Paula Wiseman

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Posts that reference the book of Exodus

Study Tip: Do This!

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Success or Failure- Which Way?We've been looking at the different "types" of statements for in Scripture. So far we've considered God's promises, looking for those "I will" statements that He makes. Last week, we discussed the long (boring) sections of straight factual information and what encouragement those might have for us. Today, let's consider the commands.

One of the complaints folks often give about the Bible is that it's just a collection of "thou shalt nots". In fact, there are far more positive commands in God's word. Generally, they are easy to find.

Look for verbs. After God created Adam and Eve, He blessed them, then He issued His first command. "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…" (Genesis 1:28) See all those verbs? Be… multiply… fill… subdue… If you remember back to English class, that was the imperative form of the verb. The speaker expects the listener to take action.

Now, there's a caution- not every command is for us. I'm not trying to weasel out of certain commands. However, context is critical to our understanding of any passage. So when you look for those imperative verbs…

Look for application. When God called Moses, He gave him some incredible signs to perform to validate his message. "Cast [your rod] on the ground," God said, and the rod became a snake. Then God said, "Reach out your hand and take it by the tail." When Moses did, the snake became his rod once again. (Exodus 4:3-4). Does that mean we should throw down sticks, expecting them to transform? Or can we grab snakes by the tail? Of course not. God's instructions were exclusively for Moses in that situation.
On the other hand, Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Did that just apply to the group listening that particular day? That one is an open invitation to all hearers and readers.

How do you tell the difference? I haven't reviewed EVERY command, but some guidelines that may help are…

  • If the instruction is about an attitude or a response to God, it applies. (Like, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.")
  • If the commands is about how to treat others, it still applies. (Love your enemies, for example.)
  • If the speaker or writer is addressing a crowd, the commands usually still apply, like Paul's letters, or the Sermon on the Mount
  • In the Old Testament, commands involving offerings, feasts, sacrifices and the Law, no longer apply. Jesus fulfilled all those so we are freed.
  • Depend on the Holy Spirit's guidance if you're unsure.

"Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken to a wise man who builds his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24)

Letting it go

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Not long after crossing the Red Sea, Moses met up with his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro observed how Moses ran things and offered some advice.
“The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”[…] “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
“You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.”
He went on to suggest that Moses appoint trustworthy men to judge the lesser disputes, leaving only to major ones for Moses to deal with personally.
Letting go is one of the toughest things for us to do, especially if it’s a ministry, or something else noble and worthwhile. We get personally invested. It becomes part of us. It becomes the way others identify us. We never notice when it sucks the life out of us.
We are finite human beings with a limited amount of time, energy and attention. We also have an extreme desire to make the most out of that. However, I think we have a tendency to read “do all for the GLORY OF GOD” as “DO ALL for the glory of God.” God never told us we had to do it all. He did say to work for His kingdom and not our own.
How do you tell when or what to quit? I discussed that briefly here.
Reasons to let go-
Personal and spiritual health – Who was in better shape spiritually? Mary or Martha? Mary was accused of being lazy, but she knew what she was doing and Jesus confirmed that.
Others’ growth – As long as Moses took acre of everything himself, there was no opportunity for anyone else to grow as a leader.
Focus – Just because you CAN doesn’t mean you HAVE TO. Stick to the things only YOU can do. (And no, that’s not everything… See #2)

Not long after crossing the Red Sea, Moses met up with his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro observed how Moses ran things and offered some advice.

“The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”[…] “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.”

He went on to suggest that Moses appoint trustworthy men to judge the lesser disputes, leaving only to major ones for Moses to deal with personally.

Letting go is one of the toughest things for us to do, especially if it’s a ministry, or something else noble and worthwhile. We get personally invested. It becomes part of us. It becomes the way others identify us. We never notice when it sucks the life out of us.

We are finite human beings with a limited amount of time, energy and attention. We also have an extreme desire to make the most out of that. However, I think we have a tendency to read “do all for the GLORY OF GOD” as “DO ALL for the glory of God.” God never told us we had to do it all. He did say to work for His kingdom and not our own.

How do you tell when or what to quit? I discussed that briefly here.

Reasons to let go-

  1. Personal and spiritual health – Who was in better shape spiritually? Mary or Martha? Mary was accused of being lazy, but she knew what she was doing and Jesus confirmed that.
  2. Others’ growth – As long as Moses took acre of everything himself, there was no opportunity for anyone else to grow as a leader.
  3. Focus – Just because you CAN doesn’t mean you HAVE TO. Stick to the things only YOU can do. (And no, that’s not everything… See #2)