1/23/18
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
The people of Israel had a rocky relationship with Moses. Although he led them out of captivity in Egypt, served as God’s messenger to bring them God’s Law, and helped them see the ways God would have them approach him in worship, they frequently complained about him. He frightened them, but God frightened them even more.
When God had offered to reveal His Law to the people of Israel, they were afraid and wanted Moses to serve as their representative. Maybe they expected he would die on the mountain and they could go about their business however it seemed right to them. It’s hard to tell. But we know from Deuteronomy 18:16 that they were afraid to meet God themselves.
Like every other leader, Moses would wear out and eventually die. What would the people do then? How would they hear from God? In Deuteronomy 18:17-19 we are told that God’s intention was to raise up another prophet. He would speak the words of God honestly, all the time. And those who would refuse to listen to him would be held accountable. They would have to work out their salvation without the help of a mediator.
The New Testament portrays Jesus as this replacement for Moses. He is the final revelation of God (Hebrews chapter 1). He is the Word of God himself (John chapter 1). What, then, of those who refuse to hear him? They will have to work out their salvation without his help.
Jesus served not only as a teacher and a prophet. He is also presented as the Lamb of God who could take away the people’s sins once and for all. As the perfect man, he was able to die the death that all humans deserve. As the perfect God, he was not able to be held by death.
This may make us uncomfortable. God was walking around in skin. But look what he was doing, through Moses and through Jesus. He was giving his life to make a way of forgiveness for all who would take him at his word. Do we have the same problem with Moses that the Israelites did? What if we try looking to Jesus, hearing His word, and trusting that he is the true and final prophet?
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
The people of Israel had a rocky relationship with Moses. Although he led them out of captivity in Egypt, served as God’s messenger to bring them God’s Law, and helped them see the ways God would have them approach him in worship, they frequently complained about him. He frightened them, but God frightened them even more.
When God had offered to reveal His Law to the people of Israel, they were afraid and wanted Moses to serve as their representative. Maybe they expected he would die on the mountain and they could go about their business however it seemed right to them. It’s hard to tell. But we know from Deuteronomy 18:16 that they were afraid to meet God themselves.
Like every other leader, Moses would wear out and eventually die. What would the people do then? How would they hear from God? In Deuteronomy 18:17-19 we are told that God’s intention was to raise up another prophet. He would speak the words of God honestly, all the time. And those who would refuse to listen to him would be held accountable. They would have to work out their salvation without the help of a mediator.
The New Testament portrays Jesus as this replacement for Moses. He is the final revelation of God (Hebrews chapter 1). He is the Word of God himself (John chapter 1). What, then, of those who refuse to hear him? They will have to work out their salvation without his help.
Jesus served not only as a teacher and a prophet. He is also presented as the Lamb of God who could take away the people’s sins once and for all. As the perfect man, he was able to die the death that all humans deserve. As the perfect God, he was not able to be held by death.
This may make us uncomfortable. God was walking around in skin. But look what he was doing, through Moses and through Jesus. He was giving his life to make a way of forgiveness for all who would take him at his word. Do we have the same problem with Moses that the Israelites did? What if we try looking to Jesus, hearing His word, and trusting that he is the true and final prophet?
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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