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Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV)

 

6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

 

                In our day, branding and controlling one’s message is crucial. Companies spend millions of dollars to try to stay ahead of the impression that the world has of them. Such is also true of individual people, who would very much like to have a sense of control as to how they present themselves.

 

                It is strange, then, that as a society we are not often comfortable with allowing God to describe himself and his ways to us. The world very often wants to bring their own ideas of who God is to the table. People regularly say things that begin with, “I think God is like…,” or, “The God I serve would never….” But what right do we think we have to define God from our own context?

 

                Can you imagine how frustrating it would be for you to have others define you, telling you who you are or what you are like, based completely on what is in their heads? Do you not want to be able to say who you are and what you value? Of course, with you and me, we are sometimes mistaken about ourselves, because we are finite and do not know all of who we are.

 

                However, confusion about his own identity does not mark our God. God knows exactly who he is. God knows exactly what he values and what he will do. And we see God reveal himself and his ways to Moses here in Exodus 34.

 

                Notice, after looking at the above verses, how God has revealed himself. As he passed by Moses, God said his name, highlighted his mercy, and emphasized his justice. Any picture of God that does not include these things is an incomplete picture. Any description that we come up with for God that does not allow him to define himself is inaccurate.

 

                The picture above shows us that God has some clear standards. He has things that he believes make us guilty and require either his mercy or his judgment. Sometimes, our sins will not only impact us, but will affect those who come after us—not that God punishes our children for our sin, but he does allow our influence and the consequences of our sins to last for generations.

 

                If God reveals to us that certain things are sin in his eyes, it would be wise of us to know this and to believe that God, not humans, will determine what is right and wrong. God has the right to define what worship he will accept. He has the right to tell us that there is only one way to be forgiven. He has the right to define gender, sexuality, marriage, and all the rest. God is God, and we are his creatures. We are to submit to his revelation, not to redefine him based on our whims.

 

                God shows us who he is. He is in charge of his revelation of himself—his branding if you will. We have no right to encroach on his message. Instead, we need to believe God is who he says he is, values what he says he values, and does what he says he will do. Let us bow before the Lord who created us and place ourselves under his mercy through the perfect work of Christ.

 

    

 

Psalm 33:1-3 (ESV)

1 Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous!

Praise befits the upright.

2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;

make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

3 Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

 

                What a neat call to worship is found here in Psalm 33. Those who are righteous are called by God to shout, sing, and play skillfully on strings for the glory of the Lord.

 

                We would do well to remember, first, that none of us is righteous on our own. We would be excluded from this call were it simply our own goodness being measured. However, the Bible teaches us of imputed righteousness. Jesus grants to us his righteousness at the moment of our conversion. Thus God sees us as righteous. This, of course means, that we are now called to praise the Lord as the Psalm depicts.

 

                Both in verse 1 and verse 3, there is a call to shout for joy. I’m not going to argue that this means that our worship services should sound like the cheering of a professional sporting event. However, I will argue that this means there should be a welling up of joy in the hearts of believers that should burst forth from time to time as we consider the Lord and his grace. He is good. The rest of the psalm talks of how God has created all things and how he rules over the nations. God is mighty and magnificent. He is certainly worth our shouting for joy.

 

                The call also is present for us to sing new songs of God’s glory. This is a good reminder. I am one who is given to loving the hymns of the past, especially those high-church hymns, deep in theology, of several centuries ago. But that is certainly not all there is. There should be something about our experience with the Lord that leads us to desire to compose and sing new pieces of music for his glory. We should want to learn new ways to express God’s greatness.

 

                Also present is the call to play skillfully on stringed instruments. I don’t think that this is about the particular instrument in question. Guitars, pianos, organs, keyboards, Chellos, wind instruments, and percussion can all be used to bring glory to the Lord. What I think is key here is the call to play skillfully. God calls those of us who would lead in worship to work on our craft. We should not be sloppy. We should not take this call lightly. We are called to work on playing, to practice and practice, and to strive to master the skillful playing of our instruments so that God will be honored. We want to show his greatness partly through the commitment we have to play his music well. This does not mean that we have to be come professional, virtuoso musicians. However, we owe it to God to play music to his glory and to play that music to the very best of the abilities he has given us.

 

                The call in this psalm is beautiful. It is a call to joyful, musical praise of the Lord. Let us be a people who shout, sing, and play in such a way to declare to the nations that our God is truly wonderful, powerful, glorious, and worthy.

Exodus 20:25 (ESV)

 

If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.

 

                God has the right to tell us exactly how he will be worshipped. Though many people believe that they may approach God in any way they so choose, God makes it clear that this is not the case. He will determine how people may come before him. He also has the right to determine what he will reject

 

                Just after giving the Ten Commandments, God teaches Moses several important things about how Moses and the people of Israel are to relate to God in worship. Of course he told them not to worship idols. He also told them standards for earthen or stone altars for worship.

 

                Notice in the verse above what God says about the stone altar. The people were not to wield any sort of tool on a stone altar. If they are to make a stone altar for the Lord, they have to simply stack the stones. Why? Any human alteration on the altar would profane it.

 

                What is the key ere? God is holy. We cannot improve his worship by adding our own touch to it. In fact, God makes it plain that the touch of sinful humanity on his worship is not helpful. We are sinners. We do not bring any sort of extra improvements to the table. God, in his holiness, rejects our attempts to improve his commanded worship.

 

                We should learn two things here. First, we should learn that God is truly Holy. He is not subject to our ideas when it comes to worship. He will command what he desires. We have no right to disobey or to reject his commands. Unlike the teaching of the world, God’s commands are to approach him in his way if we wish to be accepted by him.

 

                Second, we should be extremely grateful for Jesus. We are so sinful that even the use of a human-wielded tool on a stone altar of God would profane it. Our sin corrupts and misshapes worship to the point that it is unacceptable. Were we left in this state, we could not approach God, we could not worship God, and we certainly could not be forgiven by God. But God, out of his great love and mercy, sent his Son who lived out the perfection we could not live. God sacrificed his Son to pay the penalty we could never afford to pay. God raised his Son from the dead, proving to us that the work is done and that life is the reward of all who come to faith in Jesus. And now God invites all who have put their faith in Jesus to approach him with boldness and confidence (Eph 3:12). No, we do not determine how God will be worshipped. Nor do wee reject or reshape God’s rules. But, in Christ, we who would profane all we touch have been cleansed, redeemed, and welcomed into his presence. And that welcoming should give us great cause for thanksgiving.

Acts 17:30-34 (ESV)

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

 

                I’ve been thinking recently about the way that we go about sharing our faith. It seems that there are a great many strategies and techniques out there for defending the truths of the Christian faith. Many people work hard to package clever philosophical arguments that will turn the objections of skeptics.

 

                But, as we watch the way that Paul responded to the people of Athens, we see something other than a clever philosophical defense. Paul does not develop the logical law of non-contradiction, though such a truth is very much worth understanding. Instead, Paul points to one item, one truth, one key element upon which the faith either stands or falls: the resurrection.

 

                For all the clever and persuasive ways we attempt to present the faith, the biblical method seems to have far more to do with the simple historical fact that Jesus is alive after being dead. Paul is not trying to convince the people of Athens that Christianity is more fulfilling, more moral, better for society, or kinder and gentler. He just says that God has commanded the people of the world to repent and staked his claim to our repentance by raising Jesus from the dead.  The argument seems to go like this: If Jesus is alive, you owe him your faith and allegiance. And, as Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 15:14, if Jesus is not alive, then there is nothing about Christianity that is worthwhile.

 

                So, while I am not suggesting that we do not want to think well about the philosophical and apologetic aspects of evangelism, the truth is, there is something far simpler that we need to claim. God calls every human being on earth to repent. He has proved his right to the call by raising Jesus from the dead. If Jesus is alive, you should repent. If Jesus is alive, then the teachings of the word of God are true. If Jesus is alive, the commands of Scripture are valid. If Jesus is not, then there is no other argument or form of persuasion that will have any lasting impact.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 

                As I read the above passage this morning, the thought that hit me was, “I need that rest.” The Lord Jesus speaks words of great peace and comfort to those he is calling to himself. And I wonder just how unfamiliar this concept is to the modern church and to the modern Christian.

 

                Is your Christian life marked by rest in the Lord Jesus? What would that look like for you? Or does your Christian life look like a flurry of activity, of work, of striving to be something that you are not?

 

                What a joy it would be for many of us to recognize a few key truths about ourselves and about the gospel. The gospel tells us that we are not good, not at all. We cannot earn anything from God. We cannot work ourselves into righteousness. And yet God chose to rescue us. He has chosen to make us his children. And he did not do so in order that we would then put a massive amount of pressure on ourselves and on our friends to accomplish the task of growing ourselves or even of growing God’s kingdom.

 

                In Galatians 3, Paul calls the Galatians foolish and bewitched because they were acting as though they could perfect themselves through works of the law. Paul reminded them that they came to Christ by faith and by the working of the Spirit of God. They cannot then become perfected by works. In a similar way, I wonder how many of us need the same reminder. We were rescued by Jesus through the working of God’s Spirit. Do we really think that we are going to effort ourselves into righteousness?

 

                Jesus also said that he would build his kingdom, and hells gates will not overcome it. Do we somehow think that we are the ones who are going to build the kingdom and defeat the gates of hell? Do we think that we are going to, now that God has turned us loose, tackle the devil, turn the culture, and defeat the darkness on our own?

 

                Please do not hear a call to laziness here. Ephesians 2:10 says that God has created us for good works that he prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. He did not save us for laziness. He did not tell us to “let go and let God” as the old quietistic phrase says. Paul talks about beating his body and making it his slave. We are supposed to be putting forth effort. But, that effort is not the center of the Christian life with no reprieve and only demands. No, Jesus came to give us rest. He says that his yoke is easy. He says that his burden is light. He calls us to come to him for rest. And I wonder if maybe we have forgotten that this is as much a part of the gospel as the call to work the works for which we were created.  

Exodus 5:19-23 (ESV)

19 The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

22 Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”

 

                Book after book and blog post after blog post has been and is being composed regarding leadership in the church. But sometimes we fail to see just how difficult leadership under the rule of God can be. It is not easy. It is not always pleasant. Sometimes is hurts.

 

                Moses followed God’s instructions in Exodus 5. He went in to meet with Pharaoh and asked him to let God’s people go. He did what he was told, and the results were not good. Pharaoh responded with commands to make the burden of the people of Israel much greater than before.

 

                Then the people Moses was sent to rescue responded, and their response was harsh. They were understandably angry with Moses. He had made their work difficult. He had made their mistreatment by the Egyptians harsh. Because of Moses’ words, the people were being punished and forced to struggle just to get by.

 

                Please never fool yourself about Christian leadership whether you are a pastor, a small group leader, or anything else. God does not promise us that leadership will be easy. Nor does he promise us instant success. He does not promise us that those whom we lead will appreciate our leadership.

 

                Just consider the world we live in. It seems that, from day to day, it is more difficult to live out biblical Christianity in the world. Christians are being tested and ostracized for our beliefs. We are being told that we cannot be acceptable citizens of society if we hold to a biblical view of gender, marriage, and sex. We are told we are fools if we do not accept the scientific establishment’s explanations for creation and human existence. It seems that the rights of every people group in our nation is being protected except for the rights of those who want to follow the word of God.

 

                So, in a very real sense, there is a burden before those in the church who would lead. We are forced by the word of God to lead people into potentially painful circumstances. As we call people to biblical fidelity, they are going to walk into difficult social circumstances. Some people will lose their jobs. Some will experience opportunities slip away. Some will experience family members who turn their backs on the believers because of the believers refusal to not only allow but approve of certain decisions.

 

                But, as we walk into difficult times, let us remember that, while God did not promise us ease or even success in the here and now, God did promise us a reward of glory and joy for being faithful to his name. God is always faithful to his children. To all who honor him and follow his ways, he will give blessing. The blessing of God may be a glimpse of his glory that is only perceivable to the believer himself, but that is OK. We were created by God for God’s glory. When we experience God’s glory, we experience the ultimate of joy and comfort. And as God shows us who he is and allows us to praise his glory, we will find that the hardships we walk through in obedience to his name are worth it.

 

 

                In Moses’ circumstances, God used him to lead the people out of Egypt. They crossed the Red Sea, saw the army of Pharaoh drowned, and experienced the glory of God on the mountain. And, though I am certain that Moses never looked back on that moment when he was rejected by the Israelite leadership with any fondness, I would guess that Moses believed that the pain was worth it to be faithful to the Lord and to experience the true reward of being overwhelmed by the majesty of our God.

Acts 14:21-23 (ESV)

 

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

 

           I have written on this passage before, especially focusing on the amazing truth that Paul, who had been left for dead after the people stoned him, got up and returned to the very city where they tried to kill him. This was amazing, faithful, and fruitful. Remember, it was Lystra where Paul was stoned by the people, and it was in a later trip to Lystra where Paul struck up a friendship with Timothy, a key follower of Christ.

 

           What has my attention this morning, however, is what Paul did as he and those with him returned to the cities where they had faced such opposition. We see first that Paul strengthened the souls of the disciples. What a great ministry this was. Paul made sure that a key element to how he served was to give strength to the people. This means that his ministry was certainly not focused on always bringing guilt and condemnation. No, Paul worked to encourage people in the faith. He wanted to help people b stronger in their faith.

 

How do you strengthen the souls of others?

 

           Another thing that Paul did was to encourage people to continue in the faith. Added to this is the truth that it will be through many tribulations that we enter the kingdom of God. Yes, Paul wanted their souls to be encouraged. However, he did not lie to them. They lived in a world where it would be hard to be a Christian. Socially, it was not acceptable to be a follower of Jesus. Socially, it was completely out of place not to take part in the worship of the Greek gods or to be a part of Roman emperor worship. The Christians were thought of as atheists, people who did not have any visible gods to worship. They were considered anti-social. Like Christians today, they were considered to be on the wrong side of history.

 

           Paul knew that this would be a hard road to follow, and he told the Christians so. He let them know that they will face difficulties. He encouraged them to stay the course. He helped them to steel their courage as they looked toward the potential of coming persecution.

 

How might you encourage someone to press on in the faith, even in the face of hardship?

 

           Finally, Paul and his followers appointed elders in every church for the people. What a kind gift this was. Paul knew that the church should be led by competent men—more than one—who could shepherd and oversee the flock, teaching the word of God faithfully. Paul did not set up the churches to be run by any single individual. He set up multiple elders, giving us an example of accountability and strength in numbers. This would not have made congregational decisions obsolete, but would have set up a church where godly leaders do what they are to do and the congregation is called to participate and to affirm that leadership. Yet, as we see in Paul’s writings, the congregation is called to act as a whole and is the final line of authority in key matters such as church discipline or restoration.

 

           What Paul did for these churches was very kind. It would be good for any church to have a plurality of men, godly men, who are gifted and able to spiritually lead the congregation. When multiple men are involved in this leadership, the decisions are not made at the whim of any one person’s preferences. Also, when one leader is weak, perhaps going through a difficult season in life, the others are there to pick him up and help him through. There are countless other reasons why this model of church leadership works. What is nice to see, however, is that Paul was kind enough to the church to arrange it this way for them before he left them to head back home to Antioch.

 

Do you help in the faithful ordering of the church?

 

           God is very good to his people. He has given us great examples to follow. He calls us to strengthen one another’s souls, to encourage each other to stay the course, to be ready to face hardships together, and to have strong churches. May we learn from these things for God’s glory and for our good.

Genesis 46:1-4 (ESV)

1 So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here am I.” 3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. 4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

 

            As the narrative of Genesis follows Jacob’s trek to Egypt, we see another point of truth. Yesterday, I noted that the gospel was whispered in the events of Jacob’s sons telling him that Joseph was alive and that he should leave his home to go and be with Joseph in Egypt. In a real sense, Jacob had to exercise a life-changing faith in order to get on that wagon.

 

            But now we see another event that parallels much of our experience. Here God meets with Jacob and shows him that he has made the right choice. God shows Jacob that he will be blessed.

 

            What is interesting is that God does not tell Jacob that until after he has believed and obeyed. This is often the case in the Bible. Later, when Moses wants a sign that he has not lost it, God tells him that the sign will be that the people will worship on the mountain after the miracle has happened.

 

            What we can learn from this is that obedience to the word of God may indeed lead us to a place of assurance that such obedience is correct. However, that obedience may have to come first. God does not spell out our entire paths for us as we start the journey. As we trust him and obey him, he will guide us by his word and wisdom to places he wants us to be. 

Genesis 45:25-28 (ESV)

25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. 26 And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

 

                It’s funny how faith and resurrection themes are really all over the Old Testament. It is true that every story in the Bible has whispers of the story of Jesus. This morning, I see one that I’ve never noticed before in the story of Israel (Jacob) hearing of Joseph’s life in Egypt.

 

                In a quick note of preface, I’m not arguing that this is clear authorial intent. I could be wrong. I could be over-imposing an understanding of the New Testament story. I’m not arguing for prophecy here. This story certainly does not completely cover every aspect of the gospel. However, I will still draw the picture, because I think it could be significant.

 

                Israel believed Joseph to be dead. He was continuing to mourn his loss. Thus, we have set before Israel a figurative resurrection. Joseph had been “dead,” and he is now said to be alive. 

 

                This return of Joseph to life for Israel poses a dilemma. Will he believe the story? Will Israel be able to set aside his grief and his mourning in order to actually receive the truth that Joseph is alive?

 

                Moreover, the faith of Israel in the fact that Joseph is alive leads to great blessing. If Israel will believe, just believe enough to walk out of his house and get on a wagon, he will be reunited with his son. Not only will he be reunited with his son, but he will be given a new home and all the blessings that are available to a man living in Egypt at that time.

 

                Thus, in a figurative sense, we can see a salvation of sorts for Israel. He was sorrowful and headed for the deepest part of the famine. He had no hope. But, because Joseph was alive—back from the dead in Israel’s mind—he has a future. If Israel will simply believe the story of Joseph’s life, he will receive a physical salvation and the joyful blessing of life with his son in a new land. Of course this belief requires change, as Jacob not only has to declare belief, but that belief has to move him to such a degree that he leaves his home, gets in the wagon, and heads to the land of Egypt where his son awaits.

 

                There is an echo of the gospel here for sure. We are hopeless and destined for destruction because of our sin. Jesus died and returned from the grave. If we will believe this and place ourselves in his care, he will forgive our sins, take away the consequences of our sins, and grant us eternal life with him in a state of perfect joy. 

Genesis 38:27-30 (ESV)

 

27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah.

 

                It is always fun to come across the weird passages of the Bible. What are we to make of these sorts of odd events? Here we have the story of a woman who bore twins. At the time of their birth, one twin got a hand out, but the other was born first. Why in the world would the Bible record this? What are we to do with it?

 

                Remember that the Book of genesis is telling us the story of the beginnings. It is the book that tells us of the beginning of our world as God created it. It tells us of the beginning of humanity. It tells us of the beginning of sin, the fall of man. And it tells us of the beginning of God’s promise to send a Rescuer into the world to make things right between himself and his people.

 

                In the more recent context, we have seen the beginning of the nation of Israel. Abraham was chosen by God to carry God’s promise. Abraham’s son, Isaac, was chosen over Ishmael to carry God’s promise. Isaac’s son Jacob was chosen over Esau to carry the promise. Now we see the story of Judah, Jacob’s fourth son, and Juda’s twins.

 

                Just like we have seen in the two sons of Abraham and of Isaac, what we are witnessing is God selecting the particular line through which is promise will be carried. You see, Judah will be the one to carry the promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But which of Judah’s twin sons would carry it? God chose Perez.

 

                How do we know God chose Perez? In this instance, it is a miracle more than a simple pronouncement. Perez’s younger brother should have been born first. His hand came out first, after all. Yet, somehow, by the power of God, the order of the two children was switched. God moved the children. God had Perez be born first, but only after showing us that it could have gone the other way. God marked Perez as the one to carry the covenant promise.

 

                What do we learn from this stuff? I mean, sure, it is interesting that God chose one child to carry the promise, but so what? God is in control. God is sovereign. God selected one child and not the other to carry his blessing. This was not based in any way on the deeds of the children, but simply on God’s sovereign plan. This was true of Jacob and his brother as well. God is in control. His purposes will stand. Nobody will thwart them.

 

                Thus, an odd story like this one reminds us that God is in control. He is in charge. He will do that which he intends. He can change circumstances if he needs to in order to make things happen in the way he has chosen.

 

                God also chooses the instruments of his will. God can use any of us he wishes. We do not have the right to demand to be used by God. However, if God so chooses, he can put us in a position to serve him in any way he pleases.

 

                Rest in the truth of God’s sovereignty. Praise him. Trust him. Know that he has accomplished his will. He brought his promised Rescuer in to the world. And now that Jesus has come, no person will stop God’s will from being done.