Bibledoorajar: The Rock in the Midst

     As the people kept moving year after year, the doubting spies and those that believed their report faded away in death. Finally, the people came into an area called the Wilderness of Zin. This area of Israel is really magnificent, full of geological shapes and sizes much like the canyons known and admired in America. However, these people supposedly on a faith walk, arrived and saw no trees bearing fruit and found no water for themselves or their animals. With what is now a familiar sound, they complained to Moses and Aaron as to why in the world they were led there. Surely they would die without water. They would have been just as well to die with the others already deceased.
     Moses and Aaron left the people and fell on their faces before God. God came to them and told them to gather the people around a ROCK IN THEIR MIDST. When Moses spoke to the rock by faith it would gush forth with water. His speech was very important to God in this matter. Carrying out the command would show forth obedience and trust in the living God. God's name would be sanctified. But it was a sad day, for Moses struck the rock instead of asking it for its' water. In so doing, he failed to sanctify God's Name. They failed to honor Him and His Provision.
     Years later, Jesus was born and was referred to as Emmanuel. It means God with us or God in our midst. It is a terribly sad thing when men strike out at the ROCK IN OUR MIDST and fail to speak in such a way as to sanctify His Name. God loves our words that worship Him and honor Him, words that believe Him. He says a prayer spoken righteously does much good (See the book of James). Even if He does not like our ideas of how the request should be handled and says no, he still loves us because we have sanctified His name. Therefore, we can continue  to safely "hide" in Him and with amazement He will provide for us.
     In 1775 Augustus Toplady sought to honor God. He was caught up in the great debate of the day between the tenets of Calvin and Wesley. The debate roared so loudly at times that one wonders if God was always honored in the debate. At any rate, it led Augustus to pen a hymn of worship the theology of which he was sure. He wrote ROCK OF AGES and the hymn remains to this day in our midst and sung by men everywhere to honor our Lord. Speak to the Rock with all humility; He will hear you.

  Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee;

let the water and the blood,

from thy wounded side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure;

save from wrath and make me pure.

Bibledoorajar: The Curious Red Heifer

     Following the Korah rebellion, God spent a great deal of time planning for purification from contamination from sin. The sacrifice of the red heifer is curious far more than all the other sacrificial choices (lambs, doves, etc), because it had to be completely perfect. It would give its' life, life blood completely consumed, outside the camp on the Mount of Olives. Two different colored hairs on the animal would disqualify any candidate. Further, it could have never been forced with a yoke, but must give its life without force. Its' ashes would be used in the application against future sins. Nine red heifers were consumed up until the final destruction of the temple.

     These days in Israel, certain Torah compliant Jews are working through the Temple Institute to make ready the implements needed for use in the rebuilding of the Temple. Many believe that this will be needed when the Messiah comes. They are also in search of perfect red heifers because they believe one will be used after His arrival to purify the contaminated peoples (including the Gentiles as in the Old Testament times--see Numbers 19). They are very excited now that President Trump has decreed and moved the American Embassy to Jerusalem.  They see this as a sign that the rebuilding of the temple is coming true, no matter how slowly. Their thoughts have turned away from destruction to renewal and rebirth. This thinking has been increasing since their history turned on Wednesday June 7, 1967 when Jerusalem was recaptured. This, they see as their great destiny their Messiah walks in their midst, a light to the nations.

      But there is another view among Jews who have recognized Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. He, the perfect unblemished sacrifice, died outside the camp. He shed His blood for a once and for all cure from the contamination of sin. Living in the hearts of His people, He already walks as a light among the nations. It was His death that turned history. All believers read Hebrews 9:14 with the realization of His perfect sacrifice that leads to perfect purification.

"....just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins."

The Jews may be looking at June 7, 2018 historically one way, but I say it is a day to praise God for Jesus who sheds forth the light of HIStory.