History Lesson
You shall not test YHWH your Elohim as you tested In Massah. Deuteronomy 6:16
Test – God commands us not to test Him. Hmm. What do you suppose that means? Am I not to doubt? Am I not to question? Am I not to ask? I won’t be able to answer these questions unless I know the story of Massah. I need history to worship properly. I am never removed from the connection to the people who came before me.
What happened at Massah fills in the context of the Hebrew verb nasah (to test, to try, to prove). This verb is used to describe God’s tests of faithfulness (cf. Genesis 22), so it isn’t always a disapproved action. But something happened at Massah that should never be repeated. Often the text of the story circulates around the word “quarrel.” But this isn’t strong enough. At Massah the people accused Moses and God of impotence and indifference. They said, “If You don’t take care of us as we expect, God, we are not going to follow You any more. You have to prove that You are God and that you care for us!” In other words, they challenged God’s power and His benevolence in spite of ample evidence to the contrary. Why did they do this? Because they believe God should act according to their will. They demonstrated that their faith depended entirely on what God would do for them, not on who God was. They questioned God’s promise of providential care, relegating Him to the role of a wish-fulfilling genie.
God will not be insulted. Neither will He allow men to dictate how He cares for His people. He is not under our control and we do not tell Him what is good. The test at Massah is a sign of rebellious disobedience, a refusal to accept the character of God as the basis of obedience. At Massah, the Israelites decided they would rather be in Missouri (“I’ll believe it when I see it”). God was not pleased.
What do we learn from this history lesson? First, we learn that the theme of rebellious disobedience in the face of overwhelming evidence of God’s goodness is sin. God cares. How His care is manifest in our lives is not our concern. That He cares is all we need to know. We are His servants, not His directors. Whenever we begin to think that we are due some consideration from the Most High, we need to remember Massah.
Second, we learn that any action questioning the providential care of God is dangerous. Faith cannot be based on my perception of how God meets my needs. That is not faith. That is presumptive idolatry. If my believing depends on God doing what I think He needs to do for me, I am no different than the man who trusts in his money to feed him, his insurance to protect him and his lovers to satisfy him. God is God without any requirement to act at all. That He acts on my behalf at all only demonstrates His faithfulness. Gratitude is the basis of faith, but gratitude arises from who He is, not what He does.
Third, we may begin to see that Yeshua didn’t die for my sins. He died for the love of the Father. Forgiveness is the by-product of Yeshua’s obedience. Yeshua went to the cross because He trusted the character of the Father. The Father tested Yeshua’s faith and found him worthy. May that also be true of us.
Topical Index: Exodus 17:1-7, Deuteronomy 6:16 and 9:22, Psalm 95:8, nasah, test
In “History Lesson” you write “Third, we may begin to see that Yeshua didn’t die for my sins.” This is profound but I am slow on grasping it entirely. Please provide additional clarification. Thanks.
St Jerome
Yeah, you caught that one, huh? I was wondering if anyone would pick up on that. Our common evangelical understanding of Yeshua’s purpose is built around OUR need for forgiveness, but I think a closer look reveals that He died as an act of obedience. It is His faithfulness that allows the breach between guilt and holiness to be healed. In this regard, He died for the greater purpose of restoring Creation. Of course, forgiveness is one of the results, but it is only one of the results. The physical creation itself is not morally culpable but it nevertheless “groans” awaiting redemption. That redemption (which is much bigger than our need) is guaranteed in the “obedience unto death” of the Messiah. His death is the sacrificial guarantee that God’s promise of a renewed earth will in fact come about. It is common for Old Testament covenants to be sealed with some kind of sacrifice and this one is no exception. We need to think cosmologically when we consider the death and resurrection, not simply soteriologically. This is especially true when we realize that the actual sacrifice was made on the heavenly altar, not on the cross.
We are so man-centered that we almost always look at the benefits for ourselves first (speaking for myself here). You’ve hit the nail on the head. God’s greatest purpose in everything He does is to glorify Himself. We reap the benefits but need constant reminders that it isn’t about our glory, but His. Thanks for this.
The other day I shared an experience of mine that occurred after the birth of my daughter.
About God and my not being a good model for my daughter.
Another thing I realized about that time had to do with “testing.”
I was up in Tahoe skiing with an old friend; having a beer with our breakfast.
And started telling him that I was beginning to realize that I had everything backwards.
Most of my life I had been “testing” God, because I wanted to know if his rules were for real.
But I was beginning to realize that God was actually testing me and I was not passing the test.
Point three makes great sense to me. The restoration to relationship with God is a result of the Love relationship with God through Jesus. The awareness of forgiveness is a fringe benefit. I may not be saying it very well, but it fits my exprience. Thanks be to God for his faithfulness. Now all of the bruises that comes from the two by four about the head a shoulders is seen as a manifestation of His love for me.
“Point three makes great sense to me”
“1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture”
Hi Roy,
Point three makes great sense to me too.
I never could understand how 1 Corinthians 15:3 applied to me.
Don’t let your brain overrun your fingers! I know. it happens often to me! “Third, we may begin to see that Yeshua didn’t die for my sins.”- now this statement (standing by itself) is ludicrous. Maybe we should hire a “proofreader” (for both of us!). We need to be so careful with our words! Such damage can occur with just a single word! I am reminded of Eccclesiastes 10:1 -“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” To say that Christ did not die for our sins is the “dead fly!”. But, I know, brother Skip, you know Christ did die for (because of) our sins, but not “just” for our sins. The death of Yeshau on the cross gave (and gives) so much more!
Forgiveness of sins is our starting point. How can we (“sinners”- I really do not have a problem with this!- I am, -shock of shocks- a sinner!), have half a hope of a hallelujah without forgiveness of sins? If G-d is holy (and He most certainly is) and we (all) are sinners- where is our “daysman?” Where is our “mediator?” Who can bridge the gap between sinful man and holy YHWH? Only one. And we know His name! We know (yes, ginosko) Who this man is. The one who said (while impaled to a cross), “Father, forgive them..” Such a heart!! What a Friend! Hallelujah!- What a Savior!
Attention all carbon units- Now here this!- My sins are forgiven! Covered. Buried. Gone. As far as the East is from the West y’all, -they (just) aren’t there anymore- (pardon me…)- Hallelujah!
Atonement, propitiation, adoption,__________- it just keeps gettin’ better!
-You are so right on this point..(yes, – there’s more!), for those who are “in Christ!”
Hi Carl,
Actually, the proofreader did her job. This is exactly what I meant to say. Evangelicals tend to reduce the entire message of restoration to personal forgiveness. While it is true that we benefit from Yeshua’s faithfulness, that does not mean that He obligated Himself to die for MY personal forgiveness. His act guarantees the restoration of all creation. We are only a small part of the whole plan, an important part for us, of course, but certainly not the goal in mind. Our perspective is too often so individually focused that we forget God is the God of ALL creation. So, while Yeshua died in a sacrifice that guarantees the return to the original, the preoccupation with personal benefit treads very closely to Massah.
Hello Folks … along the lines that Skip is talking in this comment to Carl …
I cam across a very interesting video titled – “The Fabric Of Time” which is the story of some notable persons that managed and worked on the Turin Shroud!
Now … wait a minute before everyone chimes in with comments .. 🙂
The premise of the “scientific evidence” disclosed within the video is that the Lord’s resurrection … to the best human understanding … was a kin to a “quantum singularity”! That’s right a “quantum singularity”!
The premise by the scientists point to an event that would have been broadcast universally throughout all of creation … in an exact moment!
I found the video to be enlightening and fascinating and wondering in awe about the event itself. It is appropriate in this thread because the net result of Yeshua’s resurrection, (according to scientific hypothesis and faith as presented) was the generation of an entirely new creation … essentially a Spiritual Big Bang …. wouldn’t make it up folks … if you get a chance I would try and get it!
You can view some of the videos here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVXI2NgMEzA
Helen
Shalom,
[Second, we learn that any action questioning the providential care of God is dangerous. Faith cannot be based on my perception of how God meets my needs. That is not faith. That is presumptive idolatry.]
Skip … this is just one great comment … a real nugget! So many people struggle and fail to understand that “blessing” does not always = providential care and good fortune. Many people fail to understand that G_D blesses (in providential manner) even the wicked because of His ever loving kindness! Many people fail to realize that their providential fortunes are not a result of having The Lord’s favor … or validation that they are somehow righteous.
I in fact can sadly speak to this since I was blessed during a time frame in my life when; “wicked” was not to harsh a description of my heart attitude! 🙁 … Certainly not the kind of witness one likes to speak of … but the truth all the same! Ironically … I’ve not had a pay raise in seven years … and all that can be said is “Praise The Lord” … what is provided – suffices!
No matter which way you slice or dice it … this is simply ill conceived legalism in my humble opinion (either rules compliance based legalism or covenantal based legalism! Of course Skip you have rightly extrapolated this matter to its end conclusion … idolatry!
Well done!
Hello, Drew!
I have no comment on your post, but I have a very important question for you! : )
How do you get the emoticons to show here? I just placed a smile above, but it won’t come out as yours do. : (
Helen
Hi Helen … I just use standard key strokes … I don’t have any specific emoticon packages plugged in!
I don’t know why your entries don’t show up correctly! 🙂 … Then again do you put a space between the semi colon and the parenthesis? This might be the cause?
Thanks, Drew. I guess my Firefox browser needs a special plugin (or add on), but I can’t figure out how to get those.
It seems to be more trouble than it’s worth. : ) Yes, I do put a space between the colon and right parenthesis.
Sorry, folks, for the little break in serious discussion!!
Helen
Hi Helen,
I’m happy to jump into this light discussion of emoticons. 🙂 Could you be missing the hyphen between the colon and parenthesis? That’s the key stroke combination that produces the smiley face for me in the Microsoft Word program.
But now when I tried it here, I also couldn’t get the smiley face. 🙁 I also use Firefox, but I’m not sure that has anything to do with it.
Does anyone else have the key that will make Helen and me happy again? 😉 –that’s a wink!
CYndee,
Do you type your replies in Word, then paste them here? I tried doing that with my Eudora mail client, but it didn’t work. : (
I belong to a technical support group………perhaps I’ll ask them.. : )
Thanks for trying to help! I do appreciate it.
Helen
Although I do not excuse mockery of the LORD and the satirical use of God’s Name in rock music, I thought of a song named “Personal Jesus”, Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson and…Johnny Cash recorded. I do not know how many know the debaucherous lifestyles of the first two…drugs, sexual perversion and idolotry, are two of the most prominent and they make no secret of it. The lyrics to this song compares having faith in a telephone connection for dialing up Jesus to make a believer out of you and to grant all your wishes and be your forgiver. Some report Depeche Mode declared the song to be about calling up a heroin dealer after trying to stop using. Marilyn Manson performs another song entitled “Jesus is a friend of Mine.” If you don’t know who Marilyn Manson is, you cannot truly appreciate the implications of this! I would say to check him out on Youtube BUT beware for a shock. This may be the shock we need to really take a good look at how our soteriology has morphed Jesus into a cosmic butler that we only need to call the name and our every wish is granted. We don’t even need to DO anything other than speak the name-somewhat like all we need to do is confess and repeat the prayer and POOF-we’re in!!!!!
Although faith and forgiveness are gifts from Him, it appears much of the world of Christianity has taken these and turned them into parody much like these rock music icons have. In fact, if these rockers could see the true church in action, they may decide not to mock them. It seems that the institutional church and those calling themselves Christians use Jesus much in the same way this song portrays the heroin addict looking for a “fix”.
“a song named “Personal Jesus”, Depeche Mode”
“I do not know how many know the debaucherous lifestyles of the first two”
Hi Mary,
Well I must admit that Depeche Mode was one of my favorite bands at that time.
At that time my lifestyle consisted of work, tennis, and a meaningless,”singles,” nightlife.
Although I cannot relate to the gay lifestyle of Depeche Mode, I think their music was very good.
In fact I heard Personal Jesus play on the radio just 2 or 3 weeks ago and looked up their lyrics on Google.
In my view, their lyrics are intended to satirize idolatry, and do not support or condone it.
For me it is sort of funny that you bring it up at this point.
I was not trying to infer a homosexual lifestyle for Depeche Mode. The reference to “sexual perversion” (BTW-can include a whole range of ungodly sexual activity-not just homosexual acts) was in regard to Marilyn Manson. Depeche Mode’s version of lyrics reportedly admitted to the scoring of heroin reference:
“…feelings unknown and you’re all alone
flesh and bone by the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I’ll make you a believer…”
I like their sound, but am not a fan for sure!
Hi Mary,
I alluded to their homosexual lifestyle, because some of their lyrics, as I recall, address this counter culture.
But as far as I can tell there is no reference to homosexuality or heroin in the Personal Jesus lyrics.
In my view, the effect of the song is to draw you in, to connect you to the attraction of the personal Jesus.
But the image of the telephone, a mechanical device, conflicts with the beauty of the music.
So I think the song suggests that salvation has become another commodity, something that can be purchased by using the telephone.
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who’s there
Feeling unknown
And you’re all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I’ll make you a believer
Take second best
Put me to the test
Things on your chest
You need to confess
I will deliver
You know I’m a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who cares
Your own personal Jesus
Someone to hear your prayers
Someone who’s there
Feeling unknown
And you’re all alone
Flesh and bone
By the telephone
Lift up the receiver
I’ll make you a believer
I will deliver
You know I’m a forgiver
Reach out and touch faith
Your own personal Jesus
In the Pentecostal church I attended for many years, we sang a song “Jesus on the Mainline”. It has a catchy upbeat tune, yet the words…well, here they are:
Jesus on the mainline, tell Him what you want
REPEATx2
Jesus on the mainline now
Call Him up, call Him up
Tell Him what you want
REPEAT x2
Jesus on the mainline now
As Pentecostals are rather “free” in their worship and take liberality to new heights with most structure (except when they get dead set in their ways!), they will substitute the , so verses are added as the “spirit moves and leads”. A variation to this would be:
If you need a blessing, tell Him what you want
REPEAT x2
Jesus on the mainline now
Other substitutions might be:
If you need:
healing, salvation, a new Mercedes, a bigger house,….just kidding! Bit I think this explains much of the mindset of picking up the telephone and ringing the cosmic butler to do what WE want rather than asking Him to show us HIS way. Isn’t that basically many Christian lives have become, molding and fashioning a god who suits our felt needs and works according to what we think is appropriate and acceptable?
BTW, there is another song entitled “The Royal Telephone”. If it was not for the reputation of God and His people, and the eternal(eternity is also now) lives of multitudes, this would be hysterical!!
An insightful comment on the accommodation of the Church to the culture, and the tragic results to the true message. While there is certainly truth in the concept that Yeshua forgives and that there is an instantaneous transition to a new status before the King, the “cosmic butler” teaching of the Church has probably duped more lives than any wanton sinfulness. When all that is required is a few words of mental assent, the result is fixated on an escape plan, ignoring the greater purposes of God to restore His perfect creation. If the death and resurrection signal cosmic renewal, then there is certainly more at stake here than personal forgiveness. We need a bigger view of reality. All creation groans awaiting the day of redemption.
Agreed, Skip. It is apparent, the popular status quo mantra of confess you are a sinner, receive forgiveness and you will be saved has not advanced the church. No sanctification, no change. Just dress up and add church attendance to the list of things to do. Although I do trust in the forgiveness of God for my sin and am very thankful for it, I do not recall any Scriptures that tell us that we must ask for forgiveness of sins. We are told to repent, turn away, make a move toward God and in so doing, He draws near to us. This is a measurable action, not just mere words! This DOES take place as a result of true BELIEF in a heart filled with faith. It becomes increasingly clearer that we have this much in common with Abraham, Moses, David, Stephen, Paul and all of that abide in the TRUE VINE-FAITH in God. Immanuel, God with us has provided the path for the way, truth and life of faith by example through obedience and the glorious resurrection. It also becomes clearer that when the obscure concept of obedience is touted in anti-Semitic doctrine, the perfect opportunity for the man of lawlessness to appear is soon to be upon us. Even so, come LORD Jesus!
I Corinthians 15:3. Context, context, context. The first rule of biblical interpretation. It is apparent that some in the assembly of Corinth were doubting the physical death and resurrection of Yeshua. This makes sense when you consider the Greek mythical religions that were popular in Corinth. A God who dies for worthless people is a bit hard to imagine from that background. So, Paul reiterates the original news that he proclaimed in Corinth – that the report of Yeshua’s death and resurrection is accurate and substantiated by many witnesses. Why is this so important to Paul? Because a physical sacrifice is required in order to remove the guilt of the petitioner. In this case, unlike all other sacrifices, the offering is perfect, and therefore has universal and eternal consequences. God Himself takes on the means of redemption. Since Paul is addressing the personal concerns of the assembly, it is appropriate that he says that this sacrifice occurred because of the broken relationship caused by sin. If fellowship with God is to be restored, something has to die. So, Yeshua died for our sins.
But, of course, this is NOT the limit of His death, nor is it the single goal of redemption. It is a wonderful consequence of Yeshua’s obedience, but the picture is much bigger. As long as we don’t limit the event to our personal situation, we can still assert with confidence that He did in fact die for our sins.