Exodus 13
Firstborn belong to the LORDverses 1-2
And the LORD spoke unto Moses
saying
SANCTIFY to ME all the FIRSTBORN
whatsoever opens the womb among the children of Israel
both of man and of beast – it is MINE
Celebrate Feast of Unleavened Bread annuallyverses 3-7
And Moses said to the people
Remember this day – in which you came out from Egypt
out of the house of BONDAGE
FOR by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place
there shall no LEAVENED bread be eaten
This day came you out in the month Abib
And it shall be when the LORD shall bring you into the land of the
Canaanites – Hittites – Amorites – Hivites – Jebusites
which HE swore unto your fathers to give you
a land FLOWING with milk and honey
that you shall keep this service in
this month
Seven days you shall eat UNLEAVENED bread
and in the seventh day shall be a FEAST to the LORD
UNLEAVENED bread shall be eaten seven days
and there shall no LEAVENED bread be seen with you
neither shall there be LEAVEN seen with you
in all your quarters
Inform children why celebrating Feastverses 8-10
And you shall show your son in that day
saying
This is done because of that which the LORD did to me
when I came forth out of Egypt
And it shall be for a SIGN to you upon your hand
and for a MEMORIAL between your eyes
that the LORD’S law may be in your mouth
FOR with a strong hand has the LORD
brought you out of Egypt
You shall therefore keep this ORDINANCE
in his season from year to year
Firstborn to be presented to LORDverses 11-13
And it shall be when the LORD shall bring you into the
land of the Canaanites – as HE swore to you
and to your fathers – and shall give it you
That you shall SET APART to the LORD all that opens the MATRIX
and every FIRSTLING that comes of the beast which you have
the MALE shall be the LORD’S
And every FIRSTLING of an ass you shalt REDEEM with a lamb
and IF you will not REDEEM it
THEN you shall break his neck
and all the FIRSTBORN of man among your children shall
you REDEEM
Explain to children why they are dedicated to LORDverses 14-16
And it shall be when you son asks you in time to come
saying
What is this? that you shall say to him
by strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt
from the house of bondage
and it came to pass when Pharaoh would hardly let us go
that the LORD slew all the FIRSTBORN
in the land of Egypt
both the FIRSTBORN of man
and the FIRSTBORN of beast
THEREFORE I sacrifice to the LORD all that opens the MATRIX
being MALES
BUT all the FIRSTBORN of my children I REDEEM
And it shall be for a TOKEN upon your hand
and for frontlets between your eyes
FOR by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt
LORD led children of Israelverses 17-18
And it came to pass – when Pharaoh had let the people go
that God led them not through the way of the
land of the Philistines – although that was NEAR
FOR God said
Lest peradventure the people REPENT when they see war
and they RETURN to Egypt
BUT God led the people about
through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea
and the children of Israel went up
HARNESSED out of the
land of Egypt
Bones of Joseph taken with children of Israelverse 19
And Moses took the BONES of Joseph with him
for he had strictly sworn the children of Israel
saying
God will surely visit you
and you shall carry up my BONES
away hence with you
LORD guided children of Israelverses 20-22
And they took their journey from Succoth – and encamped in Etham
in the edge of the wilderness
And the LORD went before them by DAY in a PILLAR of a CLOUD
to lead them the way
and by NIGHT in a PILLAR of FIRE
to give them light
to go by DAY and NIGHT
HE took not away the PILLAR of the CLOUD by DAY
NOR the PILLAR of FIRE by NIGHT
from before the people
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatsoever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both man and of beast: it is mine. ((6942 “sanctify” [qadash] means appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, holy, or purify)
DEVOTION: The final plague that the LORD sent on the people of Egypt was to have the firstborn of each household killed by the destroyer. HE also killed the firstborn of every animal. It was a night to remember. All through the land of Egypt there was crying over the loss of a loved one. The people of Egypt encouraged the children of Israel to leave their land. Pharaoh told them to leave.
However, God spared the firstborn of the children of Israel and their cattle. This was a great deliverance. It was a deliverance to be remembered. There was a feast established for the children of Israel to remember this occasion in their history. They were to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread annually. Part of this celebration was the Passover meal.
When HE instructed Moses regarding their future in the land of Canaan, HE told him that the firstborn of man and animal belonged to HIM. That was the price they had to pay for their freedom from the land of bondage. The LORD had a claim on all the firstborn of man and beast as HE spared them in Egypt.
The firstborn was to be given to the LORD or redeemed. The children of Israel could pay money, or in the case of animals give a different animal. These individuals and animals were to be set apart for God. This was a command of the LORD. If they didn’t honor this command there would be judgment.
Christ, who gave HIS BLOOD for our redemption has redeemed us. We are brought with a price. The price was the second person of the Godhead coming to earth and dying on the cross for our sins. HE was sinless but we are sinners. HE was divine but we are human. The only sacrifice that the Father could accept was a sinless sacrifice. There was no other way to have us redeemed except by HIS Son on the cross. HE died in our place, so that, we could have a place in the family of God.
Once we become a follower of Christ we accept the purchase that HE made with HIS BLOOD. The LORD has a claim on us. The whole Old Testament Passover is a symbol of the coming sacrifice of Christ on the cross. We have to thank HIM for our salvation daily. Lest we forget that we are purchased with such a great and wonderful sacrifice.
CHALLENGE: Remember that without the sacrifice of Christ we would spend eternity in the lake of fire. Without HIS sacrifice we would still be slaves to sin. We have victory through Christ. Celebrate that victory by praising HIS name!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 8 And you shall show your son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did to me when I came forth out of Egypt. (5046 “show” [nagad] means tell, declare, utter, expound, report, declare, announce, to give evidence, or let something be known)
DEVOTION: There should be a reason we worship the LORD in a certain way. There should be a way to explain why we worship the way we do each Sunday.
The LORD wanted parents to explain to them why they celebrated the Passover. They were to explain to them what happened and why the feast was established before their time.
History is important. Correct communicating what had happened was important to the LORD. HE wanted each generation to know the truth concerning the feast and the reason for the feast.
The Israelites were commanded to celebrate together three feast that the LORD had established each year. These feasts were to help their children understand the history of Israel and why they were trusting in the LORD.
The same is true regarding our conversation. We should communicate to our children when we became a believers and how the LORD has worked in our life throughout our time in HIS service.
Once you repeat your story to your children they will understand why it is important for you to go to church and why they should attend church. Part of the reason to repeat your time of asking Jesus into your heart is so that they would want to make the same commitment.
Our lives make a difference if we are serving the LORD faithfully. Our children will see if this is true. We can fake others out but our children see us each day and know how we really act.
CHALLENGE: If they see Jesus in our life they will have a reason to ask Jesus in their life. Set a good example for your children and their friends
: 12 And it shall be for a sign unto you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD’S law may be in your mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought you out of Egypt. (226 “sign” [’owth] means tokens, ensign, mark, miracle, bring to mind covenant obligation, pledge or witness)
DEVOTION: The Feast of Unleavened Bread was to be a sign of what happened in Egypt. It was to be a memorial service that would cause the children to question the reason for the feast. The future generations had to know what took place in Egypt, so that, they would trust the LORD to work in their lifetime in the same manner.
When the LORD does something good in the life of HIS followers they need to share the event with others who will listen. We are not to keep silent when the LORD has shown us HIS presence in our life.
The children of Israel were not to keep silent regarding the work of the LORD in the past. HE commanded them to share it with others. The same command should be honored today. Our children need to see the LORD working in the life of their family. They need to know that trusting the LORD brings blessing. This can be taught in many ways by parents to their children.
When the LORD answers prayers the children can see God working in the family. They need to learn to pray for things that they really need. They need to pray for those they love for their salvation. They need to pray for the church to reach their neighborhood for the LORD.
Children are to ask questions and parents are to give them answers as to how the LORD has worked in the lives of them and those they know. Our mouth should be filled with events that show the LORD working in our world.
CHALLENGE: When you see the LORD working in your life or those around you share this truth with others. Be the witness the LORD wants you to be to the next generation.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. (5162 “repent” [nacham] means to regret, to be sorry, to console oneself, to comfort, to groan, be moved to pity, suffer grief, or be comforted.)
DEVOTION: The LORD knows our nature. HE knew that the children of Israel were weak. HE knew what they would think if they were set on a coarse to fight right away. HE took them the long way around to the Promised Land.
Sometime it seems like the LORD is leading us through a wilderness before we get to the Promised Land in our life. There are many little battles that we have to fight in order to gain the strength for the big fights that HE is going to allow in our life.
Once we see HIM work in the little battles we can trust HIM for victory in the big battles. HE gave them directions to follow. HE gave them signs to show them the way HE wanted them to go.
There were clouds in the daytime to show which way to go and fire at night. They only moved when the cloud or fire moved. If it stood still they didn’t move. We have the same things happening in our life. We have to watch for open doors and closed doors.
It would be easier to see a cloud or fire but Paul seemed to understand when a door was closed and when one was open. We have to stay close to the LORD and then we will understand when HE wants us to move or do something for HIM.
God knows our nature and will not put more in our life than we can take. HE did the same with the children of Israel but many times they failed to follow HIS leading. We sadly do the same at times.
Praise the LORD HE doesn’t give up on us. We are HIS people and our Savior Jesus Christ is speaking to the Father regarding us. HE is defending us. HE has made many promises to us. We have to learn to trust HIM and watch HIM work in our life. The blessings are available.
CHALLENGE: Our time in heaven is guaranteed with our personal commitment to HIM. This earth is not our home!!! Heaven and the NEW JERUSALEM is our Promised Land.
: 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. (5982 “pillar” [ʿammuwd] means 1 pillar, column. 1a pillar. 1b column, upright. 1c column (of smoke). [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: Ever been some place new, and have to consult a map (or check your GPS)? You feel as though you aren’t sure or don’t know where you are supposed to be going. This feeling of lost was similar to what the children of Israel felt as they were leaving Egypt. It was a trek that most of them had never made before, especially since they took all their possessions with them as they left the only home they had ever known.
In a display of His grace, the LORD led them on the way with the pillar of cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night. In other words, they could all see it, whether they were in the front of the procession or in the back. It was His visible assurance to them that not only was He with them but that He was going to lead them.
The real test was going to come when they felt walled in by the Red Sea after Pharaoh’s army had pursued them. They were tempted to wonder if they had followed the wrong sign! Yet even at this point, the pillar which was associated with the LORD shifted to the place where it separated the camps of the Israelites and the Egyptian armies, so that the Egyptians could get no closer to the Israelites.
The idea of a pillar is analogous to that of a tower. When cities were built, people would fortify them with towers so that they would have a place of refuge and safety if and when the city was attacked. This tower became a source of assurance of the strength that people believed that God had given them. This idea is repeated in Proverbs 18:10, where God wants His people to realize that it is His name that is a strong tower or refuge for them.
CHALLENGE: Is there any area of your life you are having trouble trusting God in today? Are you looking for His guidance? Confess in your heart that He is the only one who knows perfectly what He is accomplishing in your life today. (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Passover celebrationverses 5-7
Eat unleavened bread
Feast of the LORD
I will sacrifice to the LORDverse 15
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Ordinanceverse 10
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 21
LORD owns firstbornverse 2
Hand of the LORDverses 3, 9, 14, 16
Feast to the LORDverse 6
LORD’S lawverse 9
Strong handverses 9, 14
Give land of Canaanites to Israelverse 11
LORD slew firstbornverse 15
Strength of the hand of the LORDverse 16
God (Elohim)verses 17-19
LORD led Israelverses 21, 22
By day: pillar of a cloud
By night: pillar of fire
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Egyptverses 3, 8, 14-16
House of bondage
Canaanitesverses 5, 11
Hittitesverse 5
Amoritesverse 5
Hivitesverse 5
Jebusitesverse 5
Pharaohverses 15, 17
Philistinesverse 17
Succothverse 20
Ethamverse 2
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
No leaven eatenverse 3
Repent – return to Egyptverse 17
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Sanctifyverse 2
Strengthverse 3
LORD’s law in mouthverse 9
Keep the ordinanceverse 10
Set apart to the LORDverse 12
Redeemverses 13, 15
Sacrifice to the LORDverse 15
Israel(Old Testament people of God)
Mosesverse 1
First month = Abibverse 4
Promise of Landverses 5, 11
Land flowing with milk and honey
Keep Passoververses 5-7
Unleavened bread
Feast to the LORD
Sign
Memorial
Training of childrenverses 8, 14
Set apart firstborn malesverses 12, 13
Children of Israelverses 18, 19
Bones of Josephverse 19
Leading of the LORDverses 21-22
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
Only two slight modifications (v.13) were made to this principle: (1) all firstborn male humans (firstborn females were exempted) were to be redeemed ( pāḏāh) or “bought back at a price” (fixed at five shekels per male in the fuller description in Num 18:16; cf. also Num 3:46–47), and (2) donkeys were to be “bought back” or “ransomed” ( pāḏāh) by a lamb or kid since donkeys were unclean animals and therefore unfit for sacrifice (at Mari, however, the Amorites did use the donkey as a sacrificial animal). To prevent any refusal to follow this command to ransom their animals, the Israelites were to kill them by breaking their necks. (Kaiser, W. C., Jr. (1990). Exodus. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 383). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
This ordinance of redemption would take effect when the Jews were in the Promised Land, and later Moses explained how to do it (Lev. 12; Num. 18:14–19). The firstborn of an ass, being an unclean animal, could not be sacrificed to God, so it was redeemed by a lamb. Being a valuable work animal, the ass was spared only in this way, but if the animal was not redeemed, then it had to be killed. Parents would bring their firstborn sons to the Lord and offer the appropriate sacrifice (Lev. 12:6–8). When Mary and Joseph came to the temple to redeem the Redeemer, they brought the humble sacrifice of the poor (Luke 2:21–24).
When a firstborn son was redeemed, or a firstborn animal, it gave adults the opportunity to explain how God had rescued the firstborn in the land of Goshen on Passover night, and how He had slain all the Egyptian firstborn, both humans and livestock. Even though he had nothing to do with the birth order in the home, each firstborn son in a Jewish family was very special to the parents and to the Lord. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1998). Be delivered (p. 60). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
“And it shall be when the Lord shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as He sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord’s. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck; and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem”. (13:11–13). The deep significance of this cannot be missed if we observe the connection—that which precedes. In Exodus 12 we have had the redemption of the “firstborn” of Israel, here it is the redemption of the “firstling” of an ass. In the second verse of chapter 13 the two are definitely joined together—“Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb of the children of Israel, both of man and of beast; it is Mine”. That there may be no mistaking what is in view here, the Lord gave orders that the firstling of the ass was to be redeemed with a lamb, just as the firstborn of Israel were redeemed with a lamb on the passover night. Furthermore, the ass was to have its neck broken, that is it was to be destroyed, unless redeemed; just as the Israelites would most certainly have been smitten by the avenging Angel unless they had slain the lamb and sprinkled its blood. The conclusion is therefore irresistible: God here compares the natural man with the ass! Deeply humbling is this!
The “ass” is an unclean animal. Such is man by nature; shapen in iniquity conceived in sin. The “ass” is a most stupid and senseless creature. So also is the natural man. Proudly as he may boast of his powers of reason, conceited as he may be over his intellectual achievements, the truth is, that he is utterly devoid of any spiritual intelligence. What saith the Scriptures? This: “Walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them” (Eph. 4:17, 18). Again; “If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of them which believe not” (2 Cor. 4:3, 4). How accurately, then, does the “ass” picture the natural man! Again; the “ass” is stubborn and intractable, often as hard to move as a mule. So also is the natural man. The sinner is rebellious and defiant. He will not come to Christ that he might have life (John 5:40). It is in view of these things that Scripture declares, “For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt” (Job 11:12).
It is instructive to trace the various references to the “ass” in Scripture. The first mention of the “ass” is in Genesis 22; from it we learn two things. “Abraham rose up early in the morning and saddled his “ass” (v. 3). The “ass” is not a free animal. It is a beast of burden, saddled. So, too, is the sinner—“serving divers lusts”. Second, “And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship” (Gen. 22:5). The “ass” did not accompany Abraham and Isaac to the place of worship. Nor can the sinner worship God. Third, in Genesis 49:14 we read, “Issachar is a strong ass, couching down between two burdens”. So, too, is the sinner—heavily “laden” (Matthew 11:28). Fourth, God forbade His people to plow with an ox and ass together (Deut. 22:10). The sinner is shut out from the service of God. Fifth, in 1 Samuel 9:3 we are told, “And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost”, and though Saul and his servant sought long for them they recovered them not. The sinner, too, is lost, away from God, and no human power can restore him. Sixth, In Jeremiah 22:19 we read, “He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem”. Fearfully solemn is this. The carcass of the ass was cast forth outside the gates of the holy city. So shall it be with every sinner who dies outside of Christ; he shall not enter the New Jerusalem, but be “cast into the Lake of Fire”. The final reference to the “ass” is found in Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold, thy King cometh unto thee, He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass”. Most blessed contrast is this. Here we see the “ass” entering Jerusalem, but only so as it was beneath the controlling hand of the Lord Jesus! Here is the sinner’s only hope—to submit to Christ! (Pink, A. W. (1962). Gleanings in Exodus (p. 99). Chicago: Moody Press)
Ver. 13. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb, &c.] Which was given to the priest for it; and according to the Jewish canon, it might be redeemed with that only; “not with a calf, nor with an animal (a goat or a ram, as Bartenora interprets it), nor with a lamb slain, or torn to pieces.” Jarchi thinks the ass only was to be redeemed, and not the firstling of any other unclean creature, but his reasons are insufficient; all unclean creatures, as horses, camels, dogs, swine, &c. are included in it, as should seem from Numb. 18:15 and this is the rather particularly mentioned, because there was a greater plenty of them than of horses and camels, and because they were very useful creatures; and if these were to be redeemed, then much more those of less value, and less useful. Hence might arise the story and calumny, as some have thought, of the Jews worshipping an ass’s head: and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break its neck; cut off its head on the back of the neck with a knife or cleaver, such as butchers use, as the Misnah, and its commentators, interpret it, so that the owner should have no profit by it: and all the first-born of man amongst thy children shalt thou redeem; with the price of five shekels of the sanctuary, and within 30 days of the birth of it, Numb. 18:16 and these being to be redeemed as the unclean beasts were, shews that men are by nature unclean, and even the first-born, whose names are written in heaven, the elect of God, and need redemption by the blood of the Lamb. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 381–382). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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He IS NOTSILENT by R. Albert Mohler, Jr: “Foreword: One of the clearest lessons we learn from church history is that strong biblical preaching is absolutely vital to the health and vitality of the church. From the birth of the New Testament church until today every significant phase of authentic revival, reformation, missionary expansion, or robust church growth has also been an era of biblical preaching.
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Advice from Missionary Paul regarding giving to Missions:
Occasionally, we are asked where we stand financially. Presently, we are at 68% of our goal. It is the lowest we have been for a while and though we are fine, last year’s trend was that we lost more support than we gained. That being said, let me offer some advice that reflects the different roles I play (or have played) as a missionary, supporter, and as a former pastor:
1. If you foresee you are going to end support for someone, give them as much “heads-up” time as you can, so they can plan on doing some additional support raising if they need to.
2. If you are ending support for someone because you disagree with them, please talk to them before doing so. It could be that you have misunderstood something. Missionaries, by the way, are just as human as you are, and they make mistakes.
3. Support someone because God calls you to do it, not because you feel guilted into it.
4. Realize that the more support raising a missionary has to do, the less time they get to be “boots on the ground.”
If you have any questions, please contact me.
A reminding token is represented by ˒ot: “And it [the observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread] shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth …” (Exod. 13:9). (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson)
The word “sign” either signifies the unusual event itself or in some way points to that unusual event. Or it may point backward to a historical event such as the stones in the Jordan (Josh 4:6), or even forward to such a promise as a thornless future world (Isa 55:13). (Alden, R. (1999). 41 אָוָה. (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke, Eds.)Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press)
Isaiah 53
Our Savior bore the chastisement for our iniquity.
INSIGHT
When Christians suffer, they are tempted to resent God, to wonder: “Why me?!” If God is all good and all powerful, why must His children suffer? The answer to that question is difficult –and not totally satisfying to the finite mind. Jesus maintains His credibility, however, in that He readily suffered for us all–suffering more than He will ever ask of us. Why must God’s children suffer? We don’t know. What we do know is that God was willing to suffer for us. He asks nothing of us that He was not willing to do for us.
(Quiet Walk)
THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1
We say we want to worship God and to know Him; so the first thought that comes to our minds is the existence of God, because, as we all know full well, there are many people who tell us they do not believe in it. It is not so much that we are concerned with them and their arguments as that, from our own standpoint, it is essential that we should be clear in our thinking about this subject.
The Bible does not argue about the existence of God–it declares it. The Bible does not give us any proofs of the existence of God–it assumes it. Take that opening phrase of the Bible. Genesis does not start by saying, “Well, by the following proofs we establish the existence of God, and because He was existent, we establish that at the beginning He created….” Not at all! “In the beginning God created….” It just states His existence and His being.
Some theological books present a number of “proofs” of the being and existence of God. There is the so-called cosmological argument, which is an argument from nature: Every effect has a cause. Then there is the argument from order and design, called the teleological argument, which says that everything leads up to something–that is clearly evident. Then there is the moral argument, which concludes that our awareness of good and bad, our sense of right and wrong, point to the existence of a moral God.
Now what the Bible teaches about such arguments is that they can never create faith. They are useful in a negative sense, but they will never lead to faith; and according to the Scriptures, no one can believe in God without faith, without the inward work of the Holy Spirit that leads to faith.
A Thought to Ponder: The Bible does not argue about the existence of God–it declares it. (From God the Father, God the Son pp. 48-49, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Humanity’s First Job
“God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28
This verse is often called the dominion mandate and is repeated and amplified in Genesis 9:1-7. The purpose is clear: accept the responsibility to bring into subjection all of Earth’s systems and creatures, effectively managing its resources, growing and expanding until the earth is filled with the fruits of that labor.
Humanity’s first job description: When God made the garden “eastward in Eden” (Genesis 2:8) and placed Adam there, Adam was to “dress [serve] and keep [guard]” that special and lavishly designed estate (Genesis 2:8-15) in the unique role as initial occupant but more broadly as God’s steward for Earth. There were no instructions on how to serve and guard, only the general “orders” from the Owner to the steward.
Humanity’s implied responsibility: Since there were no instructions about the functioning systems of Earth, Adam had to first learn about the earth’s systems and processes (science), and then organize and utilize the discoveries in productive ways to help others and honor the Creator (technology).
The information about those practical inventions and products of technology had to then be accurately disseminated to everyone through business, education, communication, transportation, etc.
And finally, both the information and inventions had to be received so that the divine evaluation (“very good”) was detailed in works of music, art, and literature, glorifying and praising God for all He had done in creating and making all things
The ongoing responsibility is still in effect in us “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
You can be sure, the Holy Spirit never enters a man and lets him live like the world.
A. W. Tozer
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