Exodus 30, John 9, Proverbs 6, and Galatians 5
The Experience:
I was highly encouraged by Galatians and Proverbs this morning.
The Word:
Exodus 30 continues with the building of the parts of the tabernacle. Interestingly we see God continuing in his grace to establish a government for this displaced people. A tax and census is set for the people in verses 11-16.
John 9:16 shows conversation among the Pharisees with some seemingly believing Jesus is from God while others disagreed. Next, they investigate with the family of the blind man whose sight caused the division in John 9:16. When they realize he was born blind, the scenario becomes more tense. Later Jesus will speak to the man again whose sight he restored. The man will worship Jesus as God and the Pharisees will be accused of their unbelief in having seen Jesus and not believing. This is interesting in light of why Jesus answered that this man was blind. Many thought it was related to some sin of his or of his parents. Jesus clarified “John 9:3, “it was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him”.
Reading through Proverbs has been interesting. I say that because I always considered the book to be a disjointed work of divinely revealed wisdom. However, the book does not read as disjointed at all, its coherent and the wisdom in this book is astounding when read in sequence. Today chapter 6 verses 16-19 say “there are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and won who sows discord among brothers.” These words jump off the page to me and I am greatly enjoying this read.
Galatians 5 again goes to law and grace. Paul points that were free in Christ and that we should not again submit to a yoke of slavery. Paul then speaks to circumcision, the sign of the covenant, that Christ would be no advantage to us. This displays a transition from one dispensation of grace to a new dispensation under the same mode of salvation, by grace through faith. Finally, if it were not clear enough he, Paul, doubles back to ensure that its understood that were not to work to keep the law in saying “every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law”. I find Galatians 5 to be a carefully worded work that doubles back to pick up any potential for confusion each set of verses; the point being carefully conveyed is that the age of Law has past and the age of the spirit on the heart of regenerated believers is the rule.
