When Moses was a baby, his mother took the extraordinary step of floating him in a basket down the Nile River (see Exod. 2:1-10). This was not a case of child endangerment; it was a matter of casting Moses on the mercy of G.o.d. However, Mosesa mother also exercised prudence by sending Mosesa older sister to keep an eye on the baby from the bank of the river. We are not told at this point the name of the sister, but later we find that Moses had a sister named Miriam and a brother named Aaron. So it is reasonable to a.s.sume that the sister in this story was Miriam.
Miriam was apparently called and gifted by the Lord to be a prophet. Aaron fulfilled a similar role. When Moses complained that his speaking abilities were limited and that he would rather not go to Pharaoh with G.o.das message, the Lord said, aAaron will be your spokesman to the people, and you will be as G.o.d to him, telling him what to saya (4:16). Later, the Lord amplified his calling of Aaron and said to Moses, aYour brother, Aaron, will be your prophet; he will speak for you. Tell Aaron everything I say to you and have him announce it to Pharaoha (7:1-2). There is no doubt that Miriam saw herself in the same light because with Aaron she stated, aHas the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasnat he spoken through us, too?a (Numbers 12:2). There is every reason to believe, therefore, that Miriamas ministry involved attending upon the Lord, hearing his word, and announcing it to the people.
After the enormous victory over the Egyptian army, Moses led the people in a asong to the Lorda (Exod. 15:1). Unfortunately, while we have the triumphant words of the song, we do not have the music. But we do know that it had rhythm! So much rhythm that Miriam grabbed a tambourine and aled all the women in rhythm and dancea while singing the chorus of the hymn (15:20).
It does not take a lot of imagination to recognize that if Miriam were to reappear and act in this manner in some segments of the church today, she would cause quite a stir! In others, she would be quite a hero. She would quickly become the center of controversy, because she engaged in a prophetic ministry, she used percussion in worship, and she felt it was appropriate to dance before the Lord!
Those of us who question such activities today would do well to consider Miriam, while those who would use her as a role model should remember that even prophets have faults, and gifted speakers sometimes get things wrong (see Numbers 12:1-16).
June 9
TO READ: Exodus 16:1-36
Daily Bread
And the LORD said to Moses, aI have heard the peopleas complaints. Now tell them, aIn the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your G.o.d.aa Exodus 16:11-12
There can be few sights more pitiful than that of starving children with distended bellies held in the arms of emaciated mothers whose sores are filled with flies. Through the medium of television, most people are familiar with such images, even if they have never traveled in famine regions.
It should not be difficult to imagine the fear that gripped the hearts of the Israelites as, one month into their wilderness march, they realized that they had no visible source of food. Famine stared them in the face. Understandably, they turned on Moses and told him, aOh, that we were back in Egypt. . . . It would have been better if the Lord had killed us there! At least there we had plenty to eata (Exod. 16:3).
Moses, quite rightly, was able to point out that it was not his fault that they were in such a perilous predicament. He had not wanted the job of bringing them into the wildernessa"it was G.o.das idea, so if anyone should be blamed it was the Lord! But at the same time, if G.o.d had brought them out of Egypt, presumably he had plans to care for them in the wilderness. This was the case, and the Lord said, aLook, I am going to rain down food from heaven for youa (16:4). He gave the people details about the daily supply, including specific instructions about gathering and storing the strange food. The Israelites called the food amanna,a which means awhat is it?a Even forty years later they still didnat know what it was!
The Lord intended to supply what they needed on a daily basis. So they should trust him to do that by collecting only one dayas food at a time and trusting him to provide double the amount on the eve of Sabbath, so they would not need to collect any on the day of rest. aBut, of course, some of them didnat listena (16:20). They thought they knew better, and they missed the opportunity to trust G.o.d.
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he included in the list of legitimate pet.i.tions, aGive us our food for todaya (Matt. 6:11). Jesus reminded his disciples that G.o.d can be trusted to give us what we need when we need it. He does not guarantee to meet our wants. He meets our needs! He does not promise a stocked fridgea"just todayas food. Daily we learn to trust and we discover contentment. Sadly, if, like the Israelites, we donat listen, our manna may turn to maggots (16:20).
June 10
TO READ: Exodus 17:1-7
Learning from History
Moses named the place Ma.s.saha"athe place of testingaa"and Meribaha"athe place of arguingaa"because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, aIs the LORD going to take care of us or not?a Exodus 17:7
Young people are rarely interested in history. Their past holds little of interest, and their future beckons alluringly. Older people show more interest in the subject. Their beckoning future is shorter than their fading past, so their interest in history is easily explained. But young people should realize that the lessons of history are designed to save them from mistakes in the future. As George Santayana stated, aThose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.a25 This is certainly true from a biblical perspective. Take, for instance, the incident at Ma.s.sah and Meribah. Water was in short supply, so the Israelites understandably were panicking. As usual, they vented their frustration on long-suffering Moses, who, once again, turned to the Lord for a solution, which the Lord immediately provided through a miraculous intervention. The Lord told Moses, aStrike the rock, and water will come pouring outa (Exod. 17:6). He did, and it did!
But by this time the Lordas patience was wearing thin. The redeemed people were atesting the Lorda (17:2). As a result of their habitual grumbling, distrusting, arguing, and defying the Lord, they eventually forfeited the right to enter the Land of Promise. Instead of enjoying the life they were intended to enjoy because of the Lordas bounty, they died in despair in the wilderness.
David, the psalm writer, using this incident from Israelas history, found it necessary to remind his contemporaries, aDonat harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Ma.s.sah in the wildernessa (Ps. 95:8). Without apology, he drew a profound lesson from Israelas past. He explained that in the same way the wilderness travelers rebelled against the Lord and perished in the wilderness, the people of his day were ahardening their heartsaand facing the same consequences. So he exhorted them, with anguish, aOh, that you would listen to his voice today!a (Ps. 95:7). More than a thousand years later, the writer to the Hebrews picked up on the incident, applied Davidas exhortation, and warned first-century Christians, aBe careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living G.o.da (Heb. 3:12).
The lesson from history is simply this: Donat take G.o.d for granted. Donat abuse his grace. Donat test his patience. Those who do so may discover his wrath. And that would mean, as the Lord said, athey will never enter my place of resta (Heb. 3:11). A relevant statement, whether or not you are interested in history! For if there is one thing people hope for, it is that they will eventually rest in peace.
June 11
TO READ: Psalm 34
The Shadow of Shame
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
Psalm 34:5
W.H. Auden, in one of his poems, talked about the afaces along the bara and how they reflected the lives of their owners, awho have never been happy or good.a26 Audenas insights were accurate. While some eyes dance with intelligence, more seem weary with looking. While smiles lurk perpetually at the corner of some lips, potential snarls curl downward on others. And the brows of many are permanently creased with furrows of worry, rather than displaying the relaxed muscles of a contented life.
David, the psalm writer, recognized that faces, including his own, tell a story. He talked about athose who look to [the Lord] for help will be radiant with joya (Ps. 34:5). He believed that looking to the Lord changes the way you look! Paul outlined a similar idea when he said, aWe can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even morea (2 Cor. 3:18).
Throughout his life David had been exposed to dangers and sorrows that had driven him deeper into a life of trust and dependence on the Lord. As a result, David was able to say, aI prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fearsa (Ps. 34:4). There was a definite connection between looking to the Lord in prayer and the radiant joy on Davidas face when delivered from the fears that had gripped him. Facial muscles long accustomed to being knotted with tension were relaxed by joy, and David became radiant!
In the past, fear had contorted Davidas features, and shame had darkened his face. The burden of unforgiven sin had shown with the heaviness of unrelieved shame. But as he had looked to the Lord for forgiveness, he had been relieved of guilt and released from shame. And he promised others that if they, too, looked to the Lord, ano shadow of shame [would] darken their facesa (34:5). The furtive look that fears exposure would flee, and the worried frown that dreads discovery would disappear.
When all has been exposed and forgiven, there is nothing to fear. Release and relief are free to relax the face, and smiles are born.
The faces along the bar of life belong to people looking for solace in their pain, longing for friendship in their loneliness, hoping for joy in the midst of their disappointments. They need a smile, a touch, a message of encouragement. Who better to bring it than the man who can say with conviction, aTaste and see that the Lord is gooda (34:8).
June 12
TO READ: Hebrews 6:1-12
Spiritual Progress
So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. . . . G.o.d willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
Hebrews 6:1, 3
After a young mother had safely tucked her small child into bed, said prayers, taken him his drink of water, and finally returned downstairs for a few quiet moments on her own, she heard a thump on the floor above. She rushed into her childas bedroom and found him lying dazed on the floor. Picking him up she asked, aWhat happened?a He replied, aI fell out of the bed because I stayed too near where I got in.a The recipients of the letter to the Hebrews were in similar danger, as far as their newfound faith in Christ was concerned. They had been introduced to athe basics of Christianityaa"such things as aturning away from evil deeds,a placing afaith in G.o.d,a ainstruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.a Now it was time for them to abecome mature in [their] understandinga (Heb. 6:1-2). Not for a moment was it suggested that these matters were insignificant. In fact, they were (and are) of prime importance for the life of faith. But there is more, much more, to be discovered and experienced. Not to press on is to stay too near where one got in!
The writer of the letter went on to outline the dire consequences of spiritual indifference and carelessness. Such an att.i.tude can harden one into outright apostasy. The things that once were held dear are denied, and love of Christ, which once motivated and mobilized a life of trust and obedience, degenerates into anger, antipathy, and hostility toward Christ and his cause.
The issues raised here address the condition of those who intentionally reject what they previously embraced and deny what they formerly affirmed. Should they reject Christas love, anailing the Son of G.o.d to the cross againa (6:6), there is no other basis for their forgiveness. Should they deny the gracious work of the Spirit, there is no other dynamic to draw them back to the Savior.
There is no suggestion here that those who genuinely love the Lord and who seek, however inadequately, to serve him, and who are all too aware of their lack of faith and worry about their inconsistent life, should live in dread of slipping out of grace. aG.o.d is not unfaira (6:10). He knows our fallenness and understands our struggles.
The man who determines not to stay too close to where he got in need never fear he will lapse into apostasy. G.o.d will hold him fast.
June 13
TO READ: Hebrews 6:13-20
Anchor for the Soul
G.o.d has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for G.o.d to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence. This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain of heaven into G.o.das inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:18-19
A symbol points beyond itself to something significant. For instance, the flag of the United States symbolizes the fifty current states with stars and the thirteen original states with bars. The most common symbol of the Christian faith is the cross, which points unerringly to the central doctrine of Christianitya"that the Lord Jesus died and rose again for our redemption. But in the early days of the Christian church, other important symbols were commonly used. In the catacombs of Rome, where large numbers of Christians were buried, the murals painted there often depicted a dove, a fish, and an anchor. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, the Greek word for fish is an acrostic of the Greek words for aJesus Christ G.o.das Son Savior,a and the anchor depicts security in the storms of life.
The writer of Hebrews chose the symbol of the anchor to speak about the truthfulness of G.o.das Word, the certainty of his promises, and the integrity of his person. Abraham proved a great example. When the Lord reiterated to the patriarch that he planned to give him many descendants, he said, aBecause you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son, I swear by my own self that I will bless you richlya (Gen. 22:16-17). G.o.d not only promised; he underlined the promise by swearing an oath by himselfa"for no greater oath was possiblea"that he would do as he promised. And eventually he did!
This example, and many others down through history, should suffice to convince even the most skeptical heart that what G.o.d says, he means; what he promises, he does; and what he commits to do, he is perfectly willing and able to accomplish.
Recognizing this does something for a manas confidence. If he has afled to [the Lord] for refuge, [he] can take new courage, for [he] can hold on to his promise with confidencea (Heb. 6:18). No matter how lacking he might be in confidence in his own abilities, such a man has no grounds for doubting G.o.das capabilities. Regardless of how untrustworthy he has found men to be, he knows in his heart the Lordas integrity. So he faces life with hope and confronts challenges with confidence. He knows that, as he relies on who the Lord is and counts on what the Lord has promised, his anchor will hold. The storms may blow, his anchor holds. Life may drag, his anchor wonat!
June 14
TO READ: Hebrews 7:1-14
A Man Called Melchizedek
Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized how great Melchizedek was by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle.
Hebrews 7:4
The relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament has been described as follows: aThe New is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed.a There are good grounds for believing this is an accurate a.s.sessment of the relationship, as can readily be seen from the way Jesus aquoted pa.s.sages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himselfa (Luke 24:27), and from the way Old Testament pa.s.sages were interpreted in the New Testament to show that they held messages that would only be understood in New Testament times.
An example of the Old Testament being revealed in the New is found in the interpretation of the story of Melchizedek. This rather enigmatic figure appeared briefly in the biblical record when he encountered Abraham after Abrahamas famous victory over five kings (Genesis 14:17-20). Melchizedek was aking of the city of Salem and also a priest of G.o.d Most Higha (Heb. 7:1). He blessed Abraham for what he had done. Abraham, in turn, gave Melchizedek 10 percent of his spoils. There is no record of Melchizedekas parentage or progeny, and his name means aking of justice.a aSalem,a the name of the city over which he reigned, means apeace.a Those are the details, spoken and unspoken, which the writer of Hebrews applies to Christ. Because Melchizedek received t.i.thes from Abraham and gave a blessing to Abraham, he was seen as superior to Abraham. And because there is no record of his parentage or progeny, he is seen typologically as living on. In addition, because Levi, the father of the Jewish priesthood, was, as it were, ain Abrahamas loinsa (7:10), Levias priesthood was inferior to the priesthood of Melchizedek, precisely because Abraham was inferior to Melchizedek!
It must be admitted that this interpretation is hard for Westerners to grasp. The application of this story by the writer of Hebrews uses typology, a method of interpreting Scripture that is not commonly used today, even though the method was common in the early days of the church. The point of all this in Hebrews was to show that the Jewish (Levitical) priesthood was incapable of offering the salvation which only the eternal priesthood of Jesus (Melchizedek) could provide. Therefore, the Jewish people who had been attracted to Christ but were in danger of drifting away from him should recognize that only Christ can offer salvation. Should they turn away from him, they would find hope in no other system. This is something that Jesus himself underlined when he insisted, aI am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through mea (John 14:6).
June 15
TO READ: Hebrews 7:15-28
Jesus, the High Priest
Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to G.o.d through him. He lives forever to plead with G.o.d on their behalf.
Hebrews 7:24-25