OLD TESTAMENT ARTICLE
"JUST AS THE LORD HAD COMMANDED"
Exodus 39
Of all the different ways one might describe the attitude and service of that generation of Israelites which came out of Egypt, "just as the Lord had commanded" would doubtless not be one of them. However, for once instead of demonstrating a stiff-necked obstinacy to God's commands they actually were very careful to do exactly what God told them. No doubt the anger of Moses (32:19), their water being laced with what was left of their idol (32:20), the killing of 3,000 by the Levites (32:28) and God smiting them (32:35), had left a deep impression. Unfortunately, the impression wasn't deep enough for shortly after leaving Sinai they return to their old complaining and murmuring lifestyle, (Numbers 11). But, in chapter 39 we are told 10 times they did exactly what the Lord commanded, (39: 1, 5, 7, 20, 26, 29, 31-32, 42-43).
One would think after continually being punished by God for their disobedience they would realize the path of obedience was much to be desired. But Israel is no different from any other group of people who have been given instructions to obey. For some reason we humans are all hardheaded and very few of us learn lessons the easy way. Instead we've got to disobey and disobey and disobey before finally we begin to realize the reason we are miserable is because of our disobedience. It's about like seeing a man hit his thumb for the umpteenth time with a hammer coming to the realization that such is painful and maybe he shouldn't do that anymore. We continue to stress to our children after receiving a spanking that had they just listened and obeyed they could have avoided the unpleasantness of corporal punishment. And yet we know this scenario is bound to repeat itself.
Our problem is thinking we know more than God. The solution is to humbly accept His Will as ALWAYS being the wisest way to conduct our lives. While it is true sometimes, the obeying may be difficult and the repercussions great "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18).
NEW TESTAMENT ARTICLE
"AS ANY HAD NEED"
Acts 2 & 4
To a Jew there was nothing more exciting than the yearly treks to Jerusalem to observe the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost. Yet this particular Pentecost would be one never forgotten by Jew or Gentile alike. The "last days" of Joel's prophecy had arrived and the long anticipated new kingdom was established, (Acts 2:16-21). The growth of this new kingdom was phenomenal, first 3,000 (Acts 2:41), then 5,000 men (Acts 4:4), then "multitudes of men and women" (Acts 5:14), and finally "a great many of the priests" (Acts 6:7).
This rapid growth, however, caused a problem. There were Jews in Jerusalem from all parts of the earth, (Acts 2:9-11). These Jews had only brought enough provisions with them for their journey with no consideration given to an extended stay. Having become members of this new kingdom and wanting to be grounded therein they soon exhausted all their supplies and began to be in need. However, what could have been a devastating setback for the kingdom became a glorious opportunity for others to demonstrate their generosity. In Acts 2:45 and 4:34 we are told they sold their land, houses and other possessions so the need of others could be met.
This was obviously a special situation however let us not convince ourselves that it was a totally unique circumstance with no lessons for us today. I am impressed with the willingness of these people to sell that which they had but didn't REALLY need. Sure they had plans for these houses, lands, and possessions else they would not have had them in the first place. But THEIR plans for these items were DISMISSED when they saw a need which held a HIGHER priority. Many of us may soothe our conscience by convincing ourselves that given a similar circumstance we would do the same yet there are needs all around us which we seemingly ignore. There are funds needed for men preaching the gospel in foreign lands. Even within our own borders are men struggling to preach in small places and closer to home still yet the church here is not self-supporting and must rely on other churches for help. No, I'm not saying let's all sell our possessions and live in tents but surely there is a happy medium wherein we can demonstrate our willingness to do without certain amenities in order to see a spiritual need met. Surely, this is one way we can lay up treasures in heaven, (Matt. 6:20). For these 1st-century Jews it was simply a matter of priority, is it any different today?