Exodus 36

This last year Selma Christ Church helped the city by storing much of what had been given to those who had been devastated by the tornado. We quickly realized that we had far more than we needed and called other communities nearby and asked if they needed what we had too much of which was almost everything. We had to quickly put up signs saying we were not accepting any more donations of food, clothing, and other supplies. We had way too much. It was amazing. At that time, I could understand Moses trying to tell people, "Please, quit giving." There were actually people upset that they couldn't give but the needs as the community leaders saw at the time were met. They were sure as I was that there would be other needs later but there was no place to store it all. It was great to see. 

It is a reminder that when people have something they believe in and they can help, people do. 

Side note: The extras, it was decided by those in charge (not me thankfully) were to be dispersed among other charitable agencies that could use them. 

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Exodus 35

 I notice that God didn't just give talent to Bezalel and Oholiab but God also gave them the ability to teach. The work that needed doing was greater than the two of them could do alone so God wanted them to teach others and share the load. This applies to us today because the work of God is greater than any one or two of us can do alone. It is important not just to do work but to be willing to share the knowledge with others so the work of God can be accomplished. A refusal to share the load is an example of pride and selfishness which should never be in the life of a believer. 

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Isaiah 41

 The king coming from the north is according to many scholars Cyrus. Cyrus would be the king who allowed the Jews to return from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple giving the people the opportunity to worship God as they had before. Since this was prophecied years before it took place, it was to give proof that God was true and real, unlike the gods of the pagans.  This however as with many other things God did to prove himself didn't convince everyone of the power and presence of God. Even today if God did some mighty act there would be those who refuse to believe, but God is not like other gods he fulfills His promises. 

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Job 36

 

In verse 15, Elihu says that God "by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity" (NLT). I have to agree with Elihu, God often gets our attention when things go wrong. This is why it is often said that someone has to hit rock bottom before they will look up. There are times when adversity is the only thing that will get our attention or correct our behavior. I think of the people who ignore their doctor until something goes wrong and then all of a sudden they are willing to listen. It is the same with God. In fact, I would say that in this affliction may be our friend and a gift from God.  Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956) said “Bless you prison, bless you for being in my life. For there, lying upon the rotting prison straw, I came to realize that the object of life is not prosperity as we are made to believe, but the maturity of the human soul.” 

Sometimes the greatest pain gives the greatest good when God is in it. 

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Acts 16

 

We see here that there are times when God stops us from doing good work. Where do you say? Paul and his compatriates were planning to preach through Asia (Asia Minor, we would call it), but as good as that may have been it wasn't where God wanted them to go. Paul when God first prevented them didn't stop and do nothing we can assume he used their minds and thoughts and went to the next obvious place but God stopped them again. I noticed both Paul's unwillingness just to wait (God didn't tell him to do that) and Paul's complete willingness to allow God to change his plans.  

Today, I have seen both extremes. People doing nothing but waiting around until God gives them the vision and the perfect plan before they even start doing anything and those who once start on a plan won't stop even if it's clear God isn't in it. God has given us abilities and passions and we need to use them in the ways He would. He gave you the tools to use them. However, some get their ideas on what needs to happen and ignore God. They are the opposite because they have a plan and want God to bless it even when He has been saying STOP. Let's use Paul's example and find the balance. 

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Proverbs 8

Several years ago, I began a project with my wife called Wisdom For My Daughter. It was to be and hopefully will someday be a paraphrase of Proverbs to what it may have been if Solomon had penned it for his daughter rather than his son.  Here is our first attempt at Proverbs chapter 8. 

8:1  Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise his voice?

2  On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, he takes his stand;

3  beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, he cries aloud:

4  "To you, O women, I call out; I raise my voice to all people.

5  You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

6  Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

7  My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

8  All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

9  To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

10  Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

11  for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with him.

12  "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

13  To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

14  Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

15  By me queens reign and rulers make laws that are just;

16  by me princesses govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.

17  I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

18  With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

19  My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20  I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

21  bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

22  "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

23  I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

24  When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;

25  before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

26  before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.

27  I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 When he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29  when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30  Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

31  rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

32  "Now then, my daughters, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

33  Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

34  Blessed is the woman who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

35  For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

36  But whoever fails to find me harms herself; all who hate me love death."

 

Exodus 34

 

Moses coming?

Moses stayed up on the mountain for another forty days and nights except this time Israel didn't look to make another idol. I account for this as they learned something from the last time. We often need multiple mess-ups before we learn from our mistakes/sins. Yet I give Israel credit that this time they waited and boy did they get something they weren't expecting, a radiant Moses.

Moses came down from the mountain and this time there was something different, Moses' face shined with the radiance of God. Why didn't he the first time? My guess it was the fact he was angry but that is just my thought. It could have been that this time God showed on Moses' face because the people were ready for it when they weren't when they had a golden calf. Whatever the reason Moses' face shined and served as a reminder he was in the presence of God. We may not have a literal shine on our face but people will know if we as Christians spend real time in the presence of God. 

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