4 posts tagged “acts”
Exodus 40
“Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him. The Tabernacle was set up in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month. Moses set up the Tabernacle: he laid its bases, positioned its planks, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts. Then he spread the tent over the Tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” Exodus 40: 16-19
In most Christian circles, “tent making” is synonymous with not charging a fee for preaching the gospel. The reason for this saying is because the apostle Paul chose to support himself by making tents. Acts 18: 2. He didn’t want anyone to accuse him of preaching for profit.
“So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way . . . And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.’ 2 Corinthians 11: 7-12
We also know that Paul was also a highly trained and qualified religious teacher.
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.” Acts 22: 3 “I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees…” Acts 18: 2
Of all occupations to support his ministry, why would Paul choose “tent making”? For that matter, why would God call a “tent maker” to expand His church by preaching to the Gentiles? I don’t believe Paul’s occupation was an arbitrary coincidence. In a similar way, God chose a shepherd to “shepherd” His people, Israel.
If you look at a map of Paul’s missionary journeys, you’ll notice that Paul was planting churches like tent panels, radiating around Jerusalem. In the days of Moses, all of the tent panels came together to form a single unit, called the Tabernacle. Today, millions of congregations, built on Paul’s foundational teaching of Jesus, fit together as a single unit called “the Church”.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
“So Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, this people has committed a great sin; they have made for themselves a god of gold. Now if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book You have written.” The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me I will erase from My book. Now go, lead these people to the place I told you about; see, My angel will go before you. But on the day that I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin.’ Exodus 32: 31-34
Just a few days ago, we observed Shavuot, or “Pentecost”. Shavuot is the most important harvest festival on the Jewish calendar. Since it coincides with the giving of the Law, Shavuot has become emblematic of God’s confirmation & consecration of Israel as His “first fruit” among the nations.
Israel’s consecration is shadowed by their worship of the calf. On that day, Moses gave a “with me or against me” challenge to Israel, and the Levites gathered to him. On the very day the Law was given, 3000 were killed. That is to say, Israel, set against the Law’s standard, produced a crop of death. When God settles accounts , solely by means of the Law, none can survive His judgment.
Fast-forward to Acts chapter 2. At the time of the same festival of Shavuot, after Jesus’ resurrection, the Spirit was given to Israel. The first fruits of God’s Spirit were also 3000 men, but this time, unto life! When God settles our accounts based on Messiah’s blood atonement, applied upon our belief, and certified by the presence of His Spirit, His Judgment returns, “Not guilty!”
“But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he does not belong to Him. Now, if Messiah is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of His righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Messiah from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Messiah from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.” Romans 8: 10-11
Blessings.
Exodus 29
“Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on his son’s right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the remaining blood on the sides of the altar. Take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle them on Aaron and his garments. In this way, he and his garments will become holy, as well as his sons and their garments.” Exodus 29: 19-21
Atoning for sin is bloody business. It is ugly and it involves death. Mankind has a way of excusing its own sin, rather than dealing with, head-on. All people, in all cultures, feel guilt.
The fact that men naturally feel guilty testifies that there is a moral law from which to judge right & wrong. If there is a moral law, there must be a moral law giver…God.
The problem is not as much that men don’t know they sin. It is that they overlook their own sin, while exposing the sin of others.
The closer people come to God, the more they feel “convicted”. Some respond by repenting, others respond in anger.
“If the world hates you, understand it hated me before it hated you.” John 15: 18
From the giving of the law to Israel, God prepared a way to atone, or cover their sin. Sin kills, so someone or something has to bear the punishment, leading to death. The blood of the sacrifice reminds men of how heinous their sin is. Today, sin is only atoned for by Jesus, and received by following Him. Acts 4: 12
For Aaron and his sons, the ear was touched with the blood, that it might be consecrated to hear the word of God; the hand, to perform the duties connected with the priesthood; and the foot, to walk in the path of righteousness.
All followers of Jesus are called to be “priests” (servants). Messiah’s blood consecrates every part of us: ear, hand and foot, and is extended to every member of His kingdom. Matthew 26: 28, Ephesians 1: 7, 2: 13
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
Exodus 6
“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go from his land.’ But Moses said in the Lord’s presence: ‘If the Israelites will not listen to me, then how will Pharaoh listen to me, since I am such a poor speaker?’” Exodus 6: 10-12
Often times in my church experience, I have heard it taught that Moses had a speech impediment. The reason many give for this assumption is from Moses’ own admission, “I am such a poor speaker.” In other bible translations, the verse is interpreted: “I am a man of faltering lips.” It is easy to see why theologians would come to the conclusion that Moses couldn’t speak well.
In actuality, the verse literally interprets, “I have uncircumcised lips.” Moses’ argument wasn’t that he had a speech impediment. It was that he had a “righteousness” impediment. He didn’t believe he was righteous enough to effectively minister. He had a confidence problem.
We also know that there was nothing wrong with Moses’ speech, based on Stephen’s testimony before his martyrdom. “So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in his speech and actions.” Acts 7: 22
Ultimately, the greatest testimony was that of God, who said, “Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” Ex 3: 10
Why is it that we must be confident in ourselves before we will place confidence in God? Faith works the other way around. We are first called to do the thing we are uncertain of, then, once God has accomplished His purpose through us, we grow in faith.
God’s calling is our equipping. That is to say, He supplies all we need to accomplish what He calls us to achieve. We may not have all the supplies we need on the outset, but He will supply them as needed, along the way.
As we continue through the book of Exodus, watch as Moses becomes bolder. His confidence builds ashe experiences God’s faithfulness. Don’t be afraid of what God is calling you to. Be afraid of not following.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
