READING FOR JULY 30, 2024: EXODUS 35, 2 TIMOTHY 4, PSALM 73:16-28 EXODUS 35 Moses gathered all the people together to share with them what God had told him regarding the requirements for building the Tabernacle and related items. It was important to give them the big picture of what God directed to see if their hearts might be moved to contribute materials or skills to the task. Everything they needed for the task was already in their collective possession. God, however, didn’t want them to be forced to give but to allow their hearts to be moved to give. Does our church have everything we need to achieve God’s purposes for us? Do we have a willing heart? These might be good questions to ponder. As they were about to begin this work, God reminded them about the Sabbath work guidelines.
Thus, God gave people the skills to do His work, using materials given to the people then given back to God as their hearts were moved by God, according to a pattern God provided, and in obedience with the laws honoring God. Every step of the process is interaction between God’s sovereignty and human response. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13).
2 TIMOTHY 4 Since this is the last chapter of what is likely Paul’s last letter, he gets really serious in his comments. He reminds Timothy that these comments have extra weight because they are being made in front of almighty God. Let’s remember, God is always present when we text, email, or talk. Paul implores Timothy to preach the Word. Let’s be sure the Word is being preached and taught, not personal opinion or other items of interest. Also remember in 2 Tim. 3:16, Paul said all scripture in God inspired. One can sometimes notice that certain passages or books of the Bible are never covered in church because the text might not support what a person’s practices or beliefs are or there is fear the texts won’t be popular. Paul tells Timothy not to censure God in that way. Yes, that text might mean correction, rebuke, and exhortation are needed, but they’re needed for our own good. Preaching and teaching the word goes beyond making us feel good to making us be good. This isn’t about laying out guilt trips but laying out truth.
Paul alerts us that folks increasingly won’t like sound doctrine but will instead seek out preachers or teachers who echo their own more culturally approved opinions. If so, we will just need to endure hardship. Notice, Paul also made a point that Timothy should do evangelism. Perhaps this wasn’t his spiritual gift, but it still needed to be done in Ephesus. Paul, starting to sound as if he is expecting to die soon, is truthfully able to say that he has left it all out on the field for God. This must be a good feeling and something that would be great for us.
READING FOR JULY 30, 2024 CONTINUED: 2 TIMOTHY 4, PSALM 73:16-28
to be able to say. Because of this, Paul is looking forward to the final judgment with the Lord. How unlike how many approach annual performance evaluations. Of course, we can trust in the totally fair judgment of the Lord, while our human supervisor might be less fair.
Paul was eager to see Timothy. Because many others had either deserted him or were on another assignment, he likely was lonely. Interestingly, he wanted to see Mark, from whom he had earlier disassociated (Acts 15:36). How wonderful to reconcile with someone while both parties are still living. We also see he wanted his coat and books—not luxuries. Paul’s reference to being saved from the Lion’s mouth could be talking about Satan: “Satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Or it could be an incident Timothy knew about from living in Ephesus: “I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus”(1 Cor. 15:32).
PSALM 73:16-28 At verse 16, Asaph reaches the height of his confusion. So, what did he do at this critical point of faith crises? He went to church, or least its equivalent for that time. How important this is to understand. Remember, Thomas was absent from the disciples when the resurrected Jesus first appeared to the disciples. Thus, he doubted. But he was with them the next time Jesus appeared among them and Thomas made a total confession of Jesus’s divinity. When we are doubting, we need to stay connected with the Christian community. This should not be a phony presence, but an honestly seeking one. Somehow this helped Asaph understand his then-current worldly reality from an eternal heavenly perspective. Where else can one find this bigger picture? Likely not from social media or by staying isolated.
Having worked through this process, Asaph was able to look back and consider his previous doubts as stupid. Notice no one else told him this. He was able to come to this conclusion himself with God’s help and the community of faith’s support. Now he experiences God’s presence, trusts God’s plan for his life. and is assured of eternal life after death. This is another mention of life after death, which some say is not referenced in the Old Testament: “The Torah, the most important Jewish text, has no clear reference to afterlife at all” (from Jewish Virtual Library).
Most importantly, Asaph is able to understand that nothing these so-called successful people possess can remotely compare with a relationship with God, be it on earth or in heaven. In fact, he understands that, without God, these successful people will perish. This is consistent with the famous and still true John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.”
