are more comfortable with the word believer, elect, chosen, born again, or something else (see "maids" in Proverbs 9:3), we are told to shout it from the mountaintop "Come, eat, drink, and live! Walk in the way of understanding."
Isaiah 52:7 exemplifies this call: "how beautiful upon the mountains are the fet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation."
My hope is that you will hear and understand and spread this good news with me.
Until tomorrow;
Rick
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