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. 

Photo by Nicole Mason on Unsplash

Exodus 33

 

There is much in this chapter but the verse that stands out to me today as I read is verses 15-16, "Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”' 

Moses asks the question that I believe is relevant in the church (gatherings that claim Christian roots) today. Is the presence of God with us? If He isn't, then Moses is correct there is nothing that distinguishes us from anyone else. A church without the presence of God is no different from a Buddhist temple or a Muslim shrine. This is why some people see all religions as the same, man's attempt to seek God. Moses knew otherwise without the presence of God even when it meant judgment when they sinned was better than not having it. 

This should be our heart cry today. God send your presence into our church even if it brings correction and judgment for your judgment/correction is better than the mercy of the world.  

Photo by Gyorgy Szemok on Unsplash

Isaiah 40

 

If you are doing the Bible Reflections Journaling program you just read Job yesterday. As I read verse  27, Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God” I can see Job saying these words. Yet the answer is found in this chapter. The answer is having hope in God. Job lost his hope. He had his integrity, but he lost hope in God. This chapter is meant to give hope to Israel and that hope is found in God. 

Too often we look for security, money, relationships, political parties, and the like for hope but ultimately they all fail. The only place we can find hope isn't in a place but in the person of God and I would add as a New Testament believer that person is Jesus, God incarnate. 

Photo by Simon Fitall on Unsplash

 

Job 35

 "He (God) does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it." Elihu is pointing out that there are times when God doesn't answer the cries of the oppressed because their hearts are wicked. Though this isn't the case with Job, Elihu is making the point that though there are times when it seems God is allowing the wicked to triumph, but if the other side would gain power they would be just as bad. It's like asking which drug lord we should support in a gang war. Neither because both are just as bad. There are times according to Elihu that God doesn't answer because those crying to him are really just as wicked as the other. We may think that God isn't helping but that is because we can't see into the heart of others. 

To take this on a personal level, I would say there are some fights we just need to stay out of. Unfortunately, we don't. We don't on the personal level and we don't on the national level. Too often, we try to decide who is the "least bad." However, that is like saying would you rather die of a gunshot from a 38 or a 44, when we should say neither. Sometimes the right answer is to not get in the fight. 

Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

Acts 15

 Paul and Barabas according to some were sinning at the end of this chapter. How? Some see any form of disagreement and separation as a sin. If that was the case then God would have corrected them, but we don't see that. What we do see is two people who could not come to an agreement on how to proceed together and thus going separate ways. I have talked before about the Mezpha, Genesis 31:49, and that God at times calls for people to be separate. In Genesis, there was never a reconciliation but later Paul will say that John Mark is fit for the ministry and asks for him. In this world, there may not be reconciliation due to differences or even sin, but for the Christian, there will ultimately be a day when we are in the presence of God and then we will be able to perfect unity.   

Another note to add here is that when Paul split for Barnabas and John Mark, he didn't go out alone. He found another person to work with him. This is another reminder to me that in the New Testament, we rarely see anyone going out alone to do ministry. We need people to help us and to keep us true to God's Word. We need accountability and partners to help carry the burden of ministry. 

Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash

Psalm 32

 

The greatest gift that a person can have is when God forgives them. We may think our sins are against other people and in some way they are but the ultimate crime of sin (disobedience to God, selfishness, etc) is against the one who made us. When we do evil against a person we do evil against the God who created them. At the end of the day or perhaps I should say at the end of our lives it will be God that we stand in front of and it is he who will judge us. That is why we can be glad if our sins are forgiven because on that day there will be no excuses and no justifications. After all, then the real motives of our hearts will be known not the ones we tell ourselves and those around us. For myself, I'm glad my sins are forgiven and that the Spirit of God is working in my life to make me a better person. 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Exodus 32

 "It's not my fault." How often do people say that and here Aaron, one of the ones left in charge, is saying it. I appreciate democracy but if you are a leader and the people want something wrong you are not free to give in to their demands. Aaron blamed the people and flat-out lied about where the calf came from. He had shaped it and now he is looking at Moses and claiming it supernaturally came out of the fire. The excuse is laughable but when someone is caught it is amazing the excuses we make. I wish I could say I have never made such lame excuses but I am sure I have thankfully I don't think I have presently, but I'm not looking too deep into my memories, I don't want to feel dumb right now. However, it is predictable. Didn't Adam and Eve first do it? and we have been following their example ever since. 

Maturity comes when we are willing to admit we did wrong. Thankfully, Christ has given His Spirit to those who follow Him and if we let Him then we can have the wisdom and the courage to confess. The great this is when we are willing to confess and repent then God is willing and happy to forgive. 

Photo by MUILLU on Unsplash