January 29, 2006 - Exodus 21-22 and Matthew 19
As I read all of these laws in these two chapters of Exodus, I was amazed to think that God was dictating to Moses the legal system for His people. They had been slaves, but now they had to govern themselves. Moses was to teach the laws to other men, so they could help him rule the people. That is what these two chapters are all about. They show God's will in the form of laws and rules. What did they say to you? What is the meaning that comes across to us today, even though we are not governed by these laws under the New Covenant and in the USA? I believe that each of these laws speaks of responsibility. They tell me that God holds us responsible for our actions. Did you notice how many of the laws carried the death penalty as the punishment for breaking those laws? That shows how serious God is about our responsibility in those areas. One of the basic problems we have today in our society is that people do not accept responsibility for their actions. They want to blame their sins on someone else. Believe me, God knows what they have done, and He will hold them responsible. There will come a time of Judgment before God, and they will wish they had taken those things seriously and changed their lives.
Then, Matthew 19 shows us two things that are possible with God, but they are not possible for us to do by ourselves. These two things are marriage and salvation. After the disciples heard Jesus' teaching on these two things they were astounded by what He said. They said it is better not to marry, and they wondered who could be saved. (v.10,25) Why was this their reaction? Jesus had shown them that neither of these two relationships was to be taken lightly. God's will is for a couple to be one flesh and to stay together for all of their lives. This can only be accomplished by trusting God. In our own power it won't work, because of hard hearts. God's will for us as individuals is that we be married to Jesus, giving Him all of our heart and all of our possessions as our Lord. Again, we can't do that on our own, but with God's power it is possible. What we must do in both cases is surrender ourselves to God's will and trust Him to accomplish His will in us. That is how faith works, isn't it? We have to decide to trust God, and when we do He supplies the power to accomplish His will. No one can save himself, but when he turns to God in faith trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior, God changes him and supplies the power to follow Him. No one can have the kind of marriage God wants him or her to have without trusting God to give them the power to accomplish His will. Therefore, we should be amazed each time we see a happy marriage that has lasted many years, and we should praise God for a life changed by salvation through Jesus Christ. Both are miracles of God's power.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 23-24 and Matthew 20:1-16.
Then, Matthew 19 shows us two things that are possible with God, but they are not possible for us to do by ourselves. These two things are marriage and salvation. After the disciples heard Jesus' teaching on these two things they were astounded by what He said. They said it is better not to marry, and they wondered who could be saved. (v.10,25) Why was this their reaction? Jesus had shown them that neither of these two relationships was to be taken lightly. God's will is for a couple to be one flesh and to stay together for all of their lives. This can only be accomplished by trusting God. In our own power it won't work, because of hard hearts. God's will for us as individuals is that we be married to Jesus, giving Him all of our heart and all of our possessions as our Lord. Again, we can't do that on our own, but with God's power it is possible. What we must do in both cases is surrender ourselves to God's will and trust Him to accomplish His will in us. That is how faith works, isn't it? We have to decide to trust God, and when we do He supplies the power to accomplish His will. No one can save himself, but when he turns to God in faith trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior, God changes him and supplies the power to follow Him. No one can have the kind of marriage God wants him or her to have without trusting God to give them the power to accomplish His will. Therefore, we should be amazed each time we see a happy marriage that has lasted many years, and we should praise God for a life changed by salvation through Jesus Christ. Both are miracles of God's power.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 23-24 and Matthew 20:1-16.