pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: excuses


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Samuel Grieves Saul

Readings: 1st Samuel 14, 1st Samuel 15

1st Samuel 15:22 – “Does the LORD want entirely burned offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the LORD?”

What a contrast we find between Saul and his son Jonathan. In the battle with the Philistines, Jonathan looks to God for guidance and he trusts in God’s presence for the victory. The Philistines invite battle, indicating God has handed them over. Saul’s scouts notice the panic in the Philistines’ camp. His initial reaction is to seek God’s guidance. But when the panic increases, Saul tells the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” Saul decides on his own to engage in battle. He makes the troops swear a foolish pledge heading into battle.

Inadvertently, Jonathan breaks the pledge. When told of it, he astutely notes that his father’s pledge has “brought trouble on the land.” Because of this pledge, the battle will be less than complete. The exhausted troops sin by eating meat with blood in it. Saul acts to stop this sin. He now wants to continue the fight. This time he is prompted to ask God. God is silent. Sensing God is angry, Saul senses what he thinks is sin. Lots are cast and the lot falls to Jonathan. Saul pledges to follow through – Jonathan must die! But the troops intervene, rescuing Jonathan from Saul’s folly.

Samuel then comes to Saul and shares God’s direction with him. Saul is to attack the Amalekites and to place them under the ban. This means to totally destroy everything. Victory is won but disobedience is present too. King Agag and the best sheep, cattle, and everything else of value is kept. Saul tells Samuel he followed God’s directions. Samuel asks then why he hears the bleeding of sheep. Saul makes excuses. Samuel asks, “Does the LORD want entirely burned offerings and sacrifices as much as obedience to the LORD?” Samuel informs Saul that God has rejected him as king. Saul knows he has sinned. Samuel and Saul return to their homes after worshipping God. Samuel grieves over the man he will never see again.

Prayer: Lord God, where and when do I try to offer rivers of oil and piles of offerings instead of surrendering my heart fully to you? When and where do I try do for you instead of simply being present to you? By the power of your Holy Spirit teach me obedience and reverence over doing and striving. Draw me to your heart, welcome me into your presence. Amen.


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God Is…

Readings: Exodus 31, Exodus 32, Exodus 33, Exodus 34

Exodus 34:6-7 – “The LORD! A God who is compassionate and merciful, very patient, full of great loyalty and faithfulness… forgiving.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

Chapter 31 begins with the appointment of two skilled artisans to oversee the building of the tabernacle. This is followed up by a reiteration of the Sabbath guidelines. God’s point: even the building of God’s home is not to be used as an excuse to break the Sabbath. All of our excuses pale by comparison.

The story of the gold bull calf fills chapter 32. The people go astray and Aaron goes along. Moses has been gone a long time. The people forget who and what God has been and done. An idol is made and is worshipped. God is ready to “devour” them in fury, but Moses intercedes, reminding God of their history. God’s anger relents. Moses and Joshua return to camp. Moses becomes furious, smashing the covenant tablets. He destroys the bull calf and forces the Israelites to drink its ash mixed in water. Moses then rallies the Levites. About 3,000 are killed by the sword. A plague then follows.

As chapter 33 begins, God refuses to go with these stubborn people. Moses sets up a tent outside of the camp, symbolic of real separation that their sin has created. God meets with Moses in the tent. The people are faithful, paying close attention. Moses again intercedes for the people, laying his relationship with God on the line. God relents. Moses is then allowed to see God’s glory. Passing by Moses, God declares that God is “compassionate and merciful, very patient, full of great loyalty and faithfulness… forgiving.”

God then renews the covenant with the people. God warns the people about making a covenant with those that God will drive out. God instructs them to purge the land of the idols and altars that are there. They are warned about marrying the locals. God then reiterates much of the material from the first covenant. This time Moses comes down with a face aglow – reflecting God’s glory.

In today’s return to a story format we can again see ourselves – at times as the sinful, idol-worshipping Israelites and at times as Moses as he pleads with God. We can see ourselves as the Israelites eagerly watching for God and as the people who need warnings about the pagan culture around us. Through it all, though, both then and now, God remains compassionate and merciful, patient and forgiving. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, how true and faithful you are. What a long, patient walk you have been on with your children. I am awed by your love. Amen.


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Obedience and Faith

Readings: Exodus 1, Exodus 2, Exodus 3, and Exodus 4

Genesis 2:24-25 – “God heard their cry… God remembered his covenant… God looked at the Israelites, and God understood.”

Today we begin the story of the Exodus! It is the story of God’s deliverance from oppression and it is the story of the formation of God’s people. The story begins with the fulfillment of part of the covenant – Abraham’s descendants become numerous. Seventy quickly grows to be thousands upon thousands. Pharaoh fears them then enslaves the Hebrews. Growth continues. Faith is demonstrated by Shiphrah and Puah, thwarting plan A. Plan B is to drown all Hebrew baby boys in the Nile River. Moses is born and goes into the Nile – in a tarred basket. Providence has him rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter. He grows up largely as an Egyptian.

Turning to adulthood, Moses defends a slave, killing an Egyptian. Moses then flees to Midian where his rescue of some shepherdesses connects him to Jethro and family. Moses marries, settles down. The Israelites cry out. At the end of chapter 2 we read, “God heard their cry… God remembered his covenant… God looked at the Israelites, and God understood.”

Out tending the flock on Mount Horeb/Sinai, Moses is drawn to a burning bush. It is holy ground – God is present. God asks Moses to rescue the Hebrews. Moses has lots of excuses. Sound familiar?! The excuses: Who am I? Who are you? How will they know you sent me? But I can’t talk well! Can’t you just send someone else?! Only the last one angers God. Yet God relents and sends a long Aaron to help. Pharaoh’s stubbornness is foreshadowed, as is the final plague.

Obediently, Moses goes. Yet obedience must be complete. On the way, God appears and tries to kill “him.” Is Moses or his son Gershom? Either way this is about circumcision – the symbolic act that identities the Israelites as God’s people. Zipporah reads the scene correctly and she acts quickly. The chapter closes with Moses and Aaron’s initial meeting with the Hebrew elders. They believe and then they worship the Lord their God.

Prayer: Lord God, oh how we are like Moses! Raised in two worlds – yours and this place we call home. We too can be confused about who and whose we are. And when you come to us, we can make excuses with the best of them. Yet, in love you lead and guide us. You desire relationship. You are not a tyrant. You invite us to be co-creators with you, loving and caring for your intended world. Thank you for the invitation. May we respond with both obedience and faith. Amen.