Group Embrace

Caleb, my oldest son, recently was assigned to read the book The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw.  This book deals primarily with the shared attitude and reality of sacrifice by all Americans during World War II.  After he had read the book we engaged in a conversation about the difference in America now and America then.  We particularly discussed the different attitudes of sacrifice of those Americans directly impacted by our current wars, and those who are largely unaffected by the foreign conflicts.  In the end he said (paraphrased) “I don’t think Americans could all make the unified sacrifice now that they made then.  I don’t think we are willing to give up what is necessary to be able to come together like they did.”  I had to agree.

The story of Moses that we read this week is a story of a people who were largely unwilling to come together. They were unwilling to make the sacrifice necessary and take the essential risks that would allow them to fully embrace their journey and to fully respond to God’s embrace.  They consistently questioned Moses, complained about the journey, distrusted each other, and rejected God.  There is one instance, in Genesis 8:17-16 where we see the people trust, work together, and support each other and Moses.  In response they experience an amazing victory.  Sadly, it was not long until they returned to their doubting, complaining, and questioning ways.  Once again they experience defeat, misery, and miss the embrace of God.

God reaches out continually to teach the people about His embrace and His desire for them to respond, not just to Him but to each other.  He showed the Israelites that their response to Him and each other resulted in hope and victory.  He showed them that this group embrace revealed a future of trust and understanding.

Daily Readings

Monday, October 31, 2011 Exodus 15:22-18:27

Several years ago I was with the Grace Fellowship children at a camp in Texas as they were engaged in a battle of tug-of-war.  The teams were made up of churches and our group was smaller in number and physical size than many of the other groups, including the group we were tugging against.  As our kids were working hard, but about to be pulled over the line, the recreation leader yelled to me to join our kids and help.  Although I was not helping with much muscle, I was able to contribute a helpful amount of weight which pulled our group back from the edge and finally to victory.  

 Moses’ journey with the Israelites was one in which he battled alone, and often even against his own people.  Eventually the people joined him and added their weight, their support, to pull off a victory (Exodus 17:8-16).  It is an amazing twist of behavior and attitudes as the people move from complaining and whining, to assisting and supporting.  It is an amazing change as they go from living in division and defeat to living in unity and victory.  How do you see the lessons from this section of Moses’ journey applicable to your life?

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 Exodus 19:1-23:9

Many times, as a parent, I find my children questioning the reasoning behind the rules I give to them.  This should not surprise me as I can remember doing the same thing in regard to the rules laid down by my parents.  Now that I am on the parent side, the reasoning behind the rules makes a great deal of sense.  

God, after testing the people to see if they are able to follow Him, now begins to give them rules that may or may not make sense to the people from their side.  These rules are aimed at their protection and their stability.  Look over the rules given by God and think upon the reason God gave this instruction.  What does God’s instruction tell you about God’s character and nature?

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 Exodus 23:10-31:18

I have a friend who is in the military, he also has very strong and definite political opinions.  You do not need to be around him for a very long time to figure out which direction his political views lean, and many are not around him long until he has offended them by the depth of his political passions.  Years ago, when a president was in office, who was of a completely opposite political persuasion than that of my friend, he told me a story.  He shared that he had been at a press briefing where this president was in attendance.  At one point during the conference a spectator began to yell out very offensive things at the president.  My friend, who was not a fan of this president, was horrified that anyone who act this way, regardless of their opinions and political views.  “It is the president of the United States, he passionately proclaimed, “you respect the position no matter what you think!”  

In our readings today we see God teaching the people about the position of God.  He is teaching them a life of respect to God regardless of attitude or opinion.  How do you see God teaching the people about the position and person of God?  How does your life reflect an understanding of this?

Thursday, November 3, 2011 Exodus 32

One of the tougher things about my kids getting older is that the hugs seem to be much fewer and further between.  Sometimes I will ask for a hug and the result is like hugging a soggy piece of bread or a squirmy resistant dog.  They are not really “into” the hug and pull away as soon as possible.  

The Israelites reveal the depth and truth of their embrace, their hugs, toward God when they begin to doubt Him.  When Moses is absent for an extended period of time they once again let go of God and return to their old ways learned in captivity.  They easily reveal the truth of their trust and embrace of God when times become tough.  What causes you to let go of God?

Friday, November 4, 2011 Exodus 33:1-6

The actions of the Israelites in again rejecting God and returning to their old ways and old habits causes them to see the passion of God.  They are afraid, with good reason.  How would you define the “straw that broke the camel’s back” in this story, that brought God to this point?  How was this different from all the other times they disobeyed or offended God?