June 19

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR JUNE 19, 2024: EXODUS 6, EPHESANS 3, PSALM 55:20-23                          EXODUS 6 God almost seems pumped up telling Moses what He is about to witness of God’s action.  Maybe we could catch some of that energy as we await God’s work in our lives. God spends the next four verses reminding who He is and what He has done in the past. Then He tells Moses again exactly what to say the Hebrews, which is all the great things God will now do for them.  To his credit, Moses obeyed this time.  The people, preoccupied with their current problems, did not pay any attention. Do we pay attention to what God has said in His word that should buoy us up? If not, why not?  “The one [is] sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Matt. 13:22).  Pray that we will believe God’s word no matter what we are currently experiencing.  Of course, this reaction doesn’t dissuade God.  He tells Moses to give the word to Pharaoh. Moses, with some understandable earthly logic, observes if the Hebrews did not listen, how will Pharoah?  Then he brings up again his lack of oratory skills. Maybe this is a question we could ponder: When God calls us to a task, is false modesty a sin?  If not, it certainly hinders God’s work and helps the Devil. 

Below is a graphic of the genealogy given in this chapter:Observations:

  • The years don’t seem to match. “The time that the sons of Israel had lived in Egypt was 430 years” (Ex: 12:40). Genesis 48 implies Korath was alive going into Egypt. Thus, 133+137+83 (Aaron’s then age) =353. Likely, one of the generations was left out, as with the expression “Jesus is the Son of David.”
  • Moses’s and Aaron’s father Aram married his own Aunt Jochebed. Not so strange back then.
  • Korah, Moses’s cousin, will provoke God’s wrath; Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, will stop God’s wrath. 

READING FOR JUNE 19, 2024 CONTINUTED: EPHESIANS 3, PSALM 55:20-23               EPHESIANS 3 Paul begins the chapter with the words “for this reason,” which begs the question, for what reason?  Going back a few verses we see Paul elaborating on the theme of the Gentile and Jews now joined together in the church.  Paul once again clarifies that his mission for Christ is to the Gentiles. He mentions that he briefly wrote to them earlier about his Damascus Road conversion, which gave Divine validation to his ministry. He also mentions about the progressive nature of God’s revelation.  Aspects of God’s plan that were not clear before are now made known, in specific the inclusion of Gentile believers. This aspect had been hidden for previous ages by God can now be fully known: “so that the multifaceted wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Eph. 3:10-11).

Note that Paul said the multifaceted wisdom of God is now known to the Church and that God’s eternal purpose was carried out by Jesus. The clear indication is that the Gospel, His eternal purpose and wisdom, has been completed as carried out by Jesus and fully communicated to us. No further redemptive action of this nature by God will be forthcoming, such as claimed in the Book of Mormon, the Koran, or anyone else’s personal revelation.

Perhaps as we finish this chapter we might pray this paraphrase of Paul’s concluding prayer taken from Ephesians 3:16-21:  “Lord, according to the riches of Your glory, may Yorktown Methodist Church be strengthened with power through Your Spirit in our inner selves,so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; and that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we at Yorktown Methodist Church ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

PSALM 55:20-23 Starting with the last part of verse 19, we begin to learn more about the character of David’s tormentor. He doesn’t fear God; he responds to peaceful overtures with aggression; he breaks his promises; and his gracious speech cloaks hostile intent. David reminds himself to give all his concerns to God knowing only God can sustain him. Perhaps David’s best move is to take his focus off himself or his tormentor and place his attention on and trust in God. Focusing on God, His attributes, and His past faithfulness is always a good move.