SEAN - Israel was not chosen because it was righteous, beautiful, mighty, or intelligent. Same with us. The Gospel is as good as the words unconditional election; God chooses us (election) to be His people even if we aren't the most amazing people ever (unconditional). We come to Him humbled and broken, and He lifts our chins and grants us pardon. God is totally kind.
-------------------------
Based on ESV.com's Chronological Bible In a Year schedule. If anyone would like to join in, this blog's comments sections would be a good forum in which to share insights from the text.
-------------------------
Not Because of Your Righteousness
In Deut. 9 God tells Israel that He didn't choose them because of their righteousness - actually, Israel had been super stubborn and difficult in the desert. Moses is recorded as saying, 'you have been rebelling against God from the first day that I knew you!' (9.24). Then comes this lengthy list of all of Israel's worst moments; a highlight reel of shame. All of the complaining and testing and immorality and faithlessness comes back to show them how corrupt they've been and how good God has been regardless.
The Golden Apis
Israel was never off to a great start. The worst example was the Golden Calf incident. Moses was gone up a mountain for just 40 days, and that was all it took for them to make a cow statue and start bowing down to it. That golden statue could have actually been an image of Apis [pictured at the top], the Egyptian bull-god, but we don't know that for sure. What we do know is that despite this God still blessed them and led Israel into the promised land. What better way to let everyone know that ''Yahweh is merciful"?
Other Interesting Notes
This isn't just a history of Israel, though; it's an example. Humanity has always turned its back on God. The Church has always turned its back on God. As Christians we are totally aware of our sin and our hypocrisy - and we also know that God is good and forgiving and kind. If we come to Him in shame and repentance, then He will accept us every time.
The Golden Apis
Israel was never off to a great start. The worst example was the Golden Calf incident. Moses was gone up a mountain for just 40 days, and that was all it took for them to make a cow statue and start bowing down to it. That golden statue could have actually been an image of Apis [pictured at the top], the Egyptian bull-god, but we don't know that for sure. What we do know is that despite this God still blessed them and led Israel into the promised land. What better way to let everyone know that ''Yahweh is merciful"?
Other Interesting Notes
This isn't just a history of Israel, though; it's an example. Humanity has always turned its back on God. The Church has always turned its back on God. As Christians we are totally aware of our sin and our hypocrisy - and we also know that God is good and forgiving and kind. If we come to Him in shame and repentance, then He will accept us every time.
Other comments and observations can be found in the comments section! Join in!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Start or join a conversation! Please do not use the 'Anonymous'; option; use the Name/URL form and leave a first and last name (or last initial). Thank you.