Paper 8 - Wisdom

 Equating wisdom and its correlating esteem with education remains endemic in modern society. Wisdom is often viewed as synonymous with knowledge, thought to be acquired by means of going through the motions of higher education. Common sense, valued as “street smarts,” is thus perpetuated as the alternative to having “book smarts”. However, true wisdom and common sense are heaven sent and lie in direct opposition to the esteemed wisdom of this world, because “God chose things that the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT). God is wisdom and in seeking his face, you seek his wisdom as well. However, seeking wisdom for wisdom’s sake, through education or other means of “enlightenment,” puts one in danger of idolatry, in that God is forsaken in the pursuit of this worldly knowledge as we elevate self in a Tower of Babel-esque display of our own brilliance.

First the difference between wisdom and knowledge is that wisdom is intrinsic and heaven sent, while knowledge is an externality committed to memory. Knowledge as a skill or set of information is something that may be acquired. To be wise intimates a prescient understanding of the world and of human relationships coupled with a semblance of altruism that mimics the heart of God. God stands the embodiment of wisdom. Speaking of Jesus, Paul confirms that, “For our benefit God made him [Jesus] to be wisdom itself” (1 Corinthians 30 NLT). To believe in God as he is, the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent creator of all things, is and of itself to admit that God is wisdom. There is none wiser, nor will there ever be. Human knowledge capacity is futile in comparison with the wisdom that is God. Knowledge is essentially a non-issue with God as well, since he already knows everything.

Knowledge, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as, “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association.” Therefore, what we know is only based on our own experiences and acquisition of information. This obviously differs from wisdom, in that wisdom requires the application of those experiences and that information in a judicial fashion. Unfortunately, these two are not always connected. Some of the most knowledge-rich people in this world lack the wisdom necessary to successfully apply their knowledge in society. Wisdom is tied to justice and metered discernment.

How, then, does one cultivate this wisdom if one cannot simply go to school for it? Simple, through wisdom himself. Since God is wisdom, true wisdom is gained through him. We play a dangerous game when we seek wisdom apart from God through the acquisition of education. Even Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, gained wisdom through this one true source, God. In asking for wisdom, though, his motives were pure, “Give me an understanding heart so I can govern your people well” (1 Kings 3:9 NLT). Solomon did not ask for wisdom for worldly esteem, but rather so that he could fairly and adeptly lead God’s people. God, recognizing his pure intentions, granted his request, and “The people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice” (1 Kings 3:28 NLT). Wisdom therefore does not come from the head, but rather the heart.

Yet, wisdom requires both knowledge and application to be effective as such. To be wise also requires knowledge. God gave Solomon knowledge with wisdom. Without the correct information and experiences, wise actions would be quite difficult. Knowledge must thus be acquired while maintaining our focus on God. One can most certainly know about God and know what information is presented in his word, but unless there is application in one’s own life and an intimate relationship with God, wisdom will most certainly be lacking. “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7 NLT).

Conversely, one can proceed with all of the decisions in his/her own life, but without relinquishing control of our lives to God, we only seek to serve ourselves. Serving ourselves by acquiring education and seeking worldly esteem with fancy degrees and titles does nothing to foster the growth of wisdom in our lives. Luckily, we were sent an advocate in this life as we seek God’s wisdom, the Holy Spirit. “No one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:11-12 NLT). In accepting Christ and his message of salvation, we have also gained a means of knowing God’s thoughts and how his wisdom works. “Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:21 NLT).

If you’re seeking wisdom, you don’t seek knowledge, you need to seek the source. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (James 1:5 NLT). Beware, though, the wisdom of God is not the same as the “wisdom” of this world, because, “The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17 NLT). Wisdom is true faith in action.

A life lacking wisdom is a life headed for destruction, because the absence of true wisdom represents the absence of God. “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians1:18 NLT). Without God, there is no one to take lead role in our lives, except ourselves. That is, of course, dangerous, because as leaders of our own lives, we seek to serve our own humanistic needs and desires. If we seek wisdom through worldly means, we are only fooling ourselves since we do not recognize God. Those who do not believe in God surely lack his wisdom, because to deny God is most unwise. “Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm  14:1 NLT). Not only is it foolish, but it’s deadly. Without accepting Jesus, we are also denying God’s gift of salvation. Without this, we seal our fates in an eternity apart from Him.

In closing, true wisdom can only be gained through the source of wisdom itself, our Holy God. Wisdom stands the application of knowledge and experiences in a prescient and judicious fashion. We can only exercise wisdom in our lives after seeking God himself and acting out of the basis of that relationship with the promptings of God’s Spirit. The worldly acquisition of knowledge is meaningless to God, and without his intentions in mind, lies in direct opposition to his own wisdom and will for our lives. In seeking the face of God, we also reach out to wisdom, opening our hearts for the possibilities that await our acting out in faith, ready to fulfill God’s plan for our lives.

Paper 7 - David as Parent

We usually focus on David the king. An effective military leader, champion of the Israelites, and beloved by God, David also had a few skeletons in his closet, namely his affair with Bathsheba and the ineffective parenting of his sons. The cause of much of his life’s pain, strife, and shame, David’s role as a father was marked by an apathy that persisted even in the face of the most horrendous of offenses. David’s parenting style lacked three necessary tenets, teaching, example, and correction. He related to his children in a distant, non-confrontational way, never addressing the sin in their lives. Whether it stemmed from his ever-present duty to his kingdom or guilt over his own sin, one thing is certain. The consequences of both our actions and inactions when it comes to our children are far more reaching than we imagine, affecting not just our own lives, but the lives of our loved ones for generations to come.         

First, the things that made David an effective leader may also be the very things that drew him away from his family. It’s only natural that we look to allocate our time and energy where we feel the most called, needed, and effective. Countless enemies fell at his hand, with God blessing him throughout his life. “So David did what God commanded and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear David” (1 Chronicles 14:16-17 NLT). Taking a cue from David, you’ll note that he was very faithful in consulting God in his “professional” life. He asked God prior to going into battle, proceeding only per God’s instructions. If God told David to confront his enemies in war, David did, particularly heeding any special instructions for battle tactics.

                This is a definite takeaway, in that often bringing God into our professional pursuits is the most difficult challenge. So much of modern professional ambition lies in direct opposition for God’s will and desire for our lives. Having the audacity to come before God boldly, seeking his will and intention for our lives is beyond admirable. Perhaps David was able to see first-hand the consequences of following after one’s own goals and listening to one’s self in his predecessor, King Saul. However, the pursuit of God’s will for our lives is not a Get Out of Jail Free Card for the rest of our responsibilities. As Christians, we are called to, “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21 NLT). This means that we have a duty to our spouses as well as our children (and extended family members for that matter).  

                Despite the fact that it may have been customary, taking on more than one wife was not within the Lord’s guidelines for David’s position. “The king must not take many wives for himself, because they will turn his heart away from the LORD” (Deuteronomy 17:17 NLT). With many wives, followed many children, and therein the trouble started. Perhaps David could have headed off some of the trouble among his children (and the animosity between half siblings) if he had taken the time to teach his children about God and his commandments. Israelite parents were all called by God to educate their children on God’s commandments. “And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up“ (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NLT).

This verse proves that it is not enough to simply have a personal relationship with God. As parents, we are to also share our faith with our children. Teach them the Lord’s commands and inform them on his ways, in the hopes that one day they too will have a relationship with their heavenly father. There is no record that David took the time to teach his children the Lord’s commands. However, there is evidence that he was away on campaigns and often separated from different portions of his family. It is difficult to educate your children on the scriptures when you are not even present.  Perhaps it was necessary for David to be absent, while he was taking care of his kingdom responsibilities. Yet, that does not excuse his abdication of the proper Godly instruction of his children.

Further, David’s parenting style was also characterized by his example. As parents, our example is vitally important to our children’s perceived reality and emulation. Wilferd A. Peterson famously said, “Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than anything we can say.” Even if David had taken the time to tell his children about God’s commands, his sons were watching the type of man he was. How David lived his life, his actions, good and bad, was what they saw. Often, we assume that because kids are kids, they’re not paying attention. That is until they repeat that choice phrase in the most opportune of times.

This means that while David’s children saw his heart for God, they also saw his lifestyle and the sins he committed as well. Readers are not told whether or not David’s children patterned their hearts for God, but their sinful actions suggest that they did not. Even though David sinned, he did not fall into patterns of sin. When God weighed whether or not to tell Abraham of his plans to destroy Sodom & Gomorrah, he stated, “I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised”  (Genesis 18:19 NLT). Hand-picked by God, the Lord instructs Abraham and his sons (including David) that the way to direct their sons and families is by doing what is right and just.

Sin in our lives that our children witness can often spiral out of control. Pretty soon, your family begins to see patterns emerge, with generational sinful behavior. It was no different with David. The greatest of his sons, Solomon, copied his father’s having multiple wives, and they led him astray as the Lord warned about. Then, even though he repented when Nathan confronted him, he still introduced both sexual sin in the form of adultery as well as murder for personal gain into his family. His one series of sinful behavior opened a whole can of worms among his sons. First, the son that was born as a result of David and Bathsheba’s affair died.

Further, David’s son, Amnon, followed his father’s example of taking what one wants sexually by raping his own half-sister, Tamar. This rape had numerous repercussions, both for Amnon and Tamar and for Tamar’s full brother, Absalom. “When King David heard what had happened he was very angry” (2 Samuel 13:21 NLT). We wait for David to take action on Tamar’s behalf, but setting the stage for further sinful destruction by his sons, nowhere is it mentioned that Tamar’s rape was addressed to Amnon. Despite his father’s anger, Amnon seemed to go unpunished.

Whether a result of his own guilt or simply avoidance to keep the “peace”, David did not properly correct his children.  By all accounts, it seems that David loved his children. Yet, Proverbs is filled with advocating for the proper discipline of one’s children, going so far as to state that parents who avoid discipline hate their children. “Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them” (Proverbs 13:24 NLT). Perhaps, Solomon learned from his father’s mistakes with his brothers. Without discipline, David’s sons grew into men who were accustomed to simply taking matters into their own hands, seeking after only their own desires. Not just with Amnon’s rape of Tamar, but also with Absalom’s subsequent revenge in his murdering Amnon.

Even after Absalom killed his brother Amnon, the king’s first-born son, David did not speak out or even attempt to punish Absalom after he fled. As angry as David was about the murder of Amnon, once Joab brought him back he greeted Absalom with a kiss. (2 Samuel 14:33 NLT). Did Absalom return David’s love and forgiveness in kind? Quite contrarily, he actually incited a national rebellion against his father after that. Perhaps, David’s lack of discipline caused Absalom to think him weak. No matter the cause, the lack of discipline in Absalom’s life essentially created a monster. Proverbs 29:17 states, “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad” (NLT). Unfortunately, the lack of discipline in David’s children was the source of much stress, heartache, and grief.

While we may think that by not disciplining our children, we are keeping the peace in our homes and maintaining an open and harmonious relationship with them, we are actually dealing them a grave disservice. Without discipline, how are they to know the boundaries of your relationship, the moral compass of your family, and God’s will for their lives? It is impossible for children to have a true relationship with God without discipline and correction. Otherwise, if there was never any hint of wrongdoing, what need would they have for a savior? If we do not help instruct our children, correcting them when they go astray, they, like David’s sons, they will think that they are above reproach and can do things their own way.

Perhaps we feel as David may have, in that if we are guilty of the same sins and wrongdoings then we don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to rebuking those same sins in the lives of our children. However, we can only move forward and learn from our mistakes as humans. Personally, I find that my own struggles give me credibility when I instruct and discipline my children. Plus, it opens up a great opportunity for discussing the blessing of God’s grace and forgiveness. The Lord himself is no stranger to the reproof of his children, “For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child” (Hebrews 12:6 NLT). As Proverbs 29 (NLT) details over and again, the discipline of a child is necessary for producing wisdom and for saving their souls.

A loved child is a disciplined child. We, as God’s children, are loved; therefore, he chooses to discipline us. We are to take this example into the lives of our own children, especially where motive and methodology are concerned. God disciplines out of love, not out of anger. The Lord is not subject to the violent perversions of humankind either. His discipline and consequences are just and fair, as should ours be with our children. When disciplining us, his ultimate goal is to retrain our focus on him, patterning our lives after Christ. In disciplining our children, that should be our ultimate goal as well. How are we able to do this? By spending time with him and in his word , since, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT).

Finally, taking cues from David’s failings and combining them with his reverent love for God could prove transformative in both our own lives and the lives of our children as well. When we pick up where David left off by teaching God’s commandments, setting an example, and correcting our children when they stray, we are following God’s instruction for parenting.  What a great opportunity to create and instill the hope of God’s salvation in a new generation, as opposed to igniting multi-generational patterns of sin. ”Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates” (Psalm 127:3-5 NLT).

Paper 5 - Jephthah

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.” This famous quote from the great leader, Abraham Lincoln (on his birthday no less), serves as a noble introduction to a discussion of one of Israel’s great leaders, Jephthah.

Son of Gilead, but born to a prostitute, the life of Jephthah was marked by both great victory and equally great personal strife. Jephthah was a great warrior who attempted to resolve conflict through discussion first. He listened to the Lord and was controlled by His Spirit, but he was also embittered over his treatment by his brothers and most known for the rash vow he made the Lord. Jephthah’s poignant story is included in the book of Judges to emphasize that no matter one’s background; he/she may still be of service to the Lord as well as demonstrate the dangers in making impulsive promises to God.

First, Jephthah came to prominence during a time of great turmoil in the land of Israel. Both the Philistines and the Ammonites had begun oppressing God’s people, because they had turned from the Lord to worship other gods. “At that time the armies of Ammon had gathered for war and were camped in Gilead, and the people of Israel assembled and camped at Mizpah” (Judges 10:17 NLT). Terrified, the leaders of Gilead promised full leadership to the one that could attack and defeat the Ammonites first. Son of a prostitute and disowned by his brothers, Jephthah of Gilead enters the scene. Disowned, unacknowledged, insulted, and forced from his own family, Jephthah’s very condemnation came as a result of others’ actions.

Forced to fend for himself, Jephthah’s hardships resulted in his becoming a powerful warrior, complete with a band of rebels who followed him. Once the Ammonites attacked, Jephthah’s kinsman from Gilead sought him out to return and fight for them. Jephthah’s first response shows the bitterness in his heart over his circumstances, as he replies, “Aren’t you the ones who hated me and drove me from my father’s house? Why do you come to me now when you’re in trouble?” (Judges 11:7 NLT). Even in spite of his anger, Jephthah agrees to come and help the people of Gilead once the elders assure him that they will indeed make him ruler over all of the people should he be victorious over the Ammonites.
                Instead of simply rushing into battle, though, Jephthah was smart. He sent messengers to approach the King of Ammon and determine why Israel was being attacked. Then, through the series of messages found in Judges 11: 12-28, Jephthah attempted to reason with King of Ammon to solve the dispute diplomatically. Yet, the King of Ammon, “paid no attention to Jephthah’s message” (Judges 11:28 NLT). Left with no other option, but to meet the Ammonites in their confrontation, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah” (Judges 11:2 NLT), and he prepared for battle.

Since all things work out in God’s timing and for his purposes, God was able to use Jephthah for his good and his glory. I Corinthians 1 states,

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

In this, God chose an illegitimate man without a cent or a title to his name to provide deliverance for his people. Jephthah was considered nothing to his brothers or his town, but God was still able to use him to shame the powerful Ammonite king. Even without the proper lineage, God established Jephthah as a leader among his people.

It is also at this time that Jephthah’s hasty avowal is made. A tragic flaw of sorts, Jephthah vows to the Lord, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering” (Judges 11:30-31).

Whether Jephthah assumed it would be an animal or was simply not thinking before he spoke, his hasty promise would be his undoing. God’s faithfulness brought victory to Jephthah and the Israelites over the Ammonites. Yet, returning home to Mizpah, Jephthah’s one and only child, his daughter, came running out to meet him, tambourine in hand, dancing for joy.  Fully aware of the vow he made to the Lord, Jephthah, “tore his clothes in anguish. ‘Oh, my daughter!’ he cried out. ‘You have completely destroyed me! You’ve brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the Lord and I cannot take it back!’” (Judges 11:35 NLT). The implication is clear, promises and vows made to the Lord are not to be taken lightly.

Throughout the Pentateuch, the seriousness of making a vow to the Lord is iterated. “Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do’” (Numbers 30:1-2 NLT). Moses continues in Deuteronomy, stating, “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin” (Deuteronomy 23:21 NLT). God’s view on the promises and vows made to him are confirmed; they are not to be broken and they are to be promptly fulfilled as avowed.

Jephthah’s hands in the matter were basically tied. He had two choices. He could either sacrifice his beloved daughter as promised, thereby ending his lineage and destroying his own chances of leaving a legacy; or he could break his vow, implicating himself in sin against the Lord through his disobedience. Jephthah chose obedience, and, “Her father kept the vow he had made” (Judges 11:39). Thus, Jephthah’s hasty promise cost his daughter her life.

Later, the people of Ephraim assembled an army to attack Jephthah, because they felt excluded from the attack on the Ammonites. Jephthah again attempts to mediate and avoid conflict through communication. However, the men of Ephraim persist in their aggression against Jephthah and his men, inciting a battle. Jephthah is once again victorious and goes on to judge Israel for six years before he dies (Judges 12:7).

In conclusion, Jephthah was a great leader for Israel during the time of the judges. Jephthah’s victories on the battlefield, however, were countered with periods of great personal strife. Throughout his career as a leader, Jephthah was a listener, preferring to negotiate before war was deemed necessary. Controlled by God’s Spirit, he listened to the Lord as well. Yet, Jephthah also carried bitterness in his heart over his brother’s treatment of him, and the hasty vow he made to the Lord won him a victory, but cost him his daughter. Jephthah’s story shows that God prefers to use those that the world deems unworthy and warns against making careless promises to the Lord. 

Paper 4 - A Day In the Life

Restlessness draws me from slumber, as I carefully move a small pudgy arm from my chest and roll out of bed. No use waking the children when there are chores that command my full attention. A new dawn breaks, spreading streaky pinks and oranges across the sky. So bright, I can see the colors peeking in through the gap where the tent flap was left open. Ever so slowly, the hills, trees, and craggy outposts sharpen into view. This barren wasteland, our home. Shivering, I pull my shawl tighter around my shoulders to ward off some of the retreating night’s chill.

                Pushing open the flap of our tent, I am thankful for my restlessness, as I see that I am one of the first to arise and draw water. With this crowd, even such a simple task can take much longer than it should. When I was a girl, back in Egypt, it was far more civilized. We were able to drink and bathe, and there were certainly no lines. Sure, we were forced to labor for the Egyptians, but it’s no different than the laboring we do here. Besides, at least then we had food to eat, real food.

                All we ever get to eat here is that Manna. Blech! I am so sick and tired of gathering manna, cooking with manna, and especially eating manna! What I wouldn’t give for some meat. As it stands, I’m sure I’ll never taste garlic or leeks or melon (my favorite) again.  Speaking of manna, as the sun continues to rise, I look upon the light dew blanketing the ground. As the dew evaporates, a flaky white substance becomes visible. This is our food. While we are thankful to the Lord for his provision, a little variety would be nice. We did get some quail a while back, but then immediately, another plague befell some of the people in camp. Luckily, my family was not exposed to that.

                After fetching the water that we’ll need, I work quickly to gather the manna for that day’s meals. Bringing it back to our tent area, I grind it into a flour-like substance. As I do, my thoughts drift, each day blending into the ones before it. We wake, we gather, we eat, we sleep. Sometimes we move. Sometimes we stay. There is no plan, no reason. Often, we feel trapped, as if we have no say about our own lives.

As the children wake and clamor to my side for breakfast, my thoughts return to the task at hand. Ground manna, a touch of olive oil, some water, and there you have it, flat cakes again. I spoon the batter onto the oiled pan I heated over the fire, turning each cake as they finish cooking. Mindfully, I reserve the best looking cakes for my husband. He’s been in such a foul mood lately, I’m very careful not to set him off further. Men and their tempers. Ever since it was decided that we were to continue wandering, no one is quite sure what to think anymore.

It’s not like that scouting report even came back favorably. Moses continues to assure the people that the land God promised our father Abraham awaits. Sure, it awaits, but it’s filled with giants and powerful warlords. Not quite a fair match for a band of wanderers, especially one that doesn’t get good nourishment. As I finish serving breakfast and begin cleaning up, I see my sisters and sister-in-laws heading to my tent with their little ones. Perhaps the only good thing about our days here is that they are filled with the joys of family.

Together, we share the burden of life in this desert. The endless dust, the complaints of our husband and children about the food, the heat, everything; it’s not as if we have the power to change it! My middle sister sits beside me as I wipe the last traces of manna cakes from the pan, and I know she has something good to tell me. She always gets this glint in her eye when the gossip is especially provocative. She asks if I know of Korah, the Levite. When I confirm that I do, she goes into great detail about how her husband, who is one of the leaders of our tribe, was asked to participate in a rebellion against Moses. While she assures me that he did not participate, we both share a knowing look. We all feel as the rebels do. Enough is enough.

As the little ones play in the dust around our tents, we women set to work in cleaning the interiors, beating out our bedding, and washing soiled garments. This ever-present battle against the dust is waged daily, and of which, I’m sure I’m on the losing end. By the time the wash is finally drying on the lines we’ve strung up between our tents, the children are ready for their mid-day meal. The thought of manna physically turns my stomach, especially as the sun is now fully resting in the center of the sky, baking the ground into sea of gold. Sweat rolls across my temples and travels down the midpoint of my back, as I reach up to cover the top of my head. I fill a pot with what little remains of the water gathered that morning and order my very-flushed cheeked children to gather round.

As the pot of water takes its time coming to a boil over the fire, I take more of the ground manna and work a small amount of oil into the mixture, until it’s wet and holds together. Then, I form this mixture into small fist-sized balls and drop them into the now boiling water. When the balls rise to the top and float, I scoop them out onto a tray. My children, who know no other food, look upon their meal with the delight of hungry little wild animals. Urging them to finish quickly, I am anxiously awaiting my favorite part of the day. Once full, I wash their hot little cheeks and dirty little hands before ushering them back into our tent.

Once all of the children are laid down for their afternoon rest, I move quickly to clean up the remainder of the meal, leaving out a plate for my husband should he return early from assembly and decide he’s hungry. Just before retiring back into the tent myself, I check to ensure the things I hung out to dry aren’t bunching or blowing away. Then, finally, peace and quiet. I lie on my mat, close my eyes and listen to the effortless breath of my children as they sleep. No sooner had I fallen asleep when my mother-in-law barges into the tent.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?,” she hisses. “No wonder my son can’t catch a break. His lazy wife sleeps the day away!”

Sitting up, I respond, “I’m so sorry, mother. The sun’s heat overwhelmed me today. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I thought you might want to know that while my son was diligently presenting his case before the assembly, that equally lazy servant of yours let our best calf wander away while she was watering the stock. What kind of servant can’t even water the animals?! Now, we have to pay compensation to the neighbors for what he ate! What do you plan to do about that?”

“I’ll deal with her immediately,” I assure her, as I offer her a large portion of the fresh goat’s milk cheese I had made yesterday as a peace offering. “Please, mother, bring father and come to dinner tonight. We’ll make this right by you.”

She nods her head begrudgingly as she leaves the tent.

“Great,” I think to myself. Now that I have to prepare a feast this evening, I certainly won’t be able to mend the holes the children have worn into their clothes. Just as I am preparing to make a second trip to fetch water, I see my husband heading down the row of tents toward our own, a prominent scowl firmly affixed to his face. For a split second, I debate slipping down to the well to fetch the water before he notices my presence.

Barking my name out harshly, escape is no longer an option. “Yes, my husband?” I respond.

“Did you hear about the calf?” he asks.

“Yes, and I am just waiting for the girl to make her way back, so I may speak to her myself about it,” I reply.

“Don’t bother,” he grunts, as he informs me that he sold her to his uncle after a stern reprimand. When I don’t immediately respond, he pushes past me to his plate of boiled manna that I set out under a cloth for him and begins eating noisily.

Fixing my eyes on a point in the distance, I answer, “As you have commanded it, let it be so, husband,” knowing that he was waiting for me to disagree. Without my afternoon rest, I was in no mood to give him the satisfaction of an argument. Picking up my water containers, I set off once again for the well. On my way, I run into my sister, who wants to talk about the calf, and tut-tuts her sympathies to me. She offers to send two of her servants by to help this evening, one for help with the animals and one to help with dinner. I express my sincerest gratitude for such a kind gesture.

No sooner had I arrived back, but the two servant girls were standing outside my tent, awaiting further instruction. I sent the livestock girl to water and feed our animals, and asked the second girl to help me with dinner preparations. I hated to use what little we had left, but to have honey and not use it, would be insulting. For the evenings’ feast, I planned to sweeten the manna cakes with honey, and fry them in additional oil to leave the edge crisp and more flavorful. I would serve the cakes with sliced goat’s milk cheese, nuts I traded for, and wine.

The meal was officially underway thanks to the additional hands in the kitchen, and some of my anxiety began to subside. The older children, now awake, helped finish the dinner preparations and gather the dishes we would need for the additional mouths. The littlest one, due in part to the heat of the day, was still out cold. Just as the oil in the pan was hot enough to pour the first cake, my in-laws arrived. The children milled about their grandparents, holding out their hands for the special trinkets and things, my husband’s father was sure to have brought with him.

My mother-in-law was thankfully satisfied by my husband’s handling of the servant girl, her neighbors peaceably requiring no recompense. After that, the rest of the meal went well. Bellies full, the children got up to dance and sing an old song that told of our people’s exodus from the land of Egypt. The adults clapped and sang along. All-in-all, it wasn’t a bad evening. When no one could possibly eat, drink, or sing another thing, my husband walked his parents back to their tent, as I asked the children to ready themselves for bed. The servant girl, who had finished cleaning the meal, was sent home to my sister. The night was already turning quite cool, especially because of its contrast with the heat of the day.

Once I had gotten all of the children cleaned and ready for bed, my husband returned home. As we did every night before sleep overtook us, we raised a prayer of thanksgiving to the God of our fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob. “For the deliverance from the bondage of our captors. While we slaved in Egypt, you plotted our rescue.”

“Amen,” we agreed with the little ones.

Then, lying down once again on my mat, I listen. To the soft, baby breaths of my children. To the nasally twang of my husband’s pre-snores. To the last bits of movement of those in the tents around us. Collectively, our people settle in for the night. Animals softly bleating and stamping their hoofs as they work to get comfortable. A new day will dawn, just like those preceding it, the sun will rise. But for now, this is all, and I rest. 

Paper 3 - Disappointment

Chalked up as a fact of life, disappointment is often simply accepted as a by-product of the human experience. In this life, we have all wrestled with our own share of disappointments, both major and minor, and a fair share still await us. Throughout the book of Exodus, Moses also experiences times of great disappointment. Confirmed through my own experiences, disappointment travels three main roads. We face disappointment with self, disappointment with God, and disappointment with other people. No matter the source of disappointment, God remains steadfast, resolving our courage, restoring our hope in him, and redeeming our faith in humanity. When disappointments arise, the story of Moses and his response to disappointment provide valuable insight for dealing with disappointment in our own lives today.

                First, disappointments often start no further away than our mirrors. One of the main and constant sources of disappointment in my life is myself. What can I say? I’m a perfectionist.  I know that in this, I am not alone. Motivational speakers, posters, books, etc. all feed into the disappointment that we often feel with ourselves. If only we were smarter, taller, funnier, richer, skinnier, better at business, the list goes on and on. If only we had done that task better, dealt with that situation more adeptly, not said that in the interview. Most of the time, the underlying issue in this disappointment is not just ourselves and our own perceived inability to perform and accomplish at the level deemed adequate, but why we set these benchmarks to begin with. Whose standards are we seeking to reach and emulate?

When we’re disappointed with ourselves over unrealistic expectations of our performance, image, and gifts, we’re usually eyeing up what the world tells us we should act like, look like, and value, in lieu of what our heavenly father is telling us. Disappointment in oneself isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because it encourages an evaluation of performance, keeps our pride in check, and allows us to refocus of our intentions. It’s the measuring stick, the prize on which we train our eyes that remains the litmus test as to whether our disappointment is the good kind, a righteous disappointment if you will. This disappointment is purely based on how we’re performing in light of God’s plan for our lives.

In my life, I’ve had my own share of being disappointed in myself. Mostly because I felt that I could have worked harder to attain a certain outcome. However, the more I grow in my faith, the more I realize that I could have tried and tried until the cows came home, but these anticipated, much sought after outcomes, would not have been brought to fruition. Why? Because I know now what I didn’t then; It was not God’s will for my life. Conversely, I have also been disappointed in myself, and it’s been a good thing. Disappointment over sinful behavior is always acceptable, provided it’s convicted disappointed, not condemned. Also, when I know that God is calling me to a specific task or encouraging me in the development of my spiritual gifts, and for whatever reason (most often it’s skewed priorities), I didn’t perform as well as I could have. That disappointment is also valid.

Like us, Moses faced the same issues. Even when the most holy God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, stating, “’Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt’” (Exodus 3:10 NLT), Moses balked. Perhaps speaking from past disappointments in his abilities, or even from his own feelings of inadequacy before the worldly, influential King of Egypt, Moses disputed God’s choice in him. “But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?  Who am I to lead the people out of Egypt?’” (Exodus 3:11 NLT). God, creator of the universe, appeared before Moses, but he still doubted that he could do as God commanded. Even with continuous reassurances that he would be with Moses, Moses still protested, “’O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied and my words get tangled’” (Exodus 4:10 NLT).

We may scoff at Moses. Not only was he presented with this awesome opportunity, but he was hand-picked by God. Hand-picked and he still refused. How easy it is to judge Moses, but forget that so often we do the same thing. For me, God has called me to serve his people through. How much time do I spend on this task? Not much. Why? In all honesty, it’s because I have prioritized other “gods” in my life. My inaction is no different than Moses’ refusal. Thankfully, God’s reaction and reassurances are no different for us than they are to Moses. When we view God’s response to Moses, we can be encouraged as well.

First, God encouraged Moses, saying, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12 NLT). Not only did God assure Moses that he would be with him, regardless of his oration skills, God assures us of the same promise, even thousands of years later. “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). We can also learn from God’s instruction, when he commands Moses to meet with Israel’s elders (Exodus 3:16 NLT). When seeking God’s will in our lives, meeting with Godly mentors is a great idea. Not only will they honestly confront you if you’ve gone of course, but their own experience and insight often prove invaluable. In facing times of great disappointment, having mentors to surround you with their own gifts and unique outlooks can be of great service, in doing the Lord’s work.

Lastly, after God become angry at Moses (who was still refusing God’s will for his life), God allowed Moses a helper in Aaron (Exodus 4:14 NLT). Even in times where we may feel alone, we are never truly alone, for God is beside us every step of the way in our lives. In times of disappointment and trouble, we should be open to the possibility that God will send help in human form as well. Seeking and accepting help is not a sign of failure, nor is it indicative of weakness. Often, when I’m disappointed in myself, it’s because I didn’t accomplish something that I could have easily had I undertaken the help of others. Humility is a good thing.

Disappointment in ourselves is only possible so long as our inability to move forward in God’s will for our lives allows. When we start taking those steps in faith, we will experience success in God’s plan. Will it be the same as the worldly standards for success we might anticipate? Not likely. At that point, our disappointment takes a dangerous turn. We become disappointed in God and begin doubting his plan and sovereignty. Disappointment in God, for his seeming inability to act or affect change is commonplace in the world today. Why did God let that child die? Why didn’t God act before all of those people lost their homes? Why do so many bad things happen? Reconciling a loving God to the horrors in our world can lead to much disappointment.

Attempting to confine God to our worldly understanding and goals is a surefire way to remain disappointed with the creator of the universe. We’re often so sure that we’re acting in God’s will for our lives until the bottom drops out. Then, we’re not so sure anymore. Moses, who had SEEN God, experienced the same unease and disappointment. When Pharaoh’s heart remained hard and he heaped additional work on the Israelites, the foremen confronted Moses and Aaron, accusing them of being the instrument of their destruction. Moses, concerned and disappointed in this unforeseen outcome, cried out to God, “’Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!’” (Exodus 5:21-23 NLT). You can almost hear the emphasis in Moses’, “nothing.”

Poor “Moses expected faster results and fewer problems.” This footnote from my NLT Bible so succinctly sums up our expectations as modern-day Christians as well. We pray, we’re following his plan in our lives, things aren’t supposed to be this difficult. How wrong we are. As Christians, difficulty and suffering are not a sign that we have fallen from grace, but evidence we are living within it. It’s not an ‘if’ situation, it’s a when. One simply has to look at the writings of Paul to see this. Hand-picked by God, he experienced more than his fair-share of suffering and disappointment. His response? He rejoiced in his suffering. Despite asking God three times, God allowed the “thorn in his flesh” to remain. Was Paul disappointed in God? No, he was, “Glad to boast about [his] weakness, so that the power of Christ can work though [him]” (I Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT).   

For Moses, despite his disbelief and disappointment, God’s response remained the same, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh. When he feels the force of my strong hand, he will let the people go. In fact, he will force them to leave his land” (Exodus 6:1 NLT). You’ll note that Moses was not given a timetable. In dealing with disappointment in God, this is an important lesson. We cannot assign our own convenient timelines to God’s plan. His plan works in his time and for his glory alone. Additionally, we need to remember who we’re dealing with, as God reminds Moses, “I am Yahweh—‘the LORD’” (Exodus 6:2 NLT). When we’re disappointed in God, he can handle it. In fact, in our brokenness, I’m sure he even expects it to some extent. It’s what we do with this disappointment that matters.

Disappointment in God can also be a tool of the enemy. Satan loves nothing more than a disappointed saint who begins to doubt God’s love and faithfulness. When I am disappointed in God, I simply need to turn to his word to be restored to him. “Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:23). The God of the Bible is the same as the God we cry out to today. His promises endure, his love for us unfailing. It’s telling that God continuously replies to Moses’ cries of disappointment with the reiteration of his promises. “I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!” (Exodus 6:8 NLT).  Disappointment in God is real, but we have to remove ourselves from the unrealistic expectation of forcing God into the conformity of our will. God is too big and too great to be confined by our humanistic expectations for his actions.

Further, the last source of our disappointment lies in other people. As with God, other people often do not act in the manner we feel they should. Being disappointed with other people once again can be chalked up to our own expectations of and for them. How they should act. What their response should have been. This too can be a righteous disappointment when our disappointment stems from our concern in the knowledge that they have been moving outside the will of God in their lives. Simply, they have succumbed to sinful behavior that you know is damaging their hearts, their relationships with God, and/or their relationships with other people. This can be hard to deal with as free men/women, because we can’t make choices and decisions for other people, even those we love the most, such as our children and other close relatives.

Moses experienced this form of disappointment as well, first in the form of those grumbling Israelites. From their lack of faith on the shores of the Red Sea to the incessant complaining over food and drink, poor Moses was forced to deal with their whining and complaining and lack of faith in God’s provision all while keeping his disappointment in them in check. “’Quiet!’ Moses replied. ‘Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the LORD?’” (Exodus 17:2 NLT).  Despite his perceived annoyance, Moses still goes before God on their behalf, ensuring they are saved from the Egyptian pursuit and satiated with clean water, manna, and quail.

Then, Moses’ own brother, Aaron, commits the ultimate act of disloyalty to Moses and especially God when he listens to the Israelites and they work to fashion the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6 NLT). Undoubtedly, Moses was disappointed with these people, and especially his own brother who couldn’t even be trusted to manage them during his sojourn up the mountain with God. How quickly they managed to steer things in the wrong direction, despite seeing all of the miracles and even the presence of God himself.

Moses does not allow his disappointment in them to affect his character, though. So often when we’re disappointed in others, we secretly hope they’ll get their come-uppance. Not Moses, though, he actually pleads for mercy and asks for the people’s forgiveness before God, imploring that God tempers his judgment with his merciful nature (Exodus 32:11–13, 30-32 NLT). Moses cared enough about others to love them unconditionally, in spite of their shortcomings and his disappointment in them. When I am disappointed in others for the sinful behavior in their lives, my first step should be like Moses’, to come before God on their behalf. In fact, this is what God commands us to do, ceaselessly (I Thessalonians 5:17 NLT).

This is especially true when those closest to us disappoint us, as Aaron did to Moses. When confronted, Aaron didn’t even own up to his role in the whole golden calf debacle. He, the leader and spokesperson of the entire Israelite nation before Pharaoh, blamed the people (Exodus 32:22-24 NLT). What can be taken from Moses’ response to Aaron? Forgiveness. Forgiveness and hope in the redemptive power of God. Not only did Moses forgive Aaron, but God forgave Aaron as well, later establishing his holy priesthood with Aaron and through his family. God works in and in spite of our sinful past. It’s true in our lives. It’s true in the lives of others. In forgiving those that disappoint us, praying for them, and encouraging them in their service to the Lord in their lives, we are also furthering his work in our own.

In closing, disappointments will arise in our lives as surely as the sun rises each morning. It’s in rooting out the true source of these disappointments and carefully choosing how we react to and deal with disappointment that remains key. Whether it’s ourselves, God, or even other people that disappoint us, we can look to the book of Exodus for help, as Moses reacts to his own share of disappointments. No matter the source or magnitude of your disappointment, God reassures us just the same as he reassured Moses and the rest of humanity by remaining faithful to his promises and staying beside us every step of the way. “I will personally go with you, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you” (Exodus 33:14 NLT).  

Paper 2 - Joseph & Jesus

Many people compare the life of Joseph with that of Jesus. Obvious parallels exist, such as their relationship with their families (especially their fathers), the accusations and subsequent punishing that befell them, their resultant exultation, and the salvation and forgiveness that they bestowed upon others. However, there are differences as well, in that Jesus was God’s perfect son while Joseph was just a man, who sinned and also fell short of God’s perfect standard. Moving beyond his original boastful nature, Joseph’s heart changed as God worked in his life. An example for Christians even now that no matter one’s past sins or current suffering, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love [him]” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

First, the life of Jesus traces a similar pattern to that of Joseph through their relationships with their respective families, especially their fathers. Both Joseph and Jesus’ fathers loved them dearly. Genesis  37:3 states, “Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age” (NLT). Matthew 3:17 then shows God’s response to Jesus’ baptism, “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy’“ (NLT). Both Joseph’s earthly father, Jacob, and Jesus’ heavenly father, God, loved their sons dearly.

In addition to this enduring love of their fathers, both Joseph and Jesus travel similar paths in their family lives. Joseph and Jesus were each responsible for shepherding their fathers’ sheep. Joseph began shepherding his father’s sheep as a teen (Genesis 37:2 NLT), while Jesus is the good shepherd, sent by his father (God) to tend his flocks while on earth (John 10:11-12 NLT). Also, Both Joseph’s and Jesus brothers were not impressed with them (Genesis 37:4, John 7:5 NLT). Joseph’s brothers actually despised him and Jesus’ brothers were skeptical of his true identity as God’s son, the messiah.

Further, Joseph and Jesus also experienced periods of great turmoil in which others plotted against them, seeking to harm them. Joseph’s brothers, fueled by their jealousy and spite for him, schemed to kill Joseph and destroy the evidence, “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams” (Genesis 37:20 NLT). Jesus also experienced similar machinations from the Jewish religious community, “So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death” (John 11:53 NLT).

Weaving together further comparisons, both Joseph and Jesus were sold to their fates. For Joseph, his brothers threw him in the cistern and sold him to Ishmaelite traders bound for Egypt (Genesis 37: 24-28 NLT). For Jesus, Judas betrayed him to the leading priests for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15 NLT). Both men were convicted for crimes that they did not commit, in that Joseph did not attack Potiphar’s wife and Jesus never committed any wrongs. Yet, each had his robe stripped from him (Genesis 37:23 / John 19:23 NLT), was bound in chains (Genesis 39:20 / Matthew 27:2 NLT), and punished just the same, all as part of God’s plan.    

Even in serving out their sentences (Joseph’s in prison and Jesus’ on the cross), both Joseph and Jesus’ stories show them sharing their punishments with two other men. In the case of each story, one of the men is saved (in Joseph’s case through the restoration of the cup-bearer’s position and in Jesus’ case through the redemptive salvation offered through Christ himself) and one man is condemned (in Joseph’s case, the baker was put to death, and in Jesus’ case, the scoffing criminal will never know salvation) (Genesis 40 / Luke 23:32, 39-43 NLT).

In spite of their punishments, both Joseph and Jesus were restored to positions of glory and were able to use their suffering to help others. Through God, Joseph was able to interpret dreams and was exalted to second in command over all of Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams about the cattle and the wheat. In his position, he not only brought honor and glory to his master, Pharaoh, by increasing his wealth and ensuring he could care for his people when the famine came, but he used his position to ensure that multitudes of people were saved from starvation (Genesis 41 NLT). Through the sheer power of God, Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day, thereby defeating sin’s ultimate punishment of death. Through his obedience, Jesus brought honor and glory to God by accepting the cup of his punishment on the cross. In his resurrection, Jesus was able to extend God’s offering of salvation to all of humanity (Philippians 2:7-11 NLT).

Not only were both Joseph and Jesus returned to exultation and used to save others after being falsely accused and wronged, but they were still able to forgive others. Joseph forgave his brothers, and was even upset that they would think he would want to harm them after their father, Jacob, died (Genesis 50:16-21 NLT). Jesus was also able to express his forgiveness even from the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34 NLT). In each man’s life, God used the bad things that happened to them, these terrible things that others did, for his glory. Joseph was hated, sold, bought, taken to Egypt, tempted,  falsely accused, imprisoned, restored through God’s favor, exalted, saved others, and forgave those that wronged him in the process. Jesus was born, taken to Egypt, tempted, hated, sold, bought, imprisoned, crucified, resurrected by the power of God, exalted, saved others, and forgave those that wronged him in the process.

Despite the multiple (too many to be coincidental) similarities, the stories of Joseph and Jesus also part ways. Joseph remains human, in no way divine, and with that comes the burden of his sinful nature. Early on in his story, Joseph is shown as proud and boastful. He tattles on his brothers to their father (Genesis37:2 NLT) and proceeds to share his dreams with them in which he is lording over them. “’Listen to this dream,’ he said. ‘We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly, my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine’” (Genesis  37:6-7 NLT). He then shares his second dream about the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing before him (Genesis 37: 9 NLT). Even his father, Joseph, “scolded him. ‘What kind of dream is that?’ he asked. ‘Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?’” (Genesis 37:10 NLT).

By boasting and sharing these dreams in such a way, Joseph was adding fuel to an already hot fire. He knew that his brothers hated the fact that he was the favorite child, but he did nothing to diffuse their anger. James warns of this, stating, “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire” (James 3:5 NLT). By boasting and lording his position of favorite over the rest of his family, Joseph helped to seal his fate.

Joseph’s brothers, acting in their own jealous weakness, spurred on by Joseph’s prideful boasting, jumpstarted God’s plan for Joseph’s life by selling him into slavery. As is often the case, God’s plan was perfected in human weakness. Paul confirms this, asserting that God told him, “‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). Without Joseph being taken to Egypt, millions could have ultimately perished in the famine and his brothers may have never known forgiveness and grace.

Additionally, without Joseph, this beautiful foreshadowing in God’s climactic story would be missing. However, Jesus, unlike Joseph, never boasted, “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; our sorrows that weighed him down” (Isaiah 53:4 NLT). Jesus, unlike Joseph, “Had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal” (Isaiah 53:9 NLT). Jesus, unlike Joseph, saves people from more than just their worldly hungers and thirsts, because the living water that he offers leads to eternal life (John 4 NLT).

In conclusion, many people compare the life of Joseph to that of Jesus due to the similarities in their family lives and roles (especially their fathers), the suffering they endured, their subsequent exultation, and the way they saved and forgave others. Yet, Joseph was just a man, whose boasting and arrogant youthful pride caused much friction in his family; Jesus prevails as the messiah, son of God, savior of the world. In poetic symmetry, God traced the men’s stories down a similar path, Joseph’s life shining as a beacon in the dark world of the hope to come through his brother, Judah. “The scepter not departing from his hand, “Until the coming of the one to whom it belongs” (Genesis 49:10 NLT). 

Paper 1 - The Significance in Being Made in the Image of God

“So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (NLT). Genesis 1:27 defines the character of all men and women. To be made in God’s image bears great significance, in that it determines our worth, establishes our rank, and instills our responsibility. As we sin, we work to alter the prescribed image and undermine the plan that God set forth for our lives; however, God’s image and plan remain steadfast. Only by fixing our eyes on the image of our maker and repenting of our sins, may we rightfully restore the image of God within us.

First, being made in God’s image determines our worth by setting us apart from all other creation. Humans are not described as being modeled after angels, animals, or any other being in God’s creation. We are specifically made in the image of the triune God for the sole purpose of extending God’s order and carrying out his plans here on earth. “Then, God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. The will reign over…all the wild animals on the earth’” (Genesis 1:26 NLT). Then, just as he planned in verse 26, he carried out, forming the first man, Adam, from the dust on the ground. God himself, “breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person” (Genesis 2:7 NLT).

There is nothing special about the make-up of our earthly forms. They are simply carbon, “from dust” bodies that are used to carry us about as we walk the earth until we return to the dust from which we came. They’re even used to tout the likelihood of evolution due to the similarities in our biological make-up to those of other creatures in God’s kingdom. However, the worth in humans lies precisely in the fact that we are created in God’s image, brought to life by the breath of God himself. In simplistic terms, this means that we have a soul. This God-shaped hole in each human’s life cries out for love, for good, for justice, for understanding, for peace, for help, for salvation. Animals do not share this trait. Animals simply survive. They do not seek love, goodness, justice, understanding, peace, help, or salvation. We do. Garnett Reid in his book, Old Testament Survey – Part I, refers to this as a “moral center”, which, “displays our Maker’s traits; our design in His likeness means that holiness, love, and wisdom inform our character and shape our conscious choices” (14).

Further, being made in God’s image not only determines our worth, but it establishes our rank. Nothing about God, his creation, or his character is happenstance. There is order present. If one has ever studied science, it is obvious. God’s plans make sense. In creating human beings in his image, God was further establishing order among his creation. The Bible is very clear that we were not created as gods ourselves. We were specifically created as human beings, “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27 NLT).

This does not mean that we are just simply another species of animal either. God makes that point as well, “Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:28 NLT). Reid emphasizes that this was God’s “Cultural Mandate”, in that we are to, “serve under His authority as delegated rulers of the earth” (Reid  14). God’s prescribed order is clear. We are below God, carrying out his plans as we govern the rest of creation on earth.

Finally, being made in God’s image instills our responsibility. As humankind, being made in the image of God is not something that should be taken lightly, as it means we are entrusted with the heavy responsibility of emulating the character of God. This occurs both in our own lives (internally) and among the rest of his creation (externally) to further the fulfillment of God’s plan. Emulating the character of God is not just something that we can superficially copy, as it occurs as the result of emulating the heart of God. This is not optional; this is a requirement of our existence.

Viktor Frankl, a famous Jewish psychiatrist and neurologist, was sent from Vienna to a Nazi concentration camp in September of 1942. Despite his dire circumstances, Frankl continued his work from within the camp, specifically seeking to understand why some prisoners seemed to survive no matter the odds and yet others perished almost immediately. Once free, he documented his findings in his book, Man’s Search for Meaning. Written in just nine days, Frankl outlines the importance of responsibility as the basis for meaning in human existence.

When the impossibility of replacing a person is realized, it allows the responsibility which a man has for his existence and its continuance to appear in all its magnitude. A man who becomes conscious of the responsibility he bears toward a human being who affectionately waits for him, or to an unfinished work, will never be able to throw away his life. He knows the "why" for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any "how."

Quite simply, we were not created in the image of God to fulfill our own humanistic goals and desires, nor were we created to pursue superficial pleasures. Our existence is defined by our responsibility. To God, to fellow humankind, and to the rest of God’s creation, we have a purpose. With this purpose also comes steadfastness. Carrying a torch gives one the strength to weather the storms that would otherwise steer one off course as he/she presses on, bearing just about anything for the sake of keeping the light burning.

                This image may be fully embodied only when we are living as intended and remaining right with God, though. When we sin, we not only alter our image but we remove ourselves from the homeostasis of being right with God. Therefore, sin’s introduction in our lives alters our image (never God’s), in that we deny our worth, refute God’s rank and sovereignty, and shirk our responsibility.

                Sin causes us to deny our worth, because our worth is centered on the care and esteem of our maker for us, in whose image we are made. In our sin, we are declaring ourselves unfit to be made in the image of God, or else why would our actions lie in complete opposition to Him? We are also denying the value or even the very presence of our soul as we ignore Reid’s “moral center” and choose to follow our own will and desires in our lives. James 4:17 is clear, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (NLT).

                Sin also causes us to refute God’s rank and sovereignty. Since we were created in God’s image, but not as gods ourselves, we know that there is one above us. God’s rank far exceeds our own and our disobedience of him runs in direct insubordination to his will. Sin is simply willful disobedience of God. The Original Sin in the Garden of Eden wasn’t just about Adam and Eve eating some fruit and spoiling their supper; “rather, they committed treason against the infinite God who had made them and cared for them.” (Reid 15).

                Lastly, sin causes us to shirk our responsibility. When we sin, we are acting in the sole interests of our humanistic nature and desires. We are thinking of no one and nothing but ourselves and our wants. As discussed, being created in the image of God means we bear the responsibility of our existence as well as the responsibility to follow God’s commands and will for our life. When we sin, we eschew all God-given responsibility and proceed to do as we please.

We don’t even want the responsibility of facing up to our sins. After Adam and Eve were confronted by God in the Garden, they formed a nice little circle of finger pointing. God is very ordered as he questions them. He asks Adam first, “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” (Genesis 3:11 NLT). Adam doesn’t even answer the question as he redirects, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit and I ate it” (Genesis 3:12 NLT). Not only was Adam not responsible, but it was also somehow God’s fault for giving him the woman. After God questions the woman, she also lays the blame elsewhere, “The serpent deceived me,“ she replied. “That’s why I ate it” (Genesis 3:13 NLT).

Only when we accept responsibility for our sin, asking for God’s forgiveness, may we be restored to our position of right with God. This restoration also restores our image, in that we are returned to our previous reflection of our creator.  Acknowledging our transgressions accepts our worth. While we are unworthy of salvation in our sin, God’s mercy and grace are extended to humankind as an outpouring of his great love. Titus 3:4-5 states, “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us…because of his mercy” (NLT).  It is God’s love that reestablishes our worth. When you are loved, you are valued. When you are valued, you find your worth.

In the very act of asking for forgiveness, we are also reverently returning God to his position of authority in our lives. To ask for forgiveness both acknowledges that a wrong was committed and expresses remorse over the act as well as any resultant effects of the act. When we confess our sin, we are admitting that we willfully disobeyed God and denied his position as the rightful ruler in our lives.

When we return God to his position of authority in our lives, we also lighten our own load, because we are no longer trying to be our own gods. In confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness, we resume our own responsibilities in this life and entrust the rest to God. In maintaining our own sense of responsibility, we prove to God that we are capable bearers of his image and good stewards of his creation. The Bible confirms that those who are faithful in small matters will be faithful in larger ones as well (Luke 16:11 NLT). Our attitude toward our responsibilities in this life proves our level of trustworthiness to God. 

In closing, to be made in God’s image bears great significance, determining our worth, establishing our rank, and instilling our responsibility.  When we sin, we are tarnishing the image of our creator within us by denying our worth, refuting God’s rank and sovereignty, and shirking our responsibility. Only by returning our gaze to the image of our maker and repenting of our sins, may we restore the image of God within us. 

In Pursuit of Purpose - The Cure for the Common Life

Anyone who is a reader of this blog (or just knows me) understands that I (like everyone, I'm sure) struggle with finding my purpose. I've always subscribed to the particular notion that there is a juxtaposition of passion, vocation, and fulfillment out there for me and I simply must find it.

It started with basing my pursuits solely on my intellect, then my capacity for wealth generation, and finally in pursuit of my own happiness. Yet with each job change and career shift, I was left yearning, searching, crying out for something different, something more. What I didn't realize at the time, but I do looking back is that I maintained control and hand-picked each job without consulting the big guy. I lacked trust, and I wanted to do things my way, for my glory.

In the midst of this, though, He was at work with each previous position preparing me in both experience and aptitude for one that would follow. The whole time, God was in control and he was and is slowly steering me toward the light, if you will. A lifelong journey, I've only recently begun relinquishing my white knuckle grip on my life.

Yet, I still don't know what this looks like and means in my life, and I'm becoming increasingly content with not seeking specific answers and forcing myself into rigid timelines. God's timing is his own, and my trust, faith, and obedience is all he desires. I don't know if the sun will rise tomorrow, but I know for certain that God is good, he is faithful, and he loves me.

Knowing my struggles, my aunt bought me Lucado's The Cure for the Common Life several years ago, but in true Alex fashion, I procrastinated reading it and forgot about it until last year. When I did, it knocked my freakin' socks off! It just really resonated with my struggles and personal growth. The basic idea is that we all have a Sweet Spot, essentially a juxtaposition of our own personal giftedness in certain areas, our likes and interests, and God's plan for our lives. What, Mr. Lucado?! Because that is like my Holy Grail! All along I'd been so busy trying to figure out what it was that I was SUPPOSED to be doing that I completely missed the point. My Sweet Spot would be found it what I was already most likely doing.

I can't paraphrase the whole thing, and it is a wonderful book for those struggling with their purpose (so just go buy it already...), but the gist is that the things that you chose to do and liked to do and garnered praise from (i.e. did well) as a child are essentially your golden ticket to happiness as an adult. For me, this did not mean that my sisters and I would be carnies (long story), but I would most likely be writing.

From the time I could write, it was in stories. My drawings were all based on the elaborate fantasies I carried out in my head. People sought my help with their papers, their resumes, and my college English professor even BEGGED me to switch from a Business Major into the English Department. With the help of this book, I began to see a pattern emerge.

However, acting out in faith and living "the good life" can be two very different things, especially because the "good life" according to God is markedly different than the "good life" of this world. Also, to be very clear, your purpose will probably not be tied in with any wishes for bigger houses and nicer cars. While those may come as a result, those aren't necessarily the goals we're talking about.

As I seek opportunities to write more, know more about who I am as a writer, as a Christ follower, I am shown that who I am in the world's eyes may wreak havoc on my steadfastness. Since I'm starting to realize that I'm meant to be writing, I've explored Masters programs in Creative Writing, but it just doesn't seem right. God is showing me that I may try to plan my way, but He'll direct my steps (Proverbs 16:9). I don't need a fancy degree to serve God and live out my purpose.

In that acting out in faith, I've been taking a Bible class through Village Schools of the Bible. It's intense! Participants dive into the Bible in three separate 12-week courses. Once the class is complete, though, you'll have read the entire thing, written numerous papers on each section and participated in some of the most thought-provoking, faith-affirming, and awe-inspiring discussions of your life. This is definitely not church, people!

Through that, I've decided to begin sharing my papers on this blog as a means of sharing them with the world at large. If I'm meant to write, I'm meant to write, and producing content that may be shared and found is part of that. (As is opening myself up for critique, criticism, and just all out vulnerability, which is the scary part).

But, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, so here's to an uncommon life!

Hallelujah

Do you ever find that as soon as you begin living deliberately, or start making choices that you know are essential for you to function within God's plan for your life, everything goes to hell? Well, let me tell you, you are definitely not alone there. Even counting your blessings in the midst of these circumstances is slightly terrifying, as you don't want to give the devil a Job-style foothold of what to come after next.

With the beginning of this year, our family decided that we were going to be more deliberate with our finances, obeying God with our time and our treasure. Choosing to sell things that occupy an unhealthy place in our hearts, fully tithe, and pay off debts, we are seeking to remove our bonds of slavery to the lenders and things of this world. So, what happens? Everything breaks. Seriously, both cars, plumbing issues, etc. All at once. The kids get sick. Two surgeries are needed for our youngest. Then, a car accident the day after we pick up our truck from the repair shop. This is all within the span of less than one month.

As we've struggled to remain steadfast through these past few weeks, I scramble in my mind to resolve these issues and work out a "fix". I just need to get more work, get a new car, but God is telling me that I just need to rely on him. Him alone. Proverbs 16:9 confirms, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." 

Because not only did things get rough, but God's blessings poured in with the rain. We are okay. We are healthy, and we have one another. He has blessed us with a loving extended family that generously comes to our aid when we need them. Ultimately, when push comes to shove, it's just stuff.

Hallelujah. One word. It means God be praised. And should he ever! In your times of struggle, I pray that you are able to fix your eyes on Him. Praise him in those storms with eyes open wide, so that you may see the blessings that pour out disguised as big fat raindrops.

I close with one of my favorite songs lately, because it just meets me where I am right now, Bethany Dillon's Hallelujah. If you haven't yet heard this beautiful song yet, LISTEN HERE.

"Hallelujah"

Who can hold the stars

And my weary heart?

Who can see everything?

I've fallen so hard

Sometimes I feel so far

But not beyond your reach

I could climb a mountain

Swim the ocean

Or do anything

But it's when you hold me

That I start unfolding

And all I can say is

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

Help me to sing hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

I'll choose to sing hallelujah

The same sun that

Rises over castles

And welcomes the day

Spills over buildings

Into the streets

Where orphans play

And only you can see the good

In broken things

You took my heart of stone

And you made it home

And set this prisoner free

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

Help me to sing hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

I'll choose to sing hallelujah

Choose to sing Hallelujah, friends, because as Corrie Ten Boom famously said, "You may never know that JESUS is all you need, until JESUS is all you have."