When I see the blood I will pass over you

One of the things about reading through the Bible in a year is that you get to revisit the important therms of the Bible in a systematic way. This morning's quote from Exodus 12:23 reminded me of the centrality of the blood in redemption and deliverance. The angel of death was about to strike all the firstborn of Egypt, and the Lord had told the children of Israel to slay a lamb and “strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood” (verse 22), and when the angel saw the blood he would pass over that household and “not allow the destroyer to come into your houses.” It is worthy of note that the parents did the striking, but the whole household would be saved (see Joshua 24:15d). This passage is perhaps the clearest initial picture of forgiveness of sins, deliverance and salvation through blood sacrifice. Things in the Old Testament are said to be a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ (Colossians 2:17).

Isaiah tells us the inconvenient truth that “all we like sheep have gone astray,” and Jesus identifying with us as sheep was “led as a lamb to the slaughter,” and the Lord was in effect laying “on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6,7). The same chapter tells us “He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors,” and in doing so “bore the sin of many” (verse 12). The Name “Jesus” does not appear in this Chapter of course, but in case we are left in any doubt John the Baptist seeing Jesus exclaims “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Also when the Ethiopian eunuch inquires who Isaiah 53 is speaking about, we read that Philip preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:34, 35).

The sacrificial system of ancient Israel was part of the shadow of things that were to come. The idea is of substitution for sin. The sacrifices of sheep and goats and bulls and lambs foreshadowed the reality of Christ's atoning sacrifice of our sin. It is through His sacrifice that the sins of those who trust in Him for salvation are made holy (justified). That it was shadow and not realty is spoken of clearly in Hebrews. “It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sin (10:4), however “Without the shedding of blood there is not forgiveness of sins” (9:22). And “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). It is a divine exchange, He took on our sin, and gave us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Father, it is by these tender mercies of Your that Paul admonishes us to present ourselves as living sacrifices, and suggests that this is the only reasonable response to all that You have done (Romans 12:1 NKJV). And so Lord I present myself to You again this morning Lord to use me as You will for Your Kingdom and I will give You all the honour, glory and praise in Jesus Name Amen

Tell your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt

Two things stood out to me in this morning's readings, the first,  in the title,  from Exodus 10:2.  The second “Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed” (Psalm 25:2, 3).  The context of the first is towards the end of the plagues of Egypt.  The Lord was telling Moses that one of the reasons He was doing these things,  was so that Israel would have something of the wonderful works of God, to tell their children and their children's children. It is God's nature to deliver His people, and since God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), then His testimonies are the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:20). In other words,  the testimony of what God has done, is an invitation to believe that He will do it again.

One of the commonalities between what caught my attention this morning,  is deliverance. The first is about delivery from slavery in Egypt, the second of  David from his enemies.   The deliverances are both in the future, and David's petition (let none  who wait on You be ashamed) is not only for all of us who are waiting for deliverance, but also for all who are waiting on God for the fulfillment of His promises.  God is faithful and, thinking again of His nature, we read “eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4). In this instant society,  where there it a pill for every ail, we are not very good at waiting. Our focus tends to be on the bottom line,  the goal at the end of the road.  But God is every bit as interested in the journey, as He is in the deliverance, or  in the fulfillment of His promise.

But what does it mean to wait on Him? Well for one thing, it's not passive. In His waiting David petitions the Lord to “Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation” (verses 4, 5). David sees the waiting as an opportunity to learn God's ways. We too need to see these things as an opportunity to learn and to draw near to God, and so claim His promise that He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Waiting is also about faith, we choose to trust that since He has delivered in the past, He will deliver,  and continue to deliver (2 Corinthians 1:10).  We will not experience deliverance if there is nothing from which we need to be delivered. And so in such times we need to learn to press in,  and to take advantage of all the Lord is wanting to show us and to do in us. Waiting in faith is progressive and experiential,  as we truly come to know in our innermost being,  that He is working all things together for our good.

Father, thank You this morning Lord,  for the many things You have done in my life. Thank You that You lifted me out a a desolate pit, and put a song of praise in my mouth. Lord may my testimony help many to see and fear and put their trust in You (Psalm 40:1-3). And Lord let none reading this blog ever come to shame,   as they wait on You in Jesus Name Amen

The earth is the LORD’S, and all that fills it

As the second part of this verse from Psalm 24:1 makes clear, this includes all “those who dwell therein.” Those who live under a brutal dictatorship know their place well, they know that if they step out of line they are in big trouble. Thankfully God is not a brutal dictator, but rather He is patient and longsuffering with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). But let's make no mistake about it, the earth and all that fills it belongs to Him and He has the right to do with it exactly as He pleases. Again I am thankful this morning that our beautiful God is the very essence of love and of all the positive qualities, and more that mankind is capable of exhibiting. But again let's make no mistake about it, our God is a consuming fire to those who ultimately resist Him (Hebrews 12:29). And since in our unregenerate state the imagination of all of our hearts are continually towards evil (Genesis 6:5), then it is only by His Mercy that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22).

The Lord made mankind in His image, in His likeness in order that He might have fellowship with us. And throughout the Bible He continually invites us up to fellowship wth Him. In this morning's Psalm He asks “Who may stand in His holy place?” He answers “He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (verse 3b, 4a). One of the purposes of the Old Testament is to demonstrate that without the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit in our lives this is impossible. In fact the Law was there to teach us that it is impossible without Christ and therefore we need to come to Him for salvation (Galatians 3:24). All who will may come, and drink freely from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). We do need to realize however that when we come we are no longer our own, we are bought with a price, and that we should honour God with our bodies as living sacrifices (1 Corinthians 6:20; Romans 12:1).

Scripture knows nothing of a salvation that allows you to do what you want after you get saved. We are either slaves of sin, or slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:20). And we get to choose! Leaving aside the question of what happens to those who have not heard (but see Genesis 18:25), there is only one way to the Father (John 14:6). It is black and white, if we do not choose Christ, we choose the same side as the brutal dictator, the same side as those who feel they are masters of their fate, captain of their souls. And God will not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3), but rather like Pharaoh who after harden his heart many times God may choose to use you as a vessel of wrath for His purposes. After all, the earth is the LORD’S, and everyone in it!

Father the thought comes to mind that the ox knows its master, but oh so often Your people do not understand what is means that You are God and the earth is Yours and all its fullness. Teach us humility Lord and our proper place in You so that we may honour and glorify You as we aught in Jesus Name Amen

Since I spoke to Pharaoh in Your name, he has done evil to this people

The Lord had sent Moses to Pharaoh to tell him “Let my people go,” and Pharaoh calling the people lazy,  had laid more work on the Israelites.  Their response was to complain to Moses,  that he had “made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh,” and that he had done evil to them (Exodus 5:1, 8, 9, 23). So Moses and Aaron were getting pushback from both sides. It is the nature of leadership. I remember a friend of mine saying tongue in cheek that when God wants to punish a man he makes him a pastor!

So Moses in turn complains to the Lord asking the age old question that we tend to ask in times of difficulty “Why?” The Lord knew this was going to happen of course, and he answers him “I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (6:6,7). What the Lord was saying, is that through the pain and difficulty of it all, not in spite of it all, but through it all,  the children of Israel would know two things, firstly who they were and whose they were, and secondly they would actually know  that God is God.  In other words the trials would send doubt running!

I am reminded of the song “Through it all” by Andrae Crouch. "I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow .... But in every situation, God gave me blessed consultation, that my trials come to only make me strong."  And “For if I'd never had a problem, I wouldn't know God could solve them, I'd never know what faith in God could do.” The Lord told us clearly “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The only relevant question is how we respond.

Father as I come to You this morning the verse “But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble'" (James 4:6).  We need Your help  Lord to be careful not to fall short of this Grace (Hebrews 12:15).  So we come to You boldly before the throne of Grace again this morning, that we might find mercy and Grace to help in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16) in Jesus Name Amen

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart

God was sending Moses to Pharaoh telling him to “let my people go.” And here God was telling Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart to refuse (Exodus 7:3). He would eventually of course, after the final plague that killed all the firstborn of Egypt. But even then Pharaoh would change his mind (14:8). Hardening of the heart is often about choosing not to be compassionate or merciful, choosing to act in my own best interest, rather than responding to the needs of others. In Pharaoh's case it was about refusing to let the children of Israel go in spite of the miraculous signs that showed him that God is God.

It hardly seems faith that God would harden Pharaoh's heart, and then punish him for acting in accordance with it. But it's important to notice the sequence:- “When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them” (8:15); and “But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go” (8:32). The Lord had demonstrated that He is God with what has become known as the plagues of Egypt. And at first Pharaoh had humbled himself in compliance, and Pharaoh's hardening his heart was after miraculous demonstrations of God's power. And it is only after this, that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (9:12). I am reminded of Jesus words “Woe to you, Chorazin, ... Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Matthew 11:21).

Jesus had indeed done mighty works in Chorazin, ... Bethsaida (i.e Mark 8:22ff). I have heard people say that if there were miracles today, then they would believe. I have often replied “There's testimony after testimony of miracles today, but you don't believe them.” Indeed Jesus said words to the effect that if you don't believe Moses and the prophets, neither will you believe even if one is raised from the dead (Luke 16:31). Unbelief and hardening of the heart come because we suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). If I want to commit adultery and God says it's wrong, either my adultery will go, or I will harden my heart in unbelief. As to thinking it unfair Paul asks “Who are you O man to answer against God? ....What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” (Romans 9:20, 22). Likewise His mercy “prepared beforehand for glory” (verse 23).

Father, Paul asks “Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Why have you made me like this?'” This morning's verse seems so out of tune with the spirit of the age that is all about me, my wants, my rights, my entitlement! This thing called free will is precious Lord, but it is also very dangerous. We can choose to shake out fists in the face of the One who has all power and authority. And like Pharaoh when we persistently choose against You, You will give us our way. I am grateful Lord for Your longsuffering towards me, for it took much pain, the huge consequences of my sin before I was willing to bow my knee. And I want to thank You Lord this morning, for Your persistence in continuing to call until I came, in Jesus Name Amen

I AM WHO I AM

Both the Hebrew, and the Greek references to the name of God (YHWH) given to Moses (Exodus 3:14), are difficult to translate. In fact any one of the following translations of the Hebrew are correct:- I am what I am, I am who I am, I will be what I will be, I will be who I will be. The meaning is even more complicated, but before I say more, I want to mention that names in Hebrew indicate essence. So the meanings include “I am the essence of being,” 'I am the essence of self sufficiency,' “I am the essence of self existence,' “I am the essence of presence.” Since God exists outside of time , one of the implications of the Name is that He always existed, and He does not change (Malachi 3:6).

The Lord was sending Moses to tell Pharaoh “Let my people go.” This Pharaoh was not the Pharaoh of the Joseph story in Genesis. This Pharaoh did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8), and had subjected the children of Israel to hard and bitter slavery (1:13,14). Like many supreme leaders Pharaoh acknowledged no power or authority greater than himself. Up until this point Moses and the children of Israel knew God only as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Now God was sending Moses to them telling them He was going to deliver them (3:15-17). The New Name was a new revelation of who God is,  and he was about  to demonstrate the Name, indicating that He alone is the supreme higher power. It is a lesson many of us need to learn. Like Pharaoh did “every knee shall bow and every tongue confess” this (Isaiah 45:23). And surly it is better to do it sooner,  when it comes with the offer of salvation and life and health and peace, than to do it later, either when we have messed up and need deliverance from our foolishness, or at the time of the final judgement when salvation is no longer available.

But this Name also clearly shows that Jesus claimed to be God. In John 8:58 He tells the Jews “Before Abraham was, I am.” They knew full well what He was saying, because they took up stones to stone Him (verse 59). The Greek also makes it clear. “I am” here, translates the Greek “ego eimi.” Eimi itself means “I am,” and “ego” means “I,” so Jesus is saying “I, I am.” Anyone wanting to say “I am, simply says “eimi,” and so, as I say, they knew exactly what He was claiming. This construction is found in multiple places. I am the bred of life, I am the light of the world, I am the way the truth and the life etc. (John 6:35; 8:12' 14:6). C.S. Lewis comments that if Jesus was not who He claimed to be,  He was either a liar or a lunatic. If you reject those two options,  then He must be who He says He is, the Lord of heaven and earth.

Father, because the Lord Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death, You exalted Him and gave Him the unique Name that is above every name, that at this Name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord to Your Glory (Philippians 2:8-11). And so I voluntarily bow my knee now while it is still called today. It is the only reasonable thing to do, and I give You Glory in Jess Name Amen

Jesus took Peter, James, and John ...

Peter, James, and John were the inner three of Jesus' inner circle of twelve. The tile phrase is from this morning's readings in Matthew 17:1. This is where Jesus is transformed on the mountain before their eyes. There is much to say about that of course, but this morning my thoughts went to the relationships of the man Christ Jesus. I had whispered to the Lord that if I had been one of the twelve, I would also like to have been one of the inner three.  And  He whispered back “You are my son!” I don't know how each and every one of us can be His favourite (yes you too), but I know it's true, for He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). It is also one of the reasons it is better for us that He went to the Father (John 16:7). 

I have often tried to treat everyone alike, but it struck me this morning, that the man Jesus (as opposed to Jesus operating as God) didn't do that. I am not saying that He did not deal with everybody in love, but when He took the three onto the mountain, there were nine of His inner circle who were excluded. I have 4,361 close friends on facebook - not really, I am exaggerating.  And in any case, you cannot have 4,361 close friends. Jesus had twelve, and among the twelve there were three who were especially close. It is very easy to get caught up in numbers. I am not saying that mega churches are wrong, but in such places, it is too easy to get lost in the crowd. We can be lonely in the midst of it all.

It is interesting to me that research has shown that we can be reasonably close to about twelve people, but really close to just a few. Jesus somehow knew this of course and that is likely why He chose just twelve. But note,  the choosing was a matter of prayer (Luke 6:12, 13). These things need to inform how we do church,  and how we mentor. In particular we all need to be part of a small group (read about 12) of people who meet regularly, and also of an even smaller group of our most intimate circle. And part of this is to realize we can't be close friends with everybody. We are human and we need to acknowledge our human limitations. I don't pretend, for example, to be able to fly!

Father, it seems to me that Paul was taking up Jesus' example when he told Timothy “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will also be qualified to teach others.” Father I ask this morning that You give each one of us a Paul to his Timothy. And help us to be faithful too Lord in Jesus Name Amen