Monday: A Servant Remnant
The standard definition of the remnant people identified in Bible prophecy is found in Revelation 12:17: those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (NKJV, see also Rev. 14:12). In the Bible’s story, these features mark out God’s people in the later stages of earth’s history. But, also in the Bible stories, we can find examples of how such a remnant acts and particularly how such people serve others.
The example of Moses in this regard is daunting. Read Exodus 32:1-14. What is the comparison between Moses in this story and the remnant described in Revelation 12:17?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
In His anger at the people of Israel, God was threatening to destroy them and transfer the promises given to Abraham—that his descendants would become a great nation—to Moses and his family (see Exod. 32:10).
But Moses didn’t want that. Instead, Moses has the boldness to argue with God, suggesting that for the Lord to act as He is threatening to act will make Him look bad (see Exod. 32:11-13). But then Moses goes further and puts himself on the line to urge his case with God.
Moses had been struggling to lead these people through the wilderness. They had been complaining and bickering almost from the moment he led them to freedom. And yet, Moses says to God, If you are not able to forgive them, “then blot me out of the book you have written” (Exod. 32:32, NIV). Moses offers to give up eternity to save those with whom he has shared his journey.
What a powerful example of self-sacrificing intercession in behalf of those who don’t deserve it! And what a powerful symbol of the entire plan of salvation!
“As Moses interceded for Israel, his timidity was lost in his deep interest and love for those for whom he had, in the hands of God, been the means of doing so much. The Lord listened to his pleadings, and granted his unselfish prayer. God had proved His servant; He had tested his faithfulness and his love for that erring, ungrateful people, and nobly had Moses endured the trial. His interest in Israel sprang from no selfish motive. The prosperity of God’s chosen people was dearer to him than personal honor, dearer than the privilege of becoming the father of a mighty nation. God was pleased with his faithfulness, his simplicity of heart, and his integrity, and He committed to him, as a faithful shepherd, the great charge of leading Israel to the Promised Land”. – Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 319.
| What does this tell us about how, to the degree possible, we should deal with the erring around us? |
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God has given us light in regard to the things that are now taking place in the lastremnant of time, and with pen and voice we are to proclaim the truth to the world, not in a tame, spiritless way, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power of God.
—Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 470(1890).
The fact that Moses talked face to face with God, is a wonderment. How can you imagine talking face to face with our creator God? We will not see this possibility in this life, only the next one, God willing.
What the Israelites should have done while Moses was absent at Mt. Sinai.
"During this period of waiting, there was time for them to meditate upon the law of God which they had heard, and to prepare their hearts to receive the further revelations that He(Moses) might make to them. They had none too much time for this work; and had they been thus seeking a clearer understanding of God’s requirements, and humbling their hearts before Him, they would have been shielded from temptation. But they did not do this, and they soon became careless, inattentive, and lawless."
Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 315-319.
Chapter 28—Idolatry at Sinai
Those waiting on the Lord
1) Meditate upon the law of God
The technology which has brought versions of the bible, commentaries, and sermons into the palm of our hand is also leading us to many distractions from meditating on the Word of God.
2) Prepare our hearts - let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
3) Receive further revelations - Truth is constantly being revealed. Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.
Those who are involved in the world
1) Careless - They did not pay attention to the change in trend
2) inattentive - They are willing to be ignorant of blatant move made by opposition
3) Lawlessness - The fruit of careless and inattentive behavior of the people.
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:12-15
Even today, those who are living Godly are in constant persecution.
The power of the Holy Ghost. Oh how I long for more of him, to change my character to become like him.
The hymn Rescue the perishing care for the dying came to mind. Moses will be a part of the remnant. A man of a humble, caring, loving spirit even in the sight of adversaries. One who will give up eternity to save others. Moses knew the evilness of the people yet he bargained with God to give them another chance.
Question- do we write off people who are like these? Do we wash our hands against them? Do we pray earnest for them? But how do we strike a balanced between being an enabler and pointing out what is wrong?
Moses job as a leader was not easy, he held his position for 40yrs despite what was going on. But at this time it was early in his career. His very brother was also a mastermind behind this.
Today's lesson states:
If what is being said here is the actual truth of what was going on, what we have is Moses acting more righteously than God! That is, we have God about to 'lose it' with the Israelites and Moses needing to step in to get God to think twice about the consequences to His reputation before He goes ahead with His anger.
Really?
I would propose that this is a good example of how a superficial reading of scripture leads to faulty conclusions. There is more to the picture than a God who gets angry at people who don't do things His way and then sets out to destroy those people in His anger unless someone steps in and argues Him out of it.
I found this an interesting article. On a technical side of writing I don't feel that the remnant as those that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus is the "definition". It's a description. The definition of remnant is that which is the last part, or the "rest of her offspring." The description is that this offspring will be obedient even unto death (the Greek word for testimony is marturia, or martyr).
As to the dovetail with Moses, that is intriguing. Paul expressed the same sentiment in one of his letters. Paul also said we need to consider others (friends and enemies) better than ourselves. This is indeed the spirit of Christ. Sacrificial service in the cause of God.