Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-09-01 / 9-10. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 Faithfully Following God’s Pattern Signs of things to come in the ever unfolding revelation of God pop up in page after page of the first books of the Bible. Early on, a sign in the sacrifice of Isaac by his father Abraham, and the substitution of a ram by God, foreshadows the later sacrifice of a lamb in Egypt as the angel of death passed over the Hebrews homes before they crossed safely over the sea on their long journey to the Promised Land. Who cannot see the pattern of events culminating centuries later of the Lamb of God sacrificing His life so His followers can escape the angel of death and cross over to eternal life? Carefully perusing the events of the first days of freedom on Sinai, without the Pharaoh's army breathing down their necks, it is apparent that freedom did not come easily - does it ever? But there again we can read of events that are foretastes of greater gifts to come for the people of God. Thirsty people find bitter water that is sweetened by a special living tree. Hungry people without bread awaken to find manna to feed them, with more than enough for their own needs - and some to be set aside and kept for future generations to remember it is the Lord who provides the bread for eternal life. Fire on the Mountain "The Lord said to Moses, 'Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tables of stone, with the law ciples. Confession of faith must be genuine in word and in deed. May Jesus' words about true discipleship teach us even today. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) The Apostle Paul struggled with the sinful nature in us and he cried with pain, "Wretched man that 1 am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24) He found comfort in the Word of God and was assured: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. ...In order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1-2,4) Part of the confession of our faith is to witness and take our cross and follow Him "... and he who does not take his cross andfollow me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38) Jesus, keep me near the cross; There a precious fountain, Free to all - a healing stream - Flows from Calvary's mountain. Near the cross I'll watch and wait, Hoping trusting ever, Till I reach the heavenly land, Just beyond the river. In the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever, Till my raptured soul shall find Rest beyond the river. May God give us the gift of faith to acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior and to confess our faith in word and in deed. Amen. Yours in His Service Rt. Rev. Béla Póznán, Bishop and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.' ... Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. ...Now the appearance ofthe glory ofthe Lord was like a devouring fire on top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. ... And Moses was on the mountain forty days andforty nights." (Ex. 24:12-18)... And he gave to Moses, when he had had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables ofstone, written with the finger of God." (Ex. 31:18) But what was God speaking about with Moses for forty days? In reading the intervening chapters we see God had given him his exact instructions for Israel to worship him. God didn't leave the matter to Moses own creative or artistic spirit - no Frank Lloyd Wright needed - but what God wanted in very specific detail. "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." (Ex. 25:8-9) It was this Tabernacle tent that the wandering tribe carried from place to place, with the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments in a special altar. A cloud rested over it, and when the cloud lifted they would move on, stopping again when the cloud settled on the earth. "For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, andfire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel. (Ex. 40:34-38) The Ever-present God Moses was directed then to appoint Aaron, his brother, to be a priest set apart to serve the Lord, to enter the tent of the tabernacle, and also his sons, wearing distinctive clothing as God had designed. "There I will meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my glory; I will consecrate the tent of the meeting and the altar; Aaron and his sons I will consecrate, to serve me as priests. And I will dwell among the people of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them forth out of the land ofEgypt that I might dwell among them. (Ex. 29:43-46) Therefore for generations to come Israel would worship and serve the Lord according to the pattern that God had revealed to Moses on the mountain. As the years passed, and the Israelites settled in cities and towns the same pattern would be followed. Later the tent was replaced by the great temple in Jerusalem, and the order of priests would continue as a constant reminder that God dwelled among his people. Making It Happen To accomplish this, God told Moses, "Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me an offering; from every man whose heart makes him willing you shall receive the offering for me." They were to be asked to give gold and silver, and fine goods for the tabernacle and clothing of the priests. But it is significant that it was to be from a willing heart - not a begrudging exaction. They were also to provide, for the priest’s daily needs, a portion of their sacrifices from the best parts of the sheep or goats, not Continued on page 4
