EXODUS 32:7-14

THE BACKGROUND

God’s chosen people have been released from slavery in Egypt, and are at the foot of Mount Sinai.  Moses has been up on the mountain, communicating with God.  He has been gone a long time.  The people have grown impatient.  They have collected gold from the people, and made an idol. 

THE DETAIL

  • God breaks the news to Moses.  Interestingly, He says “your people”, when referring to the people down in the encampment.  Earlier, in Exodus 5:1, God says “Let my  people go…” What has changed?  (vv. 7-8)
  • God is angry.  He calls the people “stiff-necked”.  What might that mean?  (v. 9)
  • He tells Moses to stand back, because he is going to obliterate them, and start over with Moses!  (v. 10)
  • Moses does not step back.  He “implores” God to reconsider.  I have just learned that this word “implore” means something a little deeper in the original Hebrew.  It means to be almost sick with humble intensity.  So then, Moses humbly urges God to reconsider.  He cleverly uses God’s own promises to change his mind. ( vv. 11-13)
  • Lo and behold, God does change his mind!  (v. 14)

THE TAKEAWAY

A few weeks ago, Abraham persuaded God to rethink His plans about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Now, we have another example.  This illustrates the willingness of God to listen to our requests, and perhaps change his plans.  I think it is key to remember “our place” when making these requests, and approach God with a humble spirit.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

What would it say about you, if God called you a stiff-necked person? How do we keep from having God call us one?
 

1 TIMOTHY 1:12-17

THE BACKGROUND

Timothy was one of Paul’s key people.  He was put in charge of several churches at various times.  He was with Paul on his second and third missionary trips. Paul wrote two letters of instruction to him.  In this portion of the first letter, Paul presents his own story.

THE DETAIL

  • Paul begins by expressing his gratitude in Jesus for appointing him to serve the Lord.  He gives Jesus all the credit.  He deserves none of the credit, for the reasons that will follow.  (v. 12)
  • He calls himself several unflattering names, including “a man of violence”.  (v. 13)
  • He was saved, purely by the free and abundant grace of God. (v. 14)
  • He calls himself the foremost (or worst) of sinners.  He goes on to say that this is why Jesus chose him for this mission; because he was such a bad sinner.  He used Paul as an example to show that no one is beyond forgiveness.  (vv. 15-16)
  • Because of this, he concludes his witness with praise for Jesus.

THE TAKEAWAY

Paul has to be one of the most influential Christians of all time. Yet, he is humble, calling himself the worst of all sinners.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

If Paul is that low, where does that put us?

 

LUKE 15:1-10

THE BACKGROUND

As Jesus works his way towards Jerusalem, he teaches and interacts with the people.  Some religious officials are starting to criticize Jesus.

 

A note about tax collectors.  These were members of the Jewish community who were employed by the Romans to collect taxes from the Jews.  They were, in effect, traitors to their own people.  To make matters worse, many tax collectors used this authority to overcharge, and skim off some for themselves.  Needless to say, they were not held in high regard in the community.

THE DETAIL

  • Part of the people who came to Jesus were tax collectors and other “sinners”.  No details are given.  They must have been undesirables, judging from what comes next. (v. 1)
  • The scribes and Pharisees (the righteous part of the community) notice these ruffians, and grumble.  They must have been pretty vocal, because Jesus overhears their grumbling. (v. 2)
  • He tells them two parables.  The first is the parable of the lost sheep.  The second one is the parable of the lost coin.  The point of both stories is the same, and is summarized in the last verse.  (vv. 3-9)
  • Jesus uses these two parables to illustrate the joy that exists in heaven over one of the “lost” souls being “found.  (v. 10)

THE TAKEAWAY

It is an east trap to fall into.  You attend church regularly.  You tithe. You serve God by serving those around you.  Then, some tacky person shows up in church, and expected to be treated like a normal person.  This is what Jesus does, and people grumble.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Are you a grumbler or a greeter?