The Shepherd Thing Among Other Things

As Moses took on the responsibility of helping the children of Israel through the wilderness, the 40 years he spent herding sheep and living under austere conditions, unlike his first 40 years, enabled him. Was this a great leadership training program? Actually it was life and opportunities to believe God for his own life. He wasn't around any Israelites anymore. It was him and God. Because he listened, as exemplified by the burning bush event in his life, he learned what God wanted him to learn. His future involved motivating God's people, challenging and defeating the enemy, and practically moving 2 million people up and out of bondage, despite their shortcomings and lack of believing. How do you teach someone that? God worked with Moses.

We live in a newer situation and relationship than Moses did. Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd is now our Lord, appointed by God. If you want to understand what this means read John chapters 13-17. The gospel of John has 5 chapters about the things Jesus said to his disciples to prepare them for life after the resurrection.

The word 'shepherd'/'pastor' is used 18 times in the New Testament. Most of the uses (15 uses) are in the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Pastor is used once in the church epistles (Romans- Thessalonians), once in Hebrews and once in Peter.

Jesus Christ  had some amazing qualities. He was the great shepherd:

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Hebrews 13:20 

I Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

He was also called an apostle and prophet. In addition there's no doubt he was an evangelist and teacher. When you think about these labels on a person, they convey the multiple ways of helping and serving others. In operation, it is the 'hand of God' and just like our physical hands there are 5 fingers each of which is unique. Each  believer has the potential to operate the gift of holy spirit and serve others in these categories also. In Ephesians 4:10-12 Paul writes about the Messiah:

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

An apostle will get something started , but he doesn't run the whole show. Once something is started a prophet will continue to keep heart of the Word in the forefront. A teacher will teach in detail and an evangelist will spread the good news to others. A pastor will guard and protect.  I'm not sure where the microphone, podiums and pews got started (Can we blame this on Nicea also?).

The workings of the ministry call for under-rowers not overlords. There is no need to carry a neon sign. As believers mature in their relationship with God and His word, the capacity to serve increases. The service glorifies God and fruitful lives weave in and throughout life knitting for the Master, sometimes recognized, often not.

Almost every building on the corner with stained glass windows has  a person with an official title of 'Pastor'. Do you think there might be others with similar spiritual DNA sitting in the pews? The Corinthian church had several prophets as Paul suggested in I Corinthians 14. He exhorted them to not all speak at once. Back during the time of Exodus, Moses actually told a young man that it would be really great if all were prophets (Numbers 11:29). A prophet speaks what's on God's heart. In order to do that well, the prophet needs to be listening to God's heartbeat.

The spirit of God in Christ in us is unique to every individual. Each of us offers something that someone else needs. That is how the whole church (not by bricks and mortar) fits together. It was designed this way. It is our job to grow into genuine service by feeding on the Word of God. God directs our steps and gives us all the enablements to carry the works of His hand.

Songs of Moses

In Exodus 15, a song of Moses is recorded. It was the song of redemption for God's people, a great victory after a mighty show of God's power (the plagues, the passover lamb and ultimately walking through the Red Sea) . There was much to be thankful for:

2 The Lord (Jah) is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God (El), and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God (Elohim), and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

In verse 1 of this same chapter, 'Jehovah' is the word used for Lord. It is God in relation to those he has created. 'Jah' (verse 2) is a similar name for God in the specific sense of redemption. 'El is God's name emphasizing His omnipotent power or 'The Almighty'. 'Elohim' refers to the almighty God in operation!

There is another song of Moses right before his death recorded in Deuteronomy 32:1-43. An interesting read to go along with this song is in Romans 10-11. There are 5 titles of God used in this song: Jehovah (God's relation with His created), Elohim (God Almighty in operation), El (God in all his strength and power), Eloah (God in connection to His will tied into worship), Elyon (God as possessor of heaven and earth).

In the final book of the Bible, in Revelations 15:3, a song of Moses is mentioned again. God is faithful:

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints (should be nations).

Moses was a servant of God as he lived in a time before Christ. Today we celebrate and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was our passover (I Corinthians 5:7) because in this day and time we (including both Judeans and Gentiles) can confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead and becomes God's sons.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ has nothing to do with bunnies and eggs and blessed easter baskets all of which originate from a compromise between Christianity and pagan celebrations.  The real meaning of the Pascha or Passover is absolutely about the greatest event ever written about. It is not dead history or anything having to do with compromise, it is is about real life that we can live today and forever.

Right Hand of God

In the song of Moses in Exodus 15:6, the phrase 'right hand of God' is used twice. It is used again in verse 12. It is a figure for the effectual power of God.  It is the seat of His administrative authority.

Exodus 15:6 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
Exodus 15:12
You stretched out Your right hand, The earth swallowed them.

Moses understood the 'right hand of God' and had the authority to  carry out God's desire for His people. As I started to investigate this phrase I was thrown back into Genesis and started working my way through it and then on to Exodus to get the fulness of what God intended for this. The right hand of God is something to sing about and the deeper one digs into that phrase the greater the gold.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ has ascended to a unique magnificent position of ultimate authority. He is not literally sitting on God's right hand. As a child I used to think of this scene as containing big fluffy clouds and Jesus Christ sitting on God right side physically. This phrase means so much more than that. It is not static, it is a dynamic position.

who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34

Jesus Christ not only intercedes for us, he is the way of access to the Father through the gift of holy spirit.

This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:32-33

This has an important  relational significance for us:

 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

Why? The Word says it beautifully in Ephesians 1:18-23:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

When we realize the fullness of this, we, like Moses and the Israelites, we want to sing about it!

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It Helps To Know The God of The Universe When You Need To Walk Through The Red Sea

In Exodus 14, God's solution for the Israelites became the problem for the army of Pharaoh:

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. Hebrews 11:29

Moses stretched out his hand and the waters parted miraculously and the Israelites crossed the Red Sea area on dry land.  It was a miracle. It was communication between God and his man that pulled this off.

Obviously God and Pharaoh had no such communication. In fact what was driving them at the time was summed up in Exodus 15:9:

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

After all the miracles and signs, Pharaoh refused God and continued on his own vendetta. It was his undoing for himself and those that followed him.

For Moses, his charge from God was to "go forward" (see last post) and God took care of them. Can you imagine all of them walking on the bed of the Red Sea, side-glancing up at the walls of water standing on either side of them. Do you think that maybe some of them if not most of them thought: 'When is all this going to come crashing down on us?' It is a very human thought! (How about Peter walking on water incident?) The walls of water didn't come crashing down on them, they got through to the other side! Good lesson for us today! Moses and the Red Sea was a big event, as was Peter walking on water, but the principle still applies to even life's littlest pressures. (How many 'Red Sea trips' do we rack up in a day?)

It is not surprising that Moses had a song to sing when they got to the other side.

The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

Go Forward!

While through reading through Exodus 14, the reader needs to keep in mind Psalm 103:7:

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

God could explain things to Moses; the rest of them had to see God's actions with their eyes. We know that the spirit of God was upon Moses and that's how he could hear God.

In Exodus 14, after God had finally gotten them to move out of Egypt and after all the signs, miracles and wonders that had occurred in the process, the Israelites started to complain when they saw that Pharaoh and his armies were following them:

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15 And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

The Israelites could only see what they could see! Human nature without the benefit of the spirit of God continues to grope in fear. God wanted all men and women to understand His ways as evidenced by the voluminous records in the Word and the sending of holy spirit. He provided a way for 'whosoever' (John 3:16-not just selected individuals), through the person of Jesus Christ. The Word of God is the means to 'go forward' instead of vacillating and wallowing in 'whatsoever'.

Flight In Exodus

During the plagues of Egypt, the Israelites went through a series of different effects. The first three plagues affected them, but in the 4th plague (Exodus 8:22) Israel was separated from direct effects.  I imagine what was going on still disturbed them, but they grew in recognizing God's power and finally with the 10th plague they received the instructions to leave and carried out his instructions. They were making a big change. There was a transition period. As with all transition, there's an uncertainty that goes along with the change.

Things that go on in the world can affect everyone, just look at the news lately.  We have high powered satellites, computers and television that can bring us into events occurring across the globe. The recent airline tragedy or the Russian/Crimean situation can enter our homes with a push of a button. The news seems to go on and on without a solution on the horizon. It is so unsatisfying and unnerving.

In the Old Testament people looked forward through the shadows to the coming of Jesus Christ. The spiritual escape from bondage to the freedom of the New Covenant is a parallel to the physical escape from Egypt.  There are many specific parallels when you look at Exodus 12 in depth.

Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover.

The redemption factor from the Old Testament to the New Testament is the Passover lamb; Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 5:7). Jesus Christ was a male without blemish. He was killed on the 14th day of the month of Nisan before sunset. The blood  was an important symbol of redemption as well as the body of the sacrifice. The blood was sprinkled across the lintel to spare them from the destroyer. The body was prepared and eaten for the Israelites well-being (Psalm 105:37, II Chronicles 30:14-20, and
I Corinthians 11:23ff). No bones of the lamb were broken (Exodus 12:46, John 19:35-37). These little details are breathtaking! There are more when you dig deeper!

God's solution to the evil and problems of this world and all the uncertainty that is so blatantly prevalent is in His son, Jesus Christ. We no longer look through shadows. The work has been done.  Our eyes focus ahead with an inner anticipation and strength. We turn down the volume of the clatter of the world and enter the rest that God has provided remembering the details and the significance of the  sacrifice of the Passover lamb.

Division

In I Corinthians 1:12 Paul pointed out the spiritual immaturity of the Corinthians:

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

They were following men, rather than God. Paul mentioned himself first. He did not want worship. Paul was instrumental in bringing the freedom of the Word to the Gentiles.  There were some Judeans that criticized his message, demeanor and behavior.

Apollos was popular because of his eloquence. In a Greek culture that thrived on intellectualism, he would appeal to many. He was a well-liked orator.

Then there was Cephas. Cephas (Aramaic for 'stone'-It is interesting that this is the name used here) is Peter.  Some Judeans would have been looking to him for leadership.

Paul even included a group that was 'of Christ'. Maybe the other leaders were rejected by this group and a spiritual elitism dominated their thinking that they only followed Christ.

Factions and following men is a result of spiritual immaturity. God has given his word and His spirit for the 'growing up' process (Ephesians 4:15-16). Men and women may assist in this process as in the case of gift ministries and anyone who recognizes what reconciliation to God is all about (that is: -real honest-to-goodness discipleship), but the ultimate goal is that each individual becomes an expression of the heart of God.

Paul, Apollos and Peter were united by Christ, not divided. In verse 13, Paul says:

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

There is so much available today to help someone start the process of getting to know God.  Ultimately it is the individual himself that needs to take on the responsibility of developing a relationship with God.  Paul expressed God's heart, as well as his own, in II Corinthians 2:

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

As a child grows up, he becomes less dependent on Mom and Dad. A baby learns to feed himself, crawl, walk, dress himself and so on. At some point during his growth, he develops the youthful attitude: “I want to do it myself!”  As an individual continues grows and matures, he hopefully becomes an avid learner and eventually develops his own confident independence that functions lovingly and wisely with others. The same is true with spiritual growth. It is the process of ‘growing up’  and maturing in Christ. 

Witnesses unto me!

This morning, as I sat down to work on my project to study the huge polysyndeton ('many-ands' figure of speech) in Acts 2:41-47, I realized that it was bigger than I had imagined. The section records the effects of Peter's great sermon on the day of Pentecost. Actually is wasn't just Peter's sermon that got the 3000 excited, it was everything that had been going on!  Each 'and' in Acts 2:41-47 signified a change in their lifestyle. How they lived back then and worshiped, is not something I can readily relate to, but it is about everything they did in response. It represents a shift from Judaism.

Then I spotted another polysyndeton (thanks to E.W. Bullinger in his book, Figures of Speech Used in the Bible) in Acts 1:8 that totally got me going this morning:

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me (Jesus Christ) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

This record is not just about one group of chosen people, it is for all. It starts with being 'witnesses unto me' in both Jerusalem and Judea, the capital of Judaic religion. It includes Samaria(Acts 8:5), the amended Judaic religion. The other group mentioned is the 'non-Judaic' gentile (Acts 10) world. The 'ands' represented the three groups. God has left no one out as He is willing to impart spiritual power to all:

John 3:14-16  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

This verse tied me back into Moses. I am continuing to work (very slowly) through Exodus (which has to include Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy*).  In Numbers 21:2ff, the record of the brazen serpent occurs which Jesus Christ referred to in John 3:14.  Considering Acts1:8 in this light really shows how beautifully intricate God's Word is!

* Exodus and Numbers advance the story of the Old Testament through Moses. In Leviticus there is a little history in chapters 8-10, but it basically complements Exodus. Numbers is an eyewitness account of the Israelites journey to the promised land and Deuteronomy complements it.

Whatsoever things are honest... Asyndeton???

When you look at the list of things to think on in Philippians 4:8, the second entry is 'honest'. What is the difference between 'true' (first on the list) and 'honest' (#2)? Of course, one could look up a commentary on this verse and find out what other people say about this word, but is that where the right definition is found? Not necessarily. Sometimes that helps, but it is a good idea to see how God has used that word before. The root word in Greek is 'sebomai' and is translated 'devout' or 'worship'. Its definition lends itself to consider a 'dignified seriousness'. The actual word found in this verse is 'semnos' and is translated here as 'honest' but in all other places it is translated 'grave' or rather 'having gravity'.

One of the first things we notice about this verse is it's pattern and the repetition of the words 'whatsoever' and 'if there be any' indicating a list. This is a figure of speech called Asyndeton (No-Ands) and each word recorded builds to the conclusion of things to think on. There is an emphasis on the end result. We are to read through this list to the culmination phrase at its end. It is not necessarily a checklist.

'Truth' and 'dignified seriousness' are tied together as are the other words in the list. What if you had the truth but were flippant about it, or disrespectful? Or what if you were very serious and reverent about something and it wasn't something that was true? Putting these words all altogether, describes a good way to think about things for a peaceful outcome. Each of these words builds a total picture together.

The same figure is in I Corinthians 13:4-8a about the love of God.

4 The love is long-suffering, it is kind, the love doth not envy, the love doth not vaunt itself, is not puffed up,5 doth not act unseemly, doth not seek its own things, is not provoked, doth not impute evil,6 rejoiceth not over the unrighteousness, and rejoiceth with the truth;7 all things it beareth, all it believeth, all it hopeth, all it endureth. 8 The love doth never fail; (Young's Literal Translation)

What good is long-suffering if it isn't kind or is envious? This is a total picture of why the love of God never fails.

It is interesting to check out  additional major concepts like 'faith' (Hint: Hebrews 11) and 'hope' (I Corinthians 15) for asyndetons! Figures of Speech by E.W Bullinger is a great resource. He suggests comparing the use of asyndetons with polysyndetons. That's my project this week :) !

Looking into some of these things can be very heady and it is good to keep that in mind. Practically, in doing this type of study, it is good to remember another great asyndeton also found in I Corinthians 13:13 -

13 and now there doth remain faith, hope, love -- these three; and the greatest of these [is] love. (YLT)

Whatsover things are true............

Philippians 4:8  is a great way to apply the wisdom of God to prayer. A list of things to think about sits like a diamond in a beautiful chapter!

Philippians 4:6 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

First on the list of 'things' is: 'whatsoever things are true'. It is significant that 'true' is listed first. Truth is very important.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

In order to really know God and what he has promised, you have to believe God's word belongs to you. It is essential for believing. God's word is the truth. My favorite times in prayer are a result of just thinking through verses and events from the Old and NewTestaments and asking how they apply to various things going on. The Bible on the coffee table is a simply a book. When you enlist God's help, the Bible becomes a breath of life. That is the foundation of prayer and believing. It is more exciting than just having a 'to do' list for God.

Actsodus

God's love is unfailing. In Malachi, it says He 'changes not!' It is not hard to find  parallels in the OT and NT that are examples of His continuing grace. It helps to look at the 'big picture to see the parallels.

On the darker side, the enemy of God never seems to change either. In Exodus there is clear evidence of manipulations by Pharaoh and his doggedness to keep the children of Israel under his thumb. He is really relentless. It seems at one point he recognizes the power of God, yet his arrogance keeps him from backing off all the way to the Red Sea.

Fast forward to the gospel period, Jesus Christ was also 'stalked' by the enemies of God. It is also very apparent in Paul's life. Judaizers were constantly following him around trying to thwart him and destroy him. Why did they expend so much energy into doing all this? What were they thinking? Ask yourself, if you didn't like what someone was teaching, would you follow him around? It all started in Genesis 3 and continues throughout the ages. It's about playing God.

In Acts are the records of Paul and what he went through with people who opposed him. People complained about him, followed him around and some even tried to physically harm him. It wasn't like he could just walk away from them, they wouldn't let him. There were problems outside the church community, but most of the persecution came from people within the  religious community. When people focus on power, self-interest and influence, not to mention money, things go awry,

Paul's understanding in dealing with this type of persecution is the only way to handle it.

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God never changes and His answers are what we must focus on. In Philippians 4 are some great gems that apply to our lives:

Philippians 4:6 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

It is so easy to take on the negatives, but that spirals us downward. Instead we need to focus on the things of God by valuing those things above thus lifting us up and out of the muck. It is absolutely exciting to watch God's grace play out. It is downright glorious!