(Leviticus 8-10)
The story of Nadab and Abihu is a curious one. They were there for the entire Exodus story; they saw God's power in parting the Red Sea and His wisdom in giving the Law. They watched as the Tabernacle took shape and were taught by Moses the importance of the priesthood and their responsibility as priests. They watched as God gave divine fire to be used in offering sacrifices, yet in one inexplicable lapse of judgment they chose to use fire of their own origin and it costs them their lives. What leads a person to abandon God's direction and choose to follow their own desires? Why would anyone who has witnessed the love of God and His favor decide to disobey and offer what they chose rather that what God had prescribed? I mean, surely they had heard the story of Cain and Abel.
I believe God has provided the record of this incident as a warning for us. In the chapters leading up to this event, God had given exacting, specific instructions on worship that He would find acceptable. These men had no excuses for their rebellious decision. They had been taught, they had daily access to God and His teaching and still chose to go their own way. So what is the warning for us and what are we to take away from the deaths of these two priests, these two servants of God? Let's pull over and park right here for a moment and let that question sink in..... thinking..... thinking.....
Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire
in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people, I must be glorified.’” (Leviticus 10:1-3)
The word that jumps out at me is "profane". This seems to be the issue at hand. Of course it is the hearts of these two men that is at the root of the problem, but their actions are a demonstration of their hearts. What they did was a reflection of who they were. They offered "profane" fire before the LORD. So, you might be asking "what is the big deal?". They were ministering/ serving before the LORD. They were giving their time and effort in service, what is the problem here? The problem is that they didn't respect God and His desire in service. Worship wasn't and isn't about what His servants want, what makes us happy or is easy for us. Worship is offering to God what God has specified. That demonstrates an obedient spirit and shows our love by offering what He asks for.
Back to "profane" or "strange" as some translations put it. The Hebrew word is "zuwr" and carries with it the idea of committing adultery. Nadab and Abihu were committing adultery when they used "strange" fire to burn incense in worship to God. Using anything that God has not provided or specified in worship to Him is profane, He sees it as adulterous. Nadab and Abihu learned the hard way that what we offer to God must find its' origin in Him.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus puts it this way: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand" (Matt 15:8-10) Worship that isn't from God and directed to God, Jesus calls "vain". Vain means that something is worthless and has no purpose. When we teach what has it's origin in the human mind and call it the doctrine of God, the result is worship that is worthless. The writer of Hebrews tells us that "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away". Pay careful attention. What God has stipulated is the only thing that He will accept.
Would I prefer pizza and Coke on the Lord's Table, sure! It would be much more enjoyable and flavorful, but that is the point isn't it. It is not about me. The Bible stipulates "fruit of the vine" and "unleavened bread" as the items to be served on the Table. So, for me to partake of the Supper in a way that honors God, I obey Him. Do I like instrumental music? Sure, love it! But God has specified that we "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord." (Eph 5:19) History records that the early church offered accapella worship to God and that instruments were not added until hundreds of years later. The word "accapella" even means "in the manner of the church". Will God accept other forms of music? I don't know, that is His decision, so I will not condemn it. But this I do know and it is without dispute.... the early church did not use instruments in worship. The acceptability of acapella worship is not in question by anyone that I am aware of.
Back to the warning... God demonstrated that He would not accept "strange", "adulterous" or "profane" worship. He demands that we offer Him what he has specified. It is all about our hearts. If we love God, why would we want to offer Him what makes us happy, what pleases us. That is selfish, that is putting our wants, our likes, our desires above the One that is the object of our worship. May we learn the easy way and understand the lessons of Nadab and Abihu. May we with pure hearts, bring our worship as He has specified before Him and find the blessings that He promises those that are faithful... lest we "drift away".
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Ordination and Consecration
(Today's reading - Exodus 29-31)
These three chapters of Exodus deal with the ordination and consecration of the priests who will serve the nation of Israel and the establishment of worship guidelines. A few things jump from the pages as you read what God gave Moses. The detail is overwhelming! God doesn't leave anything to the imagination, He gives very specific direction to those that would serve as priests about how He was to be worshipped.
Aaron and his sons were to be washed with water, then they were to be clothed in priestly garments, there was to be sin offerings made for them and they were to eat of that sacrifice. Only the priests were to eat of this offering because it was sacred. (Exodus 29) After the priests were ordained, the precise method of worship was given. This many goats, that many sheep, incense in the morning, continuous burnt offerings, etc.... you get the idea. Very, very specific details about how God was to be worshipped and how offerings and sacrifices were to be made.
Interesting stuff, but why do I need to know any of this? Good question? Great question! We are told that the old covenant was a shadow of the things which were to come through Christ. (Col 2:16,17) So, let's dig in and see if we can find the reality that is hinted at by the shadow.
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4,5) The priesthood of the old covenant was limited to a particular family within the nation of Israel, the new covenant makes us all priests and as such we are able to come before God and offer sacrifices. So, if we are all priests we must undergo the ordination and consecration....
Just as Aaron and his sons were washed and then clothed in priestly garments, we to are washed and clothed..."You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28) When we become Christians, we are washed clean of our sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16) and clothed with Christ. We stand before God clothed with His righteousness and are therefore seen by God as sanctified, set apart for His service. We are able to offer sacrifices acceptable to Him.
Aaron and his sons were to eat of the sacrifice that was made for their atonement. (Exodus 29: 32,33) What had been offered for them would become part of them and they would be reminded continually by eating from the altar what had been done for them. We too, under the new covenant, as priests eat the flesh and blood of the one that was offered on our behalf. We might not like to think of it that way, but that is the imagery that the Christ used to describe our sacred meal. Some call it the Eucharist, some Communion and others the Lord's Supper; but whatever you call it, it is the reality of the shadow that Aaron and his sons partook of.
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26: 26-28)
The continuous offerings that the priests made for the people were a shadow of the "all sufficient, once and for all" offering made by Jesus. "He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." (Hebrews 9:12-14)
Romans 12 tells us that the sacrifice that God wants is a living one. After Jesus gave himself as eternal redemption, there is no longer any need for the sacrifices that are called for under the old covenant. God tells us that He wants a living sacrifice now...."I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1, ESV) No more bulls and goats, He wants you. He wants you alive and serving Him. He says that is our worship! That is our "reasonable service" (NKJV)
The old covenant was a shadow of the reality that is found in Christ Jesus. We serve as priests, offering sacrifices of ourselves that are acceptable to Him. We sit at His table every Sunday and are reminded of His sacrifice as we eat the bread and drink the fruit of the vine. We are the beneficiary of His "once and for all" sacrifice that gives us ongoing cleansing. (1 John 1:1-10) As we continue to read through the Old Testament, let us look for the shadows and find the reality in Christ. May God bless us as we read His word.
These three chapters of Exodus deal with the ordination and consecration of the priests who will serve the nation of Israel and the establishment of worship guidelines. A few things jump from the pages as you read what God gave Moses. The detail is overwhelming! God doesn't leave anything to the imagination, He gives very specific direction to those that would serve as priests about how He was to be worshipped.
Aaron and his sons were to be washed with water, then they were to be clothed in priestly garments, there was to be sin offerings made for them and they were to eat of that sacrifice. Only the priests were to eat of this offering because it was sacred. (Exodus 29) After the priests were ordained, the precise method of worship was given. This many goats, that many sheep, incense in the morning, continuous burnt offerings, etc.... you get the idea. Very, very specific details about how God was to be worshipped and how offerings and sacrifices were to be made.
Interesting stuff, but why do I need to know any of this? Good question? Great question! We are told that the old covenant was a shadow of the things which were to come through Christ. (Col 2:16,17) So, let's dig in and see if we can find the reality that is hinted at by the shadow.
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:4,5) The priesthood of the old covenant was limited to a particular family within the nation of Israel, the new covenant makes us all priests and as such we are able to come before God and offer sacrifices. So, if we are all priests we must undergo the ordination and consecration....
Just as Aaron and his sons were washed and then clothed in priestly garments, we to are washed and clothed..."You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26-28) When we become Christians, we are washed clean of our sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16) and clothed with Christ. We stand before God clothed with His righteousness and are therefore seen by God as sanctified, set apart for His service. We are able to offer sacrifices acceptable to Him.
Aaron and his sons were to eat of the sacrifice that was made for their atonement. (Exodus 29: 32,33) What had been offered for them would become part of them and they would be reminded continually by eating from the altar what had been done for them. We too, under the new covenant, as priests eat the flesh and blood of the one that was offered on our behalf. We might not like to think of it that way, but that is the imagery that the Christ used to describe our sacred meal. Some call it the Eucharist, some Communion and others the Lord's Supper; but whatever you call it, it is the reality of the shadow that Aaron and his sons partook of.
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26: 26-28)
The continuous offerings that the priests made for the people were a shadow of the "all sufficient, once and for all" offering made by Jesus. "He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." (Hebrews 9:12-14)
Romans 12 tells us that the sacrifice that God wants is a living one. After Jesus gave himself as eternal redemption, there is no longer any need for the sacrifices that are called for under the old covenant. God tells us that He wants a living sacrifice now...."I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1, ESV) No more bulls and goats, He wants you. He wants you alive and serving Him. He says that is our worship! That is our "reasonable service" (NKJV)
The old covenant was a shadow of the reality that is found in Christ Jesus. We serve as priests, offering sacrifices of ourselves that are acceptable to Him. We sit at His table every Sunday and are reminded of His sacrifice as we eat the bread and drink the fruit of the vine. We are the beneficiary of His "once and for all" sacrifice that gives us ongoing cleansing. (1 John 1:1-10) As we continue to read through the Old Testament, let us look for the shadows and find the reality in Christ. May God bless us as we read His word.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Baptized Into Moses
(Exodus 12-15)
"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left." (Exodus 14:21,22)
The story of Moses and the Israelites is a page turner. Beginning with God demonstrating His power to Pharaoh and ending with God's judgement against the Israelites unfaithfulness, the story is a demonstration of God's plan for us today. He calls us out of slavery to sin; He provides a mediator for His covenant and calls His people to faithfulness and purity. Today's reading takes His people through the Red Sea and into the desert on their way to the promised land. Sometimes, we have to dig to determine why God provides the stories that are included in His word and other times, He comes right out and tells us. I am always thankful when He makes it simple for me, today is one of those days.
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul tells us the that "these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did." (v 6) Verse1 begins with the word "for", so chapter 10 is connected to chapter 9. Chapter 9 ends with Paul telling the church of Christ in Corinth this:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (v 24-27)
The church in Corinth was very familiar with the Isthmian games, so Paul's use of the imagery of the runner and the races is very logical. His point of course, is that as Christians we are to run the race in such a way as to win the prize. He makes sure they understand the seriousness of the effort needed by stating that even he could be disqualified from the prize. Every Christian is a runner in the race and striving to obtain the prize.
Chapter 10 picks up with this same idea and uses the Israelites as another example. He says they were "baptized into Moses" as reference that the Christians in Corinth had been baptized into Christ, they had committed their lives to the mediator of the Old Covenant, Moses and we as Christians commit our lives to Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant. They had all partaken of spiritual drink and eaten spiritual food, yet God found them to be unfaithful and the desert was littered with their bones for a generation.
In the same way, Paul tells us that even though we have been baptized into Christ, even though we partake of the body and blood of our savior in communion; if we choose to live unfaithfully, we too will be destroyed, we too will fail to win the prize. Paul calls us to lives of purity and integrity with the clear picture of the outcome of lives lived otherwise through the example of the Israelites. He repeats that the story in Exodus is for our instruction, our benefit: "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come." (v 11) His point is this, when we read about the Israelites and their unfaithfulness and the punishment that they received; we are to understand that the same consequences await us if we are unfaithful.
May each of us determine to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1) with the assurance that when we finish, when the race is over, an imperishable prize awaits each of us. Thank you Moses for the example; may we learn the easy way! May we learn by the instruction we receive through God's word. On your marks, get set.......
"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left." (Exodus 14:21,22)
The story of Moses and the Israelites is a page turner. Beginning with God demonstrating His power to Pharaoh and ending with God's judgement against the Israelites unfaithfulness, the story is a demonstration of God's plan for us today. He calls us out of slavery to sin; He provides a mediator for His covenant and calls His people to faithfulness and purity. Today's reading takes His people through the Red Sea and into the desert on their way to the promised land. Sometimes, we have to dig to determine why God provides the stories that are included in His word and other times, He comes right out and tells us. I am always thankful when He makes it simple for me, today is one of those days.
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul tells us the that "these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did." (v 6) Verse1 begins with the word "for", so chapter 10 is connected to chapter 9. Chapter 9 ends with Paul telling the church of Christ in Corinth this:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (v 24-27)
The church in Corinth was very familiar with the Isthmian games, so Paul's use of the imagery of the runner and the races is very logical. His point of course, is that as Christians we are to run the race in such a way as to win the prize. He makes sure they understand the seriousness of the effort needed by stating that even he could be disqualified from the prize. Every Christian is a runner in the race and striving to obtain the prize.
Chapter 10 picks up with this same idea and uses the Israelites as another example. He says they were "baptized into Moses" as reference that the Christians in Corinth had been baptized into Christ, they had committed their lives to the mediator of the Old Covenant, Moses and we as Christians commit our lives to Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant. They had all partaken of spiritual drink and eaten spiritual food, yet God found them to be unfaithful and the desert was littered with their bones for a generation.
In the same way, Paul tells us that even though we have been baptized into Christ, even though we partake of the body and blood of our savior in communion; if we choose to live unfaithfully, we too will be destroyed, we too will fail to win the prize. Paul calls us to lives of purity and integrity with the clear picture of the outcome of lives lived otherwise through the example of the Israelites. He repeats that the story in Exodus is for our instruction, our benefit: "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come." (v 11) His point is this, when we read about the Israelites and their unfaithfulness and the punishment that they received; we are to understand that the same consequences await us if we are unfaithful.
May each of us determine to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1) with the assurance that when we finish, when the race is over, an imperishable prize awaits each of us. Thank you Moses for the example; may we learn the easy way! May we learn by the instruction we receive through God's word. On your marks, get set.......
Thursday, January 19, 2012
God Sent Me
(Genesis 42-45)
I find reading these chapters very encouraging, and very challenging as well. God is at work in every circumstance; we just have difficulty seeing it sometimes. Joseph rises to second in command in Egypt and begins to store up grain for the coming famine. When the famine comes, Israel sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain and Joseph is reunited with his family. It is a God thing. Sometimes things happen in such a way that all we can say is... it is a God thing.
A couple of things really leap from the pages for me. First, Joseph's attitude when he meets his brothers again after they had sold him into slavery. I don't know about you, but I might have had a difficult time treating them well. He toys with them, but never punishes them. For a time, he hides his identity from them and seeks information about his father and his younger brother, Benjamin. He sends them back home with grain, but keeps one of the brothers, Simeon as insurance that they will come back and bring his younger brother with them. They arrive back home and when the grain is all gone, Israel sends them back again, this time with Benjamin. When they arrive, he is overjoyed to see his brothers and after a few more games, he reveals his identity and everyone hugs and cries.
Think about it, he is sold into slavery, accused of rape, spends time in prison and still loves his brothers who caused it all. What is Joseph's reaction throughout this event? Over and over, he goes away and weeps. Tears of joy. Tears of regrets. Tears of sorrow. Without a doubt, he had a range of emotions to deal with. But he still loved his family! After everything he went through, he still loved his brothers. Forgiveness. It is a God thing.
Secondly, instead of blaming God and having bitterness towards Him for what had happened to him, Joseph chose to see that God had been working through it all. "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." (ch 45, vv 4-7) No slavery, no Potiphar; no Potiphar, no prison; no prison, no dream interpreting; no dream interpreting, no Pharaoh; no Pharaoh, no grain; no grain, no food for family during the famine. Sometimes it is difficult to connect the dots and we have to just trust that God is at work. Other times, we see it clearly. But either way, He is working; whether we see and understand or not doesn't change His working. Joseph understood that. We need to. It is a God thing.
Lastly, the Bible is the story of God. We sometimes forget that His word exists as a revelation of Him. We read the story of Joseph and his brothers and we think this story is about them, it isn't! They a small part players in an epic story. The story is God. So, what does he reveal about Himself in the story of Joseph. He reveals that He is always there. In the pit, in the house, in the prison and in the palace, God was there with Joseph. He reveals that He is always at work. Interpreting dreams, granting favor, giving success, God was working in Josephs life in every circumstance. And He reveals His love for His people. Seven years of surplus, preparation for seven years of famine. God knew the need long before they did and He took care of the future for them. God is always there, He is always at work for our benefit and He loves us and cares for us.
No matter where you are in your life, the pit, the prison or the palace, God loves you and He is working for your best interests. You may not see it today, you may not see it for years, but if you trust Him, you will see it. He sent His Son to tell you that He loves you and He sent His Son to die in your place. He loves you and He is working for your best interests. Joseph tells us this very clearly; he wants you to know that God was working everything out in his life and that He is doing the same for you. This week has been a tough week for me, lots of issues to deal with; from my daughter leaving home to take a job seven hours away to some real difficult situations at my office. But in the midst of all of this, I am confidant that God is working, I don't see it today; but faith demands that I trust Him in every situation and I do. God bless.
I find reading these chapters very encouraging, and very challenging as well. God is at work in every circumstance; we just have difficulty seeing it sometimes. Joseph rises to second in command in Egypt and begins to store up grain for the coming famine. When the famine comes, Israel sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain and Joseph is reunited with his family. It is a God thing. Sometimes things happen in such a way that all we can say is... it is a God thing.
A couple of things really leap from the pages for me. First, Joseph's attitude when he meets his brothers again after they had sold him into slavery. I don't know about you, but I might have had a difficult time treating them well. He toys with them, but never punishes them. For a time, he hides his identity from them and seeks information about his father and his younger brother, Benjamin. He sends them back home with grain, but keeps one of the brothers, Simeon as insurance that they will come back and bring his younger brother with them. They arrive back home and when the grain is all gone, Israel sends them back again, this time with Benjamin. When they arrive, he is overjoyed to see his brothers and after a few more games, he reveals his identity and everyone hugs and cries.
Think about it, he is sold into slavery, accused of rape, spends time in prison and still loves his brothers who caused it all. What is Joseph's reaction throughout this event? Over and over, he goes away and weeps. Tears of joy. Tears of regrets. Tears of sorrow. Without a doubt, he had a range of emotions to deal with. But he still loved his family! After everything he went through, he still loved his brothers. Forgiveness. It is a God thing.
Secondly, instead of blaming God and having bitterness towards Him for what had happened to him, Joseph chose to see that God had been working through it all. "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." (ch 45, vv 4-7) No slavery, no Potiphar; no Potiphar, no prison; no prison, no dream interpreting; no dream interpreting, no Pharaoh; no Pharaoh, no grain; no grain, no food for family during the famine. Sometimes it is difficult to connect the dots and we have to just trust that God is at work. Other times, we see it clearly. But either way, He is working; whether we see and understand or not doesn't change His working. Joseph understood that. We need to. It is a God thing.
Lastly, the Bible is the story of God. We sometimes forget that His word exists as a revelation of Him. We read the story of Joseph and his brothers and we think this story is about them, it isn't! They a small part players in an epic story. The story is God. So, what does he reveal about Himself in the story of Joseph. He reveals that He is always there. In the pit, in the house, in the prison and in the palace, God was there with Joseph. He reveals that He is always at work. Interpreting dreams, granting favor, giving success, God was working in Josephs life in every circumstance. And He reveals His love for His people. Seven years of surplus, preparation for seven years of famine. God knew the need long before they did and He took care of the future for them. God is always there, He is always at work for our benefit and He loves us and cares for us.
No matter where you are in your life, the pit, the prison or the palace, God loves you and He is working for your best interests. You may not see it today, you may not see it for years, but if you trust Him, you will see it. He sent His Son to tell you that He loves you and He sent His Son to die in your place. He loves you and He is working for your best interests. Joseph tells us this very clearly; he wants you to know that God was working everything out in his life and that He is doing the same for you. This week has been a tough week for me, lots of issues to deal with; from my daughter leaving home to take a job seven hours away to some real difficult situations at my office. But in the midst of all of this, I am confidant that God is working, I don't see it today; but faith demands that I trust Him in every situation and I do. God bless.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I Cannot Do It
(Genesis 39-41)
Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers and ends up in Egypt. A man by the name of Potiphar purchases him and puts him to work in his home. Joseph is blessed by God and Potiphar took note of Joseph's success in all he does and so he places Joseph over all he has. All goes well for a time, but then Potiphar's wife takes a liking for Joseph and seeks to have an affair with him. He is a man of God and so he rejects her advances and she doesn't handle his rejection too well. She claims he tried to rape her and he ends up in prison, where God once again prospers him.
Becasue of his conduct, the prison warden places Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. While in prison, he interprets the dreams of two of Pharaoh's servants and they promise to remember him when they are released. One is executed and the other returns to his position in the king's service. Two years go by and the servant forgets about Joseph until Pharaoh has a dream and no one can give an interpretation. He remembers his encounter with Joseph and how he gave a true interpretaion of his dream and tells the king about him. Joseph is called from the prison and asked to interpret Paraoh's dream. That is a long way to go to get to this simple scripture... Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." (Genesis 41:15, 16)
After all of his successes and after all his troubles, Joseph still remembers that it is God that does the work and gives the blessing. He has risen to the top everywhere he has been. He is a good looking young man. He is in great physical condition. Women want to be with him and men admire him.... but he says, "I cannot do it". In a world where personal position, success and appearance is the focus, it is refreshing to read about a young man that understood that it was God behind it all. That is why, as Christians we root for Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy and others that are successful in this life, but acknowledge that God is the reason for their success; He is the source of every good thing in their lives.
Joseph says, "I cannot do it, but God can"! Whether you are in the pit or second in command, whether you are in the prison or running it, whether you are a servant or the one being served; remember that it is God that is behind it all. He is the one that can lift you up or bring you down. He is the one that can open a door or close it shut. Whatever your current situation, God can use it for your benefit and His. Joseph demonstrated his humble spirit and because of that, God was able to use him in every situation. No doubt Joseph didn't think it was fun to be sold into salvery or be imprisoned for something he didn't do; but his aim was always one of being God's servant.
Mop the floor; I cannot do it, but God can! Clean the prison cells; I cannot do it, but God can. Be in charge of the prison; I cannot do it, but God can. Serve as second in command in Egypt; I cannot do it, but God can. Joseph serves as a great example for us; no matter where we are in our lives, no matter what situation we find ourselves in; we can't, but God can. I like the way Paul put in his letter to the Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! (c4, v13) Pual, like Joseph understood that God was at work behind every circumstance and through His power he received the strength he needed.
May we all learn the lesson that Joseph teaches. He tells us that no matter how low we go or how high we fly, it is God. He reaches through the years to say to you and me, "You cannot, but God can". You can tell your neighbor about Jesus. You can overcome that sin that you have struggled with for decades. You can save that marriage that is on the rocks. You can restore your broken relationship with that family member. Well, maybe you can't, but God can. May we let Him work in our lives.
Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers and ends up in Egypt. A man by the name of Potiphar purchases him and puts him to work in his home. Joseph is blessed by God and Potiphar took note of Joseph's success in all he does and so he places Joseph over all he has. All goes well for a time, but then Potiphar's wife takes a liking for Joseph and seeks to have an affair with him. He is a man of God and so he rejects her advances and she doesn't handle his rejection too well. She claims he tried to rape her and he ends up in prison, where God once again prospers him.
Becasue of his conduct, the prison warden places Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. While in prison, he interprets the dreams of two of Pharaoh's servants and they promise to remember him when they are released. One is executed and the other returns to his position in the king's service. Two years go by and the servant forgets about Joseph until Pharaoh has a dream and no one can give an interpretation. He remembers his encounter with Joseph and how he gave a true interpretaion of his dream and tells the king about him. Joseph is called from the prison and asked to interpret Paraoh's dream. That is a long way to go to get to this simple scripture... Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." (Genesis 41:15, 16)
After all of his successes and after all his troubles, Joseph still remembers that it is God that does the work and gives the blessing. He has risen to the top everywhere he has been. He is a good looking young man. He is in great physical condition. Women want to be with him and men admire him.... but he says, "I cannot do it". In a world where personal position, success and appearance is the focus, it is refreshing to read about a young man that understood that it was God behind it all. That is why, as Christians we root for Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy and others that are successful in this life, but acknowledge that God is the reason for their success; He is the source of every good thing in their lives.
Joseph says, "I cannot do it, but God can"! Whether you are in the pit or second in command, whether you are in the prison or running it, whether you are a servant or the one being served; remember that it is God that is behind it all. He is the one that can lift you up or bring you down. He is the one that can open a door or close it shut. Whatever your current situation, God can use it for your benefit and His. Joseph demonstrated his humble spirit and because of that, God was able to use him in every situation. No doubt Joseph didn't think it was fun to be sold into salvery or be imprisoned for something he didn't do; but his aim was always one of being God's servant.
Mop the floor; I cannot do it, but God can! Clean the prison cells; I cannot do it, but God can. Be in charge of the prison; I cannot do it, but God can. Serve as second in command in Egypt; I cannot do it, but God can. Joseph serves as a great example for us; no matter where we are in our lives, no matter what situation we find ourselves in; we can't, but God can. I like the way Paul put in his letter to the Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"! (c4, v13) Pual, like Joseph understood that God was at work behind every circumstance and through His power he received the strength he needed.
May we all learn the lesson that Joseph teaches. He tells us that no matter how low we go or how high we fly, it is God. He reaches through the years to say to you and me, "You cannot, but God can". You can tell your neighbor about Jesus. You can overcome that sin that you have struggled with for decades. You can save that marriage that is on the rocks. You can restore your broken relationship with that family member. Well, maybe you can't, but God can. May we let Him work in our lives.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
They Hated the Dreamer
(Genesis 37-38)
Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons by his wives and these twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. The journey to get to that point was an interesting ride, for sure. Our reading brings us a couple of interesting stories from the lives of Israel's sons. The story of Joseph and his brothers will be front and center in my blog today.
Perhaps becasue Joseph was born so late in his father's life, Israel loved him more than all the other sons... and they knew it. Little doubt is left that Joseph also knew it and might have used that for his benefit on occasion. This all produced jealousy among his brothers and led to an event that would change everything in the family for generations.
Joseph is a dreamer. I am not sure how we are to take that, but he is given to dreams and they are undoubtedly from God. The first dream that we are given deals with Joseph and his brothers. "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." (Genesis 37:6-7) Needless to say, his brothers were not impressed with a dream that had them bowing to their little brother. "His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said." (v 8)
His next dream had the sun and moon and eleven stars bowing down to him. His father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" (v 10) This didn't sit well with his brothers and they were jealous of him. Jealousy and pride are a wicked combination that will always end badly and the story of Joseph and his brothers is no different. I understand that God is working through all of this and that the story takes lots of unexpected turns down the road, but today we find the older brothers hating their youngest brother and plotting to kill him. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams." (v 20)
With yesterday being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, this story takes on new life for me today. It would seem that dreamers have always been hated. Whether we are talking about Dr. King, President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy or John Lennon; dreamers have not fared too well in this world recently. Those that are willing to be visionaries about a different future are all too often hated for their dreams. Of course the greatest dreamer of all time was the Son of God. He dared to come into this world with an entirely new view of religion and the relationship between God and man and proclaimed the end of old way of doing things. Jesus was hated for His dream.
Those that followed the Dreamer and dared to dream with Him were hated as well. Paul was hated for his dream and in Acts 9; we read that those that heard his dream conspired to kill him. (v 22-24) With the exception of the apostle John, history records that every apostle was killed by those they came to serve. They hated the dreamers. So, what does that have to do with us, you and me? It would seem that we live in an age that needs dreamers, someone to speak out about what the future can be like, and someone to speak up when wrong is lifted up and proclaimed as right. Someone, who fearlessly dreams and speaks about what Jesus accomplished, both through His life and death. We need a dreamer that can place the vision of taking the world for Christ in this and the next generation.
We need dreamers! The church needs dreamers. God needs dreamers. Will you be hated? Most likely. Will you be made fun of? For sure! Will you be killed? Could be! Will you make a difference? Most definately! Will your life be worth living? Absolutely! I encourage you today... be like Joseph, be a dreamer. When the New Covenant began and the Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples in Acts 2, Peter tells us that this was a fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2.
In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams. (Acts 2: 17)
Dream dreams, have a vision of the future. Dare to dream of a world that follows Jesus. Dare to dream of a country that honors God. Dare to dream of a town that worships together. Dare to dream of your neighborhood united in its belief in the Creator. Dare to dream of your home being a faithful witness for Jesus. But start with a dream for yourself..... May God richly bless each of us as we dream.
Jacob (Israel) had twelve sons by his wives and these twelve sons would become the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. The journey to get to that point was an interesting ride, for sure. Our reading brings us a couple of interesting stories from the lives of Israel's sons. The story of Joseph and his brothers will be front and center in my blog today.
Perhaps becasue Joseph was born so late in his father's life, Israel loved him more than all the other sons... and they knew it. Little doubt is left that Joseph also knew it and might have used that for his benefit on occasion. This all produced jealousy among his brothers and led to an event that would change everything in the family for generations.
Joseph is a dreamer. I am not sure how we are to take that, but he is given to dreams and they are undoubtedly from God. The first dream that we are given deals with Joseph and his brothers. "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." (Genesis 37:6-7) Needless to say, his brothers were not impressed with a dream that had them bowing to their little brother. "His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said." (v 8)
His next dream had the sun and moon and eleven stars bowing down to him. His father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" (v 10) This didn't sit well with his brothers and they were jealous of him. Jealousy and pride are a wicked combination that will always end badly and the story of Joseph and his brothers is no different. I understand that God is working through all of this and that the story takes lots of unexpected turns down the road, but today we find the older brothers hating their youngest brother and plotting to kill him. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. "Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams." (v 20)
With yesterday being Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, this story takes on new life for me today. It would seem that dreamers have always been hated. Whether we are talking about Dr. King, President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy or John Lennon; dreamers have not fared too well in this world recently. Those that are willing to be visionaries about a different future are all too often hated for their dreams. Of course the greatest dreamer of all time was the Son of God. He dared to come into this world with an entirely new view of religion and the relationship between God and man and proclaimed the end of old way of doing things. Jesus was hated for His dream.
Those that followed the Dreamer and dared to dream with Him were hated as well. Paul was hated for his dream and in Acts 9; we read that those that heard his dream conspired to kill him. (v 22-24) With the exception of the apostle John, history records that every apostle was killed by those they came to serve. They hated the dreamers. So, what does that have to do with us, you and me? It would seem that we live in an age that needs dreamers, someone to speak out about what the future can be like, and someone to speak up when wrong is lifted up and proclaimed as right. Someone, who fearlessly dreams and speaks about what Jesus accomplished, both through His life and death. We need a dreamer that can place the vision of taking the world for Christ in this and the next generation.
We need dreamers! The church needs dreamers. God needs dreamers. Will you be hated? Most likely. Will you be made fun of? For sure! Will you be killed? Could be! Will you make a difference? Most definately! Will your life be worth living? Absolutely! I encourage you today... be like Joseph, be a dreamer. When the New Covenant began and the Holy Spirit came upon the first disciples in Acts 2, Peter tells us that this was a fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2.
In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams. (Acts 2: 17)
Dream dreams, have a vision of the future. Dare to dream of a world that follows Jesus. Dare to dream of a country that honors God. Dare to dream of a town that worships together. Dare to dream of your neighborhood united in its belief in the Creator. Dare to dream of your home being a faithful witness for Jesus. But start with a dream for yourself..... May God richly bless each of us as we dream.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Jacob's Dream
(Genesis 26-28)
Esau determines to kill his brother after Jacob steals his blessing and the approval of his father. Upon learning of her son’s plans, Rebekah tells Jacob to leave home and go back to Paddan Aram to find a wife from his own people. Esau had married the local women and this had caused no end of grief for Isaac and Rebekah. You might say that Rebekah was killing two birds with one stone, saving her sons life and making sure that he married a God fearing woman. So off he goes.
Along the way, he stops at a place called Luz and spends the night. He sleeps on the ground with his head on a stone. During this nights rest, he has a dream that every Christian knows about. In this dream, he sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. (ch 28, v 12) Much has been said about this ladder and its meaning and significance. Some would say that it is a visible demonstration of the providence of God, His working in this world. Others would say that it is intended to point out the intercourse or connection between heaven and earth and the ministry of angels. Both are fine and probably reasonable thoughts about the dream.
But the meaning that I want to explore is a third idea that others have placed on the table for our consideration. This third notion is that the ladder is a "type" of Christ. The ladder reaching from heaven to earth is a place where both the divine and human nature meets. We know that in Christ, God was manifested in the flesh and "in Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily". (Colossians 2:9) This ladder is a beautiful expression of God's incarnation and its effect; Jesus as the perfect connection between heaven and earth; God and man. By Him, God descends to man and through Him, man ascends to God. Jesus is the ladder and by Him access to God is made available. Before Him, the heavens were closed and unreachable, after Him, the heavens are open and the path is clear.
Jesus uses this same imagery to describe himself in his discussion with Nathaniel. And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." (John 1: 51) He tells him that he, the Son of Man is the conduit through which heaven is opened and blessings are given. And then in John 14: 6, Jesus tells Thomas that "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." There is no other ladder, no other means of connecting with God than by Jesus.
Whatever the meaning of the dream, Jacob is forever changed. God reaffirms his covenant with Abraham and Isaac in the person of Jacob. This encounter with the ladder is the turning point in his life. He takes the stone that he had used as his pillow upon which he had his dream and makes a monument to mark the place of his encounter with God. He renames the place "Bethel" which means house of God as a memorial to the fact that God was in that place. Jacob is forever changed by his encounter with God.
Of course, this gets us, you and me to our encounter with the Christ. Jacob encountered a "type" of Christ; we get in on the real thing. We know the God-man and understand that He reaches from heaven to earth to provide the connection between God and man. We are blessed to have the stories in the Old Testament and understand that they were pointing to the fulfillment, the reality that is found in Jesus.
Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter) ends with a couple of interesting verses..."These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." What we have is "better"! While Jacob saw the ladder, we see Jesus. While he and the others in Hebrews lived lives of faith, what they had was imperfect. Now, through Christ they join with us and we all get His perfection. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, you, me and every other person that belongs to Him is the beneficiary of God's completed plan for the redemption of all mankind. And that plan is found in Jesus.
Have you set your memorial stone and become "Bethel", the place where God lives? Have you encountered the ladder (Jesus) that connects God and man? He made the trip down because He loves you and He made the trip up to prepare your eternal home. If you have not encountered the Christ, may you decide today to accept His free gift of life. He has already paid the price for your sins. The question for you to ask is "How do I get in on that?". Send me a note on my blog and we can start looking into His word to find the answers.
Esau determines to kill his brother after Jacob steals his blessing and the approval of his father. Upon learning of her son’s plans, Rebekah tells Jacob to leave home and go back to Paddan Aram to find a wife from his own people. Esau had married the local women and this had caused no end of grief for Isaac and Rebekah. You might say that Rebekah was killing two birds with one stone, saving her sons life and making sure that he married a God fearing woman. So off he goes.
Along the way, he stops at a place called Luz and spends the night. He sleeps on the ground with his head on a stone. During this nights rest, he has a dream that every Christian knows about. In this dream, he sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. (ch 28, v 12) Much has been said about this ladder and its meaning and significance. Some would say that it is a visible demonstration of the providence of God, His working in this world. Others would say that it is intended to point out the intercourse or connection between heaven and earth and the ministry of angels. Both are fine and probably reasonable thoughts about the dream.
But the meaning that I want to explore is a third idea that others have placed on the table for our consideration. This third notion is that the ladder is a "type" of Christ. The ladder reaching from heaven to earth is a place where both the divine and human nature meets. We know that in Christ, God was manifested in the flesh and "in Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily". (Colossians 2:9) This ladder is a beautiful expression of God's incarnation and its effect; Jesus as the perfect connection between heaven and earth; God and man. By Him, God descends to man and through Him, man ascends to God. Jesus is the ladder and by Him access to God is made available. Before Him, the heavens were closed and unreachable, after Him, the heavens are open and the path is clear.
Jesus uses this same imagery to describe himself in his discussion with Nathaniel. And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." (John 1: 51) He tells him that he, the Son of Man is the conduit through which heaven is opened and blessings are given. And then in John 14: 6, Jesus tells Thomas that "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." There is no other ladder, no other means of connecting with God than by Jesus.
Whatever the meaning of the dream, Jacob is forever changed. God reaffirms his covenant with Abraham and Isaac in the person of Jacob. This encounter with the ladder is the turning point in his life. He takes the stone that he had used as his pillow upon which he had his dream and makes a monument to mark the place of his encounter with God. He renames the place "Bethel" which means house of God as a memorial to the fact that God was in that place. Jacob is forever changed by his encounter with God.
Of course, this gets us, you and me to our encounter with the Christ. Jacob encountered a "type" of Christ; we get in on the real thing. We know the God-man and understand that He reaches from heaven to earth to provide the connection between God and man. We are blessed to have the stories in the Old Testament and understand that they were pointing to the fulfillment, the reality that is found in Jesus.
Hebrews 11 (the faith chapter) ends with a couple of interesting verses..."These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." What we have is "better"! While Jacob saw the ladder, we see Jesus. While he and the others in Hebrews lived lives of faith, what they had was imperfect. Now, through Christ they join with us and we all get His perfection. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, you, me and every other person that belongs to Him is the beneficiary of God's completed plan for the redemption of all mankind. And that plan is found in Jesus.
Have you set your memorial stone and become "Bethel", the place where God lives? Have you encountered the ladder (Jesus) that connects God and man? He made the trip down because He loves you and He made the trip up to prepare your eternal home. If you have not encountered the Christ, may you decide today to accept His free gift of life. He has already paid the price for your sins. The question for you to ask is "How do I get in on that?". Send me a note on my blog and we can start looking into His word to find the answers.
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