READING FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2024: NUMBERS 11, ACTS 15, PSALM 103:15-22 NUMBERS 11 Many of us have had the experience of being responsible for a group or a task and then have others react by finding fault or complaining. Maybe the complaints were justified, but usually they were not helpful. Thus, many of us can empathize with Moses. He had served as an intermediator with God for them as they were led out of dreadful slavery in Egypt. He led them as they witnessed unbelievable miracles from God. He patiently guided them in the building of the tabernacle and setting up the sacrificial system. They were finally marching to the promised land following God’s guidance of the cloud and fire. Suddenly the people complained about the food. It sounds unbelievable, but in fact, people today often complain about perfectly good food or something equally as insignificant. God was not pleased then and isn’t now when this happens.
Were they really better off in Egypt? We have selective memories that glorify the past and downgrade the present. Also, we fail to understand the benefits of bearing current challenges to gain a brighter future. It is hoped that these readings will help us be more patient in the present as we await the glories of our heavenly home. Moses’s lament to God was directed to the right source but seems was infected a bit with the people’s negativity. God does not make mistakes. God graciously did not kill Moses, as Moses requested in his frustration.
God’s solution was to share the Holy Spirit with 70 trustworthy elders. Are folks complaining today in church or some Christian organization? Maybe God’s solution is for Spirit-filled believers to come alongside those in leadership to help carry the load. God promised Moses He would supply the people with meat, but did not explain how He would achieve it. Again, might God give someone or several in church a vision of what He will do without providing all the details of execution? In a way, He has given the people of God that vision through the book of Revelation. Perhaps he will do so for the more intermediate and local future, also.
God did give the Spirit to the 70 men, by taking some from Moses. One wonders if Moses was a bit disappointed to lose some of the Spirit. It appears not. When he was informed two of the men were still prophesying in the camp, he stated he wished that all of the Lord’s people were prophets. What a statement. What would happen if all the people at church were filled with the Holy Spirit and served fully within their areas of giftedness. It could happen.
The meat arrived on cue. As is usually the case, God fulfilled His promise in a way that people could not have foreseen. The people received what they wished for, although God also struck them with a severe plague. This resulted in the death of those God identified as greedy. Do our human desires align with God’s will, or might they have negative consequences?
READING FOR SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 CONTINUED: ACTS 15, PSALM 103:15-22 ACTS 15 The church dispute described in Acts 15 began when some the Judean Christians came to Antioch to teach that Gentile believers in Jesus need to be circumcised before being saved and baptized (15:1). Such a requirement went against the core of Paul’s understanding of the Gospel (see entire Book of Galatians). The church at Antioch appealed to Jerusalem for direction from the elders and apostles on the matter (15:2). This “Jerusalem Council” becomes a model for resolving disputes in churches and denominations. Let’s learn from it.
After extended debate, a turning point occurred with the testimony of Peter (15:7), whose undisputed credibility was first established by Jesus (Matthew 16:17-19). He referenced his encounter at Joppa with an angel, who sent him to share the Gospel with the house of the Roman Centurion Cornelius at Caesarea (15:7). Peter reported that the Holy Spirit, by endowing these Gentiles with spiritual gifts (15:8), confirmed the central truth that it is by grace though faith in Jesus that all are saved—not through the works of the Law (15:9-11). Paul and Barnabas followed Peter’s testimony by recounting the signs and wonders of God had done outside of the Judean bubble among the Gentiles (15:12). James, who apparently was the presiding officer of the proceedings, identified these Gentile conversions as the fulfillment of the prophets’ writings (5:13-18). Having given this clinching rationale via Scripture, he ruled against requiring circumcision before salvation and baptism (15:19). After safeguarding the core of the Gospel, James then displayed remarkable wisdom and charity by adding three stipulations that were especially meaningful to the Christians on the losing side of the debate (5:20-21). These stipulations, were either already supported by all or posed no theological or practical problems for the Gentile believers, and helped foster healing between the factions:
- Abstain from things contaminated by idols.
- Abstain from fornication.
- Abstain from what is strangled and from blood.
This entire decision was reduced to writing and sent to the church at Antioch (15:23-29). When it was read by them, “they rejoiced because of its encouragement” (15:31). Wouldn’t it be great if every report summarizing the actions of the general conference or annual convention were greeted with rejoicing? PSALMS 103:15-22 Here’s a comparison between two extremes: 1) a person’s earthly life is over in a flash and then soon forgotten; 2) God’s mercy and justice are everlasting towards those who have faith in Him. Continuing to describe God, He reigns in the heavenly domain, which means He’s in charge of everything. The mighty angels, who exist to do His will, need to praise and obey Him. In fact, all of creation needs to praise Him. Let’s take some comfort that, despite appearances, when we praise God, we are part of the vast majority in the Universe.
