Bibledoorajar: The Value of Covenants

 "Covenants presupposed a king, a domain, a way of life, people, and often mediating servants. The covenant was an important administrative means within a kingdom."
                                                                                     Baker's Evangelical Dictionary

I remember visiting with some friends once who were very upset that someone in their neighborhood had not lived up to the covenant established as how the neighborhood would look in some respects. A bond had been broken; a mediator was needed to correct the problem. Peaceful relations were in peril within the community. It is difficult when covenants are broken, is it not? Ways of life disappear unless mediation is successful.

When God heard the groaning of His people in Egypt perhaps they were being sorely stretched to believe God's covenant with them was still in tact . Even the mediator God had selected to assure the people that the bond with them was in tact had his doubts at times. But the value of a biblical covenant is that God never doubts. His people may not see the bond clearly, especially in times of stress, but He always does. When God moved with the plagues, He made Himself displayed in Pharoah's domain. What great value was this!  It was more than wonderful for the Jews to have a God who had a plan that He Himself would ensure even though He would have to endure the sorcerers of Egypt and their conflict against His kingdom.

 In 2 Timothy 3 we read of two of the sorcerers who resisted the bond God had with his people. Called by name they were Jannes and Jambres, men of corrupt minds. Paul says these are the types that arise in times of peril deluding God's people that the covenants of God will not stand. Why even they can do some of that supernatural stuff! We are challenged to keep our eyes open for this false opposition, but rather totally trust the covenant the Father made with His Son. He would come to earth and ensure the bond would not be broken even though He would have to endure many hardships and conflicts against His kingdom ending with His death on the cross. In Hebrews it is worded this way.

" And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

The new testament, the new covenant, was brought about by means of death and it will endure through eternity. Take that you modern Jannes and Jambres! You will never best the value of our covenant no matter the perils of life!

Bibledoorajar: Peaceful Order Through Humility

Moses had been given the first sign. Surely, he felt the authority of God that would be given to him over the evil imposed on His (his) people. Moses was being reassured that God's authority would be exercised in Egypt. But there is something about the authority of God for us to consider and learn with Moses. 1 Peter 5 tells us that God raises up authority in DUE TIME. We can never forget the human difficulties each of us carries in our hearts that must be addressed before God can act through us.  To show Moses this, God asked him to put his hand near his bosom. Near his heart, the hand turned leprous. Leprosy is that horrible disease that God uses over and over to help His own learn the true condition of their heart. In order to gain God's peaceful authority our pride must be cast down. In its' place comes wisdom, faith and holiness within us. We haven't always understood that this effect comes in due time not arriving when we think it should. God's ways remain forever, not our ways. But surely, humbled Moses, could begin to see that the difficulties that possibly could be faced in Pharoah's court could not be outmatched by God's appointed time! How firm did Moses have to believe that God could handle things that he could not? Very. Unbelief, distrust and lack of faith torture we humans and distract us from whom He really is in our lives. There would be no time for Moses to doubt or worry in the courts of Pharoah. He saw the hand immediately become leprous and he saw the hand immediately become healed. This must have had a calming effect on poor human Moses. God, Himself, would elevate him as Mediator for His people.

Years later, Jesus would refer to Himself, saying He had to be lifted up even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the Wilderness. He had to be accursed and cast all His cares for the future on the Father without whom He said He could do nothing. No pride, no ambition, just waiting on the Power of God. Folks, that's a peaceful producing consideration is it not? Like Esther of old, having done all by placing ourselves in the Hand of God we wait for Him and Him alone to lift us up.

Moses and Aaron would not be the only ones who would have to experience this lesson. Even Pharoah would hear:  "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me."

Pride and humility. One must give way to the other in the lives of those who follow the Lord. "I am thine O Lord, I have hear Thy call, and it told Thy love to me...."