Draw me close to You

Exodus 6

God spoke to Moses, and said to him, “I am Yahweh; and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them. I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their travels, in which they lived as aliens. Moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant. Therefore tell the children of Israel, ‘I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it to you for a heritage: I am Yahweh.’”

Exodus 6:2‭-‬8 WEB

Why does it say here that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob didn't know the  God by the  name Yahweh when  all through Genesis they had already been calling God Yahweh?

The 3 main theories are:

1. Since Moses wrote Genesis, he inserted the name Yahweh, like for example if when we write about Paul before his conversion, we still often call him "Paul" even though he was known as "Saul" until his first missionary journey.

2. The name "Yahweh" was known, but the meaning of "I am Who I am" was not yet known.

3. In Hebrew usage, knowing someone's "name" is a symbol of knowing someone deeply. Even today the Jews often refer to God as "HaShem" - "The Name".  So Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew Yahweh to a certain extent, but now Moses was going to know God in a deep and personal way that his ancestors didn't know.

I don't know which theory is correct (or even if there's yet another reason) but I was thinking about #3 for applicability:

Many people know about God, and even know God to a certain extent, but what God wants for us is to grow in our intimacy with Him.

As we become more and more conformed to the image of Christ daily, we are brought into His perfection.

So I am encouraged to spend time with Him daily, to grow in intimacy with Him, to renew my mind with His precepts, as it says in Romans 12:2, "Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God."

As the Don Moen song said, "Draw me close to You. Never let me go. I lay it all down again, to hear You say that I'm Your friend. Help me find the way, bring me back to You."

This morning, someone WhatsApped me this video of Don Moen singing "God will make a way" in response to the COVID19 pandemic.

Father, indeed I pray, "Draw me close to You." As I spend time daily in Your Word, renew my mind. In Jesus' name, amen.

Truth telling

Exodus 5

Afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said to Pharaoh, “This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’”

Exodus 5:1

Were Moses and Aaron lying about going to hold a feast in the wilderness? If so, did God sanction their lie?

Or did they really plan to just go hold a feast and come back if Pharaoh had given permission? But God knowing Pharaoh's heart, could let them say to honestly, and knew Pharaoh would refuse, and thus eventually give them the opportunity to escape their slavery?

Different Christians have come to different conclusions about this kind of thing.

This is illustrated in how some Christians responded to the Nazis. When you're a Christian hiding Jews, and the Nazis come looking, do you lie? Most lied and saved the Jews. A few told the truth, and most of those and their Jews were killed. But a very few didn't lie but God saved them in some other way.

But the general principle is “let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' ” Matthew 5:37

In general, we should be a people of truth, eschewing lying.

Father, help me to stay truthful and not lie. Sometimes in the spur of the moment I'm tempted to lie, remind me of Your call to truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Prejudice

Matthew 21

When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”  Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’  but you have made it a den of robbers!”

Matthew 21:10‭-‬13

Temple had an outer court, called the Court of the Gentiles, for Gentiles to come and find out about YHWH.

This is because YHWH doesn't only want the Israelites to know Him - He wants to save everyone.

However, most of the Jews of Jesus' day had totally forgotten this, and thought of YHWH only has their God. They had no interest to share the love of God with others.

Jews coming from far away needed a place to change their Roman money into Jewish money for their Temple offerings, and also they needed a place to buy sacrificial animals so that they wouldn't have to drag their lamb or other animal all the way from wherever they lived.

So the Temple authorities, having lost the missionary vision to reach out to the Gentiles,  saw this Court of the Gentiles as a "wasted" space and turned it into a marketplace for Jews to do this.

That was why Jesus was so angry with them. They had lost the vision YHWH had given to Abraham, that through the YHWH would bless the nations. They were only interested in getting other Jews closer to YHWH.

How about us? Are we only looking to reach people like us for Christ? Christ died for all people groups.  Including people who are not like us.

Do we look at people who are not like us with prejudice, thinking of them as less worthy of God's love because they are different from us? Do we spread racist ideas? Do we make remarks about how they are lazy, or dishonest, or dirty, etc.?

Father, open our eyes to our own prejudices, and help us to see everyone through Your eyes. In Jesus' name, amen.

God's mercy in the face of our unreasonable fears

Exodus 4

Moses said to Yahweh, “O Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”  Yahweh said to him, “Who made man’s mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn’t it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak.”  He said, “Oh, Lord, please send someone else.”  Yahweh’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “What about Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Also, behold, he comes out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

Exodus 4:10‭-‬14

God showed Moses some amazing miracles before He told himto go back to Egypt and speak for His  people before Pharoah. Yet Moses balked, until God's anger burned against him.

Yet, God didn't just swat him away in spite of Moses' equivocation. God dealt with Moses' fear about not being eloquent and sent him Aaron.

Father, thank You for Your mercy even in the face of our unreasonable fears after having seen Your power.

Father, may I trust in Your power and love when You call me to do hard things. In Jesus' name, amen.

"For many are called, but few are chosen" in the Parable of the Workers

Matthew 20

“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?  Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.  Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’  So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 20:13‭-‬16

I'm very familiar with the parable of the workers in the vineyard. I have usually thought of this parable as an encouragement to people who are old, like my parents, and have not yet come to Christ.

So this parable is to reassure them that they can still come to Christ, and Christ will still give them the same reward of salvation as those of us who came to Christ while children.

However, suddenly, he ends the parable with "For many are called, but few are chosen" which is surprising because of the context.

He says "For many are called, but few are chosen" at the end of the Parable of the Wedding Guests (Matthew 22:14) as well, and in that context, it makes total sense, but in this context it seemed very odd to me.

Why did Jesus say this in this context?

I mean, it is a true statement - "Many are called, but few are chosen" - God calls everyone to come to Christ, but not everyone does. And God foreknew those who would come, so He has chosen us from the beginning of time - even though He desires for all to come to Him.

This is the great Mystery which has caused parts of Christendom to split into Calvinist and Arminian camps arguing over predestination vs free will.

But why did Jesus say that here, at the end of a parable that is asking people to come to Him no matter what their age?

I found this explanation at https://redeeminggod.com/many-are-called-but-few-are-chosen-matthew-20_16/

But the parable of the workers in the vineyard does not speak only to the equality we all share before God in the afterlife. The parable also speaks to the way we participate with God in this life.

Yes, all are on equal footing before God. And yet, inexplicably, some seem to have a greater role and purpose than others in God’s plan for this world. If the unspoken objection to the parable was “But that’s not fair!” then the unspoken objection to this statement is, “But that’s not how God works!”

God isn’t equal to all, even in His own Kingdom. Some are given greater blessings and honors than others. To this second objection, Jesus says, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

He goes on to say:

But in God’s way of working, He often selects and chooses a few individuals for special purposes and tasks.

And what are these special purposes and tasks for which God chooses some? To serve, suffer, and die.

God’s “choosing” is not a choice to honor, position, and power, but to suffering and service. There is no teaching here about an election until eternal life of some. Instead, Jesus is teaching that God is generous to all, and while all are called to serve Him, true service to God is not an easy thing to bear, which is why most don’t want it. Yet God does choose some to serve Him in these difficult ways.

He also says that this idea in Matthew 20:16 is reinforced in the following passage where James and John jostle for position:

Though lots of people interpret Jesus’ words to mean that if someone wants to be great they must begin by serving others and then God will raise them up and make them great, this is not what Jesus is saying at all. That’s how “greatness” works in the human world. Those who are respected and revered started at the bottom and worked their way to the top. But in God’s economy, those who are great either go in the opposite direction, or simply stay at the bottom their entire lives.

He concludes:

1.  God values generosity more than fairness.
2.  Those who are chosen for “greatness” in God’s Kingdom are chosen for service, suffering, and death, which is why not all are chosen.

I'm not sure I agree fully with this guy, but what he has to say about this seems to make sense to me.

Father, You are trustworthy and You love me. I trust You to choose what Your plan is for my life. I commit to doing Your will for my life. When I stumble and fall, may I quickly repent and get back up and keep going. In Jesus' name, amen.

Rich?

Matthew 19

Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

Matthew 19:23‭-‬24

I don't think of myself as rich. In the last few years I've struggled with increasing cost of living while my salary stayed stagnant.

However, the fact that I have no worries about shelter and food means that I'm richer than most people who have ever lived in the history of the world!

Famine is almost completely not a possiblity at all. It has been a possiblity for most people who have ever lived.

So God has really blessed me. I must therefore beware of this and not let my prosperity keep me from God.

Father, thank You that I never had to worry about whether I get to eat every day. May I always stay true to You. In Jesus' name, amen. 

God can use evil situations for good

Genesis 50

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is today, to save many people alive.

Genesis 50:20

Indeed, we may must remember that "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

So as we see things go wrong around us, whether coup or COVID19, take heart! God's still in charge!

Father, we thank you that you have the whole world in your hands, and you love us. in Jesus' name, amen.

Follow God even in a difficult situtation

Psalm 13
Here David felt abandoned by God as he was in the midst of a difficult situation for a long time. Perhaps this was during the time Saul was chasing him. But in the end, he still trusts Yahweh and sings praise songs.

Psalm 14
Humans are all fallen, but we can still choose to follow God. There is none righteous, but God still calls us to his righteousness.

Psalm 15
Walk blamelessly and we will not be shaken.

Father, thank You for saving us. In response, I want to walk blamelessly and follow Your ways. In Jesus' name, amen.

For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.

Matthew 18

In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”

Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them, and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 18:1-4

It is natural for us humans to want to be proud, to show off ourselves, to boast of our abilities, possessions, etc. Yet, the way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is to humble ourselves. As Psalm 51:17 says, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.  Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!

Matthew 18:5-7

We are Christ's ambassadors, so we are responsible for representing the Kingdom of God to the people around us. So we must be good ambassadors.

Why is it that so few people in Malaya came to Christ during the colonial period, and yet after the British left, there was an explosion in the Christian population? I suspect this is part of the reason. During the colonial period, the "Christians" were the oppressors. After they left, the Gospel was presented by our local Christians, who were not the oppressors, but showed the compassionate face of Christ.

See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.

“What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:11-14

God's heart is for the lost. As He said in Ezekiel 18:23, "Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? says the Lord Yahweh; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?" So we, as Christ's ambassadors, also need to follow His heart in this.

Man proposes, but God disposes

Genesis 45

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Does my father still live?” His brothers couldn’t answer him; for they were terrified at his presence.

Genesis 45:3

This was the first time the brothers heard the Prime Minister speak Hebrew, and they realized he could understand them without the interpreter the whole time!

So now it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, Lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 45:8

We don’t know what's going on behind the scenes. People plot evil, but God can use that evil for good.

As Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those to are called according to his purpose.”

So as we see the bad things happening around us, we can still trust God.

“With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm,” as the Sunday School song goes.

Father, when we go through the storm, remind us that you’re still in control. I’m Jesus’ name, amen.

Wisdom when to acquiesce

Matthew 17

When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?” He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”   Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.  But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin.  Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”

Matthew 17:24‭-‬27

There are times when non-believers impose things on us that are not required by scripture, but so as not to offend them, we can go along with without violating our conscience.

Another passage which is relevant to this thought is the "render unto Caesar" passage (Matthew 22:21)

Sometimes, it's not so easy in specific circumstances to discern whether we should acquiesce to a particular demand the non-Christian society around us imposes on us or not, so we need God's wisdom and not be rigid.

Father, give us wisdom when we should acquiesce and when we should not. In Jesus' name, amen.

Repentance demonstrated

Genesis 44

For your servant became collateral for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I don’t bring
him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever.’ Now therefore, please let your servant stay instead of the boy, my Lord’s slave; and let the boy go up with his brothers. For how will I go up to my father, if the boy isn’t with me?—lest I see the evil that will come on my father.”

Genesis 44:32‭-‬34

Judah was the mastermind of selling Joseph into slavery. In the last few chapters, we see how God had slowly brought him from such an evil beginning slowly over to repentance, and here we see the competion of that repentance.

Joseph had framed Benjamin not because of Benjamin, but because of Judah and the other brothers.

If they had not repented, I am guessing Joseph would have just kept Benjamin, not as a slave as he had threatened, but as his brother and honoured guest.

But since Judah and the other brothers had repented, and showed their repentance by offering to take Benjamin's place as the Prime Minister of Egypt's slave, Joseph knew that they had repented, so all of them reaped his bounty.

God loves us and doesn't want evil people to die in their sins and be condemned. He wants us to repent and be saved.

I need to repent whenever I sin and not stay away from God. I also need to look at people who do evil the way God does - as  sinners who need His salvation - and not just hate them  - for I, too, am a sinner saved by grace.

Father, help me to keep looking at people through Your eyes of grace and not my eyes of anger or revenge. In Jesus' name,  amen.

Take up the cross

Matthew 16

From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.  Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”  But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”

Matthew 16:21‭-‬23

Sometimes, it is the will of God for us to go though tough times. He may have some higher purpose that's not apparent to us.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.  For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.

Matthew 16:24‭-‬27

While we might not be called to  suffer persecution for the sake of Christ every day, we are still called to deny ourselves daily and take up his cross.

What does that mean? I think that at least in part, it means every day making the choice to follow what God says and not our own desires. Daily spiritual disciplines like prayer and reading the Bible is probably part of this.

And it is logical and reasonable to do this, given what we know. "For what will it profit a man, if he gains the  whole world, and forfeits his life?" And Jesus is giving us eternal life.

Father, as I feel tempted to do things my way or the world's way, remind me of this so that I may choose instead to do things your way. May I keep daily meditating on your word so that I may keep drawing closer and closer to you. In Jesus' name, amen.

God knows, God cares

Genesis 42

They didn’t know that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.

Genesis 42:23

This aspect of the story is lost in every video I've seen made of Joseph's story.

To me, it's an important part of the story. It means that the brothers didn't realize Egyptian Prime Minister could actually understand what they were talking about among themselves when the interpreter wasn't interpreting.

So Joseph had more insight into what was going on than they thought.

He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him before their eyes.

Genesis 42:24

Joseph wept because actually understood what the brothers were discussing, when the brothers thought he as an Egyptian without interpretation wouldn't.

So many times we try to figure out our predicament as if God doesn't know what is going on. But God knows even more than Joseph knew in this story. God knows everything.

And not only that, He is all-wise and loves us. So we should come to Him with our troubles, and be open and honest with him, and ask Him for His Holy Spirit guidance.

Father, many time I find myself trying to figure out my problems on my own. May I turn to You, for You are my hope and my salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.

Through thick and thin

Genesis 41

Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, [“Manasseh” sounds like the Hebrew for “forget”.] “For”, he said, “God has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” The name of the second, he called Ephraim [“Ephraim” sounds like the Hebrew for “twice fruitful”.]: “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 41:51-52

Joseph stayed faithful to God through his time of affliction until he is now vindicated.

Father, when I go through trials, may I also stay faithful. In Jesus' name, amen.

God's way or my way

Proverbs 3

Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.  It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬8

Why do I disobey God when I know He's right? When giving in to temptation, I implicitly am saying I know better than God what's good for me.

But if I do, I'd be wrong. Following God is actually the most beneficial way to go.

Father, when I'm tempted, may I trust in You. In Jesus’name, amen.

God is still in control

Here in Malaysia, our democratically-elected government has just been overthrown. Yesterday, a new prime minister has been sworn in, and with him, the whole gang that we ousted in the 2018 elections for their corruption is back in power. So it is particularly timely that in my Bible reading plan today had me read Psalm 10, 11, and 12.

The wicked, in the pride of his face,
has no room in his thoughts for God.

He catches the helpless, when he draws him in his net.
The helpless are crushed.

He says in his heart, “God has forgotten.
He hides his face.
He will never see it.”

Arise, Yahweh!
God, lift up your hand!
Don’t forget the helpless.
Why does the wicked person condemn God,
and say in his heart, “God won’t call me into account?”
But you do see trouble and grief.
You consider it to take it into your hand.
You help the victim and the fatherless.
Break the arm of the wicked.
As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.

Yahweh is King forever and ever!
The nations will perish out of his land.
Yahweh, you have heard the desire of the humble.
You will prepare their heart.
You will cause your ear to hear,
to judge the fatherless and the oppressed,
that man who is of the earth may terrify no more.

Psalm 10:4, 9b-10a, 11-18,

Amen, Lord, we pray this psalm as we see what is happening in our land, as we see our country usurped by unscrupulous people. In Jesus' name, amen.

Yahweh is in his holy temple.
Yahweh is on his throne in heaven.
His eyes observe.
His eyes examine the children of men.
Yahweh examines the righteous,
but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
On the wicked he will rain blazing coals;
fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For Yahweh is righteous.
He loves righteousness.
The upright shall see his face.

Psalm 11:4-7

Father, I take comfort in the fact that You are still on the throne. You are still in control, in spite of what we see here on earth. We rest in Your promise that the upright shall see Your face.

“Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy,
I will now arise,” says Yahweh;
“I will set him in safety from those who malign him.”
Yahweh’s words are flawless words,
as silver refined in a clay furnace, purified seven times.
You will keep them, Yahweh.
You will preserve them from this generation forever.

Psalm 12:5-7

Amen and amen.

Waiting

Genesis 40

They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.” Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Please tell it to me.”

Genesis 40:8

God is the one that gives revelation - it is not our own perogative.

Most dreams are just normal processing by our brains while we sleep and have no special significance, but occasionally God gives special revelation by supernatural means.

Yet the chief cup bearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Genesis 40:23 WEB

Joseph must have thought that this was his opportunity to have his freedom, but he was disappointed again. He had to wait 2 more years.

But we know what eventually happened. God had not forgotten him, and God still had a wonderful plan for his life.

As we are going through these present tribulations, we need keep trusting and waiting on God.

Father, help me to have patience and to keep trusting You while I wait.  In Jesus' name, amen.