2.22.25 ~ Climbing Obstacles and Moving Forward
Good morning!
Have you ever stopped to consider why God chose the 10 statements that He did in the '10 commandments'? Why didn't He include the two main commandments: to love the Lord your God...and your neighbor as yourself? Why didn't He address the type of food we eat? Enquiring minds want to know. What if I was able to show you that all 10 statements are found in the Jacob-Esau story, in order (Gen. 27)? What would it matter?
In last night's zoom call, we went back 'in time' to uncover 'a' reason for the Big 10, connected it to our marriage vows, identified Yeshua as the Angel that went before them (Ex. 23:20-33) and much more. Why pull these 'rabbits' out of the spiritual top hat? To reaffirm the blueprint for our journey (1 Cor. 9:24-10:12) and to break down some of the misnomers that we've held on to and have hindered our intimacy with Him (Ex. 24:3-11).
Along those same lines of thought, if you're like me, you've asked yourselves questions about God's presence during times of uncertainty (Ex. 17:6,7). You've cried out, 'God, where are you'? 'I need you now!' After all, If You are God, You can do anything. You can do everything. You're the God of perfect justice and mercy (Psa. 89:14)...and right about now, I'm not feeling like you're anywhere near the midst of my circumstances. Again, have you ever had those thoughts and feelings?
As I study this week's Torah portion Mishpatim/Judgments, I read 53 judgments which give commentary to all 10 of the instructions that God gave in His Ketubah/wedding vows in chapter 20; aka the 10 commandments (See Monday night's zoom call, Ex. 21:1).
This week, I had a couple of conversations with people who had similar questions about God's presence and, like me, they were searching for answers. You know the feeling, I'm sure...that feeling where you hear stories of how God miraculously displayed perfect judgment/mishpat and drove out the enemy from their presence (Psa. 44:2); which has been the theme for us all throughout the book of Exodus/shemot.
I shared with them, if we look a little closer at Psalm 44, we will find more relatable words to our 'current circumstances'. As I continue to read this amazing psalm of justice/mishpatim, I hear David plea for God's intervention, because he can't rely on his own strength to help him through his dilemma (Psa. 44:5)! Why would David cry out like this? Like Jethro (Ex. 18:1-12) he knew of all that God had done in the past among His people. And like us, he knows the stories.
Yeppers! God USED to do some pretty amazing things for THOSE PEOPLE. Yes, we have heard the work you performed/poal-po'alta, the work you worked in times of old (Psa. 44:1).
"To the chief musician. A contemplation of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the work/poal You worked/poalta in their days, in the days of old" (Psa. 44:1)
STOP! Drive through the school zone slowly (Thanks Hunter)! Did you notice the similarities of the noun and verb in the 'work/poal that God worked/po'alta? YESSSS! Truly, God is what He does and He does care for His people.
But, something's not kosher in Denmark! Because later in the psalm God casts off His people. He puts them to shame. You've led us like sheep to the slaughter. You've scattered us. You sold us for 'chicken feed'. You made us laughable in the eyes of our enemies (Psa. 44:9-14; Rom. 8:36). HUH? Haven't we trusted you? Haven't we obeyed your judgments/mishpatim (Ex. 21-23)? Of course we have! Then why God, why?
Does this sound remotely familiar? How could God allow such despicable treatment of His chosen? Ahh, here is the difference between my 21st century worldview and Davids. He recognizes that the Judge of all the earth is responsible for everything from His hand. God doesn't simply allow circumstances, He initiates them (Psa. 44:9-14).
For David there is no distinction between what God does and what happens in our world. We often elevate the devil's status by acknowledging that our struggle is with him...and we need God to come to the rescue. And for most of us, I'm pretty sure, we would never imagine that God is the active agent behind the catastrophes of this life.
Consequently, when we read a Psalm like this we read it through our own worldview of good and evil. And since God can't be on the side of what we would call 'evil' we dismiss David's view of God's sovereignty over all (Psa, 44:17-26). We live our daily lives as if there are two superpowers colliding against each other, when in actuality there is only one and the 2nd is no super power; He's just a glorified sheep dog (Job 1:1-12).
Is it any wonder that we, like David, are confused all the day long (Psa. 44:15)? Wake up, Lord! Don't you see what's going on in my life (Psa. 44:23)?
Yeppers, David, the man after God's own heart, is struggling with God. Yet, he knows that God's sovereignty comes with obstacles (1 Cor. 10:12). He knows this too will pass. He knows that all things will work together for good, while conforming us to the image of His dear Son (Rom. 8:28,29). And, unlike myself, in the past, David NEVER gives up in moving forward.
No matter what you're going through today, and I know many of you are going through the ringer, whether it's a day of celebration (Shabbat shalom) or you're trapped in the quagmire of your situation on this day of celebration...Confusing thoughts are normal! And the God who 'worked such amazing works' in the past, is the same God today...get ready! He's still working! Clarity is on the way with the right perspective :-)
Shabbat Shalom!
In last night's zoom call, we went back 'in time' to uncover 'a' reason for the Big 10, connected it to our marriage vows, identified Yeshua as the Angel that went before them (Ex. 23:20-33) and much more. Why pull these 'rabbits' out of the spiritual top hat? To reaffirm the blueprint for our journey (1 Cor. 9:24-10:12) and to break down some of the misnomers that we've held on to and have hindered our intimacy with Him (Ex. 24:3-11).
Along those same lines of thought, if you're like me, you've asked yourselves questions about God's presence during times of uncertainty (Ex. 17:6,7). You've cried out, 'God, where are you'? 'I need you now!' After all, If You are God, You can do anything. You can do everything. You're the God of perfect justice and mercy (Psa. 89:14)...and right about now, I'm not feeling like you're anywhere near the midst of my circumstances. Again, have you ever had those thoughts and feelings?
As I study this week's Torah portion Mishpatim/Judgments, I read 53 judgments which give commentary to all 10 of the instructions that God gave in His Ketubah/wedding vows in chapter 20; aka the 10 commandments (See Monday night's zoom call, Ex. 21:1).
This week, I had a couple of conversations with people who had similar questions about God's presence and, like me, they were searching for answers. You know the feeling, I'm sure...that feeling where you hear stories of how God miraculously displayed perfect judgment/mishpat and drove out the enemy from their presence (Psa. 44:2); which has been the theme for us all throughout the book of Exodus/shemot.
I shared with them, if we look a little closer at Psalm 44, we will find more relatable words to our 'current circumstances'. As I continue to read this amazing psalm of justice/mishpatim, I hear David plea for God's intervention, because he can't rely on his own strength to help him through his dilemma (Psa. 44:5)! Why would David cry out like this? Like Jethro (Ex. 18:1-12) he knew of all that God had done in the past among His people. And like us, he knows the stories.
Yeppers! God USED to do some pretty amazing things for THOSE PEOPLE. Yes, we have heard the work you performed/poal-po'alta, the work you worked in times of old (Psa. 44:1).
"To the chief musician. A contemplation of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, the work/poal You worked/poalta in their days, in the days of old" (Psa. 44:1)
STOP! Drive through the school zone slowly (Thanks Hunter)! Did you notice the similarities of the noun and verb in the 'work/poal that God worked/po'alta? YESSSS! Truly, God is what He does and He does care for His people.
But, something's not kosher in Denmark! Because later in the psalm God casts off His people. He puts them to shame. You've led us like sheep to the slaughter. You've scattered us. You sold us for 'chicken feed'. You made us laughable in the eyes of our enemies (Psa. 44:9-14; Rom. 8:36). HUH? Haven't we trusted you? Haven't we obeyed your judgments/mishpatim (Ex. 21-23)? Of course we have! Then why God, why?
Does this sound remotely familiar? How could God allow such despicable treatment of His chosen? Ahh, here is the difference between my 21st century worldview and Davids. He recognizes that the Judge of all the earth is responsible for everything from His hand. God doesn't simply allow circumstances, He initiates them (Psa. 44:9-14).
For David there is no distinction between what God does and what happens in our world. We often elevate the devil's status by acknowledging that our struggle is with him...and we need God to come to the rescue. And for most of us, I'm pretty sure, we would never imagine that God is the active agent behind the catastrophes of this life.
Consequently, when we read a Psalm like this we read it through our own worldview of good and evil. And since God can't be on the side of what we would call 'evil' we dismiss David's view of God's sovereignty over all (Psa, 44:17-26). We live our daily lives as if there are two superpowers colliding against each other, when in actuality there is only one and the 2nd is no super power; He's just a glorified sheep dog (Job 1:1-12).
Is it any wonder that we, like David, are confused all the day long (Psa. 44:15)? Wake up, Lord! Don't you see what's going on in my life (Psa. 44:23)?
Yeppers, David, the man after God's own heart, is struggling with God. Yet, he knows that God's sovereignty comes with obstacles (1 Cor. 10:12). He knows this too will pass. He knows that all things will work together for good, while conforming us to the image of His dear Son (Rom. 8:28,29). And, unlike myself, in the past, David NEVER gives up in moving forward.
No matter what you're going through today, and I know many of you are going through the ringer, whether it's a day of celebration (Shabbat shalom) or you're trapped in the quagmire of your situation on this day of celebration...Confusing thoughts are normal! And the God who 'worked such amazing works' in the past, is the same God today...get ready! He's still working! Clarity is on the way with the right perspective :-)
Shabbat Shalom!
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