Tabs

Thursday, February 09, 2006

A Woman's Heart - week 3

In this week's video, Beth talked about the characteristics of the people of Israel, their leader, Moses and the God of Israel. First of all the people of Israel weren't much different than we are today. They were sinners. They were stiff-necked which was a term used to describe a beast who refused to wear it's owners yoke. They were stubborn and selfish in not being willing to follow God's commands. Fortunately they were able to see their sin and repent. They mourned for what they had done. Before coming before the the Lord to worship they striped off all their ornaments (their worldly possessions or anything that comes between us and God) and came before Him on their knees to worship Him.
Next we see Moses. Two things struck me as important about Moses. It seems his number 1 prioraty was having an intimate relationship with God. Next, he prayed fruvently for the people of Israel.
Finally, the God of Israel. First of all, He hears and He acts upon and is affected by what He hears. Our prayers are important and very powerful. The people of Israel were spared because of the prayers of Moses. He gives rest. But rest accompanies our submission to God's authority. God sets us apart by His presence. We do not belong to the world and if God lives in us, the world will know we are different, special. He knows each of us by name. He moves beyond natural limits on our behalf. He is protective. He was all of these things to Moses and the people of Israel and most significantly, He is all these things to us, today. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
There is great comfort in knowing our God is the same God of the people of Israel. His word proves His power, love, comfort and promises are for forever.

2 comments:

TracieClaiborne said...

Oooh, good stuff! I have been teaching Caroline the Old Testament and it IS powerful to realize that our God today is the same God of the Israelites. The plague-sending, cloud-by-day, fire-by-night God that is a jealous, powerful God. I love that verse that says "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." To read about the Israelites makes me fear God. But then again, as you said in your post today, He cares about us so much. We can't forget that either. I haven't watched that video yet! I'll try to watch it this weekend and give it back to you next time I see ya. I can't wait!

staceykingman said...

Same God. Good point. Obvious, and yet somehow you completely caught me off-guard with that reminder...