Let's continue
the series started two weeks ago and let's look at another biblical
character: Moses. Exodus 32 tells us how the children of Israel fell into
idolatry. They declared that it was the golden calf that they had just made
which had delivered them from their bondage in Egypt! GOD was very angry and
decided to destroy them, but to spare Moses and make a great nation out of him (vs.
8-10). As a good friend of GOD that he was, Moses was indeed privy to these
plans. Just like Abraham before him, he pleaded for the people; however, he
went even further. He told the LORD: “But
now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book
that you have written” (vs. 32)! Moses did not only refused all the earthly
blessings promised to him; but he also refused to spend eternity with a
GOD, a friend, capable of such ‘cruelty’. What a lesson!
Indeed, GOD’s
friends have a consuming passion for GOD’s people. They are ready to die and
leave the eternity and GOD’s glorious presence for His people. This is what Jesus
did. He left the glory which was His in heaven and He left the company of His
Father, in order to spend many years amongst us sinners and even die on the
Cross, carrying all our sins. In order to save us, He endured GOD turning His
eyes away from Him and spent three days and three nights in the realm of the dead – some even say in hell, i.e. out of the book of life – in order to secure
our salvation. It is the same thing that Moses was ready to do for the
children of Israel; and GOD granted both their requests. He relented from the
disaster that He was about to bring on the israelites (Ex 32:14) and also forgave
mankind in Christ.
Today, we are
only concerned about ourselves. Our kids, spouse, houses, cars, jobs etc., in short, our life and our own sake, are all that we try to save and all we plead for before GOD. Sometimes,
it appears as if we care about our church or neighbourhood; but a closer look
will reveal that it is not done out of genuine compassion; but because we
need them. And thence, our prayer is rather selfish.
If we want to
become friends of GOD, who will enjoy His blessings, protection/rest; if we want
Him to increase our productivity and share His plans and secrets with us, then
we must passionately and selflessly love His people and be ready to give
our life for them (Jn 15:13). And to
give our life simply means to give our time, money, talents and resources sacrificially.
Have a great
week in Christ Jesus and let’s meet again online, next week, for the concluding part of
this series.
GOD bless!
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