Modeling Excellence

Posted by admin on May 7, 2012 in Post

Moses set an example of excellence for his workforce by doing his job according to all that the Lord had commanded him. (Ex. 40:16). That kind of precision set the pace for everyone else and reaped invaluable rewards.

For example, the management team for the construction of the tabernacle emulated Moses’ example. They performed their tasks with wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship. They completed the project according to all that the Lord had commanded (Ex 35:30-31, 35; 36:1). Likewise, all of the workers under them carried out their task as the Lord had commanded (Ex 39:1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 29, 31-32, 42).

Excellence in Israel began with Moses. It spread to the group of managers helping to supervise and coordinate the project with the workers following suit. Do you model excellence and quality for others at your job?

Tags: Exodus, Life, Moses, Work

Blaming Satan?

Posted by admin on April 30, 2012 in Post

A common view today is that Satan is not a real person but just a mythological way ancient people had of explaining evil and suffering; however, the Book of Job does not support that view nor does the rest of the Bible. Notice particularly how Satan is described in this book. He appears in the first two chapters but then completely drops out of the narrative. Most of the rest of the book contains a discussion between Job and four of his friends as they try to make sense of Job’s trails. Nothing is heard directly from or about Satan again. They propose numerous suggestions and insights concerning suffering, but they never resort to blaming Satan or even to mentioning him again.

This has important implications for believers today, especially given that we live in a society with an increasingly secular worldview. On one hand, the Book of Job shows us that Satan does exist and does influence what happens to individuals. In other words, we live in a universe where the supernatural affects day-to-day life. We cannot dismiss the Bible’s teaching about angels and demons as nothing but myths from the past.

Yet on the other hand, the Book of Job cautions us against just blaming Satan for the troubles we face. Job and his friends disagree on the exact cause of Job’s suffering, but they all agree that people are morally responsible for the choices they make. Their focus is not so much on Satan as their adversary but on God as their Judge. (Job 5:8, 17; 8:3-6, 9-1; 11:5-6).

Tags: God, Jesus, Job, Satan

The Two Arms of God

Posted by admin on April 25, 2012 in Post

The two arms of God, a strong right arm (Is. 40:10) and a tender left one (Is. 40:11), together embrace His people with the “tough love” of power and comfort.

God’s strong right arm rules with sovereign might. It can act like a powerful army to protect, defend, or as in the case of Judah in Babylon deliver hostages from captivity. In a similar way it can protect, defend, or deliver people from the power and bondage of sin.

On the other hand, God exhibits tender sensitivity. He is the Good Shepherd who faithfully feeds His flock and makes sure that the little lambs are nursed. He watches over the vulnerable, the weak, and the innocent.

He is the God of power and comfort. How greatly we need Him today, as anyone who works with children can appreciate. Mothers, fathers, school bus drivers, day care workers, teachers, street crossing guards, child welfare workers, and anyone whose job it is to nurture, protect and advocate for children can look to the Lord ( Isaiah 40) for the personal and spiritual resources to carry out the task.

Tags: God, Isaiah, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love

Love God, Love People

Posted by admin on April 16, 2012 in Post

Jesus said that the entire Law rest on two preeminent commandments: loving God and loving one’s neighbor as oneself (Matt 22: 36-40; compare Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18). The Ten Commandments, which summarize the Law, shows how this is true and speaks of ten practical ways in which the duty to love God and others is fulfilled.

The first four Commandments:

No other gods before me
No carved images to worship
No taking the name of the Lord in vain
Observe the Sabbath

The last six Commandments:

Honor your father and mother
No murder
No committing adultery
No stealing
No bearing false witness
No coveting

Loving God and loving others are interdependent. We can’t do one without doing the other (James 2:10). The more we love God, the more involved we must become in serving the needs of others. If we want to love others, we need to ground that love in the love of God.

Down through history, Christians have often tended to emphasize one side or the other; sometimes, even to the virtual exclusion of the other. But the Ten Commandments do not allow for an either or approach to love. God’s people must love Him and love others. The two cannot be separated ( 1 John 4: 7-16, 5: 2-3).

Tags: 1 John, James, love

The Lord Knows

Posted by admin on April 2, 2012 in Post

Some people spend their whole lives working in obscurity, with little to show for their efforts despite years of toil. The Hebrews fit that profile after trudging through the wilderness for forty years (Deut 2:7).

The nation’s decades-long detour on the way to the Holy Land resulted from a crisis of faith at Kadesh Barnea. Everyone twenty years of age and older was condemned to die in the wilderness except for Joshua and Caleb (Nub 14: 29-30). Thus many, who had been children when Israel came out of Egypt, were now in their forties, fifties, and perhaps even sixties. Yet, what had they done with their lives but “wander” through desert wastes waiting for their parents’ generation to expire?

Thus Moses’ word that “the Lord your God… knows your trudging through this great wilderness” (Deut 2:7) must have come as a tremendous encouragement. God had not forgotten this new generation. He was mindful of the “work of their hand” which amounted to the task of surviving the wilderness journey.

In the same way, God is mindful of you. He knows what you have been through and whether or not you have been recognized for your efforts. He has been there with you every step of the way.

Tags: Deuteronomy, God knows, jesus Knows, Numbers