For a full description of the (Y4) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Ex. 6
On reading this text this morning, I immediately noticed the stated ages of only three men – Levi and two of his descendants. This information stuck out like a sore thumb to me, so I figure there must be some significance to it. So, naturally, I went hunting for information. While I can’t say I clarified the inclusion of these three specific ages, I did come across some other very interesting information regarding the genealogical record in this chapter. I found the information in what was evidently a sermon, written by a man named Charlie Garrett for The Superior Word Community Fellowship in Sarasota, Florida.
The sermon is a verse-by-verse exegesis of the genealogical portion of Exodus 6. Though I skimmed over much of it, I could see it is full of a lot of good information. Especially intriguing about it to me, though, is how it relates to what I wrote about yesterday concerning the mysteries of the gospel. Mr. Garrett stated in this sermon, “What is hidden in the Old Testament is explicitly explained in the New.” Thus, much of the point of this included genealogical record is that it gives us clues to the gospel – the good news of God’s Kingdom.
A couple of the clues this sermon pointed out involve some names in Moses’ family, and Aaron’s marriage. The story hidden in the meaning of the names of Moses, his brother, and their parents is, in the words of the writer, “Through this exalted people, Israel, (pictured by Amram) in their union to the Lord of Glory (pictured by Jochebed) will come the true High priest who will bring light to the people (pictured by Aaron), and the true Redeemer and Prophet who will draw out a people from the world for Himself (pictured by Moses). The names of this family show us a snapshot of what is coming in history.” As for Aaron’s marriage, his wife, Elisheba, was from the tribe of Judah. Thus, we see in them the union of the royal and priestly lines, completed in Christ Jesus. Amazing indeed is the great mystery of God’s Word!
Luke 9
In so many instances, Jesus’ disciples lacked faith. They failed to believe in the possibilities open to them through Jesus. Yet suddenly, when a Samaritan village snubbed them, they found their faith. Now wide open to the possibilities, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Lk. 9:54b). Earlier in this chapter, when they faced a massive crowd of hungry people, I didn’t see them asking to call down bread from heaven. Instead, I saw them focused on their limitations.
The way I see it, it wasn’t the flame of faith that Samaritan village fanned in the disciples. It was, rather, the flame of pride. Pride is a funny thing. It makes us feel invincible. How else do you explain a mere human standing in opposition to the God of the universe? That’s just plain crazy by any standard. But that’s exactly where pride takes us. The disciples weren’t interested in the things of God in that moment. What they wanted was to soothe their injured pride, and no possibility was off the table. That’s why Jesus told them, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of” (Lk. 9:55b). Pride destroys; God saves. Yet another way to discern if I serve the right spirit in any given moment.
Job 23
I pray I will do as Job did. Though he felt that God slayed him, he did not turn away. He said, “My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:11-12). All of that and Job didn’t even know the hope of Christ. What Job only longed for, we now have. That hope alone should be enough to get me through whatever hardship I might face. To paraphrase Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13, I can face any circumstance because of Christ, my strength.