February 3, 2008

Read Exodus 31-33 and Matthew 22:1-22

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

since i haven't been on in a while, i can't remember how i signed on so i am doing a test... sorry... if this works, i will write my comments and submit them.

Anonymous said...

okay, that's cool. It struck me that in EX 33, amidst all the details of God's design for His OT tabernacle [Jesus being the NT tabernacle-I agree with Christine that the Beth Moore study A Woman's Heart, Christ's Dwelling Place IS wonderful!], Moses asked Him to him His glory. The totally awesome thing is His response. He not only agreed, but He protected Moses in the process... by having him stand on a specific rock, and then covering him with His hand as He passed by. So many things come to mind when I think about this... how often do we ask for something harmful, and the Lord always protects us, whether He says yes or no. How cool that Moses had a relationship with God such that He felt safe asking Him, GOD!, to become transparent before him. What a tender, awesome experience. I think He wants to be that real to each of us... and as much as I want Him to be, I can't help thinking that I haven't begun to want it as much as Moses did.

Also, EX 34:12-15 says not to make a TREATY with those who live in the land among you. As I read through it, I was thinking of the importance of being light in the darkness. I think we need to be AMONG those still in the dark, we just need to make sure we are LIGHTS SHINING BRIGHTLY FOR CHRIST as we are among them. That is, I think, a big challenge. And the only way we can really do that is by spending time with Him so that, like Moses, our face, brightened by His glory, is what lights our way through the darkness and draws others to it... to HIM. [i just realized that this post should be on tomorrow's log...oops...]

Anonymous said...

wow, it is a little risky posting on here. i just read over what i submitted... kind of vulnerable feeling. i wonder if that has anything to do with why so few are posting...? hmmmmm... so, in light of this, read with grace. lol... thanks.

Chris said...

I had a hard time concentrating and not getting distracted with my reading today.

Exodus
Why a cow? It doesn't matter, I guess. They were dead wrong to fashion anything and worship it, but I would have thought of something more, well, attractive? Mighty? When was the last time you ever saw a really attractive cow, or a cow that came to the rescue, or a cow that rose up and defeated its enemy? They're docile creatures! I love in v 24 how Aaron says it "just came out." Like, poof! I threw this gold into the fire, and out comes a golden cow! Maybe there is some significance to the bovine aspect of it, I dunno.

Moses paints a clear picture of Christ here when he was SO angry at Children of Israel for their sin, yet he still pleaded with God on their behalf. Yes, he made them drink their cow god, and yes, he told the Levites to take a bunch of them out, but he was still merciful; he didn't just turn his back on them. He interceded for those who didn't deserve it. I need to do that. I need to be on my knees for people who I would just rather walk away from in disgust, leaving them to worship their cows, their false gods. But if I don't intercede, who will? If Moses hadn't, history would be so different.

Wow, from my notes I can see I got past my distraction; there's a ton here, but I'm making an effort to be more brief, and there is some catch up to do....