From the reading today some people have concluded that Moses changed God's mind. Moses argued his case with God and God conceded. If this were true then what I have just said about God is not true. So, since what I said is true (feel free to challenge this!!) we must ask ourselves what else could be going on here? Is God working in Moses (who after all is like all of us, a sinner in desperate need of God) and not the other way around? Is there something we can learn about God and His desire for us from this exchange? As we read remember this interplay is not between equals but rather between God Almighty and a finite man.
God: How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? [remember God is omniscient He already knows the answer; this is a rhetorical question! We must not (and cannot) impose on God our emotions, weaknesses and responses or we will misread the text - God is not confused or flustered; He's up to something. But what?]
God: I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.” [Think about that - Is God offering Moses a big promotion? Is God saying He is willing to make Moses bigger than Abraham? Hmmm ... God is up to something. But what?]
Moses: But then the Egyptians will hear of it. If You slay this people then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say You slaughtered them because You could not do as You promised. [So Moses uses a pride/vanity argument and this is why God changes His mind? Seriously? Not likely! Key point: Moses does not jump at the promotion; he defends the people God gave Him. God has drawn something out of Moses by this challenge.]
Moses: But now, I pray, show Your power is as great as You said. Show that You are who You are; that You are slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression. I'm not judging and saying if there should be consequences or not; but please pardon them, I pray, for their crimes and stupidity not because of who they are and what they did, but because You love them and You are merciful and You act in Grace. [In this exchange Moses comes to remember and define for himself who God is and who he is before God - God is educating Moses so he at least glimpses God's righteousness. God will do what was planned all along but now Moses sees and will submit to God's greater wisdom. The penalty and sentence God hands down is harsh, but Moses knows it is also just.]
The Teaching of Jesus through the writing of Paul:
Today God, teach us to see You in all things as You are. Let us be Your people singing songs of praise and thanksgiving in the good and easy times and in the bad and hard times also. You are God and Your perfect will is what we seek. May all glory be Yours, Amen.
God: How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst? [remember God is omniscient He already knows the answer; this is a rhetorical question! We must not (and cannot) impose on God our emotions, weaknesses and responses or we will misread the text - God is not confused or flustered; He's up to something. But what?]
God: I will smite them with pestilence and dispossess them, and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they.” [Think about that - Is God offering Moses a big promotion? Is God saying He is willing to make Moses bigger than Abraham? Hmmm ... God is up to something. But what?]
Moses: But then the Egyptians will hear of it. If You slay this people then the nations who have heard of Your fame will say You slaughtered them because You could not do as You promised. [So Moses uses a pride/vanity argument and this is why God changes His mind? Seriously? Not likely! Key point: Moses does not jump at the promotion; he defends the people God gave Him. God has drawn something out of Moses by this challenge.]
Moses: But now, I pray, show Your power is as great as You said. Show that You are who You are; that You are slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression. I'm not judging and saying if there should be consequences or not; but please pardon them, I pray, for their crimes and stupidity not because of who they are and what they did, but because You love them and You are merciful and You act in Grace. [In this exchange Moses comes to remember and define for himself who God is and who he is before God - God is educating Moses so he at least glimpses God's righteousness. God will do what was planned all along but now Moses sees and will submit to God's greater wisdom. The penalty and sentence God hands down is harsh, but Moses knows it is also just.]
The Teaching of Jesus through the writing of Paul:
I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were ... [Note: I have left out text here. Please look it up; link below] ... all drinking from a spiritual rock and that rock is Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Today God, teach us to see You in all things as You are. Let us be Your people singing songs of praise and thanksgiving in the good and easy times and in the bad and hard times also. You are God and Your perfect will is what we seek. May all glory be Yours, Amen.
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