I love red letters! My heart skips a beat when I get to them as I read… what could be more exciting than red letters from Jesus on Valentine’s Day? I love his voice and his expressions of loving guidance and direction for all of us! Words of life!
Matthew 6:14-15 was a great reminder to me tonight. I need to forgive others just like Christ has forgiven me. How can I accept Christ’s forgiveness without also showing grace and forgiveness to others?
Regarding Exodus 4:24, there are certain passages in the bible that indicate that God is NOT to be trifled with when he’s made his instructions very clear. Moses knew very well that he disobeyed God by not circumcising his son, but he obviously thought too little of it at the time. I suspect he would’ve had his excuses.
Remember when God struck down Uzzah when he put out his hand to stabilize the ark? Uzzah’s motivations were pure but the way they were carrying the ark was not according to God’s clear instructions. Even David was taken aback at God’s actions for a seemingly innocent “mistake”. The book of Hebrews (chap 12) says God is a consuming fire. Is he ever!
Remember when Ananias & Sapphira lied about the amount they got for the sale of their land? Wow, I should be dead many times over and I think that goes for most of us. The moral is I believe, don’t ‘mess’ with God. While he is merciful and compassionate he is also firm and resolute. Witness the ruthless criticism Jesus directs at the Pharisees (he calls them whitewashed graves etc) and yet how tender and forgiving he is towards a sinful prostitute. The leaders of Israel should’ve known better and they did. In their case God hates the sin of hypocrisy and wants to erase it wherever it takes hold in no uncertain ways.
The point? I think Moses knew very well what he had to do because God’s Spirit was in him to a greater extent than most of us also because of the task that God had assigned him to do, namely, lead God’s chosen people. I think it’s also clear that Moses learned the lesson very well and applied what he learned about God (and the need for absolute obedience) for the remainder of his life as leader and teacher of the Israelites and what a great leader he was! Don’t forget, God conditions us for what he wants us to be and how much more so for a man like Moses who was to lead God’s rebellious people to the promised land. I’d say God did a phenomenal job conditioning his Moses for that task and He (God) didn’t do it by pussy footing around like we probably would. God expects unconditional obedience and not when we feel like it. I guess you might say that he takes appropriate action to make it happen. Those are his methods and his divine prerogative.
Obviously, there is a lesson in all these passages for us. Scary stuff…. In a way!
I also think that we should keep in mind that God knew Moses’ heart. Moses had an issue with obedience (as obvious by his numerous deferments and excuses) and God showed patience and love but he knew Moses’ heart. Perhaps, at that moment, Moses’ heart was not in the right place but then things were set right. We see so often people getting wiped out in these passages- women and children too-it may seem overly swift in judgement but God knows their heart- he doesn’t will for any to perish but evil is evil and unfortunately God can’t MAKE them be good. So while this may seem like a harsh moment from God, if we trust His judgement in all areas and in His decisions this far along, we can rest in knowing that He knew or saw something that we didn’t. Ultimately, it ended in a way that was happy but I think it shows how we need to guard our hearts. God won’t be mad at us in a moment of weakness but if we start to turn our hearts against him, I would expect him to respond. Perhaps in Moses’ knowing he was THISCLOSE to death, it helped to change his heart and make him more devoted to listening to God, even though he did stumble. I’m rambling here but basically I’m just saying, I see it as being a “heart issue” that we may never fully grasp but we can have faith it was done (and mentioned) for a reason.
Reading all your comments really helped me understand this better. Thanks ladies!
As I’ve pondered this, two things have jumped out at me: 1) as we read at the end of John (21:25), many other things may have happened that aren’t recorded in Exodus (such as God reminding Moses to circumcise his son, maybe?), and 2) that his wife, a Midianite (so not an Israelite, I believe?) immediately knew to circumcise their son–so, surely Moses knew he was supposed to as well, yet he didn’t.
Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
He knows what we need, even when we aren’t sure ourselves. This is such a comfort to me. In my darkest days, when I don’t know what to do, calling out to Him is enough.
Clare, may God continue to bless your discerning heart! To see ourself lacking in growth in God’s Word or relationship is a huge but wonderful step towards a beautiful beginning of openness, honesty and awesome progress with God our Father. I have finally pressed on with reading the Bible in a year (this is the farthest I have ever gotten!)
And with the “ugly” prayers you mentioned, every prayer to God is sweet words of surrender to his ears! To know that we are earnestly seeking him amidst our mess, brokeness and persevering with him…what could be more wonderful to him?! :)
I just wanted to say thank you to this community. This is my first time reading through scripture, and I am just coming to terms with my faith, the comments help me out so much!
I’m working on telling God the truth even when my prayers may be ugly, not trying to dress my self up as the perfect Christian (which I know I not having come to faith so late in life). He knows all my uglies before I say them yet he loves me any way. He wants our one on one time to be what I needs to say, not what I think he wants to hear.
I love red letters! My heart skips a beat when I get to them as I read… what could be more exciting than red letters from Jesus on Valentine’s Day? I love his voice and his expressions of loving guidance and direction for all of us! Words of life!
Annie I was thinking the same thing! Red letters make me feel closer to him!
When all seems lost, our God shows up in power. No trial or wickedness of man can overwhelm Him or cause Him to despair. He is stronger still.
Matthew 6:14-15 was a great reminder to me tonight. I need to forgive others just like Christ has forgiven me. How can I accept Christ’s forgiveness without also showing grace and forgiveness to others?
Exactly ❤ I’m in the same boat as well
Regarding Exodus 4:24, there are certain passages in the bible that indicate that God is NOT to be trifled with when he’s made his instructions very clear. Moses knew very well that he disobeyed God by not circumcising his son, but he obviously thought too little of it at the time. I suspect he would’ve had his excuses.
Remember when God struck down Uzzah when he put out his hand to stabilize the ark? Uzzah’s motivations were pure but the way they were carrying the ark was not according to God’s clear instructions. Even David was taken aback at God’s actions for a seemingly innocent “mistake”. The book of Hebrews (chap 12) says God is a consuming fire. Is he ever!
Remember when Ananias & Sapphira lied about the amount they got for the sale of their land? Wow, I should be dead many times over and I think that goes for most of us. The moral is I believe, don’t ‘mess’ with God. While he is merciful and compassionate he is also firm and resolute. Witness the ruthless criticism Jesus directs at the Pharisees (he calls them whitewashed graves etc) and yet how tender and forgiving he is towards a sinful prostitute. The leaders of Israel should’ve known better and they did. In their case God hates the sin of hypocrisy and wants to erase it wherever it takes hold in no uncertain ways.
The point? I think Moses knew very well what he had to do because God’s Spirit was in him to a greater extent than most of us also because of the task that God had assigned him to do, namely, lead God’s chosen people. I think it’s also clear that Moses learned the lesson very well and applied what he learned about God (and the need for absolute obedience) for the remainder of his life as leader and teacher of the Israelites and what a great leader he was! Don’t forget, God conditions us for what he wants us to be and how much more so for a man like Moses who was to lead God’s rebellious people to the promised land. I’d say God did a phenomenal job conditioning his Moses for that task and He (God) didn’t do it by pussy footing around like we probably would. God expects unconditional obedience and not when we feel like it. I guess you might say that he takes appropriate action to make it happen. Those are his methods and his divine prerogative.
Obviously, there is a lesson in all these passages for us. Scary stuff…. In a way!
Thank you Jamie! That’s beautiful… I’m so thankful God is merciful with me. Reminds me I need to be obedient in every little thing God requires of me.
I also think that we should keep in mind that God knew Moses’ heart. Moses had an issue with obedience (as obvious by his numerous deferments and excuses) and God showed patience and love but he knew Moses’ heart. Perhaps, at that moment, Moses’ heart was not in the right place but then things were set right. We see so often people getting wiped out in these passages- women and children too-it may seem overly swift in judgement but God knows their heart- he doesn’t will for any to perish but evil is evil and unfortunately God can’t MAKE them be good. So while this may seem like a harsh moment from God, if we trust His judgement in all areas and in His decisions this far along, we can rest in knowing that He knew or saw something that we didn’t. Ultimately, it ended in a way that was happy but I think it shows how we need to guard our hearts. God won’t be mad at us in a moment of weakness but if we start to turn our hearts against him, I would expect him to respond. Perhaps in Moses’ knowing he was THISCLOSE to death, it helped to change his heart and make him more devoted to listening to God, even though he did stumble. I’m rambling here but basically I’m just saying, I see it as being a “heart issue” that we may never fully grasp but we can have faith it was done (and mentioned) for a reason.
Reading all your comments really helped me understand this better. Thanks ladies!
As I’ve pondered this, two things have jumped out at me: 1) as we read at the end of John (21:25), many other things may have happened that aren’t recorded in Exodus (such as God reminding Moses to circumcise his son, maybe?), and 2) that his wife, a Midianite (so not an Israelite, I believe?) immediately knew to circumcise their son–so, surely Moses knew he was supposed to as well, yet he didn’t.
This was supposed to be in response to the discussions about exodus 4:24. I just posted it in the wrong spot!
Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
He knows what we need, even when we aren’t sure ourselves. This is such a comfort to me. In my darkest days, when I don’t know what to do, calling out to Him is enough.
Clare, may God continue to bless your discerning heart! To see ourself lacking in growth in God’s Word or relationship is a huge but wonderful step towards a beautiful beginning of openness, honesty and awesome progress with God our Father. I have finally pressed on with reading the Bible in a year (this is the farthest I have ever gotten!)
And with the “ugly” prayers you mentioned, every prayer to God is sweet words of surrender to his ears! To know that we are earnestly seeking him amidst our mess, brokeness and persevering with him…what could be more wonderful to him?! :)
I just wanted to say thank you to this community. This is my first time reading through scripture, and I am just coming to terms with my faith, the comments help me out so much!
I’m working on telling God the truth even when my prayers may be ugly, not trying to dress my self up as the perfect Christian (which I know I not having come to faith so late in life). He knows all my uglies before I say them yet he loves me any way. He wants our one on one time to be what I needs to say, not what I think he wants to hear.
Thank you for your honesty. I too am coming back to my faith late in life.