Thoughts on the readings for January 31st (Exodus 3, 4; Psalms 56, 57; Romans 9)

Thoughts on the readings for January 31st (Exodus 3, 4;  Psalms 56, 57; Romans 9)

In Exodus 3 Moses had brought his flock to the edge of the desert, Mount Sinai - known as Jebul Miss (the Mt of Moses to the Arabs. Here he saw in  the distance an amazing sight - an acacia bush burning brightly, but remaining unconsumed (a symbol of God's providential preservation of His people, Israel -
Isaiah 43 verse 1-3,  54 verses 17). Baffled by the scene, Moses turned aside to investigate and, as he neared the bush, was commanded by the angel to remove his shoes; for he was on holy ground. Notice the angel (as Stephen tells us in Acts 7verses 30) is called God; since he was acting for God. Stephen says in Acts 7 verses 31-34 that God was in that location making it holy. God had seen the affliction of His people and was (verse 8) come down to deliver them - alluding to Joseph's last words
(Genesis 50 verse 24).  Moses, who had been described as "mighty in words and deeds"
(Acts 7 verses 22); was now told by the LORD to represent Him to Pharaoh. Moses answered God and said that He had chosen the wrong person. Moses persisted in refusing despite Yahweh making it clear that He had made no mistake. Moses you must bring them to this mountain to worship Me. Still Moses resists with the words, "who will I say has sent me". The divine name of Yahweh is now explained to Moses. In verse 14 he is told "Ehyeh"
(meaning "I will be") has sent Moses. The name is expanded and developed in verses 15-16 - Yahweh Elohim of the fathers - He who will become mighty ones through the Promised seed. We are told a number of things about the Hebrew understanding of the 4 letter name (called the Tetragrammaton; YHWH: the 4 lettered name) - 1) that although the meaning is essentially referring to the future; it is indeterminate in Hebrew having all 3 tenses covered {"I was"; "I am"; and, "I will be"} i - WHO I CHOSE; WHO I AM; and , WHO w WILL BE - principally used in chapter 6 of God's future intentions. Revelation 1:8 makes it clear that each of these meanings are to be accepted. 2) that to understand what the name means is essential for salvation (Hebrews 11:6) - that God exists (present tense), and; that He becomes a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him
(future tense). We must live and act out of these beliefs.  They tell us that the LORD is developing a faithful family of His choosing; who will in their lives and actions show to the world their Father and His ways (Psalm 105 verses 1-11). The chief east exemplar being His incomparable Son, our Lord Jesus Christ (John 17 verses 1-4, 12-26). Verses 17-22 tells Moses that Egypt must be forced to allow God's people to triumphantly exit Egypt. The Egyptians will be plundered as pay for their Sovereign's people.
Chapter 4 tells of the angel giving Moses 3 powerful supporting signs to convince the resistant Hebrews to believe God and His prophet and representative, Moses. The sign of the staff that would turn into a snake; the sign of the hand that would become leprous before being healed; the sign of waters of the Nile (Egypt's life blood) becoming blood (itself the symbol of life) turning to blood and bringing death. Still Moses poses excuses to Yahweh as to why someone else should be God's spokesman. In anger his Sovereign tells Moses not to give any more excuses - you will have Aaron, your brother, to support you. Aaron will become your mouthpiece and your prophet. Moses returned to Egypt with his wife and sons. And the message for Pharaoh, "Israel is My firstborn son; let My son go to serve Me; or I will slay your firstborn son". The challenge from the God of Israel was to issued to the gods of Egypt, of whom Pharaoh was their incarnation. In the inn the angel sought to slay Moses because Moses, despite being sent as the leader of the circumcised
(covenanted) people, had neglected to circumcise his own son, Gershom. What an unforgettable lesson to Moses and to ourselves. Although God can and does use us; He relies on no individual for His plan to proceed (with the exception of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ).

Psalm 56 is Miktam of David telling of his plea to the Almighty for help, when he was hopelessly lost in Achish's prison in Gath. It also calls upon all hearers to praise God for His capacity and willingness to save. God vindicated David's trust and delivered him. Yahweh would recompense the Psalmist's foes; and for these reasons God would be extolled by David and all mthe ladies prighteous. In confidence the Psalmist tells of offering thanksgiving offerings in the glorious icoming Kingdom Age.
Psalm 57 is likewise a Miktam of David's and shares the background of the 56th psalm. It is a plea for mercy and the image of a defenceless, trembling bird find a place of refuge beneath the protective wings of the Almighty. Our Lord Jesus the same metaphor in describing his desire to protect his people, Israel (see Matthew 23 verses 37-39). God's purpose for the psalmist would be fulfilled and his foes put to shame. David, like Daniel later, felt as if he was in a lions' den. This possibly is a description of the desperate 600 men who had gathered themselves together with David, during his exile. His Sovereign would, nonetheless, turn them into a band of courageous, faithful warriors. David then described his pursuers, in Saul and his army, as having spread a net in which they themselves would be ensnared. Because of his trust in the LORD, David remained steadfast, immovable. The psalmist would praise his God for His steadfast faithfulness and loving kindness. Yahweh will be exalted and His glory fill the earth.

In Romans 9 Paul explains his frustration at his nation's failure to grasp the glory God was offering his people. The Apostle shows from Scripture that this failure was foretold and follows a persist pattern of behaviour demonstrated by Israel. Nonetheless the Almighty's sovereign selection would stand upon the principles of the Divine grace and mercy, not because of any effort or merit on the part of any individual within the Chosen People. The Scriptures stand true and the restoration of the former people of God's choosing would be by His actions through which anyone to be saved could on one basis alone - by faith in the foundation stone the Father set in Zion (Isaiah 28 verse 16) His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christa delphian video .org