Do You Remember?

Scripture: Exodus 34:23, "Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the Lord God of Israel."

Observation: God was so wise to institute recurring reminders into the daily life of the Israelites.

These three reminders were specifically designed for the men. Men are the ordained leaders of mankind. God has never changed that. He has always elevated the value of women to a greater extent than do all of the surrounding societies (even in our American society, but that is a topic for another journal). They are, after all, made in God's image; they are God's image-bearers. However, men have been given the responsibility of primary leadership. Fortunately, God has not left us to carry that burden alone.

The constant reminders were put in place to bring the men back to God in order for them to recognize their need for aid, grace, mercy and wisdom, and for them to repent, offer sacrifices, and praise God. A nation led by men, who are at all levels of civil and religious life submitted to God, will be successful, secure, and sanctified.

There were three feasts to be observed and attended annually by all men: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Ingathering. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is also Passover (Easter), the Feast of Weeks is also known as Pentecost, and the Feast of Ingathering, or Sukkot, takes place on the 15th of the Hebrew month Tishri, which usually occurs in late September or early October. Each of these feasts served to remind the nation of the deliverance from Egypt the people had received and the future coming of Messiah and the future and final deliverance from sin when Jesus returns again.

Application:
1. The importance of being reminded of my need for God, of His amazing works, and of His endless love for me cannot be underestimated. Continue daily Bible studies with my family. Continue consistent daily time with God. Meet with the Church to be reminded and to remind others.

2. The importance of men standing up before God and on behalf of their family and society cannot be underestimate. Do not shrink back. Get my confidence from God, and share that confidence with those needing it.

Prayer: Lord, please continue to remind me of my need for you. Please draw me closer to you. It's you that I need. You are in control and I trust your plans for my family and me. I love you. Amen.

Are You the Kid Pleased with the Mud, or Are You the Prince or Princess at the Hand of the King?

Scripture: Exodus 33:17, 18, "So the Lord said to Moses, "[I will go up with you as] you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know You by name." And [Moses] said, "Please, show me Your glory."

Observation:
There really is much to see in this passage (these verses and the surrounding ones as well). The last time through these chapters I wrote about the same passage; only there the Lord was showing me more in the concept of Moses' reaction to seeing the "glory" that he request to see in verse 18. Today I am impressed by the simple act of asking for more from God.

In these verses Moses passes a critical point in his relationship with God. Obviously this isn't a clearly delineated progression, but Moses reaches the point where he is not satisfied with servitude and has pressed in toward son-ship.

I think of my own relationship with my kids. I am extremely proud of them when they seek so diligently to obey. It reveals the state od their heart. I am even more proud (and flattered) when they want to be with me. It reveals the state of my heart. But the pinnacle of our relationship is when they desire to know me. This is the father-child relationship that goes beyond and surpasses outward obedience (that is for servants) and the protection of a presence (that is for stewardship) to the closeness of relationship (that is for a loving father and loving children). That is what Moses had come to desire.

Application:
Such a level of relating is only available with the God of the Bible. It is found nowhere in Native American spirituality. It is absent from Islam and Hinduism. It is lacking in tribal religions and cults. It is lost in the false intelligence of atheism and materialism.

Pursue this. Leave behind the Law, obedience, and simple awareness of God as an end goal. Set my heart to know God, for he has designed the world and the map of all of history that we might reach that destination. As I read through Moses' life it is almost as if we can see that with each passing encounter with God Moses increasingly thirsts for more of God and soon finds that God's endless being is ever satisfying and never exhausted in its glory and wonder.

With what will I be satisfied?

Prayer:
My failure is to settle for less than you. I've so often made an idol out of obedience. Instead of being a side note or just a piece of the journey, I have made it the goal. I've replaced you with it and thereby created an idol with which to satiate my guilt. Damn self-righteousness!

And I don't want to be happy just by knowing you are with me. If that is the peak of this relationship, then you will be to me no more than a set of armor, a food panty, and a tool shed. No! My soul will be satisfied with nothing less than to know you--to know as much as I can about your wonder, beauty, faithfulness, mercy and on and on eternally. I love you. I feel inadequate and naïve saying that, but what else can I say? I am just a man. You are incomprehensible and yet you have made yourself apprehensible. My intelligence and my words fail me. May I learn to truly treasure you. Amen.