Friday, February 24, 2017

Push


PUSH

Part three of fourteen in Commanded “Holy Days” Importance Today series

Exodus 13:17:  “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through Philistine country, though that was shorter.  For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’”

 

            Rushing out of Egypt wasn’t easy for the Israelites.   People get set in their ways.  Although…they hated slavery, complaining about being over worked and crying out to Yahweh for redemption…it is recorded that thousands refused to leave Egypt!

            The opening Scripture hints how well Yahweh knows His kids.

            A more accurate interpretation is the original Hebrew; Pharaoh sent them away.  The people were afraid to leave the only home they knew for generations.   Pharaoh had his army shove the Israelites out!

            Humans resist change.  We fear the unknown.  We often dream of change, but when the opportunity arrives, we flee from it.  A French poet Guillaume Apollinaire wrote: “‘Come to the edge,’ He said.  They said, ‘We are afraid.’  ‘Come to the edge,’ He said.  They came.  He pushed them…and they flew!”

            Pharaoh understood fear and pushed the Israelites out of Egypt.  Mostly, it is God who pushes us to take the first step into new beginnings.  A difficult person challenges us to see things differently.  Demanding situations force change, or surrender.  Most people refuse surrendering at ANY cost. 

            Even Believers resist surrendering our will to our LORD.    

            Relationship break up.  A lost job, or receiving a bad health report can be God pushing us in a different direction.  Evidently we must be pushed before we’re forced to spread our wings and fly.  Stepping out in faith is a flying experience.  The Israelites had no choice except to trust God and leave Egypt.  How awesome things worked out for them: They claimed a new homeland!

            God never pushes people down, preferring that we fly.

Take Home Nugget

            Here’s another paradigm that definitely needs changing:  “God helps those who help themselves.”  Have you heard that?  That paradigm [PARE-a-dime] or idea is NOT Biblical!

            Believers-in-Christ facing hardship is when we certainly CANNOT help ourselves!  That’s precisely where God wants His kids.  In our desperation, He finds us and offers help.  God helps those whose sole source of help is HIM. 

            God wooed Israel since claiming Abraham in Genesis chapter twelve.  When “Israel” became Abraham’s grandson Jacob’s new name in Genesis 32:28, all Abraham’s descendants were labelled Israelites.  Their new home is Israel in Canaan (Genesis 17:8). 

            God woos His kids today.  He longs for us to need Him and call upon Him for help!

            Jesus tells us plainly, “Without Me, you can do nothing!” in John 15:5. 

When will we stop trying to help ourselves, LORD?  Push me, then!  Amen. 


Adapted from www.JosephPrince.org.  February 8, 2017.

“When Push Comes to Shove” by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein.  February 6, 2017.  www.holylandmoments.com

God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.  ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ.  Ohio.  Pgs. 3-6. 

J.D. Griffith

 





                   Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.com  


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