The glory of the Lord fell on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day, the Lord called Moses from inside the cloud.
Observation
The Lord instructs Moses to come up to the mountain with Aaron and the seventy elders.
Moses goes to the people with all of the instructions the Lord had given him. He builds an altar and makes a sacrifice on behalf of the people.
Moses then goes up to the mountain with the elders. There they see the glory of God. They eat a covenant meal in the presence of the Lord.
The cloud of God’s presence covers the top of the mountain. After six days, the Lord calls for Moses to come up into His presence.
Application
Mount Sinai was a holy place because the Lord chose to reveal His glory there. The elders saw the Lord, and they were not killed by the experience.
Moses was called to go up and spend forty days in the glory cloud of the Lord. This is not something done lightly.
It is worship and holiness that allow us to enter into the hidden places of the glory of God.
Worship allows us to enter into God’s presence. In fact real worship- not just singing worship songs- attracts the presence of God. When we set our hearts in proclaiming the awesome nature of God, then it is like heaven inhabiting the earth.
Holiness is a heart totally sold out to living according to God’s plans for us. It is not about rules and lists of do’s and don’ts, but about so wanting more of God that He becomes the focus of our thinking and our desires.
Prayer
Father, help me to devote my whole life to you- my thinking and my doing. May I walk in the glory of our presence. Amen.
Here is my commentary on Ephesians . I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians- Halftime
As we come to the half- way point on this journey through Ephesians, it is good to review what we have seen so far.
As in most of his letters, Paul start with the big picture issues such as the nature of salvation, Jesus, God, the church and so on. Only after talking about these issues does he move on to the practical issues such as relationships in the church, and how to relate to others in the light of what has gone before. In other words, we need good theology to establish good practice.
A few things stand out in the first half of Ephesians.
Firstly, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. There is nothing that the Father would hold back from us. In fact, He can do more for us than we can ask or even imagine. We need to walk in the knowledge that He is a good Father.
Secondly, our relationship with God is His doing, not ours. We were chosen and predestined, and God sent His Son to be our Saviour. All we can do is believe and receive His gift.
Thirdly, God is building His church. In Christ, He has united Jews and Gentiles by providing the one means of salvation, that is, the cross of Christ. The church is the household of God, the temple of the Lord.
Fourth, the Good News of Jesus Christ is a new revelation. In the past, it was a mystery to be revealed. It was clear that we needed a remedy for sin, but nobody could imagine how it would come to pass. There were hints and unclear pictures given in the Old Testament, but after the death and resurrection of Jesus, it became obvious at last.
Finally, in his prayer at the end of chapter 3, the concept of the measureless love of God becomes the focus. We can be rooted and established in this love, and we can gain an appreciation for it. As we learn to receive this love, we can be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and foreigners living among you to be refreshed.
Application
This chapter has laws relating to justice and religious requirements, including the sabbath and the great festivals of Unleavened Bread, Harvest, and Final Harvest.
Our society has completely abandoned the concept of sabbath. The idea that businesses and shops should shut down for one day a week seems quaint and old fashioned.
I live near a railway line, and it amazes me that even on Christmas Day and Good Friday, freight trains leave Narrabri laden with grain or coal. Really? We cannot stop moving non-perishable goods for even one day or two days in a whole year?
Of course, Covid has brought about forced sabbaths for many people because of lock downs and other restrictions. Many people have discovered the restfulness of avoiding the daily commute as they worked form home. Perhaps the Lord is using this pandemic to remind people of the need to rest.
Human beings need the weekly reminder to slow down and rest. We are more than work units or economic consumption units. There is a need for each of us to stop for one day a week, and rest.
Sabbath is trusting God to supply enough in six days to satisfy the seventh. In the wilderness He produced manna that lasted two days, but only on the day before the sabbath.
Prayer
Lord, help me to trust you for my needs, to put you at the centre of my working life, and to worship you in my sabbath rest. Amen.
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:21. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians 3:21
“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”
This verse concludes the doxology started in v. 20 and the prayer that commenced in v. 14.
To him[God] be the glory and in the church and in Christ Jesus.
The Church [the ekklesia, or “the elect,” or “the called out ones”] exists to bring glory to God. It does this in a number of different ways.
Firstly, by its existence the church is a testimony to the redeeming grace of God. The fact that millions of people from all nations gather together to proclaim the salvation that came from the death and resurrection of Christ is, in itself, glorification or an honouring of the Lord through space and time .
We were lost in sin with no hope of redemption. Satan, the accuser, reckoned that his strategy of destroying the race that was designed to carry the image of God had triumphed. Then there was the cross and the resurrection of Jesus. The church is a visible sign of the victory of God over sin.
Secondly, the church glorifies God through it’s praise and worship. “Where two or three are gathered in my name there I am in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) Weekly the church sings praises to God, it proclaims Christ as its Saviour and Lord, and it celebrates the sacraments of baptism and holy communion in joyful obedience to Christ.
Thirdly, the church glorifies God by preaching to unbelievers and encouraging them to follow Christ. The kingdom of God, that is the church, is constantly growing as christians share the Good News with all people .
Paul links the glory of God in the church with Christ Jesus. This suggests that the glory of God being displayed in the church is similar in nature to that displayed in Christ. We glorify God in the same kind of way that Jesus did.
This should not surprised us as the church is the Body of Christ. The church is the present visible representation of Jesus Christ in the world and therefore glorifies God in the same way that Jesus did.
The peak of Jesus’ glorification was his crucifixion. It was his obedience even to death on the cross that glorified both Father and Son. When christians are prepared to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel, they are glorifying the Father in the same way that Jesus did .
Paul asks that God be glorified in the church for all generations, for ever and ever.
The gospel is not about history. The effect of the Cross, while historical, extends through the generations.
God promised to Israel that He would bless those who are righteous to a thousand generations. We have a promise from God that He will bless all generations into the future.
The generations are to glorify God in the church. As long as the church is faithful in its witness, there will be people who will bring glory to God. Our work for God now is not limited to the present, but it will continue through the generations – not just the next one or two generations, but all generations.
To emphasise the point, Paul repeats it with the words, “ for ever and ever.” The church is not just a short-term endeavour. It is not just limited to the life of the Earth. It will continue to eternity. We will share in fellowship and worship together for ever.
So the church, “ the called out ones,“ lives now to glorify God and will continue that task for ever and ever. Now we do this Imperfectly, but we shall see Him face to face and we will then give perfect praise to God.
Key points in this verse
God wants the church to glorify his name now and for ever
We are the Body of Christ and continue His mission of bringing glory to the Father
You must nor mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Application
Reading sets of laws which seem to relate to an alien culture is not immediately edifying.
In the rules in this chapter we see how the Lord wanted the Israelites to protect the rights of people to own property, and to protect the dignity of vulnerable people such as widows, orphans and foreigners.
The principle of the property laws is that everyone should be confident that their property is being protected from unscrupulous people. So the rights of everyone, but especially the poor, are being protected.
The Israelites were also required to care for the vulnerable people such as widows and foreigners. Even slaves were protected to some extent.
These laws show that God cares about everyone, both the rich and the powerful, and the poor and powerless.
As christians, we need to make sure that we do not support Government policies which disenfranchise the poor or lead to their oppression. We also need to look out for the “invisible people” ourselves and do what we can to help them survive and thrive.
Prayer
Lord, please show me the groups of people and the individuals you are calling me to help. Amen.
And the people said to Moses, “You speak to us and we will listen. But don’t let God speak to us directly or we will die.”
Observation
The Lord gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments: do not worship other gods; do not make idols; do not misuse the Lord’s name; remember the sabbath; honour your father and mother; do not murder, commit adultery, steal, testify falsely, or covet other people’s things.
When the people hear the voice of the Lord and thunder, and they see the smoke and lightning, they are afraid. They ask Moses to speak to them from God.
Application
The biggest mistake a person or a group of people can make is to say, “Don’t let the Lord speak directly to us.”
God wants us to have friendship with Him. He loves us and longs to dialogue directly with us.
Most of His words are more ”still small voice” than thunder and trumpet blasts. But some people remain afraid of hearing God for themselves.
The demand that a pastor or prophet does all the communing with God places too heavy a burden for the minister, and absolves other christians from their own responsibility.
It can lead to error, arrogance or manipulation.
God wants each of us to hear His Holy Spirit for ourselves. He wants each of us to read the Scriptures for ourselves. He wants each of us to pray to Him for ourselves.
God is a relational God. He loves people and He wants us to talk to Him and listen to Him.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you want me to listen to you as well as to speak to you. Please help me to be open to your Spirit all the time. Amen.
Here is my commentary on Ephesians 3:20. I am publishing these once or twice a week, but you can read all of the available articles at our web-site, http://www.new-life.org.au
Ephesians 3:20
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us…”
This verse is the first half of a doxology or blessing address to God. It is also full of power words – “ is able to” is literally “ has power to”, “ power at work in us,” even the word work is the source of our word energy .
God is powerful and energetic. He is working constantly right through creation to achieve his purposes. We should understand this, but sometimes we forget. The God who spoke the universe into being where is a word, who sustains and holds together all things, as power in the creation – limitless or infinite power.
God has power to do immeasurably more because his power is inexhaustible. He has he measurable power, limitless ability, infinite energy.
God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. This is an invitation to bold prayer.
God is able to heal any human ailment. He can stop a coronavirus dead in its tracks. He can send a fish for a recalcitrant prophet, still a storm, expel demons.
Whatever impossible situations we can imagine, God has the answer for it.
God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. It is not just our asking that limits our prayer, but our imagining.
When we are ill, it is easy to focus on the problem, centre on the diagnosis and on medical advice. God calls us instead to focus on Him and on his solution. Can we imagine an alternative reality in which God’s power flows and restores us? Even that is a slight fraction of God’s power to intervene for us.
If we are in a mental, emotional, relational, even a physical, prison with no means of escape, we must understand that God is able. He freed Peter, Paul and Silas. He is the God who provides the way.
It is good to use imagination to shape our vision and shape our prayers. God can do much more than we can imagine or ask for.
All of this is according to the power that is working in us. That power is the Holy Spirit who teaches us how to pray, how to speak, and to act.
It is important that we understand that our prayers need to be in accordance with the Holy Spirit. Our prayers need to be led by the Spirit, prayed through the Spirit.
Selfish prayers, sometimes called soulish prayers, originate from our desires and our perception of what God should be doing. These prayers are not in that category of “more than we can ask or imagine,” because it is our asking and our imagination, and God wants to go beyond that.
We must let the Holy Spirit direct our prayers. We need to engage in listening prayer, that is, stopping to discover what God’s will is before we pray. Having done that’s, we can step out in bold and confident faith, knowing that the Lord will prevail.
The dynamics of the “power that is at work in us” are at many levels. In prayer we listen and pray in power. The Spirit of God works His power in our spirit to trigger faith and confidence to see God’s will released into a situation.
In another way, this power is working energetically everyday transforming us from being independent to being dependent on God. Our character is moulded to be that of Christ. Our ability to discern the spirit realm grows so we can see what is happening in the heavenly places. Our faith grows to claim the big promises of God and apply them to our own situation.
All of this happens to bring us up to the fullness of the stature of Christ. All of this makes us bold warriors in the spiritual warfare we are called to participate in.
Of course as we see in the next verse, the purpose is to glorify God.
Key points in this verse:
God’s power is limitless
God can do more than we can ask or imagine
God is working in us to grow faithful bold prayers and bold action
God is raising us to be strong warriors in the spiritual warfare, that is, the clash between God and satan.
“If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on the earth. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.”
Observation
The Israelites arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moses climbs the mountain to meet with the Lord.
The Lord announces that Israel is His special treasure, His royal priesthood.
Then the Lord announces that He will descend on Mount Sinai the following day, and the people need to prepare themselves. They must not touch the holy mountain.
The Lord comes down, covering the mountain with smoke and sounding loud trumpet blasts. The Lord calls Moses up to the mountain.
Application
The Lord tells the Israelites that if they obey Him, they will be His treasure, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.
God sees each of us as His treasure- precious, beautiful, lovely. Often we feel unworthy of such a value. We may be plagued by guilt or shame, or just feel that we are unlovable.
Yet God is determined to love us. He places a high value on every single one of us. We are His treasure.
We are a kingdom of priests. The church together is that kingdom. It is hard to comprehend that God wants us to be in His presence, worshipping Him and interceding for other people.
We are God’s holy nation. The word “holy” means “set apart for God’s purpose.” I am not my own. I was bought at a price. I therefore cannot do any old thing that I want to do. I cannot wilfully follow the dictates of my old sinful nature. I have been set apart by God for a holy purpose.
God is building up His kingdom, claiming us as His treasure, His royal priesthood.
Prayer
Father, you call me your treasure, your holy priest. This is too marvellous to understand. Please help me to live totally surrendered to you, to do only what you call me to do. Amen.
“Teach them God’s decrees, and give them instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. Select from all the people capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty and ten.”
Observation
Moses father- in- law, Jethro the priest of Midian, comes to visit Moses. He had heard that the Lord rescued His people from Egypt.
Jethro confesses that the Lord is greater than all the other gods because He rescued the Israelites from Egypt. He then offers sacrifices to God.
The next day, Moses hears people’s disputes all day long. Jethro tells Moses that he needs to delegate this role to others who can lead groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, or ten. This leaves Moses to teach people and show them how to live to honour the Lord.
Application
The Jethro Principle enables church leaders to be effective without being burnt out by the demands on them. This is one of the principles under-girding cell churches. We place people into small groups whose leaders are coached and mentored by experienced leaders of leaders, who themselves are mentored by others.
The same principle can be described as the Spirit of Sonship. Every person needs to have a spiritual father (or mother), with every member of a congregation also submitted to the “father of the house” that is the Senior Pastor.
Moses was being overwhelmed by the demands of the people in little matters. Many pastors face the same issue of having to be consulted over every church member’s personal life.
When people are being pastored by “under- shepherds” who are themselves being pastored, with everyone only directly responsible for a few people, the burden of care is shared. The pastor is then freed to teach, preach and set the direction of the church.
How awesome it is when the Body of Christ functions in the wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the wisdom in your word. Help me as a pastor to not take on too many burdens that are not mine to carry. Amen.
Moses built an altar there and named it “Yahweh- nissi” (which means “the Lord is my banner”).
Observation
Following the Lord, the people of Israel come to Rephidim, but there is no water for them. They start to grumble and complain.
Moses goes to the Lord, who commands him to strike the rock with his staff. Moses does so, and water comes gushing out.
The Amalekite warriors come to fight Israel. Moses stands at the top of a hill. As long as he holds his staff up, the Israelites prevail. But when he lowers the staff, the Amalekites start to win. Aaron and Hur stand beside Moses and support his arms. As a result, Joshua’s army overwhelm the Amalekites.
Application
Just as the Amalekites warred against Israel for generations, so too christians are in a constant and unrelenting battle against satan.
In this warfare, the Lord has promised that He is our banner.
The banner, standard or flag, served many functions in ancient warfare.
1. It identified the armies and which king they belonged to. The Lord is the head of our army, and we should always look to Him.
2. They were a rallying point for the soldiers because they identified where the general was. When you feel disoriented or confused in the battle, turn to the Lord and refocus on Him.
3. They provided a point of cohesion and unity for the army. You are not fighting the battle alone- you have a church, local and global, with you.
4. They reminded the troops that there was a cause they were fighting for. We are not fighting against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers and principalities that have already been defeated by the blood of Christ.
Prayer
Yahweh- nissi, you are my banner. Please help me to remember this when the battle rages around me. Amen.
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