The Joy of Giving

“…and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”  

Exodus 35:21 (NIV)

God did an incredible work in rescuing His covenantal followers, the kinsmen of Israel, from the throes of Egypt’s seemingly unbreakable grip. The man called to guide the Lord’s favored people from a land of captivity to a land of promise was Moses. He was God’s chosen spokesman and Israel’s spiritual guide for a truly historic event. After the Hebrews exited the world’s most formidable stronghold at the time, God reaffirmed His desire to be the sovereign ruler over Abraham’s lineage. Furthermore, the Lord outlined the specific means by which Israel could and should convey an earnest desire to adore Him. Therefore, Moses was provided detailed instructions regarding the proper posture and process to atone for individual and corporate transgressions. Such redemptive acts, coincidentally, foreshadowed the forthcoming, salvation-inducing effort of Jesus Christ at Calvary.

Moses rightly expressed God’s requirements for offerings and observances with the Hebrews. He did so knowing that it necessitated a humble, charitable response from everyone. In order to construct the articles of worship mandated by God people had to donate personal belongings. And the outpouring was substantial, as it should be within the community of faith. People gave previous metals, stones, and elegant fabrics for the cause. Some might have been tempted to hoard the gifts they received when they departed Egypt. After all, when you have lived so long with so little and then receive a windfall of prosperity why turn around and immediately give most of it away? But to praise God is to put Him above possessions and the trappings of a tightfisted mentality.

Admiration of God should cost us something. Otherwise it would not signify how much God really means to us. The fact that God called for the incorporation of valuables into worship is significant. It indicates that the things of this world are not the means of obtaining joy. Worldly valuable are not trophies to selfishly stockpile. Rather, the things of this world are confirmation of God’s provision, as well as a mechanism to honor our Maker and Lord.

This particular section in Exodus reflects the community of faith God longs to see, that being people contributing to the Lord and to the Lord’s work. It is probable that there were some who held out and chose not to help the cause. But the ones who did willingly supply from their treasuries made up the difference, and then some. It is remarkable what God’s people can do when we rally together. Lives change and labor prospers. It takes much conviction to relinquish what we have to God, to part with the tangible things. There is never a guarantee that the material blessings we surrender will come back to us, or be replenished. But by continually giving we exhibit an abiding spirit of praise and find a greater purpose in life. If we want to discover joy in living then we must unleash the joy of giving.

God's Order; Our Obedience

“These are the laws you are to set before them…”

Exodus 21:1 (NIV)

In this seemingly chaotic and mayhem-filled world it is refreshing to recognize that God documented a path of integrity for His believers to follow. In Scripture, the Lord has set a spiritual foundation upon which our lives can, and should, be firmly supported. God’s Word, therefore, is a text complete with inspiration and instruction. Education and encouragement. Hope and help.

There is great comfort in knowing that God is a God of order. An implicit desire within the Lord’s governance is for humanity to obediently submit to His decrees. Hearts that long to honor God’s will and reflect His holy nature will diligently observe His regulations. It a natural outpouring of faith-based living. Although God’s rules appear complex and hard to practice, at times, we find that that they are premised on love, honesty, humility, faithfulness, and kindness. If mankind would sincerely employ the godly tenets, which guide moral behavior, then the offenses toward one another, and God, would all but disappear.

God was very precise with the sacraments, worship offerings, and sacrificial environment in the book of Exodus, as well as other Old Testament accounts. He went into extensive specificity with the tabernacle, the altar, the chest of testimony, and the high priestly attire. God reveals Himself at His discretionary choosing, but when He does reveal Himself rest assured His message is of utmost importance. We must not read such verses in Exodus with a “these phrases and passages are outdated and irrelevant mentality”, but with a spiritual hunger to appreciate the great care God put into establishing a relationship with humanity, a relationship founded on our obedience.

Through God’s detailed, discipline-oriented teaching He frames the conduct and character He desires His followers to display. God’s believers should exhibit a noticeable demeanor that stands apart from the worldly example. To those distant from God most biblical statements seem restrictive and binding. They don’t make sense because the yearning to demonstrate a virtuous character is a foreign one. Those who claim God is obscure or silent on assorted life matters need to analyze and absorb the words in Scripture.     

Do God’s ways sometimes appear unusual or unconventional? Yes. But behind every request of God is a holy perspective, a perspective that sees beyond the momentary and engages the eternal. As tempted as we may be to question or dismiss God because of our naturally judgmental mindset, to reject God’s expressed call is akin to rejecting God Himself. We must daily choose who (or Who) we will serve. For our sake, as well as that of our family’s, let us serve the Lord with wholehearted devotion and joy. Let us embrace the rich, rewarding structure of God’s Word. May His order be coupled to our obedience.              

Immense Grace For An Imperfect People

“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’”

Exodus 3:11 (NIV)

As great as Moses became in the legacy of God-followers he certainly had moments of weakness and complacency. His hesitancy in accepting God’s call to participate in freeing Israel out of Egyptian bondage exemplifies this fact. At the onset of his holy commission, Moses signified a stubborn heart. He tried to argue his way out of the divine assignment. He questioned God repeatedly. He even delayed circumcising his sons, which would have cost him his life had his wife not intervened for him and performed the task herself.

Clearly, Moses let personal doubt and insecurities momentarily overshadow trust in the supreme God. He was hand-selected by God and seemed to balk at every aspect of it. He did not celebrate the fact that he was an instrument of God’s choosing. Instead, he criticized his inclusion in God’s masterful plan to redeem Israel from national slavery. The wonder of this account is that Moses was still asked to be God’s messenger despite his spirit of ingratitude. Such is the mysterious work of God, that His will can be enacted through a flawed people.

Moses’ response to God’s prodding in Exodus 3:11 captures his indecision and distrust. “Who am I” was not an expression of appreciation; it was a confirmation of reluctance. It was a plea to be released from the forthcoming task. When we are in the presence of God, hearing the Master speak, a reverential awe should come forth, an awe that seeks to listen rather than rebel. Accept rather than reject. Embrace rather than attempt an escape. To try to forego God’s will is to push the Lord away. Instead of digging in our heels in rebellion, we should fall to our knees in praise, pledge our allegiance to the Lord, and surrender our lives to His authority and leadership.

Throughout the entirety of Moses’ complaint-laced discourse in Exodus 3 and 4 God held a steadfast composure. The Lord was patient and not easily angered. Mankind has so many flaws, but God loves us anyway. He desired to use us for His purpose, even though He could accomplish His great work without us. The follow-on years after this biblical exchange were filled with courageous examples signifying Moses’ later acceptance of God’s design. The timid shepherd eventually became a pillar of strength for the Hebrew community. In time, he recognized his role in God’s plan and sought to honor the Lord in all that he said and did. Despite the less-than-stellar ministry beginning, Moses left a spiritual heritage worth remembering and modeling. We cannot gaze upon the life-story of Moses without recalling the wonderful mercy of God. It underscores an amazing truth: the Lord has immense grace for an imperfect people.

The Mighty, Moving Message of God

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.”

Job 38:1 (NIV)

The book of Job honestly assesses the state of suffering and chronicles the lasting legacy of a follower of God who was swiftly impacted with immense casualties. Job, a great man of faith, encountered the loss of his children and his livelihood. Nearly everything he held dear was gone in an instant. In time, Job became consumed with understanding the purpose of his anguish. Three of Job’s friends, who initially intended to provide comfort and encouragement to Job, exasperated the situation. Ultimately, they criticized Job and accused him of denying some unnamed sin. The three companions wrongly assumed Job’s past or present transgressions were the cause of his sorrows. Job pleaded his innocence, but to no avail. Tired and emotionally drained, Job called out to God and begged the Lord to explain Himself. Eventually, in a most mighty and moving message, the Lord answered Job (Genesis 38-41). It was a direct, hard-hitting sermon, which revealed that God’s intellect, wisdom, and insight make man’s musings sound like pure folly.

                                                                                                            

In essence, God asked Job, “Who are you to question me?” Of course, Job had no decent reply. To query God about His rationale or His activity is to doubt God and minimize the Lord’s role as mankind’s Sustainer. God reminded Job that he had neither the strength nor the power to corral the ocean or singularly control the beasts of the sea. Therefore, how could Job pretend to be so intimately knowledgeable of God’s thoughts or ways? So often we speak without understanding because we are vain and conceited. So often we lack a dedicated, praiseful heart. What right does man have to judge the will of God, His methodology, or His fairness? What makes us think that we can properly evaluate His form of justice? We have no such authority to do so.

God’s mighty, moving message forced Job to humbly confess his need to listen for divine counsel rather than disparage it. Job’s guilt was evident in his short, humble response. He recognized that he should not have quizzed the Lord about His motives or His capacity to rule over humanity’s circumstances. Overwhelmed by the awesomeness of the Lord, Job admitted he was unqualified to speak on God’s behalf. He momentarily second-guessed the Lord and His intentions. After God revealed Himself, Job realized that he was out of his element by assuming that he comprehended God’s heart and mindset on the matter at hand.

The morale of this story is that God is always in control. His eternal, Kingly reign demands our obedience, trust, and worship. Even when it seems as though everything is collapsing around us, nothing escapes God’s providential hand. His unbreakable rule continues, no matter if circumstances indicate otherwise. Job temporarily overlooked this truth and received a strong rebuke for it. But, God restored him and Job resumed a lifestyle of honorable service to God. In the end of this account, we remember God’s wonderful sovereignty and goodness, not Job’s momentary frustration and pain.