READING FOR JUNE 12, 2024: EXODUS 1, GALATIANS 4, PSLAM 52:5-9 EXODUS 1 Some of you may have worked in an organization when a new leader is brought in from the outside. This person does not know of the past contributions of the staff and may have just the opposite set of objectives as the previous leader. This can be problematic for the staff, especially if the new leader wants to bring his/her own team. This is what happened in Egypt. A new king arose who did not know Joseph and the role he played saving Egypt from famine. As a result, he had no feelings of kindness toward Joseph’s people.
All the new king seemed to know was that the Israelites were numerous and mighty. He saw them as an internal threat should any outside force seek to invade them. Given his lack of historical sense, this was not totally unreasonable. Still, it shows that understanding history is essential for leaders. In 2 Kings 22, the neglected book of the law was discovered in the Temple. This led to a program of reforms by the uber-successful King Josiah. In Esther 6, King Ahasuerus read the historical records that led to Mordecai being honored and the Jews being saved from annihilation. Maybe we could we be more effective in our lives and faith by studying history, especially all the history contained in God’s word.
After Pharoah tried to kill off the Hebrews by overwork, we come to one of the most discussed incidents in the Bible. Did Pharoah tell the midwives to abort the male Hebrew babies or kill them at birth? Were the midwives themselves Hebrews or not? Did the midwives lie to Pharoah? If so, was it justified? What we know is the midwives did not have Egyptian names, so they were likely oppressed minority women. They were not mothers themselves, which also meant lower status. Amazingly these two women at the bottom of the power spectrum defied likely the most powerful man in the world at that time. Why? “The midwives feared God anddid not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live” (Ex. 1:17). CHILLS.
Twice thwarted, Pharoah, and by extension Satan, won’t give up. He now publicly commands all the people to throw every Hebrew male baby into the Nile. As we proceed through the upcoming drama, remember how evil and slow to accept God’s sovereignty this man is.
GALATIANS 4 In Galatians 3:24, Paul called the Mosaic law a guardian. Here he builds on that metaphor saying someone under guardianship has limited freedom, as do slaves. That was the believers’ position before Jesus. Now that Jesus has redeemed those of us who trust in His death and resurrection, we are not bound by those slave-like limitations. We are free in Christ. At this point, we begin to see one manifestation of the Galatians dangerously returning to bondage and why Paul was so upset. Apparently, they were “meticulously” observing festival
READING FOR JUNE 12, 2024 CONTINUED: GALATIANS 4, PSLAM 52:5-9 days and seasons from the Mosaic law as an essential part of their religious practice. Such observations could not save them. Placing inappropriate stress on them gave the Galatians the sense their religious observances and not their faith made themselves right with God. Note that observing the present-day liturgical calendar, including Christmas and Easter, does not help us if we don’t place our complete faith in Jesus as our Savior and obey Him and Lord. In fact, it could be a barrier to faith if it distracts from understanding and believing the Gospel.
Paul wracks his mind, thinking about how well they received his message before and wondering how they could have gone so far off track. He fears he will be considered by them as an enemy, but he just wants them to experience the truth and freedom of Christ. Any good spiritual mentor must be honest with his/her mentees when they fall into spiritual error. We must hold each other accountable for obeying Biblical truth at our church. This does not mean we should never express any doubts we have. In fact, it is healthy when we really want to understand what God has revealed in His word and not just accept someone else’s word for it.
Brilliant thinker that Paul is, he then uses the story of Abraham to show why we must now live according to the spirit (symbolized by Sarah and Isaac) and not according to the flesh (symbolized by Hagar and Ishmael). Let’s ask ourselves two questions: 1) Do we think God accepts us because we go to church each Sunday, help out with some ministries, and avoid smoking and drinking? or 2) Do we think God accepts us because, believing that Jesus, God the Son, died for our sins and rose again, we trust Him as our Savior and obey Him completely as our Lord? Now is the time to be certain about our answers.
PSALM 52:5-9 We return to David’s complaint against Doeg, the man who slew 85 priests. Here David prophesizes that God will remove him from his position and cause his death. This act of God will be noticed by the righteous and cause them to fear God even more. It will also cause them righteous joy knowing that God had not allowed this violent man to go unpunished for his evil to God’s people. Notice also that trusting in wealth does not provide meaning or security in life. This only comes through trusting God.
David, by contrast, compares himself to a healthy olive tree planted in the house of God. Can we consider ourselves spiritually healthy, constantly being nourished by God’s presence in our lives? David doesn’t boast in himself for this good situation but acknowledges and praises God for placing him there. Finally, he recommits to waiting on God along with the others who share this common faith. WAIT ON GOD WITH THE CHURCH—NOT AS A LONE RANGER.
