Feb. 11, 2008
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
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A lot of folks that I know will tell me that they don't always find the Old Testament relevant, or don't get a lot out of reading it, etc. On some level I totally get this frame of thought. And, once upon a time, I have felt the same way. But, for me, the Old Testament is beautiful. There is so much about the character of God and the love of God for His people in the Old Testament. For, at least, the last several years, I have found myself more drawn to the Old Testament books and have a deep appreciation for these records of a time that have been preserved for someone (me) (and you) in the year 2008 to learn about our God and the history of His people. Recently, I was reading and thinking about the miracles that were a regular part of life for the Hebrews. I was thinking about how awesome it must have been to have God speak, audibly, to you. This happened often in the Old Testament. How, humbling it must have been to see miracle after miracle, and, for some, to even have played a part in those miracles. Of course, I believe that miracles are just as much a part of God in 2008 as they were in Old Testament times. But, what is it about us today that we don' t expect His miracles? Or don't recognize them? Or, too often, define them as 'coincidence'? It's kinda sad to me. He hasn't changed. I was reading recently in Exodus about how the Lord told Moses to go to the Pharaoh and tell him that God said to allow His people to leave Egypt. Throughout this reading, you often, come across verses, such as this one in chapter seven verse three, ..."but, I will harden the Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you." Of course, we all have read this over the years, and thought about this "hardening of the Pharaoh's heart" that the Lord caused. It wasn't coincidence that God was able to send plague after plague into Egypt while attempting to free his people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. It's easy to wonder why God would allow this to go on and on.... I love in chapter nine where, God is telling Moses what to say to the Pharaoh and, there is the normal, 'Let my people go...', but then God goes on to say, in verses 15 and 16, "For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But, I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." We might not always understand God's ways and reasonings, but, He always has something good at heart. Earlier in chapter three, verse seven, He says to Moses, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of the slave drivers and I am concerned about their suffering." Do you think that the Hebrews were more than ready for God to set them free already? Enough of the plagues....lets just put the Pharaoh in his place and move on with this thing already? I'm sure. But, as always, like it was then and as it is now, it's not about us. It's all about Him and we know that in trusting Him, we'll be well cared for. I think that there are a lot of us who can relate to the Israelites, in that, we have or have had some plight that is, seemingly, unending. I think that this passage from the pages of history can bring comfort to us in such times. He heard His people crying, He was concerned about them. He had every intention of bringing them into the land that He'd promised their forefathers. But, all of that was second to His desire to have His name "proclaimed in all the earth". I don't understand why a neighbor would sue another? It makes no good sense to me. But, I have this sneaking suspicion that it has more to do with Him, than it will ever have to do with me. I pray that I can be the example that He desires for me to be, so that, even in this 'bondage', He is able to be proclaimed and recognized to all the world around me. His influence in our lives is just as real as it was in the Old Testament times. Maybe we are more wrapped up in ourselves and in our 'things' that we have a harder time finding God in things.....but, again, it isn't He who has changed. Take heart, not only is He the God of the New Testament who was born to die for us, but He is also the God of the Old Testament who has loved us from the beginning of time. |