Exodus 5
Moses and Aaron confront Pharaohverses 1-5
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in – and told Pharaoh
This says the LORD God of Israel
Let MY people go – that they may hold a feast
to ME in the wilderness
And Pharaoh said
Who is the LORD – that I should obey HIS voice to let Israel go?
I know not the LORD – neither will I let Israel go
And they said
The God of the Hebrews has met with us – let us go
we pray you – THREE days journey into the desert
and sacrifice unto the LORD our God
Lest HE fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword
And the king of Egypt said to them
Wherefore do ye – Moses and Aaron
let the people from their work?
get you to your burdens
And Pharaoh said
BEHOLD – the people of the land now are many
and you make them rest from their burdens
Reaction of Pharaoh to Mosesverses 6-14
And Pharaoh commanded the same day the
TASKMASTERS of the people
and their officers saying
You shall no more give the people STRAW to make BRICK
as heretofore let them go and gather STRAW
for themselves
And the tale of the BRICKS – which did make heretofore
you shall lay on them
you shall NOT diminish ought thereof
FOR they are idle
Therefore they cry saying
Let us go and sacrifice to our God
Let there more work be laid upon the men
that they may labor therein
Let them not regard VAIN words
And the TASKMASTERS of the people went out – and their officers
and they spoke to the people saying
This says Pharaoh
I will not give you STRAW
Go you – get you STRAW where ye can find it
yet not ought of your work shall be DIMINISHED
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt
to gather STUBBLE instead of STRAW
And the TASKMASTERS hasted them saying
Fulfill your works – your daily tasks – as when there was STRAW
And the officers of the children of Israel
which Pharaoh’s TASKMASTERS had set over them
were BEATEN
and demanded
Wherefore have you not fulfilled your task in making
BRICK both yesterday and today as heretofore?
Hebrew official go to Pharaohverses 15-21
Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh
Saying – Wherefore deal you thus with your servants?
There is no STRAW given to your servants
and they say to us
Make BRICK and behold your servants are BEATEN
BUT the fault is in your own people
But he said – You are IDLE – you are IDLE
THEREFORE you say
Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD
Go therefore now and WORK
FOR there shall no STRAW be given you
yet shall you deliver the tale of BRICKS
And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they
were in EVIL case – after it was said
You shall not DIMINISH
aught from your BRICKS of your DAILY task
And they met Moses and Aaron – who stood in the way
as they came forth from Pharaoh – and they said to them
The LORD look on you – and JUDGE
BECAUSE you have made your savor to be
abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh
and in the eyes of his servants
to put a sword in their
hand to SLAY us
Moses complains to the LORDverses 22-23
And Moses RETURNED to the LORD – and said
Lord – wherefore has YOU so EVIL entreated this people?
Why is it that YOU have sent me?
FOR since I came to Pharaoh to speak in YOUR NAME
he has done EVIL to this people
NEITHER have YOU delivered YOUR people at all
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey HIS voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. (8085 “obey” [shama] means hear, hearken, diligently, pay close attention, respond in conformity, yield to, or give heed)
DEVOTION: The two worlds meet in this chapter. We have the world of those who reject or don’t know the LORD and those who do. Confrontation of this type happens every day. The two worlds are in battle and we know that the LORD wins the war but there are battles that can be lost.
Our enemy is not the people around us but the force behind them. Our enemy is the devil or Satan. He is a created being who was part of the group called Cherubim. He rebelled against the LORD and has been working in our world to cause most to rebel against the LORD here too.
Pharaoh was a worshipper of false gods that were part of the worship of Satan. He didn’t know the LORD and didn’t care to know HIM. He was in rebellion against the one true God of the universe.
Now everything is coming to a head between Pharaoh and the LORD. The LORD gave him warning that he should let the children of Israel go but he didn’t care. He had heard of the God of the Hebrews through the history of Joseph in the land of Egypt.
Obedience is not a option for those who are HIS followers but the rest would rather work in open rebellion than conform to the commandments of the LORD.
This is true even today. There are leaders who will not conform to the teaching of the Word of God yet say that they are followers of Christ. The lie will not work because their actions speak louder than words. We have to watch out for those who claim to be follower but are really rebellious against the commands of the LORD.
Moses came to Pharaoh with a request that was given to him of the LORD. He was faithful to the message. The message was rejected and he went back to the LORD for further instructions. We need to do the same today.
During times of great tribulation here on this earth we need to increase our presence before the LORD in prayer and wait for HIS instructions for our next step of conformity to HIS commands.
CHALLENGE: Increase your time with the LORD rather than your time in front of the television watching what is happening in our world. Honor the LORD with your next move to serve HIM faithfully.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 9 Let there more work be laid on the men, that they may labor therein, and let them not regard vain words. (8267 “vain” [sheqer} means false, wrongful, deceitful, liar, fraudulent, breach of faith, or vanity)
DEVOTION: Pharaoh’s reaction to the children of Israel was to tell his taskmasters to work them harder. He called them lazy and believers in lies.
We find that there are many people who believe that pastors are lazy. They say that they only work “one hour a week.” There are individuals who worship the LORD who are not good workers for their employers. This is not what the LORD wants of anyone who is a follower of HIM. We should all be hard workers because it is part of our testimony for the LORD.
It starts in the home for children. Children need to be trained to do their chores around the house. They are not to do all the work but their share of the work around the house as today many households have both parents working.
Too many people can be called lazy but the children of Israel were not lazy. They were working hard and the taskmasters were commanded to make them work harder because of the comments of Moses to Pharaoh.
Hard work is good for everyone. The work that Pharaoh wanted them to do was harder than anyone should work in a day. He wanted them to search all night for straw and then work all day making bricks. It was wrong but the LORD was allowing it for a short time.
Pharaoh thought they believed a lie but the fact is that he believed that he could go against the LORD and win. He was the one who believed a lie.
Today we have many believers who feel that they don’t have to work the work of the LORD in their life. They think that there are no commands for them today to follow. That is a lie they are believing that hurts their testimony if they are genuine believers. If they are not a genuine believer they need to make that commitment to the LORD soon.
God was going to send judgment on the nation of Egypt because of their treatment of HIS people. God is going to send judgment on the nations of world who are not following HIM.
CHALLENGE: The Bible tells those who are genuine believers to warn those who are not following the LORD to make a commitment to HIM before the judgment comes.
: 16 There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people. (2398 “fault” [chata’] means to miss a mark, offend, sin, to make a mistake, to be incorrect, to be blameworthy, guilty, or wrong)
DEVOTION: The officers over the workers were also part of the children of Israel. They were beaten because they dared to question Pharaoh’s instructions to his taskmasters. So we have an order of command over this project. Pharaoh instructs the taskmasters and the taskmasters instruct the officers of the Hebrews who then instruct the laborers.
Now the officers were the ones who were beaten because the laborers were not producing enough bricks each day. They complained to Pharaoh that without straw they couldn’t produce enough bricks but Pharaoh stated that they were lazy because they wanted to go sacrifice to their God.
If there is any problems in a home or church or nation we look to the leaders to see if they are the problem. It is easy to blame the leaders even when the problem might be someplace else.
At home the parents need to train the children properly to do their part by giving them a good example. At church it is the leadership that needs to teach the people how to live the Christian life correctly and show them by example. Finally, if the home is trained properly and the church is trained properly it will have a good influence in society.
CHALLENGE:We can blame others like the officers of Israel but we have to accept part of the blame usually too. Make sure you are doing your part to influence those around you to do their part in serving each other.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 22 And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore have you so evil entreated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? (7489 “evil” [ra‘a‘] means to spoil, to make good for nothing, bad, afflict, do harm, punish, vex, or break down)
DEVOTION: Have you ever questioned God when you thought you were doing what HE wanted you to do? Does it seem like things get worse instead of better as you serve the LORD? Do people misunderstand your purpose? Do people blame you for their problems?
Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh to ask him to let the children of Israel go into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD. Pharaoh’s response was anger and he set the taskmasters to make the work harder for the children of Israel. The LORD seems to be working toward afflicting the children of Israel who were already afflicted by Pharaoh. What was going on? Was the LORD against them? NO. HE was just working HIS plan.
Moses came to the LORD and asked HIM what HE was doing. Moses wanted answers. Moses confronted the LORD in prayer. He wondered why the LORD had sent him to them. He told that Lord that HE was not delivering the people as HE had promised. He was honest with the LORD regarding his feelings.
When we think things are not going our way and we think that we are doing what God wants us to do, we need to talk to HIM about it. HE likes us to come to HIM honestly and talk with HIM. That is PRAYER.
Our conversation with our Father concerning what is happening in our lives is what we need to communicate with HIM about. We have to come with respect but we can come on the basis of the BLOOD of Christ. God only does what is good for us. We need to be patience with the LORD’S plans. We would rather have God work with our plans.
Our plans are not better than HIS. The children of Israel didn’t understand this. Moses didn’t understand this. We don’t understand this. BUT we need to realize HE loves us and is working HIS plan in our life. Praise HIS name!!!
CHALLENGE: Realize that we are never going to fully understand how God works in our world. Realize that God wants us to depend on HIM on a daily basis for instruction. Our responsibility is to follow where HE leads us.
: 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all. (5337 “delivered” [natsal] means 1 to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder. 1a (Niphal). 1a1 to tear oneself away, deliver oneself. 1a2 to be torn out or away, be delivered. 1b (Piel). 1b1 to strip off, spoil. 1b2 to deliver. 1c (Hiphil). 1c1 to take away, snatch away. 1c2 to rescue, recover. 1c3 to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death). 1c4 to deliver from sin and guilt. 1d (Hophal) to be plucked out. 1e (Hithpael) to strip oneself. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])
DEVOTION: It looked pretty dark at this point. Moses had obeyed God in doing what he was told to do, including showing the signs to Pharaoh. Yet the children of Israel had seen their work load double. When things look darkest, then it is easiest to doubt the goodness of God, and that is what Moses was doing.
In addition, God had promised Moses that He would deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt, and yet it looked improbable (if not impossible) that this would happen. God had seemingly done nothing to carry out His promises. Would God’s promises hold up against a tyrant king?
God simply reminds Moses of His character, that He is unchanging and unfailing. This is especially true when it comes to His children. We are tempted to ask the question, “Why,” when hardship comes into our lives, and yet God does not answer our question. Instead, like Job, He simply reminds us of His power, sovereignty, and love for us.
There should never be a point in our lives where we turn back from following Christ. Even when we most doubt His work in our lives, we should refocus our eyes on Him, who has given His life for us on the cross. His love is unchanging.
CHALLENGE: Is there suffering in your life? If so, thank God for it, and decide to look at Christ rather than at your circumstances.
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)
Hebrews sacrificeverses 3, 8, 17
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)
Moses prayer to the LORDverses 22, 23
HE hasn’t delivered HIS people
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Feast in the wildernessverse 1
Sacrifice to the LORDverses 3, 8, 17
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1-3, 17, 21, 22
God (Elohim)verses 1, 3, 8
LORD God of Israel verse 1
MY peopleverse 1
God of the Hebrewsverse 3
LORD our Godverse 3
God will bring pestilence and swordverse 3
Judgeverse 21
Lord (Adonai)verse 22
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)
Pharaohverses 1-21, 23
Said “Who is the LORD”
“I know not the LORD”
Refuses to let Israel go
Says that Israel is resting from burdens
Stops giving of straw for making bricks
Officers of Israel cried to him
Taskmasters and Officersverses 6-13
Tells Israel no more straw given
Work cannot diminish
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Disobey the LORDverse 2
Idleverses 8, 17
Vain wordsverse 9
Faultverse 16
Evilverses 19, 22, 23
Slayverse 21
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Obey the voice of the LORDverse 2
Deliververse 23
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Mosesverses 1, 20-23
Returns to the LORD
Complained of no deliverance
Aaronverses 1, 20
People of Godverses 1, 23
Israelverses 1, 2
Hebrewsverse 3
Judgment of God: pestilence, swordverse 3
Officers of the children of Israelverses 14, 15-21
Plead with Pharaoh
Confront Moses and Aaron
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
19–21 Only now did the real untenability of their position begin to come home to the foremen (v.19). Moses and Aaron had deliberately “stationed” (niṣṣāḇîm; NIV, “waiting,” v.20) themselves so as apparently to be the first to debrief the men as they emerged from their meeting with Pharaoh, for they had had a fairly good idea what would be the outcome from the foremen’s audience with the king of Egypt. What they may not have expected was the full venting of the foremen’s anger when they “found” (see Notes) them.
Instead of earning the respect from these Hebrew foremen for all their labors to alleviate their brutal condition, Moses and Aaron felt, in no uncertain terms, the heat of the foremen’s anger. Almost like the prayer voiced by two men who hardly trusted one another (“May the Lord watch between you and me,” in the Mizpah benediction of Gen 31:49), they asked God to look and judge these two troublemakers; for they had made Israel’s reputation to stink (v.21). The words of vv.20–21 reflect those of v.3. Instead of a plague “striking” Israel and a “sword” coming, Moses and Aaron, not an enemy, had put a sword in Pharaoh’s hands. So it happened that they “struck,” or as we would say, “happened to bump into,” Moses and Aaron. (Kaiser, W. C., Jr. (1990). Exodus. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 338). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House)
5:20–21. The foremen’s words to Moses and Aaron were poignant (vv. 20–21) and Moses was just as stark with God (vv. 22–23). Why Moses and Aaron were waiting for the foremen is unknown, but the men’s harsh words are clear. The people had been severely oppressed before Moses’ return, but this added pressure was simply too much to bear. The meaning of the word stench (v. 21) must be understood metaphorically as “scorned or condemned.” Earlier Moses had told the king that God’s judgment might fall on the Hebrews if they were not permitted to worship in the wilderness (v. 3), but here the foremen complained of Pharaoh’s sword. (Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 116). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
When their work became unbearable because of the new rules, the Hebrews sent their foremen to protest to Pharaoh. It’s unusual that slaves would have access to the king, but Pharaoh knew what he was doing. He told them what Moses and Aaron had demanded of him, and this turned the Jewish foremen against the leaders God had given them. The foremen told Moses and Aaron what they thought of them and then slandered them among the Jews. This wouldn’t be the last time Moses would be opposed by his own people who didn’t understand what the Lord was doing.
Instead of going to Pharaoh to complain, the foremen should have gone to Moses and Aaron and suggested that they summon the elders and have a prayer meeting. They should have reminded themselves of the promises God had given Israel and claimed them by faith. What a difference that would have made for them and for their leaders! Alas, during the next forty years, complaining about God’s will and criticizing God’s leaders would be characteristic of the people of Israel; but are God’s people much different today? (Wiersbe, W. W. (1998). Be delivered (p. 25). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
5:20–21 The leadership team evidently knew of the lodging of the formal labor complaint and waited outside the royal hall in order to meet Israel’s representatives. The meeting was definitely not a cordial one, with accusations raised both about the propriety of and the authority of the words and actions of Aaron and Moses toward Pharaoh. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ex 5:20–21). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
5:20, 21 The Hebrew crew chiefs turned their anger on Moses and Aaron. Indeed their words, Let the Lord look on you and judge, are a harsh curse. They felt that Moses and Aaron’s words to Pharaoh were futile and only made him hate them more. The word translated abhorrent means “to cause to stink.” (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1997). The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version (Ex 5:20–21). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 21. And they said unto them, the Lord look upon you and judge, &c.] Or, will look upon you and judge; and so it is either a prediction of what would be done to them, or an imprecation on them that God would take notice of their conduct, and punish them, or at least chastise them for acting the part they had, if not wickedly, yet imprudently: because you have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh; or to stink; they were become vile, abominable, and hateful to him, he could not bear the sight of them, and treated them as the filth and off-scouring of all things; they had lost their good name, credit, and reputation with him; for leave being asked for them to go 3 days’ journey into the wilderness, to offer sacrifice, and keep a feast, they were looked upon as a parcel of idle slothful fellows: and in the eyes of his servants; not the task-masters only, but his nobles, counsellors, and courtiers: to put a sword in their hands to slay us; a proverbial expression, signifying that they by their conduct had exposed them to the utmost danger, and had given their enemies an occasion against them, and an opportunity of destroying their whole nation, under a pretence of disobedience and disloyalty. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 339). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
19–21. Gen. 34:30. Jonah 4:4–9. Reader! recollect how the people had bowed their head in token of their trust in God’s promises to deliver them. And here we behold them, not only relinquishing their confidence, but even murmuring because difficulties had arisen. And do we not, when at any time any thwarting providences or dark seasons in grace arise, do much the same? Oh! for faith to keep a steady eye on Jesus: and not suffer any thing, within or without, to stagger our confidence in his salvation. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Genesis–Numbers (Vol. 1, p. 247). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
FROM MY READING:
IMPOSSIBLE PEOPLE by Os Guinness
What we need above all in the church today is for each Christian to have a profound personal knowledge and experience of God himself and a deep knowledge of the Scriptures as his authoritative Word. No one and nothing else can even replace those essentials. (p. 197)
One is that the modern church still includes too many nominal Christians, and the other is that we are seeing a growing biblical illiteracy in the church today. (p. 197)
A recent BBC headline claimed the world is facing a “jaw-dropping” global crash. Not an economic crash, mind you, but a crash in the birthrate. Citing a new study by University of Washington, the BBC article claims that “Falling fertility rates mean nearly every country could have shrinking populations by the end of the century.” In fact, twenty-three countries, including Spain, Portugal, Japan and South Korea, could see their populations cut in half by 2100.
The same study found that, between 1950 and 2017, the global fertility rate went from 4.7 children per women to 2.4 and is expected to drop below 1.7 children per woman by 2100. For reference, a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman is required to maintain a stable population.
A few suggested explanations for the drop, according to the BBC article include, “more women in education and work,” and “greater access to contraception,” which leads “to women choosing to have fewer children.” Of course, the BBC was careful to offer the required nod to climate change, also suggesting that fewer people would result in lower carbon emissions and therefore help heal the planet.
In truth, however, the scenario is far from rosy.
“I think it’s incredibly hard to think this through and recognize how big a thing this [population crash] is,” says University of Washington Professor Christopher Murray. “It’s extraordinary, we’ll have to reorganize societies.”
In his book, What to Expect When No One Is Expecting, Weekly Standard digital editor Jonathan Last suggests that any country in which citizens aren’t having enough babies can look forward to long-term economic stagnation and social deterioration. After all, children are the economic engines of the future, both tomorrow’s labor force and tomorrow’s consumers.
Professor Murray described it this way to the BBC: “Who pays tax in a massively aged world? Who pays for healthcare for the elderly? Who looks after the elderly? Will people still be able to retire from work?”
And those are just the immediate concerns. As journalist Philip Longman explained years ago, declining populations and shrinking economies create a downwardly spiraling vicious circle: “As governments raise taxes on a dwindling working-age population to cover the growing burdens of supporting the elderly, young couples may conclude they are even less able to afford children…” Which in turn results in the kind of graying, despairing populations we see today in places like Japan and Europe, where some governments actually pay couples to get pregnant.
At the same time, the BBC notes, the population of sub-Saharan Africa will triple by the end of the century. Developed nations will be forced to open their borders and perhaps even compete for migrant workers. Given the human propensity for tribalism and racism, let’s just say this will could create significant “social pressures.”
Writing at the Gospel Coalition, Philip Jenkins describes yet another vicious circle that entwines a civilization dealing with an increase in secularization and a decline in fertility. Increased fertility is often associated with traditional religious beliefs, but as more believers accept secular ideas about sex, family, and the purpose of life, their connection to religious institutions weakens. Shrinking religious institutions, in turn, leads to increased secularization.
Babies have this unique ability to make adults care about the future, and even think beyond their own lifetimes. Babies incline people to save, invest, sacrifice and, most importantly, defer gratification. Even when it comes to the environment, the best reason to steward the planet is so our children and grandchildren can enjoy its fruits and grandeur.
Christians should always encourage those government policies that make it easier for couples to “choose life,” but we also need to help people think more clearly about the whole issue.
First, we have to debunk the over-population myth that should have died decades ago. The latest What Would You Say video tackles this question. Watch it, learn the key points, and share it with your friends and family.
Second, Christian must take the lead in taking seriously God’s never-revoked command to be fruitful and multiply, and the Psalmist’s exhortation that children are a heritage from the Lord, and Jesus’ command to let the little children come to Jesus, which means there must be children in the first place.
What greater gift can we offer this world and the world to come, other than Jesus Himself, than future generations of image bearers?
(BreakPoint)
Psalms 145
The Lord is extolled for the goodness of who He is and what He has done.
INSIGHT
There has never been a generation that did not praise God. Since the beginning of time, salvation and praise have been passed down in unbroken succession. David writes, “One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts” (v. 4). That praise is directed to God for who He is (His character) and what He has done. Of God’s character, David writes: “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy” (v. 8). The Lord is good. Writing of God’s work, he says, “The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up those who are bowed down” (v. 14); “is near to all who call upon Him” (v. 18); and “will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him” (v. 19). “The Lord preserves all who love Him” (v. 20). For these reasons, we praise Him along with David. (QuietWalk)
THE WONDERS OF HIS GRACE
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
It is to those who were in the depths that the sense of the presence of God has been most real and the realization of His sustaining power most definite.
The widow of a German Moravian bishop told me that the universal testimony of all the Christians in Germany who had suffered untold hardships on account of their faith was, in her experience, that they would have missed none of these things, that indeed they thanked God for them. By these things they had been awakened to a realization of the poverty of their Christian lives and experiences; by these things also they had had their eyes opened to “the wonders of His grace.”
That is but their modern way of expressing what the psalmist puts thus: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71).
It is also but the re-echo of Paul’s reaction to the verdict, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness,” which led him to say, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). If we but love God and submit ourselves to Him, that most certainly will be our experience; for again I would remind you that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
A Thought to Ponder: By these things they had been awakened to a realization of the poverty of their Christian lives.
(From Why Does God Allow War? pp. 125-126, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
The Powerful Hand of God
“Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.” (Isaiah 48:13)
The human hand is an anatomical marvel; nothing remotely comparable exists among the primates or any other animals. It is a marvel of design. But surely the “hand of God”—of which a human’s hand is only a very dim shadow—is infinitely more powerful and skillful.
Note the testimony of Isaiah 45:12: “I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.” God did not have to use intermediate processes or pre-existing materials. Everything was “commanded” into existence, and “I, even my hands,” made all of it, including humans. Creation was direct—a direct product of God’s mighty hands.
Not only was it direct, it was also immediate, as our text above makes emphatically plain. His hand laid the earth’s foundation and spanned the heavens. Then, “when I call unto them,” He says, “They stand up together!” Not one by one— first the universe, then the sun, then the earth, and so on. No, “they stand up together.” “He spake, and it was done” (Psalm 33:9). It did not take 16 billion years; it took six days—and the only reason it took that long was so that God’s workweek could serve as a pattern for people (Exodus 20:8-11).
God’s hand is omnipotent, and “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” It is wonderful to know His hand is gentle and loving as well as powerful. His hands will bear eternal scars where they were spiked to the cross, because He loved us and died for us. “My sheep hear my voice,” He says, “and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). The hand that spanned the heavens can hold on to those who trust Him.
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
From the Desk of Pastor Miller
Daily Hope
Today’s Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1-4
Betrayal is so hurtful and draining when it occurs. It does not matter whether it is from a business associate, employee or friend. It hurts when people you trust and confide in turn against you. Paul knew the sting of rejection and suffered with the reality of misunderstanding as he wrote this letter to a church that he had nurtured and instructed in its infancy.
This was probably his third letter to the church at Corinth and he was deeply troubled that the church was listening to teachers that were instructing improperly. Their questioning of his integrity caused Paul to write and encourage the believers after many difficult instances in the church. In verses 3-7 of the first chapter, Paul uses the word comfort ten times. This word comfort means to exhort, cheer and encourage one another. In spite of the unfair allegations and accusations thrown at him, Paul’s heart was to encourage and strengthen the believers in Corinth.
Hurt and pain are common companions in our lives as we interact with individuals we care deeply about. We, like Paul, must determine how to respond when suffering occurs. He chose to respond with solid biblical teaching and encouragement.
May we take time to reflect how we respond to those who may wrongfully judge us. Consider how Paul spoke truth and the need for forgiveness in the spirit of compassion and biblical authority. His example was to act and react upon the truth of God’s Word not emotions and unsupported accusations. Let us dwell on Paul’s words; “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6 ESV).
With an Expectant hope, Pastor Miller
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