"Man makes plans...and God laughs. ~ Michael Chabon
EXODUS 16-18
The Israelites begin to grumble again because, they are hungry, so God gives them manna and quail. They then grumble because they are thirsty
After this the Amalekites attack and Joshua and selected men go out to fight them. Moses lifts his staff and as long as it is lifted they are winning the battle, however as soon as his hands drop they begin to lose. So Aaron and Hur hold his hands up until dark and they defeat the Amalekites.
After this Jethro, Moses' father-in-law brings his wife and son's to him. Jethro sees the enormous burden on Moses to be provider and judge. He gives him advice to enlist the help of capable men in order to hear the problems of the people and sort out minor disputes.
Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”So God has Moses strike a rock and it begins to bring forth fresh water.
But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” (17:2-4)
After this the Amalekites attack and Joshua and selected men go out to fight them. Moses lifts his staff and as long as it is lifted they are winning the battle, however as soon as his hands drop they begin to lose. So Aaron and Hur hold his hands up until dark and they defeat the Amalekites.
After this Jethro, Moses' father-in-law brings his wife and son's to him. Jethro sees the enormous burden on Moses to be provider and judge. He gives him advice to enlist the help of capable men in order to hear the problems of the people and sort out minor disputes.
Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country. (18:24-27)
MATTHEW 19:16-30
Jesus is approached by a young ruler who asks him what HE must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus immediately sees that the man is trying to earn his salvation and the focus is on what the man can do...so Jesus brilliantly dialogues
Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’c and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (18-26)
JOURNAL
Big bunch of complainers. I read the account of the Israelites to my boys this morning. It was funny to see their faces and hear their comments..."what is their problem?" "How can they complain after all God has done for them." I simply had to remind them that pretty much everyday, they do the same thing. However, my joy was short-lived, as they then remind me of my complaints and frustrations in all that God has provided.
It really is comical when we begin to put our lives on the table to be examined. How often I am ungrateful, bitter, deceitful...and many times don't even realize it. I think it is this realization and the ultimate exasperation that God is driving us to. For just like the rich ruler, I realize how it is absolutely impossible to earn my way to Heaven. I will always struggle with the flesh and I will always struggle with sin. Thankfully, that is not the way to eternal life or else I am doomed and have really always been doomed.
It really is comical when we begin to put our lives on the table to be examined. How often I am ungrateful, bitter, deceitful...and many times don't even realize it. I think it is this realization and the ultimate exasperation that God is driving us to. For just like the rich ruler, I realize how it is absolutely impossible to earn my way to Heaven. I will always struggle with the flesh and I will always struggle with sin. Thankfully, that is not the way to eternal life or else I am doomed and have really always been doomed.
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Galatians 3:1-6)
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