"So Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the LORD has said we will do." (Exodus 24:3)

The giving of the Book of the Covenant now completed, Moses descends from the mountain and declares it to the people.  (vs.1-3)  When the people heard they expressed a willingness to obey: "All the words which the LORD has said we will do."  Moses takes the blood and sprinkles half of it on the altar and half of it on the people and their acceptance of the covenant is complete.

Upon this occasion God accepted the accolades of Israel.  With the altar and sprinkling of blood, God provided a means by which Israel could be reminded to make good on their promise.  Unfortunately, Israel would prove to be a fickle people and soon forget their commitment to Jehovah.

The fickleness of Israel has been often repeated by others.  One has good intentions, but often fails to follow through.  He is torn by emotions that draw him in one direction and his reason which draws him in another.  Thus, one will make promises, as Israel did at Sinai, but when the emotion of the moment is gone and life gets ordinary and dull, he finds his pledge hard to keep.

The gospel of Christ demands commitment.  We are not just saved to be saved (Romans 12:1,2), but we are saved to serve.  God demands implicit faith committed to righteousness rather than sin.  (Romans 6:18)  All too often the new convert on the day of baptism start with lofty goals, but will soon drop out of the race.  

Like Israel God has implemented ways to remind the Christian of his initial commitment.  The Lord’s Supper is our memorial of Christ, should rekindle our spirits. (I Corinthians 11:23-29)  The word is designed to stir us up. (II Peter 3:1,2) God’s people should provoke us to love and good works.  (Hebrews 10:24,25)  

So when our life ends will we be among those who followed through or among those who failed?  Take up the tools God gave you, keep the heart burning for Christ, and one day you will reap the rewards.

George Slover 



 

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over." (Psalms 23:5)

God has promised to meet our every need.  The Psalmist acknowledges that because “the Lord is his shepherd” that “he will not want”, i.e. he will lack in nothing.  Even though the poet has enemies (vs. 5), they are powerless to remove the joyful peace of fellowship with God.

When we are lacking in such areas it is not due to failure on God’s part, but a lack of diligence on our part.  Jesus said,   “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”  (Matthew 5:6)  We become so satisfied with the mundane offerings of this world, we fail to pursue the greater spiritual joys.  

How often have we been too busy to pray or too distracted to engage in daily Bible reading, or too lazy to assemble with God’s people, or too timid to share God’s word with a friend?  All of these are simple avenues authorized by God through which one can be richly blessed.  Our failure to receive such joy is due to our spiritual apathy.

It is time to let go and trust God fully. So many doors of opportunity are given to us each day.  Turn off the television, put aside that fiction novel, and let the yard wait until tomorrow.  Do not worry about the possible inconveniences and discomforts.  When you are finished God will bless you more than you thought possible!

George Slover
 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, "who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46) The kingdom of heaven is like a business man seeking rare gems.  One day he stumbles upon a stone of incomparable value.  Although this gem is costly, this merchant, without regret sells out to purchase it.  This new jewel is the most significant thing in his life.  It is a source of great joy! This precious gem represents the rule of God in the hearts of people.  It is a stone unrivaled in beauty and value. Christ, the king possesses qualities of excellence like none other.  He not only offers the advantage of future promises, but of present attractions.  There is no joy on earth so pure and strong as that which springs from fellowship with God.  This is the pearl of great price! Jesus plainly stated that his kingdom was not like earthly kingdoms. (John 18:36)  This kingdom does not come with observation, but rather lives and grows inside of human beings. (Luke 17:21)  Among its citizens is a tax collector (Luke 5:27), a half-breed that had five husbands (John 4:1-29), and a thief (Luke 23:32-43) who graciously accepted God’s grace and forgiveness.  Allegiance to the king would embolden some of his followers to die a martyr’s death just like the Savior.  Self-denial is a pre-requisite to citizenship in this kingdom.  The merchant had to sell all he had acquired on this journey to buy this one pearl.  The gospel is God’s free gift; however it is not cheap and does not exclude the necessity of sacrifice on our part.  To obtain this precious pearl one must “sell out” and devote their life to this cause. Sadly, many look upon this wonderful pearl with suspicion.  They hesitate to part with anything earthly to obtain it.  They may view it as only desirable for fanatics and emotional weaklings.  However, the sacrifice to obtain it is man’s greatest investment and its end is inexpressible joy! By George Slover

The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Isaiah 8:13-14)

Each year Americans exercise their right to vote for those they wish to lead our nation.  As I grow older, I find election day to be a troubling time because it reminds me of the decline of the strong nation I knew as a boy.

It must have been equally challenging for any God-fearing Jew during the days of Isaiah.  Judah’s king, Ahaz was an extremely wicked ruler.  Tired of the inefficiency of Ahaz, they watched for the approach of powerful nations from the north.  Assyria would come as a mighty flood to punish and purify Israel.  Where would God-fearing people turn?

Instead of fearing men, Isaiah is encouraged to recognize the power of God.  This time honored principle had been invoked since the days of Moses.  "You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. (Deuteronomy 6:13 )  If one fears God, he need not fear any other.

One may fear men because of their power to do us hurt.  Men may injure our reputation, our property, our loved ones, or even our lives.  In fact a certain fear of civil authority is healthy.  However, one’s fear of man can also be harmful by weakening him morally.  This condition may motivate one to applaud evil and condemn the Truth.

However, the fear of God is the fountain of life. (Proverbs 14:27)  It is the beginning of wisdom and a deterrent from evil.  As our respect of God deepens, so should our hatred of evil.  Those who will live in the fear of God have an unshakable foundation.

Thus, the prophet gives us two clear possibilities with God: ether a “sanctuary” or a “rock of offense”.  The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7)  However, for unbelievers God can be stone over which they will fall and be broken.

In uncertain times, even at all times we must not concern ourselves with what man can do to us, but rather what God can do for us.  Make God your friend and he will be to you a fountain of everlasting joy.

By George Slover
 

"Then the king's scribes were called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and a decree was written according to all that Haman commanded-to the king's satraps, to the governors who were over each province, to the officials of all people, to every province according to its script, and to every people in their language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written, and sealed with the king's signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all the Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions." (Esther 3:12-13)
 
During the days of Xerxes, king of Persia, a decree was issued that on an appointed day all of the Jews would be killed.  This was done according to the counsel of Haman, the king’s jealous, power – hungry prime minister.  According to Persian custom such decrees were deemed irrevocable.  No one including the emperor himself would remove it.  Thus, in the early phases of this story it appears that the Jews are doomed to die.  However, by the God’s providence, the Jews are spared from this slaughter by another irrevocable decree (Esther 8:10-14).  This second edict was heralded throughout the empire, that the Jews would be permitted to protect themselves from their adversaries.  This new decree provided a way of escape for the Jews.
 
Like those messengers of the Persian Empire, God has employed his messengers to herald two irrevocable principles.  The first was plainly stated by Ezekiel:  "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. (Ezekiel 18:20)  This principle not only applies to those in prisons for some heinous crime, but to every person that is accountable to God.  (Romans 3:23)  God, being infinitely holy, will not lower his standards!  Thus, sin separates mankind from God.
 
Thus, God has issued another irrevocable decree.  It was stated well by the author of Hebrews: “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him..." (Hebrews 5:8-9) God is heralding to the sinner a message of reconciliation through his Son!  It is offered to anyone who will obey the Lord (Acts 2:37,38).
 
The Jews in Esther’s day recognized both a decree to destroy them and a decree to save them came from the same king!  We too must believe that the King of kings is on our side.  So, “be reconciled to God.”  (II Corinthians 5:20)
 
By George Slover