“God rescued them, and then gave them the law.” Pastor Jeff Vines, Chapter 5 of The Story.

Chapter five of "The Story," and we are covering chapters 19 – 40 of Exodus, with huge gaps (you have to look at the back of the book to find the range of scriptures).

In case you do not know “The Story” is a novelized version of the bible. One of the motives behind doing The Story is to get men involved and get them to make the presentation (If I seem to focus on men here, it is because I was, at the time of this writing, a co-leader of a mens’ bible study). The nice thing about this novelized version of the Bible is that there is no strict format, and you can give an overview, or focus on a particular aspect.

If you are familiar with this range of scripture then you know that it focuses on the rebellious nature of Israel, the establishment of the law, and the institution of temple worship.

Several times God has decreed that he would kill them all and start over with Moses, and yet Moses withstands God, and God relents.

We are expected to sit through at least one of the weekend sermons, and I went Saturday night. Pastor focused on something comparable to what I had written in some notes of mine, but he added one thing that caught my attention. When he said it I wrote, here is your answer!

“God rescued them, and then gave them the law.” Pastor Jeff Vines

Had it been the other way around the dynamics of everything would have changed.
Remember that famous soul-winning scripture:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 LITV

With that, we begin.

Exodus 19:4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.

They should have clearly understood this metaphor, for God will talk to you in a language you understand.

Drowning in fears and struggling to understand what is going on around us, how rapidly our world can change for the better as someone gives us an encouraging word from the Lord, that allows us to see beyond ourselves. How the encouraging word is received has much to do with your frame of mind, and how much trust you place in God at the moment. Israel was not big on trust and most only seemed to have a historical relationship; so when God says, "I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” the reception may have been a cold one. If you read about the Exodus, from the edge of the Red Sea to the base of Mount Sinai, they have been whining to the tune of send us back.

I have a question for you.
If God spoke these words to you "I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself," how would it change you?

What would it mean to know that God has been there the entire time, all the while working to fulfill a plan that is wild, great, and filled with Him?

Did God talk to them, or tell them through Moses, we can only assume. There were no loud, announcements directed to them from the mountain, only the law conveyed through Moses. Nonetheless, this message was conveyed to them; yet, watch how quickly they fall back to old patterns.

For God to say, “I brought you to myself” implies possession, or intentionality. If you read no further, you might be asking what was God’s intent?

God now demonstrates his heart by giving Israel 3 titles, but the titles are tied to an if/then statement.
You are:

• a special treasure
• a kingdom of priests
• a holy nation

These attributes were contingent upon them obeying his voice, and keeping his commandments, but is this how God saw them?

I know God knows the beginning and the end, and therefore knew what was coming; yet, he sees the ability in us, as if we lived up to our potential.

Did they do that, at any point?

Israel came with deep-set problems, none of which is clear if we merely decided to start our reading in the middle of this chapter of The Story, or chapter 19 of Exodus.

Rescued from Egypt in a most dramatic way, they have whined, complained, rebelled, and begged to be returned there.

How do you retrain a nation of people so accustomed to bondage?

How do you “save” someone that is so entrenched in his or her pain, and so accustomed to generations of traditions and practices that they do not want to step out of their comfort zone, even if it means a better life? Having spent a few years in recovery, I can tell you that you cannot fix anyone but you. Others must come to the realization that they are powerless over their own lives. Israel as slaves was certainly that, but something was not registering in their heads.

This paragraph makes me think of videos I have seen where dogs, that have been used as laboratory test animals and have only lived in cages all their life, are given the freedom to walk on soft grass, run, and eventually find a home. Many slink back to safety in the farthest corner of their cage, intimidated by the thought of freedom. How similar are we to this picture? Isn’t this Israel at its worst moment?

3 months into the wilderness finds them in front of “the mountain,” Mount Sinai. The mountain on which Moses saw the burning bush and God spoke out of it, laying out what the two of them were going to do.

Exodus 19:3 tells us that Moses went up into the mountain and there God said, "You shall say this to the house of Jacob, and tell it to the sons of Israel." In a sense, these are one in the same, and yet for God to speak directly to the house of Jacob may be giving us a little insight into who has maintained the history of Israel.

Exodus 19:10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes “Moses was told to consecrate the people. This meant getting them physically and spiritually ready to meet God. The people were to set themselves apart from sin and even ordinary daily routine in order to dedicate themselves to God. The act of washing and preparing served to get their minds and hearts ready. When we meet God for worship, we should set aside the cares and preoccupations of everyday life. Use your time of physical preparation to get your mind ready to meet God.” (LASB)

In my mind, I have come to see consecration as a setting apart. I tend to think that this was meant to be a lifetime commitment.

Friday 5/23/14, trying to wake up this morning, Chuck Swindoll is on the radio. It seems he said, “We find God's mercy in his judgment.”

Because I believe that God is a God of mercy, then that aspect of his character must show up here in Exodus 19 as well. Yet, what is the dominant theme? Law, as a child the law had everything to do with punishment, and I never saw a merciful God in any of it. Where is the draw in that?
We are not dogs, but if you have spent any time around a dog that was untrained then you have experienced how miserable that can be. A simple example - you have been invited to a friend’s house for a barbecue. You are wearing your comfortable pants and favorite shirt when out comes their new 80-pound dog with its muddy paws, and it will not stop jumping up on you, and no one seems to be able to control it. I think we can agree that most of the time behavior like this is inconvenient at best, and this dog needs some training because it is out of control.

            Another example: and I used this with one of the guys from our study group, is a blended family; one in which you remarry and there is an existing child, with established behaviors and patterns. What are the possibilities here? In one scenario, the stepchild could tell you, you will never be my parent (I had that happen to me.) Let us assume that you eventually have a child of your own with this spouse. With your own child, you can begin from day one instilling your values and beliefs (hopefully they are good ones.) Alternatively, you can, with the stepchild, as with the 80-pound dog that is out of control, establish boundaries and “laws” to enforce them, so that everyone gets along reasonably well. By the way, you may set up boundaries as the step-parent, and they might even be honored, but that does not mean that those you exercise authority over will love you.

God tries to retrain Israel.

"I am the LORD your God. I brought you out of Egypt. That is the land where you were slaves. (Exodus 20:2)

I hate when Pastors say this, but I am going to try it out anyway. I think what God is saying here is: Let us establish something from the beginning; there is nothing out here but me! I am the one that brought you out of slavery, out of Egypt.

Here come the commandments, narrowed down to ten. In them is the foundation for much elaboration.
Exodus 20:1 NIV: And God spoke all these words -

1. "Do not put any other gods in place of me. (Exodus 20:3) "Do not make statues of gods that look like anything in the sky or on the earth or in the waters. (Exodus 20:4)
2. Do not bow down to them or worship them. I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God. I punish the children for the sin of their parents. I punish the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate me. (Exodus 20:5) But for all time to come I show love to all those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)
3. "Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will find guilty anyone who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7)
4. "Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. (Exo_20:8) Do all of your work in six days. (Exodus 20:9) But the seventh day is a Sabbath in honor of the LORD your God. Do not do any work on that day. The same command applies to your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and your animals. It also applies to any outsiders who live in your cities. (Exodus 20:10) In six days I made the heavens and the earth. I made the oceans and everything in them. But I rested on the seventh day. So I blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:11)
5. "Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. (Exodus 20:12)
6. "Do not murder. (Exodus 20:13)
7. "Be faithful in marriage. (Exodus 20:14)
8. "Do not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
9. "Do not accuse anyone falsely. (Exodus 20:16)
10. "Do not long for (covet, envy after) anything that belongs to your neighbor. Do not long for your neighbor's house, wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey (Porsche or Lexus.)" (Exodus 20:17)

God defined these laws in detail. This goes on until chapter 24 of Exodus. This must have taken days for Moses to write this all down.

Not only were the laws laid out, but God also defined the temple that was to be built for him. Is that what they started doing? No, they built a temple to Moloch and roasted their children to this unknown god. (a god, made of gold, in complete opposition to what God had told them.)

God calls Moses back into the mountain for 40 days. What does Israel do? Give up, rapidly reverting to old ways that have not been defined for us. Oh sure, we have seen their ability to whine, and such, what comes next is beyond comprehension.

The people saw that Moses took a long time to come down from the mountain. So, they gathered an angry mob around Aaron, and they said to him, "Come. Make us a god that will lead us.

This fellow Moses brought us up out of Egypt. But we don't know what has happened to him." (Exodus 32:1 NIrV)

The book of Acts records Stephen, standing before the high council, giving this testimony.

“To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not what is become of him. (Acts 7:39-40 KJV)

The Life Application New Testament Commentary helps to define what Stephen spoke of: “The Israelites’ worship of the golden calf was the beginning of a downward spiral. At times they returned to God, but far more often they were running after the gods of the evil nations surrounding them. This quote from Amos (Amo_5:25-27) supports Stephen’s accusation that Israel had a history of idol worship. Molech and Rephan were planetary divinities. Molech was an Ammonite deity associated with child sacrifice, while Rephan was a god “borrowed” from Egypt. Both became popular options for Israel’s idolatry as her history progressed.

Acts 7:42-43 NIV But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets: "'Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel? 43: You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile' beyond Babylon.

Apparently, the depth of perversion involved with Moloch was held in denial.
The Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary gives us this: "The Talmud, the Jewish commentary on the OT, calls the rebellion involving the golden calf “that unspeakable deed.” The rabbis did not want to talk about it, forbidding a translation of the account in the vernacular for the synagogue services. The Jewish religious leaders wanted to bury the incident, but Stephen wanted to dig it back up."

How about a little more definition. The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia tells us: “In the Levitical ordinances delivered to the Israelites by Moses there are stern prohibitions of Molech-worship (Lev_18:21; Lev_20:2-5). Parallel to these prohibitions, although the name of the god is not mentioned, are those of the Deuteronomic Code where the abominations of the Canaanites are forbidden, and the burning of their sons and daughters in the fire (to Molech) is condemned as the climax of their wickedness (Deu_12:31; Deu_18:10-13).

Vincent's Word Studies explain the Tabernacle of Moloch - The portable tent-temple of the god, to be carried in procession. Moloch was an Ammonite idol to whom children were sacrificed. According to Rabbinical tradition, his image was hollow, heated from below, with the head of an ox and outstretched arms, into which children were laid, their cries being stifled by the beating of drums.

Remphan  - The texts vary between Remphan, Rephan, and Romphan. It is supposed to be the Coptic name for Saturn, to which the Arabs, Egyptians, and Phoenicians paid divine honors.

If I was to try to explain how all this shows God’s love it would be difficult. It looks like God is attempting to retrain a nation, and only a few are getting it.

Do we find this theme in the New Testament?

Yes, as Jesus challenged the Pharisees by throwing the law back in their faces, laws they were breaking as they accused Jesus’ disciples of sabotaging others.
Ephesians, chapters 5 and 6 are really a retelling of the law but from a different angle. An example from the Message reads like this.

“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 MSG)

Exactly, find that love and live in it; let it motivate you.

Did Aaron get it?

If we look at his life overall, we would have to say yes, but he had some bad moments.

It is possible that everything that happens from chapter 25 to 32 is all taking place on the mountain, as Moses stands in God’s presence. If not, then Aaron and all the people have agreed to volumes of regulations, only to do none of it. (This is a generalization, something you see throughout scripture.)

What happens with Aaron is difficult, because we are given the impression that it is a mob, and the mob has the potential for violence. We should understand that the world is going to come against us, forcing us to take a stand or fold like a house of cards, and it seems like Aaron folded. I cannot help but think about our prime example now, and that is Syria. I get pictures that people send out showing how Christians (again to the Muslims that are fighting there, it could mean anyone not of the Islamic faith, a generalization) are being tortured, raped, hung in the streets, whipped mercilessly, impaled with poles, and beheaded. What you do not see, very often, is those that fold and give in to the pressure. It is difficult to judge how others react, especially when we do not know how we will react on that day.

I have already pointed out, in detail, what Aaron made for the mob that day. No one seems to notice how precisely it was made, and why did Aaron know how to make such a thing, but remember that Israel lived for 400 years under the rule and tradition of Egypt.

What bothers me about Aaron is that when confronted by Moses, he lied in saying I threw the gold in, but the calf popped out.

They knew what was right in God’s eyes.

“.. you must never make idols of silver or gold to worship in place of me. (Exodus 20:23 CEV)

Aaron responded to Moses angry questioning with,

Moses asked Aaron, "What did these people do to harm you? Why did you make them sin in this terrible way?" Aaron answered: Don't be angry with me. You know as well as I do that they are determined to do evil. (Exodus 32:21-22 CEV)

God told Moses on the mountain that he was going to kill them all (another generalization,) but Moses interceded for the people and God relented from his anger. Now it seems as though Moses is operating on his own compulsion. Perhaps, having heard the heart of God when it comes to idol worship, he understands that it has to be purged completely.

 Watch what he does.

Moses knew that the people were out of control and that it was Aaron's fault. And now they had made fools of themselves in front of their enemies. So Moses stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, "Everyone who is on the LORD's side come over here!" Then the men of the Levi tribe gathered around Moses, and he said to them, "The LORD God of Israel commands you to strap on your swords and go through the camp, killing your relatives, your friends, and your neighbors." The men of the Levi tribe followed his orders, and that day they killed about three thousand men. (Exodus 32:25-28 CEV)

What is peculiar about this is that Aaron is a Levite also. We are talking about Moses' close families having to do the cleanup work here. This also put Aaron to the test, as you were the one that complied with their request. Look at this next verse.

Moses said to them, "You obeyed the LORD and did what was right, and so you will serve as his priests for the people of Israel. It was hard for you to kill your own sons and brothers, but the LORD has blessed you and made you his priests today." (Exodus 32:29 CEV)

Do you sometimes feel like you missed something? Where did God command him to do that? Yet, Moses attributes what was said to the Lord.

Yeah, it was hard, who would think otherwise, a psychopath?

Is the potential for punishment over?

Not hardly:

The next day Moses told the people, "This is a terrible thing you have done. But I will go back to the LORD to see if I can do something to keep this sin from being held against you." Moses returned to the LORD and said, "The people have committed a terrible sin. They have made a gold idol to be their god. But I beg you to forgive them. If you don't, please wipe my name out of your book." The LORD replied, "I will wipe out of my book the name of everyone who has sinned against me. Now take my people to the place I told you about, and my angel will lead you. But when the time comes, I will punish them for this sin." So the LORD punished the people of Israel with a terrible disease for talking Aaron into making the gold idol. (Exodus 32:30-35 CEV)

In chapter 33 God refuses to continue the journey with them. What does that look like?

For the LORD had said to Moses, "Say to the sons of Israel, 'You are an obstinate people; should I go up in your midst for one moment, I would destroy you. Now, therefore, put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what I shall do with you.'" (Exodus 33:5 NASB)

The people knew what effect God’s presence had on Moses, he shined, but what they saw that was most obvious to them was the cloud by day and the pillar of fire in the sky at night.

Moses once again withstood God on behalf of the people.

Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people!' But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me. Moreover, You have said, 'I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.' "Now, therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people." And He said, "My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest." Then he said to Him, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. "For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?" The LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing of which you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name." (Exodus 33:12-17 NASB)

Chapter 5 ends with Israel contributing to, and the Levites building the large but movable tent of meeting.

Moses went in and out before God, and it had a profound effect upon him, he glowed.

We too go in and out before God, and what effect does it have upon us? 
I have known the lord for years and spent many hours before his face, and I have never knowingly glowed.

The Apostle explained what my heart wishes to convey quite nicely, so I give you that.

2 Corinthians 3:6-18 MKJV 6: who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive. 7: But if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters in stone was with glory (so that the sons of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses because of the glory of his face), which was being done away; 8: shall not the ministry of the Spirit be with more glory? 9: For if the ministry of condemnation is glorious, much more does the ministry of righteousness exceed in glory. 10: For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11: For if that which has been done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious. 12: Then since we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech. 13: And we are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of the thing being done away. 14: (But their thoughts were blinded; for until the present the same veil remains on the reading of the old covenant, not taken away.) But this veil has been done away in Christ. 15: But until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is on their heart. 16: But whenever it turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. 17: And the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18: But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit.

Give your heart to him and he will change your life.

False Accusations Have Been Brought!

Read: Acts 6:8 – 7:60

False accusations have been brought against Stephen and he had been dragged before the high council of the Jews.

While most would react in anger, screaming out in their own defense, not Stephen. As the Jewish council glared at him they saw the face of an angel.

When they demanded that he respond he gives them a very precise history that shows God’s hand in the salvation, sins, birth, and bondage of a nation.

Two things caught my attention.

1. Acts 7:38 .. our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give to us: ….
   The phrase lively oracles in Greek is: logia zonta, meaning: living doctrines that give life upon obedience to them. Here, the term applies to Moses’ law.
   Logia zonta, used in Romans 3:2 refers to the Old Testament in general. In Hebrews 5:12 and 1Peter 4:11 it encompasses all of scripture.
   Conceptually: The idea of living doctrines conveys: teaching or instructions that are alive.
   We perceive the word alive as something that breathes, moves, has some variable aspect, like tree growth.
   A tree might be an outstanding example in that it, from a simple start, develops into a foundational plant with miniscule characteristics of what it’s potential can be.
   Does the tree change as it matures? Not in it’s designed characteristics. Initially it could look no different from any other tree until it leafs out. The changes that we can see are in growth enlargements as it gets taller, wider, stronger, and with maturity, if that is it’s purpose, produce fruit.
   Most trees go through seasons during which they leaf out, produce fruit, drop their leaves, and go dormant for a time, until it is time to repeat that cycle again. In Horticulture, an oddity might be the Sasanqua Camellia for during the dormant season, a time of presumed bleakness, is when it produces it’s spectacular floral displays. Consider that aspect when you compare this to our lives in Christ.
   If we have grown and allowed God and time to mature us, then when a time of dormancy occurs all the internal work involved may now be producing some fruit or foliage in the life of someone who is out of our view.

2. 

   Moloch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

   Acts 7:42
   Still looking at Stephen’s recap of Israel’s history. Moses comes off the mountain and finds most of Israel worshiping a gold calf they created. If only it were that simple.
   Stephen gets rather specific about the identities of these gods: Molech, and Rephan. Stephen quotes from the law, to the Jewish council which returns to him no argument, “you have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship.”
   Dr. Chuck Misler has referred to Stephen’s discourse, as one of the most astounding passages in scripture, for it gives us an insight into Israel’s history that we do not find anywhere else.
   Stephen gets rather specific with the identities of these gods that Israel was dancing around. Molech and Rephan. Stephen quotes saying, “you have lifted up the shrine of Molech and the star of your god Rephah, the idols you made to worship.”
   Molech was especially detestable, for its worshipers would sacrifice their children to it. Do not in any way sanitize this scenario for it is pure horror. When you contrast the sacrificing of children with Jesus actions toward children, you can begin to picture why God so despises this idolatry.
   Although the impact is not immediately seen their actions got them sent into exile in Babylon. A key to God’s response is found in Acts 7:42, “but God turned away and gave them over to the worship of the heavenly bodies.”
   I find it interesting that Stephen does not mention that God brought an immediate judgment, for the earth opened to swallow multitudes as they danced around their idols.
   Israel’s only salvation at this point was Moses interceding for them.
   For God to turn away does not imply an overlooking of bad behavior. The implication would seem to be rejection, as though he had looked face to face. Think about this for a moment; this is the early stages of their wanderings. Was there ever a time that God left them and walked away? NO. The passage then, requires some thought.
   Another aspect to look at is this turning them over to, what? - The worship of the heavenly bodies.
   (AMP) But God turned [away from them] and delivered them up to worship and serve the host (stars) of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: Did you [really] offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness (desert), O house of Israel? [Jer. 19:13.]
   Worship – the rendering of religious homage.
   Host – the celestial luminaries.
   Heaven – the sky and stars.
   They were already worshiping Molech and Rephan!
   Molech – Look this up in Leviticus 18:21; 20:2; 2Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35
   Leviticus 18:21 KJV And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
   2 Kings 23:10 KJV And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.
   Jeremiah 32:35 KJV And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
   God turning them over to worship the heavenly bodies does not sound all that bad when you first hear it. Again, there has to be something more.
   Contrast this Paul turning a brother over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh so that his soul could be saved, but that does not seem to be the case here. These are not “saved souls” like those who are covered by the blanket of Christ’s blood. These people are subject to the law of God, a rigid following of God’s guidelines. Based upon what we know they did as they danced around the god Molech, and what they continued to do, in offering their children as sacrifices to some pagan god. No wonder God placed them under such strict guidelines.
   Read the story about how Paul dealt with church discipline, in the New Testament, from
   1 Corinthians, Chapter 5.
   I want so badly to have a solid scriptural backing for the next assertion. 
   God did not turn his back on us! I know this is true because, “while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” I want so much to say with confidence that God will not turn his back on us, in this age. 
   Some would say, God cannot look upon sin, and this may well be what we saw on the cross when Jesus cried out that the father had abandoned him. To place that attribute upon us is wrong because Christ’s blood paid the price for all sin, once, for all. Though we all continue to sin God will not judge the world for sin, but for refusing to accept the price paid for our sin, effectively demonstrating our non-acceptance of God as the Father.
   If we use this experience Stephen describes to validate God’s turning his back on us, then we are not paying attention.
   Stephen said in Acts 7:38 that God gave them logia zonta, living doctrines that produce life upon obedience. Now just a minute, didn’t we talk about the restrictive laws that Israel had to follow to obtain righteousness? 
   See what I mean about not paying attention. If we do not investigate God’s word for ourselves then we are subject to the fallacies that false teachers feed. God gave them living principles, that when followed produced life in them. Because they were living, we can extrapolate that this was the life of God in them. (Try to imagine where this might take you.)
   Israel chose to:

• Disregard
• Disobey
• Build an image of Molech and offer worship to it. 
  (Molech, from historical record, had the head of a cow and the body of a man. With arms outstretched and a hollow body they would heat this atrocity up and lay their children in its arms. A “priest” would blow a trumpet loudly to drown out the sounds of the screaming children, as the onlookers danced wildly around the statue and others partook of sexual acts as part of the festivities. This is what Moses hears and sees as he comes off the mountain that day. He did not merely dash the tablets to the ground, he threw them at their heads.)
• Reverting back to the ways of Egypt, so familiar while in bondage, they also worshiped Repham. Repham is also mentioned in Amos 5:25. It represented an Egyptian star god and was apparently small enough to carry around with you. 
  So God has reacted to their blatant and horrific disobedience.
  What would it take to get your attention and get you to stop some self-destructive behavior?

As I got into the car to go to lunch one day, a radio pastor says, “God will occasionally lead you on a destructive path.”

If we use Christ as our pattern for who God is, then we come to know that Christ is the good shepherd. 

A shepherd in our commercial world is interested in making money, and leading his sheep on a destructive path is counterproductive. The only way I can see that happening on purpose is to get us quickly to safety on greener pasture, and I can guarantee that suffering loss is not what the shepherd desires. Nothing about this picture coincides with the kind of imagery that Stephen's dissertation portrays. Israel, and them alone, put themselves on this destructive path.

If the shepherd turns his back on the sheep intentionally, he subjects them to their own stupidity and whatever hazards may lie in their path, potentially death. And for what purpose? This certainly does not qualify you as a good shepherd, which Christ is.

A former pastor told us that it was traditional for a shepherd to break the leg of a sheep that would continuously stray. And that was supposed to be my image of God? I believe it was his image of God, for this pastor had very little understanding of human nature, nor compassion upon people. Try presenting this aspect the pastor presents as a selling point for the Christian life.

I have spent a tremendous amount of time pursuing an understanding of end times events, and one of the things that most people associate with end times is God’s wrath and vengeance upon earth. What I have come to understand is that though wrath is clearly an aspect, it is also a time of mercy, as God continues to await and welcome all who will come to him. He is a God of mercy, but you will never know that without pursuing him, and coming to him. Ask Jesus Christ to make himself real to you and he will. If you will let him, he will come into your life and give you a hope of life with him, and hope is something that very few of you have. Come to him.

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If my God gets magnified then there is nothing minor.

A look into the book of Acts

Acts 7:42

Stephen, standing before the high council, is responding to their demand as to whose authority he is operating under. He presents them with the longest discourse in scripture, giving a fairly concise history of Israel.

Unlike the reaction that the Apostle got, where the council determined they were unlearned men, this is never said of Stephen. The things that Stephen said were not challenged until he pointed out that they were the murderers of Jesus Christ, the Just one.

Although I do not remember most of what he said, Dr. Chuck Misler, spoke about this discourse as one that carried the central themes, and some hidden treasures to be gleaned about Israel. An example: Stephen is the one that notes in Acts 7:18 that everything changed for Israel when “another king arose, which knew not Joseph.” Who was this guy? History has now shown us, but for centuries the answer to this question lay hidden in the earth.

Consider that gleaning comes after the normal harvest, and if you have witnessed a harvest then you know that something is always left, whether it falls to the ground, or is simply bypassed.

I got hooked into going to breakfast at the place where the “ex” goes. I used to go hang out there with the older men. Fortunately they are Christians, but we never talked about the goodness of God. Never! That did not stop me from trying, but I always got shot down. One of the brothers there had come out of a Christ based cult that operates in a militaristic fashion. In a sense he escaped. He now attends a church that is slightly more liberal, but still has a hard time with grace.

If I must be here then I will attempt to bring up my Lord, once again.

Don’t look at me like that!

I have come to realize that it is not just me, but anyone who is enthusiastic about something (motorcycles, cars, sports) will talk about it, constantly. I don’t do sports! So, I took my bible and note pad. Bert (I will call him that to protect his secret identity – evil grin.) glared at me.

We talked about a gun that blew up because of Chinese bullets. He showed us a picture of it on his new phone; others talked about life in general. In the last couple of minutes that I was there, the opportunity arose to say something about my Lord so I pointed to my pad, mentioning that I write constantly, and this is one of the latest things I have been looking at, Stephens discourse to the high council.

Quickly pointing out the amazing wealth of information that one can gain from the briefest of stops. (An example for me is, writing six pages on one verse. Not that I set out to do that, but I write what the spirit is showing me.) My old buddy Bert (as Ernie from Sesame Street used to say.) immediately goes into a quiet tirade about people that major on minor things that are not essential to our Christian walk.

1. That makes the huge assumption that you know what I am talking about. Seeing as I had not made any point at all before he jumped in, he was operating on pure assumption.
2. If what I was talking about was so minor, and no I did not even get that out of my mouth before he dove in. Why then was it important enough for Stephen, under the influence of the Holy Spirit to divulge this information to the High council? And why does the Holy Spirit seem to think that we needed to know this? You cannot deny that it is in here. There is information given in Stephens discourse that we do not readily see anywhere else in scripture.
3. I am standing right there in front of him, and yet he made his tirade generic, as though I did not exist, and therefore would not notice how extraordinarily hurtful his comment was, especially directed at another Christian.
   “Why do people focus on minor things that have little to no impact on our Christian walk?”
   I tapped on my pad, looked him in the eyes, and said, “are you talking about this scripture I am referring to?”If you have something to say, then say it to my face. I am not a good apologist and everyone around you will probably think that you won your battle by humiliating me, and really, isn’t that the point; you making every else think that your right and dominant. Perhaps then they will worship you too.

I just turned and walked out. Dad was the one that brought me, and he is now getting into his car. Catching up quickly, I reiterated to him why I will probably never go back there again.

A thought just popped into my head, so I am writing it. This example that I just gave is indicative of the Laodicean church. They are lukewarm, lazy, and do not care. I am not a pastor, for if I were then my heart would cry out daily in pleas for them to repent and return to the Living God. And yet, if you read my posts, I believe that this is exactly my heart.

I know this about me, I do not have the patience to beat my head against such walls of apathy.

If my God gets magnified then there is nothing minor!

Now to the passage.

Open your bibles to Acts 7:42. I always wanted to say that.

Acts 7:42 KJV Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

Before I carry on, I have something I need to say. I have been looking at this for several days, pondering its significance, and weighing the negative inputs. In other words I am taking an internal beating in which Satan, if I may say that, is trying to get me to back down.

I don’t know what to call it, depression, insecurity, or the possibility that my ex-girlfriend was right; I am just full of myself. If you knew me, then you would know how much of an internal struggle I go through, and what a lack of confidence I have.

It is the feedback that I get from others, across the globe, that tells me otherwise. I truly believe that I am doing what God has asked me to do. That being said, and gotten off my chest, I plow on.

Still considering Stephens recap of Israel’s history, he describes the scene when Moses comes off the mount to find most of Israel worshiping a golden calf that they created. (A sorry aspect of this scene includes Aaron’s lame excuse of throwing the gold into the fire, and this popped out. Who would have thought. - My judgmental side would have eliminated Aaron along with them.)

Stephen gets rather specific with the identities of these gods, Molech and Rephan.

Molech, though having several spellings is easy enough to find,

Molech - Fire-gods appear to have been common to all the Canaanite, Syrian and Arab tribes, who worshiped the destructive element under an outward symbol, with the most inhuman rites.

Image via Wikipedia

According to Jewish tradition, the image of Molech was of brass, hollow within, and was situated without Jerusalem. "His face was (that) of a calf, and his hands stretched forth like a man who opens his hands to receive (something) of his neighbor. And they kindled it with fire, and the priests took the babe and put it into the hands of Molech, and the babe gave up the ghost." (Smith’s bible dictionary)

Leviticus 20:2-3 KJV Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. (3) And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

Leviticus 20:5-6 KJV Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. (6) And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

If this is what Moses saw, as he came down off the mountain, then it is surprising to me that Aaron was not consumed with most of Israel that day, or at the least, Moses did not throw the tablets directly at Aaron’s head.

Do you not begin to get a feel for God’s possible reasons for anger if he finds them;

1. Acting against explicit instructions,
2. Dancing around a cow headed idol called Moloch,
3. Roasting their children in this monstrous things arms. All of which is horror, whether God told them not to or not. When you factor in Jesus receiving little children you should get a better feel for the heart and character of God.

Matthew 19:13-14 GNB Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people. (14) Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

The word Rephan, which is the other name that the NIV translators used, has caused me some grief.

Just try and find a direct reference to this spelling; you won’t. The KJV spells it Remphan, and that one will score a hit in the Strong’s concordance. This is also a reference to Amos 5:26, but here the god mentioned is Chiun, the star god, which they made.

Two things to note here:

“...God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven;..”

There is nothing polite about the word turned, as used here. The Greek word is strepho, meaning to literally turn around. That would imply a previous face to face relationship, at least on God’s part.

As I looked for a defining association to Rephan I kept noticing this aspect of giving them up to “worship the host of heaven”. That sounds benign enough, and after all, that is where God lives, right. But the inquiring mind should also be thinking about other aspects that have been included in the “host of heaven”.

1. We know that there are a host of angels in heaven. The shepherds got a dose of their singing when Jesus was born.
2. Originally Lucifer/Satan, along with another third of the “host of heaven” got tossed out.
3. And there are the physical objects of heaven, such as stars, planets, and an expanding universe.

As I looked at translations that could help define this host of heaven aspect, it seemed that no one really hit the nail on the head for me, therefore I give you a couple of them.

Acts 7:42 GW "So God turned away from them and let them worship the sun, moon, and stars. This is written in the book of the prophets: 'Did you bring me sacrifices and grain offerings in the desert for 40 years, nation of Israel?

This would certainly be in line with the meanings implied in both the word Remphan and Chiun.

As I continued pondering this passage, the other aspect that jumps at me almost looks like a question. But why would God ask them a question, unless it is one that does not require an answer. When I looked at other translations it appears as a statement, and suddenly it makes not only more sense, but at the same time rocks my assumptions of how Israel lived, during those 40 years of wandering. I give you the adjoining verse to help clarify this.

Acts 7:42-43 CJB So God turned away from them and gave them over to worship the stars -- as has been written in the book of the prophets, 'People of Isra'el, it was not to me that you offered slaughtered animals and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness! (43) No, you carried the tent of Molekh and the star of your god Reifan, the idols you made so that you could worship them. Therefore, I will send you into exile beyond Bavel.'

Forty years of acting out a part. This tells me that the majority still had their hearts and heads embedded in Egypt, and the pagan ways they lived there. God rescued them for something better. My Sunday school education did not convey this to any degree. The way Israel performed is beyond my imagination. They carried, and set up their own temple to Molekh, at the same time Aaron was setting up God’s temple. This is something that you do not see until you get to Stephens discourse.

I can hear many of you challenging this concept. Even stating that if it is not clearly stated in scripture then it did not happen, and should not be considered. Consider this. Stephen made these statements before men more skilled in the law and prophets than he, and NONE of them contradicted or disputed with him about these aspects. They did have Stephen murdered because he called them murderers, in reference to Jesus.

“So God turned away from them and gave them over ...” Verse 43 of chapter 7 says, “..Therefore, I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.”

If you have read the saga of Israel’s trek through the wilderness, did you ever see God leaving them, or abandoning them? No, and God does not lie, so you do eventually see them go into captivity.

This has to be another one of those situations where God makes a clear cut statement, but withholds his judgment, because of some act of repentance and contriteness of heart. Read the story, and you will find that the only heart that God gives consideration to is Moses, who pleads with God on behalf Israel.

If you are looking for an example to back this concept up then look no further than Jonah.

Jonah’s entire angst over delivering this prophetic word of destruction, which he most likely was all in favor of, had to do with his understanding that God would show these people mercy, which is exactly what he did, at that time. Don’t kid yourself, God did not let their bad behavior pass. Nineveh was consumed, and only recently have they uncovered traces of that place.

There has to be point or there is no purpose. In reading a book about better writing, they instruct you to know your audience. Do I know you? Only in the spirit. God has been very specific about telling me about you. There are those who have a strong understanding of scripture and gain much encouragement from these words, but there are those who live there whole lives in church, dependent upon someone telling them what they can and cannot do. Does that mean you are incapable of making decisions? No, for some of you run your own businesses, but you do not have a clue as to the heart and character of God.

Many of you are absolutely shaken by the events around you, and know this, they are only going to get worse. In opposition to the unfounded belief that there is no hope for you if should miss the “rapture”. (Trust me on this, you will know when it happens, whether you go or stay.) The Holy Spirit is not taken off this earth, for God is continuing to draw people unto himself, and that is a clear cut act of the Holy Spirit.

Joel chapter 2 tells us:

Joel 2:28-29 KJV And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (29) And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

This entire chapter, which Peter quoted in the second chapter of Acts, saying, “this prophecy has been fulfilled in your ears”, is about the second coming of Jesus Christ, and is a time of judgment upon the earth, as well as a time of darkness and gloom. A time after the rapture of the church.

Those that come to him now, have the advantage of this age of grace that we are under. That all ends on that day. And anyone wishing to live a life with the Father, after the rapture, will have to pay full price for admission. Jesus paid with his life and blood so that we do not have too. I fully recommend that you take full advantage of that.

God turned his back on Israel, because they turned their backs on him. Will God turn his back on you? Never, for you see, Christ died for us while we were ungodly, and unlovable, paying that horrid price to give us life.

Religion will tell you that you are a sinner. Oh, you sin, of that there is no doubt, but God paid the price for that sin, regardless of when or where. Do your sins affect others? Certainly, are you stupid. You can see the look on their faces as they limp away, but for sin you will not be judged.

Religion will fight me on this. Why? Because religion does not believe that God is capable of doing what he said he would do, and that is not losing you to the world, and it’s ways. At some point you have to decide that God is big enough, and truthful enough to do what he said. He already proved himself when Jesus gave up his life on that cross.

Scripture does tell me that there is a judgment coming, but it is based upon people’s actions and heart. We are so ready to send people to hell. Yes, there is a hell, but it was not made for you, therefore you have the choice not to go there. Hell was made for Satan and the angels that rebelled against God. Those that follow him, are doing exactly what Satan had hoped for, and that was to make that loser their god. As a follower of Satan you are entitled to the same reward that he has coming.

The Great Tribulation time is not going to be anything less than horrific, but those that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. There will be those that are not killed because of their (possibly new found) faith. And even then, I see a merciful God sorting out those that demonstrated a God like heart when they offered a drink of water, visited someone in prison, fed the poor, and generally acted in some manner other than pure selfishness.

Stephens discourse is meant to show us what not to do, plain and simple. Is it easy? Generally yes. Are there speed bumps along the way? Absolutely, but knowing that God will never leave you or forsake you should give you a little comfort, as you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and re-educate yourself.

I wrote a note to a friend recently and quoted from a powerful source. Allow me to give it to you now.

Ten Bears: These things you say we will have, we already have. Josey Wales: That's true. I ain't promising you nothing extra. I'm just giving you life and you're giving me life. And I'm saying that men can live together without butchering one another. Ten Bears: It's sad that governments are chiefed by the double tongues. There is iron in your words of death for all Comanche to see, and so there is iron in your words of life. No signed paper can hold the iron. It must come from men. The words of Ten Bears carries the same iron of life and death. It is good that warriors such as we meet in the struggle of life... or death. It shall be life.
(Memorable quotes for The Outlaw Josey Wales)

Here is the truth in the above quote. No signed paper can hold the words of life, they only come from God. Fortunately he had those words put on paper so that we can quickly find them, and run back to the life in them. God words are words of iron. Do you realize what that means? Strength unimaginable. These are not mere words, but words paid for by the blood of His son. Paid for to guarantee a life for those who will run to the words of life.

Stephen told that council that God gave Israel lively words. When you pursue the depth of meaning in what Stephen said, you find that it means following those words, words of iron, bring life.

Run to life.