2.18.25 ~ Unifying Under the One True God
Good morning!
In the Torah portion this week, we see a desperately needed theme appear where the Israelites recognize the importance of loving, caring and treating one another with respect and maintaining unity in their confession of obedience to their Savior and deliverer who has redeemed them through the blood of the Lamb and guided them to the place where they would learn obedience (Ex. 3:12; Ex. 12-23; 24:3-8; summarized in 1 Pet. 1:2).
Prior to this mindset, however, the Israelites had to learn to trust God! I know that sounds strange, but it's true. They knew that He was a man of war (Ex. 15:3), but could He be trusted to be there for me in times of emotional crisis (Ex. 17:7) and would He be a provider for all their needs on the journey that He's leading them in??? Was His providing daily bread for 2-6 million people (Ex. 16), water for the people and livestock (Ex. 17) , would His rules stay consistent regardless of the people's backgrounds (Ex. 12:49) would His provision of shade, warmth, protection with their cloudy comforter endure (Ex. 13:21)? Enquiring minds don't have to ask...we know He did and will (Heb. 13:8).
By remembering where they've been, taking inventory of where they are, the Israelites were able to make a declaration that anything He said, they would do (Ex. 19:8). That's what trust will do! It allows you, without reservation, to put yourself in the hands of another knowing that everything they instruct or lead you in is for the good (Rom. 8:28; Gen. 50:20). Israel had to recognize, as Moses did, that God was able to empathize with their pain, able to deliver them from their enemies and bring them to their destination (Ex. 3:7-9; Deut. 6:23-25).
Have you ever wondered why so many believers become discontent in their relationship with God? In last night's zoom call: "The three reasons why people never attain true intimacy in their relationship with God" or "How do I keep the fiery-hot sizzle in my marriage" answers that Michigan winter question.
Moses trusted God, but it would take a series of experiences from the Passover, to the sea, to the bitterness at waters of Marah, to the refreshing wells at Elim, the quail, the daily provision of manna and the victory of Amalek at the watering hole of Rephidim before they came to the same conclusion. But, once that conclusion was realized, they were able with one voice/Kol Echad confess their allegiance to whatever He said, they will do (Ex. 19:8).
"Then all the people answered with one voice and said, 'all that the Lordhas said, we will do.' So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord."
(Ex. 19:8)
Their trust in God has opened up their hearts to receive instructions on how to live their lives with one another in peace and the tools necessary to overcome obstacles of personal conflict (Ex. 21-23).
Once God has laid out the fundamental judgments/mishpatim towards one another, the people agreed 100% with all that He said they would do (Ex. 24:3) even if they didn't understand the full meaning of the commandments (Ex. 24:7).
One of the challenges that we face in the world is moving forward in unity toward a common goal while possessing a different understanding of how to obtain the end goal...look no further than our political chaos that DOGE has uncovered striving to unify Republicans, Democrats, Black, White, North, South, East, West, siblings, families, USA-Canada hockey, and don't forget, according to AI, the +45,,000 denominations of evangelical christianity.
People argue over creed vs deed; philosophy vs action; hearing vs doing. While modern day christianity has its divisive theologies, the Torah's design was to emphasize an approach to life with community action, which manifests itself in behavior; living a life dependent on loving one another. It's about community in action. It's about bringing God into our collective lives. His instructions are the architectural drawings of harmonious behavior. And that collective diverse unity creates national pride (Ex. 19:3-8).
How we serve God collectively and how we understand/v'neishmah, individally are two separate things. They can be divisive or they can create and celebrate diversity! It can be a sunrise with multiple colors or just a blue sky. It can be Rembrandt or a piece of colored construction paper. Each of us will see life from a different perspective and different understanding. Our thoughts are private. Our actions are public!
As we move through this week I pray you will celebrate diversity while unifying under the One True God/Elohim of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Send me a note and let me know, "How's your spiritual marriage intimacy"? Your physical relationship? If it's not sizzling, is it reason #1, #2 or #3?
Shalom from chilly willy Michigan
Prior to this mindset, however, the Israelites had to learn to trust God! I know that sounds strange, but it's true. They knew that He was a man of war (Ex. 15:3), but could He be trusted to be there for me in times of emotional crisis (Ex. 17:7) and would He be a provider for all their needs on the journey that He's leading them in??? Was His providing daily bread for 2-6 million people (Ex. 16), water for the people and livestock (Ex. 17) , would His rules stay consistent regardless of the people's backgrounds (Ex. 12:49) would His provision of shade, warmth, protection with their cloudy comforter endure (Ex. 13:21)? Enquiring minds don't have to ask...we know He did and will (Heb. 13:8).
By remembering where they've been, taking inventory of where they are, the Israelites were able to make a declaration that anything He said, they would do (Ex. 19:8). That's what trust will do! It allows you, without reservation, to put yourself in the hands of another knowing that everything they instruct or lead you in is for the good (Rom. 8:28; Gen. 50:20). Israel had to recognize, as Moses did, that God was able to empathize with their pain, able to deliver them from their enemies and bring them to their destination (Ex. 3:7-9; Deut. 6:23-25).
Have you ever wondered why so many believers become discontent in their relationship with God? In last night's zoom call: "The three reasons why people never attain true intimacy in their relationship with God" or "How do I keep the fiery-hot sizzle in my marriage" answers that Michigan winter question.
Moses trusted God, but it would take a series of experiences from the Passover, to the sea, to the bitterness at waters of Marah, to the refreshing wells at Elim, the quail, the daily provision of manna and the victory of Amalek at the watering hole of Rephidim before they came to the same conclusion. But, once that conclusion was realized, they were able with one voice/Kol Echad confess their allegiance to whatever He said, they will do (Ex. 19:8).
"Then all the people answered with one voice and said, 'all that the Lordhas said, we will do.' So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord."
(Ex. 19:8)
Their trust in God has opened up their hearts to receive instructions on how to live their lives with one another in peace and the tools necessary to overcome obstacles of personal conflict (Ex. 21-23).
Once God has laid out the fundamental judgments/mishpatim towards one another, the people agreed 100% with all that He said they would do (Ex. 24:3) even if they didn't understand the full meaning of the commandments (Ex. 24:7).
One of the challenges that we face in the world is moving forward in unity toward a common goal while possessing a different understanding of how to obtain the end goal...look no further than our political chaos that DOGE has uncovered striving to unify Republicans, Democrats, Black, White, North, South, East, West, siblings, families, USA-Canada hockey, and don't forget, according to AI, the +45,,000 denominations of evangelical christianity.
People argue over creed vs deed; philosophy vs action; hearing vs doing. While modern day christianity has its divisive theologies, the Torah's design was to emphasize an approach to life with community action, which manifests itself in behavior; living a life dependent on loving one another. It's about community in action. It's about bringing God into our collective lives. His instructions are the architectural drawings of harmonious behavior. And that collective diverse unity creates national pride (Ex. 19:3-8).
How we serve God collectively and how we understand/v'neishmah, individally are two separate things. They can be divisive or they can create and celebrate diversity! It can be a sunrise with multiple colors or just a blue sky. It can be Rembrandt or a piece of colored construction paper. Each of us will see life from a different perspective and different understanding. Our thoughts are private. Our actions are public!
As we move through this week I pray you will celebrate diversity while unifying under the One True God/Elohim of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Send me a note and let me know, "How's your spiritual marriage intimacy"? Your physical relationship? If it's not sizzling, is it reason #1, #2 or #3?
Shalom from chilly willy Michigan
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