So God led the people out of Egypt and into the wilderness. In that place He gave them His Laws and Sabbaths. We have something of a problem with understanding Sabbaths these days. There are a few who take a very strict attitude towards the Sabbath (though now they mostly apply it to Sunday, rather than Saturday). Partly in reaction to this most consider the Sabbath to be of limited importance. The Sabbath was not about a day, but about a principle. It is significant that many of Jesus' confrontations with the religious leaders of the day revolved around the Sabbath, and that the Sabbath was one of His favourite days for healing people. The Sabbath refers not just to a day, but also to Sabbath years and Jubilee years. All these involved the people ceasing from their work and, in the case of Sabbath years and Jubilee, ceasing from some possessions as well. The principle is that we rest from our own work and efforts, recognising that we are utterly dependent upon God, and that His mercy and goodness towards us is the foundation of our life.
As in Egypt, in the wilderness the people rebelled against the Lord. Again, He was ready to destroy them, but relented for the sake of His Name. He also had pity on them. So God brought the children into the Promised Land, and instructed them not to be like their parents.
However, the children did exactly what their parents had done. So the people faced judgement. Part of this was giving them over to what they wanted (20:25). This led them into child sacrifice. Often then worst judgement that God can place on someone is to give them what they want. For sin is deceitful, it never tells us the truth. It promises all sorts of things, then if we give in to the temptation all sorts of troubles are unleashed.
The upshot of all this is that the nation has continually lusted after idols, they have never truly followed the Lord.
As in Egypt, in the wilderness the people rebelled against the Lord. Again, He was ready to destroy them, but relented for the sake of His Name. He also had pity on them. So God brought the children into the Promised Land, and instructed them not to be like their parents.
However, the children did exactly what their parents had done. So the people faced judgement. Part of this was giving them over to what they wanted (20:25). This led them into child sacrifice. Often then worst judgement that God can place on someone is to give them what they want. For sin is deceitful, it never tells us the truth. It promises all sorts of things, then if we give in to the temptation all sorts of troubles are unleashed.
The upshot of all this is that the nation has continually lusted after idols, they have never truly followed the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment