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February 20

Reading 1 - Exodus 31 & 32

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32 v. 10-14 - There is an amazing discourse here between God and Moses. God is openly allowing himself to be persuaded by Moses - he places a direct temptation in his path - what would we have done? Moses chose not to be the next heir to the promise - not to take over from Abraham and let God start again - not to release himself form the burden of dealing with this wayward people, even though he had God's clear judgement about what had happened in his short absence. Instead the beseeches God to save them, and God complies. Here is a prime example of the power of prayer. We must believe that God will act on our requests if they are made, as this was, unselfishly and humbly. Ps.106:45, Jer.18:8, 26:13,19, Joel 2:13, Jonah 3:10, 4:2.
Peter Cresswell

31 v.3 - Notice how this being 'filled with the spirit of God' manifests itself in craftsmanship and practical issues. It is so easy to take ownership ourselves for the skills we have 'developed' by our own practice and dedication, we think. This is an attitude of pride which we must surely dispel. Passages like these where the source of the skill is made quite clear make it easier for us to get this in perspective. We are told [1Cor.10:31] to do all to the glory of God. Most of us have specialised and practised a skill to a greater degree of perfection. Let us remember where the source of this skill really is.
Peter Cresswell

Chapter 31- Either Hur was a very old man when he held up Moses' arms [Exodus 17:12] or Bezaleel was a very young man because he was the grand son of Hur, and yet we are still only two years into the wilderness journey.

Chapter 32 - Whilst chapter 31 speaks of the appointment of Bezaleel as the man who would be skilful in metal work the selection was not made until Moses came down the mountain. The scene is being set for a contrast.
Peter Forbes

31:13 The Sabbath was not simply a day of rest or an irksome inconvenience for Israel as they often found it. Rather it was to teach that their sanctification was of God

32:6 In sitting down to eat and drink and then rising up to play the people are very much like Esau (Genesis 25:34) who sold his birthright.
Peter Forbes

SHORT MEMORIES

Only 40 days earlier all Israel had gathered at the base of Mt Sinai, prepared and ready to hear the words God would speak to them. God spoke to them from on the mountain and he gave them the Ten Commandments. The first two of the Ten Commandments were, "You shall have no other gods before me," and "You shall not make any idols." The experience of the voice of God was so awesome to Israel that they begged Moses to speak to the LORD alone because they couldn't bear to hear him again. We would have thought that what they had heard would have been indelibly engraved on their memories after all they had experienced.

But now, after only 40 days, it seems they had forgotten all that had happened to them. The people got Aaron to make them a god, a calf, which they worshipped as bringing them out of Egypt, breaking the first two to the ten commandments they had so recently heard.

How long are our memories? Does the Word of God have a lasting effect on us? Will the lessons of a Bible School or a good Bible study stay with us for more than a month? Let us continually refresh our memories by constantly turning to God's word so that we will not forget what we have heard.
Robert Prins

Reading 2 - Psalm 89

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v. 3 - This covenant is made not just with David, but through his greater Son, Jesus, a greater covenant is made with us. v.28,34,39, 2Sam.7:10-16, 23:5, Isa.55:3, Jer.33:20,21, Acts 2:30, Heb.7:21.
Peter Cresswell
v.15 - To walk in the light of God's countenance surely reminds us of the occasions when the light of God has shone from the countenance of one or two in history. Notably Jesus, physically at the Transfiguration, but spiritually throughout his life as he manifested to us the Father - and so we have this treasure in earthen vessels - 2Cor. 4:6,7 - the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Peter Cresswell
Psalm 89 - This Psalm is an inspired commentary on the promises to David - 2 Samuel 7 / 1 Chronicles 17. In speaking of 'his seed' v36 he links all servants of God into those promises which seem to be speaking of Solomon and Jesus.
Peter Forbes
:30 In saying 'if his children …' this Psalm explains the way in which we should understand 2 Samuel 7:14. It is the children, not Christ, who will sin. So the children will be visited etc: (89:32) quoting 2 Samuel 7:14
Peter Forbes

Reading 3 - 1Corinthians 1 & 2

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1 v.17-24 - The gospel is not for the wise in this world, but for those who are prepared to seek out and be exercised by the simple truths contained in scripture. An open and honest and selfless mind finds them. ch.2:2, Gal.6:12-14, Acts 13:41, 2Cor.2:15,16, 4:3, Rom.1:16, Heb.4:12.
Peter Cresswell

ch 1 - Acts 18 records the formation of the ecclesia at Corinth. Sosthenes is also mentioned in Acts 18:12 - it must have been quite a blow to the Jews that a ruler of the synagogue was converted to Christ.

2:4 and 1:17 Twice Paul emphasises that his message was not according to man's wisdom - we will see as we continue reading 1 Corinthians that the Corinthians were very much taken with their own importance.
Peter Forbes

ch 1 - KEEP YOU STRONG

"He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful."

This is an awesome promise that I believe that God has given to us as well as to the Corinthians. It begins on the day we give our lives to our God and commit to serving him for the rest of our lives and lasts to the end. From that time on, God is keeping us strong so that we will be blameless. He wants us all to be saved and is not willing that any should perish - that is why he gives us strength. God gives us trials and he allows us to be tempted to see how we will react, but with every trial he provides a way to escape and he gives us the strength - his strength - to overcome if we choose to use it. We need to allow him to work in our lives, to give us the strength (because we certainly can't do it by ourselves), and to keep us blameless for the day of Christ. And once God gives us the strength he will not stop until the end, until the day of Christ.

Isn't he wonderful? May he bless you with strength now and forever.
Robert Prins