JOIN US FOR A LIFECHANGING LENTEN STUDY — EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER “DONE” LENT!
When I was a girl and some of my friends came to school with ashes on their foreheads, I was mystified. Even after Christ became the heart of who I am, became my very life, I didn’t observe the season of Lent – that mysterious time between Ash Wednesday and Resurrection Sunday. I wondered if it was empty rituals…
I’m sure it is for some. But I also know that there are Christians throughout Christendom who cherish this time for the way it brings growth and intimacy with Christ. Such are some of you, for I was richly blessed by you last year during Lent. It makes me face this Lent with anticipation.
If you are joining us for the first time, go to my homepage at www.deebrestin.com and click on the How To Get Started. Your first comment will need to be approved, and after that your comments will appear automatically. Go at your own pace, or follow the days as I’ve divided them during the week. For example, after you read this opening, you’ll see icebreaker questions for Sunday and Monday…and then it continues through the week. Read what others write as you feel led, and comment if you like. They will welcome you warmly because this is a wonderful group.
Let me tell you why I believe you will be blessed if you commit to this seven week journey, closing with a celebratory Easter week!
We’ve said repeatedly that idols cannot be removed, only replaced. Even though our heart idols cause us and others pain, we are hesitant to let them go. We love them, we cling to them, fearful of letting go. So we cling to our idols in the same way that a few stubborn leaves cling tenaciously to the branches through the winter winds and snows.
What will finally expel those leaves? As the weather warms, the sap will rise, pushing them off. In the same way, as we contemplate the greatness of our God, His holy life will rise in us, expelling those tenacious idols.
When men and women get a glimpse of the holiness of God — from Moses to Martha — it changes them. This week, for example, we’ll consider what began to change Moses from a man who had taken his life into his own hands and made a royal mess of it to a man who led God’s people out of bondage.
He met the God who is A CONSUMING FIRE.
I believe you may see this story in a fresh way that will impact your life, and begin this mysterious and transforming journey — this first week of the holy season of Lent.
In the message we are going to listen to this week, Tim Keller says that “Every inordinate emotion — of anxiety, fear, anger, pride — is all because we are forgetting who God is.”
Our study this Lenten season will be therefore intensely practical, with the power to lessen the grip of idols and grief and usher you into times of sweet intimacy with Jesus.
I’ve watched with wonder has I have seen this truth of seeing God for who He really is transform us. Just last week we saw it in Rebecca’s life.
She met with the leadership at her church to articulate her dream. In the past she would have anxious before and after — but that was gone. She left the meeting with that steady stream of joy from the Lord, instead of being tossed and turned with anxiety.
Ed Welch has written a book that expresses exactly what Rebecca used to experience:
When People are BIG and God is small.
Welch specializes in helping people overcome their fears, and his approach is the approach we are taking during Lent toward fear, grief, sin, and every problem — seeing how big, how good, and how trustworthy our God is.
Watch this three minute clip from Ed Welch:
Sunday/Monday Icebreaker
1. Have you ever observed the season of Lent? If so, share how it has been helpful — or not — to you.
2. What comments do you have on the above?
Tuesday: Preparing for Lent. Lent officially begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday.
3. Christians around the world will get ashes on their foreheads, with the same words, though in many different languages. What are they and what truth do they speak to our souls? (You may need to research to find out!) Whether or not your church observes this outward sign, you can take it in your heart.
4. Traditionally Christians have “given something up” for Lent — often a fast from food. The purpose is not just “putting off” but “putting on.” If you fast a meal, your are to feed on the Bread of Life. You might opt to spend an extra half hour a day with the Lord. You might opt to exchange light reading or Facebook time for something more edifying. Try a book by Henry Nouwen, C. S. Lewis, Philip Yancy, or A. W. Tozer.
You may want to spend less time on something you know you spend too much time on, and put something more valuable in its place. Pray about what you might do — it doesn’t have to be the same for all seven weeks. (Lent is 40 days plus Sundays, or about seven weeks.) You may want to take a week at a time. What will you do?
Ash Wednesday: We begin Lent! (Wednesday through Friday)
We know outward idolatry is wrong, but it is important, whenever you read God’s commands to His children about outward idolatry, to think of inward idolatry as well. We don’t make graven images anymore, but we do worship things other than God: our children, our comfort, our control… and God wants to be first.
1. In this light read Deuteronomy 4:23-24.
A. What did God command His people not to do and why?
B. How might this relate to you and your “idols of the heart?”
(Anything or anyone that at anytime might be more important to you than God.)
2. Read the following background verses for Moses and see if you can find evidence for God’s hand on him or for evidence that Moses had messed up his life.
A. Exodus 1:8-17
B. Exodus 2:1-10
C. Exodus 2:11-15
3. For those of you who have journeyed with us through our study of idolatry, what heart idol do you think might have motivated Moses to take things into his own hands and commit a murder?
Eugene Pluchart (1848 -- French) God Appears to Moses in Burning Bush. Painting from Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Saint Petersburg
Moses Encounters The Great I AM
4. Read Exodus 3:1-15
A. Why was this bush unusual and what did God tell Moses? (verses 1-6)
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed? (There’s a clue in verse 2! If you can’t figure it out, then Keller’s sermon will tell you.)
5. What similarity do you see between the above and Daniel 3:24-25?
6. We will look at this name of I AM more deeply next week, but for now, what significance do you see in the name that God said He is to be remembered by throughout all generations and forever? (Exodus 3:13-15)
LISTEN TO KELLER’S SERMON (THIS IS NOT A FREE SERMON — AND YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY 2.50. SOME SERMONS THIS LENT WILL BE FREE, BUT SOME WILL NOT. YOU MIGHT WANT TO BUY A TEN DOLLAR CERTIFICATE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO FILL THINGS OUT EACH TIME. BUT RECORD THE NUMBER IN A SAFE PLACE!)
Link to Sermon: Click Here
7. According to the above message, what did you learn about God’s:
A. Brilliant Delays
B. Fiery Reality
C. Sovereignty
D. Nearness
8. How could any of the above help you with whatever you are facing right now?
9. Do you agree or disagree with the above painting that depicts this story by Eugene Pluchart? Explain.
Saturday:
10. What is your take-a-way?
What a rich Ash Wednesday we had together. I’m moved by your discussions, enthusiasm, and the way you help each other.
What a great beginning! Thank You Lord!
Ok here are some of my notes from the Keller sermon I am going to have to listen again cause i didnt catch everything…
You are never any use to God till u come to the end of yourslef. and this all ties in with your relationship with God you have to come to your end of yourself to have a real good relationship with the Lord
Gods timing is never our sense of timing but its brilliant! Gods delays always makes things better even though we cant see it through our eyes!
2. Read the following background verses for Moses and see if you can find evidence for God’s hand on him or for evidence that Moses had messed up his life.
A. God’s children grew in numbers and strength despite the circumstances.
The midwives feared God and did not do as the King commanded.
B. Exodus 2:1-10
God spared Moses’ life through giving his mother wisdom to save him and helping him be found by Pharoah’s daughter.
C. Exodus 2:11-15
God in His grace allowed Moses to be found out. He does this for me as well.
3. For those of you who have journeyed with us through our study of idolatry, what heart idol do you think might have motivated Moses to take things into his own hands and commit a murder?
I see power and control. He thought God needed his help keeping order.
A. Why was this bush unusual and what did God tell Moses?
I thought it was interesting that God didn’t speak to him until he saw that Moses “had stopped to look” & that Moses was fairly bold, & didn’t hide his face until he knew that it was God speaking to him.
God told him that He had heard the cries of his people, that he knew of their pain, that it was time, that He would be with Abraham, that he was I AM, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob.
This was the text Jesus referred to in Matthew 22 when he affirmed that the dead are resurrected.
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed? (There’s a clue in verse 2! If you can’t figure it out, then Keller’s sermon will tell you.)
I really dislike not knowing an answer! Because it suited Gods purposes to protect Moses and to use him (& the bush) inspite of himself?
5. What similarity do you see between the above and Daniel 3:24-25?
That Jesus was in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego & the Angel of God was in the bush.
6. We will look at this name of I AM more deeply next week, but for now, what significance do you see in the name that God said He is to be remembered by throughout all generations and forever? (Exodus 3:13-15)
What came to mind for me is that His name is above all names, everything that is or has been is lower case is and was, God is IS and WAS and IS TO COME
Made me chuckle: “I really dislike not knowing an answer!”
Loved God IS and WAS and IS TO COME
Thank you to each of you for your comments here. I have learned a lot!
My takeaway this week is a bit of what I believe God has been speaking to me. Gouge out the eyes that look at others with envy, jealousy, and negativity. Put off pride. Implant new eyes of looking upward and seeing what is unseen. Put on worshiping Him; daily communion with Him. Choosing to spend my time in His presence. He is the Great I AM and I choose to worship Him, to bow the knee. Choosing to see His splendor in others around me and calling it forth. Choosing to give the ugly, the wounds to Him for healing.
When I realized that Jesus had endured such tremendous pain and heartbreaking loneliness in my place…I realized that having suffered, He knew all about my pain. He can handle everything I am burdened with – and I can bring it directly to Him. He has the power to heal the brokenness. He can replace my pain with His joy.
The symbolic, putting off or sacrificing something during Lent, for me symbolizes suffering with Christ. Then on Resurrection Easter morning, we celebrate His victory over death – and oh, what a joy that is!
May each of us draw nearer to God as we prepare our hearts for His coming.
Wow — gouge out the eyes that look at others with envy, jealousy, and negativity.
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed? (There’s a clue in verse 2! If you can’t figure it out, then Keller’s sermon will tell you.)
The angel was the shield of protection.
6. We will look at this name of I AM more deeply next week, but for now, what significance do you see in the name that God said He is to be remembered by throughout all generations and forever? (Exodus 3:13-15) he is the “I am ” he is unchanging god he doesn’t change
I’m excited to be joining this bible study. Going to start by listening to Keller’s sermon. I’ll be back.
Annemeresmith, Welcome! SO GLAD you are here! Just reading your comments so far-wow, you are going to add such richness. Your heart for the Lord is encouraging to me.
Thanks Rebecca! You encourage me. I can tell this will be lots of fun and I will learn much from wiser women than me.
I really enjoyed this sermon.
A) “God’s timing is never our sense of timing.” Isn’t that the truth? When I’ve lost 20 pounds, when I have my new Spring wardrobe, when I have read all the right bible studies, I will be ready to go out and shine before the world! Comforting that is not the case with God’s timing.
B) “Life-changing encounter with God.” When God called me to be an intercessor, He made it really clear that He was real. I can remember the day I tangibly felt His presence. Haven’t been the same since.
C) “I AM” To be. Humbling to know…liberating to know…that the talents He gave me are all Him. Takes the pressure off of me. Liberating.
D) “Mysterious Nearness.” Jesus Christ is the Angel of the Lord! The One who spoke out of the bush. Amazing.
ANNE MEREDITH! This is my dear niece, named in part after me. (My given name is Meredith — and my daughter has the same name.) Anne Meredith is talented, has a great blog, and I saw her last week when I was in Texas. Honey — I’m so glad to see you here.
Tell us about the day you tangibly felt His presence.
Cool to know your given name is Meredith. I wondered where Dee came from.
Welcome Anne Meredith. I`m looking forward to getting to know you.
Thanks for welcoming my niece, Diane!
The nickname for Meredith can be Meredy — and that ended up, perhaps because my sister Bonnie had trouble saying Meredy, just being Dee. My Dad would call me Deedle. I know sometimes a nickname for Diane is Dee.
Cool. I could be Dee too. Actually, my husband calls me Di.
Thanks Diane. I’m looking forward to getting to know you too.
The day I tangibly felt His presence was a Sunday night I was praying for my church and city. Our church met in a high school gym in downtown Austin, and I would sometimes pray behind the stage before the service, usually sitting with my Bible in the near dark. As an intercessor I was allowed to go back there and I found it the perfect private place to pray without being seen or disturbed. I was praying and asking God simply for more…more of Himself for me, for our church, for our city. The Holy Spirit came in that mysterious way when you know it’s only God moving, and I felt like I couldn’t move, but had tremendous peace during the experience. I believe God was moving in such a way to strengthen me, to encourage me in my intercession. I’ve never forgotten that time.
this is so beautiful anne meredith! are you still in austin? was this at austin stone?
Thanks Elizabeth. We live outside of Austin, but my boys go to school and my husband works in the city. Yes it was at the Stone, where we were partners for 7 years. God called us to move on and now we go to Hope in the City, another great church in Austin. Our boys are both youth age, and we have great youth pastors, which made this church very attractive to us. I’m enjoying reading your comments. Where is your neck of the woods?
We lived in Austin for 16 years, (I grew up in Houston) I went to school there. We moved from TX a few years ago but I sure miss Austin! So fun to meet you and be able to picture where you are! I absolutely love your dear aunt Dee–you are so blessed to have always had her in your life, but I know you know that! ;)
I knew you were going to ask me to elaborate :) . I love you! And thanks for the email and older sermons link by Keller on idolatry. Going to listen to them this weekend.
Welcome!!! So pleased to have you and yes, please tell us of this tangible experience!
Thanks Kim! I’m encouraged to be a part of such great women.
8. How could any of the above help you with whatever you are facing right now?
Well since I am going on a cruise with family and none of them are saved I am going to use nearness as my example. I know that the Lord will be near me all week no matter when I am and he is never far away I just need to ask.. and he will help!
10. What is your take-a-way? My take away would be that this week as I was praying on sunday and monday about what to give up for lent etc.. I really felt the Lord really guiding and directing me and this is the first time that i have felt clear direction from the Lord and didnt get fruserated and take control on my own and make my own decisision of what i wanted to do as far as Lent.
This is big, Meg, and I am rejoicing with you for His clear direction!
4. Read Exodus 3:1-15
A. Why was this bush unusual and what did God tell Moses? (verses 1-6)
The bush was on fire, but it didn’t burn up. (was also unusual that God was calling to him from a bush).
First, God called him by name: “Moses, Moses.” Then He told Moses to not come any closer and to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground.
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed? (There’s a clue in verse 2! If you can’t figure it out, then Keller’s sermon will tell you.)
My guess– I didn’t understand the clue in v 2 and haven’t listened to the sermon yet. But I thought of the following verse from “How Firm a Foundation:”
When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
Fire doesn’t always burn up something; sometimes it sterilizes, purifies or refines. Perhaps God’s purpose was to refine Moses. Even if the dross was consumed, Moses wouldn’t have been completely fried if God intended to purify him.
Great connection with that song.
I am glad God stops short of completely frying us!
3. For those of you who have journeyed with us through our study of idolatry, what heart idol do you think might have motivated Moses to take things into his own hands and commit a murder? I wonder…It probably was power/control. Knowing he was a Hebrew yet raised in the castle and seeing all the burden carried by his beloved people, then thinking well this is one thing I can do myself to help.
4. Read Exodus 3:1-15
A. Why was this bush unusual and what did God tell Moses? (verses 1-6) It was on fire yet did not burn up. Then God spoke out of it and said it was holy ground and told Moses who He was. The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed? (There’s a clue in verse 2! If you can’t figure it out, then Keller’s sermon will tell you.) Not sure. Can’t wait to find out. My only guess is God’s great love and the strong importance of the Covenant. Moses was the chosen one to bring people out and God chooses who He chooses.
5. What similarity do you see between the above and Daniel 3:24-25? A burning fire yet God was there to protect them from it. God is loving and just. Interesting. I keep thinking of the consuming fire and burning off our chaff in our life. I imagine Moses going back would be battling a big approval idol. Knowing he was run off then 40 years later coming back and saying, oh I am going to lead you now. :) Though he desired it early on he was not ready and probably too hot headed. God taught him much in the wilderness and was preparing him though Moses had no clue.
6. We will look at this name of I AM more deeply next week, but for now, what significance do you see in the name that God said He is to be remembered by throughout all generations and forever? (Exodus 3:13-15) I AM Who I Am. God does what He wants but He again refers to the Covenant which is HUGE. We are here and saved because of this covenant and through Abraham nations would be blessed. We are part of this blood line through adoption because of Christ coming in this family Covenant line.
Good to bring connection with Covenant in.
Would love to see you when I speak in Dalton March 10th!
Oh, have to look into that and let you know. Would love to grab lunch, dinner, or coffee! :) it’s not too far away.
Let me know — we could at least sit together at lunch — or you could drive me afterwards to my hotel in Chattanooga and we could have coffee — or I get in Friday afternoon at the Chattanooga airport and wait for David — so that’s another time if you could come to airport. Might be meeting Jan Silvious sometime — but don’t know. So think about it!
Ok that all sounds great! Are you leaving Sunday then? I will let you know asap. I am going to talk to my husband and see what he thinks would work best. So excited to see you again, Lord willing! :)
I found the mention of 2 different sayings that might be spoken with the imposition of the ashes. Those are Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.Genesis 3:19 and
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. Mark 1:15
The first saying highlights to me that my time on earth is short. I need to be aware of and am accountable for the way I use my limited time here. The ssecond saying speaks to me of deliberate action- “turn away” and “be faithful”. At the time of the fall in the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve “turned away” from God. Here He is calling me to turn back to Him or “re”turn or turn away from sin and back to His good news.
For Lent I would like to “re”turn to the good news of the gospel. One way I plan to do that is to spend time in this study and listen as He speaks.
I hadn’t heard the “TUrn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” That is so what we are talking about all the time. Great thought, Lucy!
Moses encounters the Great I am
4a) Why was this bush unusual and what did God tell Moses?
The bush burned but not consumed.God told Moses He was here and to take off his sandals because he was on holy ground and that God confirmed He was the God of Moses’forefathers. That seem to really bring it home to Moses that is was God speaking because he hid his face from God in fear.
b)Why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed?
God had bigger plans…God being gracious told Moses what to do so he wouldn’t be consumed and Moses did it and once Moses realised it was the God of his Fathers, Moses feared God. Knew God was actually in control not him.The burning bush was for the purpose of getting Moses’attention.
5. What similarities do you see between the above and Daniel 3:24 -25.?
Again the fire and God being in control even to our eye circumstances have gone totally out of control,the Lord was in the fire with Daniel and friends and Men’s ways won’t prevail against God’s purposes and plans.
6.What significance do you see in the Name that God said He is remember by throughout the ages Ex3:13-15? “I Am Who I AM” God doesn’t need nor are there any other descriptives other than Him being His self as God which can define Him. He is seen by how He relates to us by being who He is.
Love your insight that God really can’t be defined! So other.
7. According to the above message, what did you learn about God’s:
A. Brilliant Delays
1st principle – You are never of any use to God until you have come to the end of yourself. You must come to the end of yourself –in humility, self-knowledge and dependence on God — before you can step into God’s plan for you.
2nd – God’s timing is never our timing and yet it is brilliant. God’s timing is often totally what we would not expect, but He is always right on time.
B. Fiery Reality
Moses’ encounter at the burning bush was his conversion – from mental belief to life changing encounter. It is one thing to believe in sin, yet another thing to believe YOU are sinful. This encounter revolutionized his life.
C. Absolute Sufficiency
“Tell them that being itself has sent you”. God says, “I AM – no beginning and no end. I am the cause of all being.” Jesus translates this into a practical principle – John 15:5 “I am the Vine … without me you can do NOTHING.” As God seeks to help his children become stronger, better and happier and greater, essentially He is trying to get you to understand that without Him you can do nothing. It is liberating. The desires, talents are what he gave you. Everything is a gift. It was all him. Relax!
D. Mysterious Nearness
The presence of God was lethal to flawed, sinful human beings. God says “My holy presence will kill you”. The mystery is why is Moses not consumed. The angel of the Lord is a preincarnate appearance of Jesus; Identical with and yet distinct from the Lord. The angel of the Lord affirms the wrath of God because of His holiness but also embodies the mercy of God. In mercy, Moses was not consumed.
I had never heard this before (that the angel of the Lord is the preincarnate Jesus) and I am not sure I agree with this. I don’t see why God cannot be holy and merciful without removing himself from the situation and being the angel of the Lord (or the preincarnate Jesus).
8. How could any of the above help you with whatever you are facing right now?
God is really working on me to bring me to the end of myself and my self-righteous pride. He has pulled the rug out from under my self-deception in several ways during this past year. I don’t see it now but, if I truly reach the “end of myself –in humility, self-knowledge and dependence on God” then, maybe I can “step into God’s plan” for me.
Hi Diane appreciate your clarity of your answers to q 7 & your personal answer to Q 8 revealing God’s deep work of your heart …Romans 8 comes to mind Diane as you walk in what God is doing in your heart.
Thanks, Elizabeth in Oz. I appreciate your kind words and will reread Romans 8 with this is mind.
OK, I just reread Romans 8 and WOW! I couldn’t get past verse 1 without tears in my eyes. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” If anyone wants a massive shot of encouragement, read Romans 8. From verse 1 to the end of the chapter it is shot full of amazing reassurance that the God of love promises you life and peace and glory. He intercedes for us and NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.
It is so wonderful how God takes familiar passages of His Word and makes them ALIVE, simply jumping full of meaning!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth in Oz. You are a treasure!
Elizabeth,
You had asked me about Henri Nouwen – actually I came to learn of him through Dee’s blog. She has posted Rembrandt’s painting of the Prodigal Son several times and had referred to Nouwen’s book, and I know a couple of the other ladies here have read it. I bought the book for myself and am reading it now. Nouwen, I believe, is deceased and was a Catholic priest, he spent several years at Harvard and also at a community called Daybreak for mentally handicapped people. He has written several other books.
Would love love love responses to Diane’s good question for her point D.
I see Diane’s point and am stumped as well. Help…
6. We will look at this name of I AM more deeply next week, but for now, what significance do you see in the name that God said He is to be remembered by throughout all generations and forever? (Exodus 3:13-15)
This one is difficult, especially when all I can think of is Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments when he is a the burning bush talking to God (very Star Trekish) and God says in a very deep voice, “I AM the I AM.” tee hee!!!!
Seriously, Dee this one confounds me. I have no idea why God would call himself this name; it’s short so everyone can remember it? The verses do say he would be called this forever though. I wonder what it meant in Hebrew?
You make me smile Laura-dancer. Your honesty and your quip: “So short people could remember it?”
Elizabeth in Oz had a great insight above.
9. Do you agree or disagree with the above painting that depicts this story by Eugene Pluchart? Explain.
The painting is very beautiful in color to me, however God seems old and harsh. He doesn’t seem like someone you would want to be hugged by; just someone to be afraid of. I realize God of the OT was portrayed differently than God of the NT,’so I suppose the painting is more authentic. I also realize that God spent much if His time trying to get the Israelites’ attention, and had to be firm.
Moses’ feet were not covered, he is shading his face, and appears afraid. I guess I agree with the painting in that respect, if we are wondering if the artist stayed true to the scripture. I don’t think God was so “in his face” though. I don’t think God would necessarily even be seen. So, that part of the painting I don’t agree with.
I agree with you.
And when you realize that this is the preincarnate Christ, that Moses is not consumed because Jesus was the lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world, that Moses was being covered by the blood, then the face should be more the loving face of Christ on the cross, asking God to forgive
4. Read Exodus 3:1-15
A. Why was this bush unusual and what did God tell Moses? (verses 1-6)
The fire didn’t consume the Bush. God said, the place where Moses was standing is holy ground. He told Moses that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed? (There’s a clue in verse 2! If you can’t figure it out, then Keller’s sermon will tell you.)
It says an Angel appeared to him in flames of fire from within the bush. At first I put down that God spoke through the angel, but that didn’t make sense because God said it was Him. So, I read Elizabeth’s notes on Keller’s Sermon-wow! What Keller said makes so much sense. That the Angel of the Lord in the Bush is pre-incarnate Jesus and Jesus took on our abandonment on the cross from God so that we wouldn’t ever have to. That is why Jesus came near to Moses and Moses wasn’t consumed.
5. What similarity do you see between the above and Daniel 3:24-25?
Wow, I see this is the same thing. Jesus appeared in the flames and rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He saved them so they wouldn’t be consumed either-just like with Moses.
Great — and I agree — Elizabeth’s notes are wonderful.
thanks for the encouragement rebecca–i think you always seems to know when i need it ;) i appreciate you–pray you are doing well!
One of the values of your good notes on the Keller sermon is that there are those who will not listen, but at least they can get a summary. Thanks so much, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, I so appreciate you too! You are great at not only bringing out the main points in your notes, but also applying them personally in a GOD LED way. That is what I love about you-your pursuit of God and your humility-You think of others before yourself-you probably have a million sticky notes in your house with our names and prayer requests. ;-) His presence exudes out of you. I love fellowship with you, even if it is only online-for now-can you imagine that this is only a ‘taste’ of fellowship together with the Lord-just think what the future holds! I can’t imagine it.
Ladies
I am leaving today at 2 to fly down to Florida to go on my cruise we don’t get on the boat till Sunday! Prayers appreciated!
Praying for you, Meg!
Praying, Meg. Hope you have a GREAT time!
6. We will look at this name of I AM more deeply next week, but for now, what significance do you see in the name that God said He is to be remembered by throughout all generations and forever? (Exodus 3:13-15)
He is LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the God of all past present and future-forever. I also saw when God said, “I AM WHO I AM”-I got stuck there. I think there might be something deeper there. Not sure what it is though. This phrase could mean the all encompassing God including the trinity? I am thinking eternal, powerful, Holy, unchanging. He is everything and if you think about it our whole existence is because of Him and is sustained by Him. He causes it all to happen-from the orbits of the planets around the Sun, to the electricity that keeps our hearts beating. O.K. GOING OFF TRAIL HERE.. but surely this is a God we can place our trust in.
BIBLE STUDY
1. In this light read Deuteronomy 4:23-24.
A. What did God command His people not to do and why?
To not make for themselves any graven image in the form of anything which God had commanded them not to, because God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
B. How might this relate to you and your “idols of the heart”?
“Flirting” with idols is a serious sin according to God. God says turning to idols is forgetting about the covenant I have with Him. When Jesus saved me, I entered into an everlasting covenental relationship with God, and God says it is not an “open marriage”. Pondering this holy jealousness of God helps me see why my husband gets upset when I don’t put him first. On the other hand, it helps me see how often my idol is “self”; my needs, my wants, my way, my independence. In the marriage metaphor, am I living as if God is just my “roommate” and we pass each other by, and I carry on “affairs of the heart” with my idols?
2. Read the following background verses for Moses and see if you can find evidence for God’s hand on him or for evidence that Moses had messed up his life.
A. Exodus 1:8-17
Pharoah had commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all Hebrew boys born, but they feared God, and let the male babies live. Even the king of Egypt and his commands could not thwart the plan of God for His people.
B. Exodus 2:1-10
God’s perfect timing wove the lives of Moses, Moses’ mother, his sister, and Pharoah’s daughter all together. I don’t think it was chance that the princess came at that time to bathe in the Nile, nor that her heart had compassion on the baby. She knew the command of her father to put to death all baby boys.
C. Exodus 2:11-15
Moses, it seems, messes up his life here, by murdering an Egyptian and then having to run for his life out of Egypt. Yet, perhaps this was the way, and God foreknew this would happen, to bring Moses out of Egypt to prepare him for what God had planned for him. God protects Moses by allowing his escape.
3. For those of you who have journeyed with us through our study on idolatry, what heart idol do you think might have motivated Moses to take things into his own hands and commit a murder?
This is interesting because of his position as a “son of Egypt”, Moses had the authority to step into the situation with the Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and command him to stop. Yet, he decides to take matters into his own hands. I would think it was an idol of power/control that led him to murder, a feeling that he had ultimate power at the moment to do this; yet, it is interesting that he “looked this way and that” to see that no one was watching and then he hid the body in the sand.
I may be changing my mind here – obviously he knew he didn’t have the authority in Egypt to take a life, he knew he would be in trouble if anyone saw him. Could he have been desiring the approval/affirmation of the Hebrew slave – to be a hero in his eyes?
Susan, I appreciate your thoughtful answers to these questions, especially “When Jesus saved me, I entered into an everlasting covenental relationship with God, and God says it is not an “open marriage”.” Wow, that really hits the nail on the head. Also, good ponderings about Moses being a son of Egypt.
Amen to Diane’s encouragement, Susan.
I liked this:
am I living as if God is just my “roommate” and we pass each other by, and I carry on “affairs of the heart” with my idols?
Yes yes yes! Isn’t this just the problem? When I couldn’t stop going to my idol I had to ask why – and the answer was in my relationship to Him – I wasn’t alive to Christ. Now that I am fully awake and alive to Christ I have zero desire to have an affair with an idol. Comfort (overeating) is detestable and sickens me. I must add here that I have experienced revival deep in my soul and am completely humbled to be where I am in my relationship with Him.
It reminds me of my relationship with my husband in that I wouldn’t consider having an affair with anyone else because I am in a deeply satisfying intimate love affair with him and all other men are unattractive.
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed? (There’s a clue in verse 2! If you can’t figure it out, then Keller’s sermon will tell you.)
I am going to take a stab at this so that I can move on to the sermon. To me, where I am getting confused is in the meaning of consuming. I see consuming as in the song, “Our God is a consuming God, a burning Holy flame with power and freedom.” God as a consuming fire doesn’t necessarily mean He consumes or burns up everything that comes into contact with Him. I see God in this verse as His attributes: passionate, absorbing, engrossing, all encompassing God.
I like your thought-out answer to this, Kim – this is a difficult question to wrestle with. I agree with you that consuming fire is one of God’s attributes.
7. According to the above message, what did you learn about God’s: Moses watching and watching and watching…Life apparently at a dead end. That is how I feel right now…honestly. :( Wow, everything gone in a moment when Moses fled. 40 years prepped him and God says now you are ready. Cannot do it in your own strength. No temptation left to boast.
A. Brilliant Delays-Never any use to God til you have come to the end of yourself. for relationship or to step into God’s plan for you. Don’t have dependence on God you need to be useful.God’s timing is virtually never our sense of timing. Yet it is always brilliant. Trust His delays always makes things better not worse. TRUST!
B. Fiery Reality-Moses believed in God but never encountered Him. Fire smites the senses. His description of fire and the senses reminds me of a Japanese restaurant experience with the fire at the table. Moses had a life changing encounter.
C. Sovereignty-Absolute sufficiency. This is a fire that does not need fuel. Depends on nothing. Hebrew verb to be given as God’s name. God saying I have not beginning or end. I always am. The self-existence of God.
D. Nearness-answer of nearness is the angel of the Lord appearing…This is interesting to me too because I saw this same kind of thing with Abraham and the 3 visitors. Yet one stayed and spoke to Abraham about all things. He was not consumed. Seems to be like the Lord but different. Merciful accommodation of God that does not consume and can keep company with sinners. Awesome! Preincarnate Jesus!
8. How could any of the above help you with whatever you are facing right now? YES! Right now like I shared earlier I am struggling with having joy in motherhood. I am having trouble finding balance and not enjoying our decision to take custody of this boy. He is great but in the throws of the terrible 2/3′s. Had no training in boundaries or how to play with others his age. It is hard work we have been thrown into. Then finding out the parents are doing NOTHING! It has been a month and they have all these resources available and they chose to do nothing. :( So upsetting. Then the older girls are not getting as much attention and struggling with that. I know it is pleasing to God but I am struggling with it. I have no time for anything else and find myself exhausted then defeated that my heart is so selfish and ugly. Christ adopted us and it is final. We are secure in Him. I feel like without an adoption of him but only custody we are in limbo. Watching those who are suppose to be bettering themselves for him do nothing is too much to bare. I have some disconnect somewhere that I need to get too just to be ok and love this solitary role God has given me at this time.
9. Do you agree or disagree with the above painting that depicts this story by Eugene Pluchart? Explain. I do not like the angry face of God. I feel like that is what I look like to my children but not God toward us. Oh Lord have mercy.
Sweet Angela, you are in my prayers in dealing with this little boy and his negligent parents. This is hard work indeed for you. Your life has been thrown into chaos. Thanks for your honesty so that we know how to pray. God is there in your chaos. Keep turning to him into your exhaustion, frustration, and fears. Oh Lord, have mercy on Angela. Hear the cry of your servant.
I am praying for you, Angela. It must be so very hard.
Angela, I am not sure if I have shared this before, forgive me please if I am being redundant. There was a period of time about 10 years ago right when we took in Mike & Maggie and shortly thereafter Brian came to live here full time, we had 3 of our own still at home and had taken in 3 new household members who would be staying, but initially we also had Matthew who was almost 4 years old, he like your little guy, had not been taught any boundaries at all. If fact if he cried, the older children were punished, he was king of the hill. The household had been extremely dysfunctional with mental verbal & physical abuse. He had not even been introduced to potty training, he had head lice and a host of other issues. The time he spent in our home was very challenging for me, and I felt truly awful about how much time I spent defining and endorsing boundaries, it was a daily battle.
God provided the most perfect adoptive parents for him, he has had lots of therapy because of the choas his life had been. But what I want you to know is that Matthew says Bill and I saved him! He said to his therapist that when he was bad, he lived in the brown house, but when he started to be good, he came to our house which he called the white house (it is really gray!) Matt is 13 now, and a few years ago we were blessed to be at his baptism. He shared how grateful he was that God had provided him with loving parents and that he wanted to be baptized in part so that people in the church would hold him accountable, he was nine years old! He is quite remarkable.
I hope this encourages you because I was so shocked when his Mom shared that he looked back on his time in our home as a good thing. It had felt so very awful to me!
What you are trying to do is not easy. I was so naïve when I began. But it is noble of you. I felt such relief when I admitted I could not love these difficult children on my own (the 3 that stayed with us), I sobbing in the shower one day I knew they needed love but it was so hard and the challenge so great what I felt was almost the opposite, I asked God to change my heart toward them, I knew for sure I couldn’t do it on my own. I felt such relief, a warm sensation settled over my body and I had a sense that everything would be okay. I was able to serve them as a sacrifice to Christ and lay down the requirement that they love or even appreciate me. My heart changed toward them and things improved, never to what I had dreamed of, but it got better.
Hang in there, you are giving to the Lord that which costs you something! We are here to support you in it.
This is a wonderful testimony of gospel transformation — how only He can do what we cannot.
Thank you, Chris.
Thank you all so much! You are encouraging in the midst of this. Kim sent me a wonderful message too. So helpful. I am thinking much of my anger is with God. I have been able to confess this. It was freeing. Sovereign He is and in meekness accept where He has my life right now. He is good period so this stage is good though it does not ” feel” this way. I think I believed the misconception that ministry was suppose to be glamorous not messy! Instead of those well put together speakers I am in the midst of boogers on my shirt and smelly diaper scents. But it is changing a boys life and that is important. It is worth something.
Oh Angela, I am praying for all of you that it will get easier and easier.
8. How could any of the above help you with whatever you are facing right now?
I think what helped me most in this sermon is that when I feel anxious about what I don’t want to lose control over—to recognize I never WAS in control. That the benefits of my planning, the effects from good health efforts, the peace in my relationships…it was never anything I did. It is all a gift from Him, all dependent on Him. Like the donkey who received no glory without Christ—I am nothing without Him.
9. Do you agree or disagree with the above painting that depicts this story by Eugene Pluchart? Explain.
I disagree only with an attempt to depict God as the Angel of the Lord, which is what it looks like the artist meant. I do believe the Angel of the Lord was the pre-incarnate Christ, sent by God. Christ is eternal, He was always in existence, before incarnation He was. Jesus is the only One of the Trinity Who ever takes on bodily form.
1 Timothy 6:16, ” Who alone has immortality, Who dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion.”
John 5:37, ” And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,”
10. What is your take-a-way?
My take away is from the sermon—I have to stop here—I’ve had a pinched nerve in my neck for 2 wks and it’s awful today–
Elizabeth, I am sorry to hear about your pinched nerve, strange I am in bed today with a pinched nerve in my back. I am praying for you now.
thank you so much kim–i hate you are in pain too, but helps to know someone understands and I promise to be praying for you too–this goes from neck to arm to my wrist/hand. i had one a few years ago but never this bad before or last so long. i bought icy hot stick on pads today and ripped into them in the store–masks it a bit though if you can try that–
Elizabeth & Kim I am sorry to know that you are hurting :/
Praying for u Kim and Elizabeth!
Praying for both of you!!
Oh Elizabeth and Kim, I just read this about you two with pinched nerves. Will pray for you both! That is incredibly painful! Hate to hear that. :(
Oh — and this s the first you’ve told us about this pinched nerve — I would give you a ben-gay rub if I was close. Curl you up with a heating pad. Pray over you. I love you so! I will pray.
Father, Please come to sweet Elizabeth and I would ask you bring healing to this nerve unless in your mysterious ways You choose not to — and then please sustain her, but healing is what I plead.
Because of what You did, and who You are, I pray.
I pray Dee’s prayer for you too, Kim
Praying form you elizabeth! So sorry!
Sermon question:
How could any of the above help you with what you are facing right now.
I really liked Tim Keller’s point of Moses being in a place where “he doesn’t know anybody, nobody knows him…” and now Moses is ready to do the important work of his life. After God had me lay down some ministries of intercession that were very important to me (too important), I have felt like nobody knows me because my identity was so much in those ministries. When people ask what I do, I can no longer say “I’m ______’s intercessor.” Now I’m a mom and wife first and foremost, but I’m waiting for the next purpose in ministry to be revealed. A humbling place and a patience-building place to be.
It was good that you could recognize that the ministries were “too important”
When I read “Now I’m a mom and wife first and foremost” I thought you might add & ‘A daughter of the King!’
Amen to that! :)
And meant to add, it’s encouraging to me to think of Moses in the same place I feel I am in; to know God still has great plans for my life even when I can’t see them.
Yes. I often tell the Lord I would rather be used than refined — and I know He smiles. I see the refining happening in you, my dear niece, and He will use you so much more as a vessel of beauty. I can’t wait to see!
Thanks aunt dee, for all your encouragement and prayers.
A. Brilliant Delays;
I am no use to God until I come to the end of myself when I am at the end of myself I am ready to step into Gods plan
Until I come to the end of myself I won’t have the self knowledge, humility, wisdom and dependence to be useful to God
Gods timing is brilliant, even if we can’t see it, His delays make things better. Moses’ self-confidence was gone; he was ready to step into Gods plan.
B. Fiery Reality;
Moses believed in God before the bush, here he went from mental belief to experiencing Him in a life changing way.
It is one thing to believe Christ died for me, and another to believe it in a way that changes the way I live and the way I see everything.
Paschal had been a philosopher who believed in God, wrote about God, understood God, who had a life changing God encounter
C. Sovereignty;
The unconsumed bush shows it has its own infinite source of being and power.
I AM ,Being Itself, I have no beginning or end, no power or being has caused me because I AM the cause of all source of power & being.
God depends on nothing, everything depends on God.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
This is the most humbling and the most liberating thing to realize.
I can relax, He is holding it all up.
Suffering is how many of us learn to depend on God when we realize we are not and we have never been in control. I have to depend on God & to relax.
In suffering am I aware of the presence of God and what he has done for me?
How do I need to apply the “apart from Me you can do nothing” to my life? Do I need to be Humbled? To Relax?
D. Nearness
When Moses knew it was God in the bush, he hid face. All through the bible God’s presence was lethal & fatal to sinful humans.
Moses was not consumed in the presence of God because of the angel of the Lord….Jesus, a merciful accommodation of God whereby the Lord can keep company with sinners, identical with and yet distinct from God, affirming the wrath of God, and yet displaying His out reaching mercy.
He took the abandonment we deserved so that when we cry out though we don’t deserve to we will be answered and receive blessings due Him.
God can come into my life without consuming me bringing power, beauty, and glory because of the Angel of the Lord, Christ.
God works with very unpromising material! We are jars of clay filled with treasure, showing the power of God.
Need to show this to those who are pondering this mystery — for it is so well put:
Jesus, a merciful accommodation of God whereby the Lord can keep company with sinners,
I think I understand what Keller is saying about the angel of the Lord being Jesus so that God would not have to strike them dead because of their sin and his holiness. If this is true, then every time that God appears to anyone and speaks with them shouldn’t it be called the “angel of the Lord”? I don’t understand why there seem to be inconsistencies. Can someone help me out here? This is a time when I wish I had more theological education and knew Hebrew.
In Genesis 17 and 18 the Lord appears to Abraham and he does not die.
What about Isaiah? Isaiah 6:1″In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”
What about Enoch?
Genesis 5:24
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”
Also, if the angel of the Lord is preincarnate Jesus, why does it say that he appeared to Joseph after Jesus was born?
Matthew 2:13
“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
OK. I just read Dee’s link to Walter Kaiser’s information and that is helpful. It does answer some of my questions. Thank you. I am still curious why sometimes God’s appearances do not say angel of the Lord yet clearly the person does not die as a result of God having appeared to them.
Sorry to complicate things. I hope my questions are not making anyone uncomfortable?
Ladies I made it down to Manchester safely almost 3 accidents though but the lord kept us safe:) Laura dancer- I am so close to where u live! Been thinking alot about you! And praying!
Glad you made it safely Meg, have fun on the cruise!
Yes — have a great time. Cruise vacations are great for extroverts. If you aren’t, may He strengthen you to be. Praying for your light to shine.
This study is so timely. I just had a biopsy today, waiting for results. Fears of the unknown are always how the evil one gets me hung up with fear instead of simply trusting that God has my best in mind. I KNOW without a doubt that God is in control but I need these scriptures to keep me focused on His promises.
Dear Pam,
Waiting is a hard thing to do, especially in the case of medical test results. I will pray for the Lord to protect you from fear and anxiety.
Let us know what happens. So glad you are with us, Pam.
Welcome, Pam. I will pray also.
Welcome Pam, so glad you have come! This is a wonderful help to have in times of trial.
Praying Pam!
Praying for you, Pam and Welcome!
Praying for you Meg, for God to create opportunities for you to have spiritual conversations with your family members and also for Him to open your heart to love them in the place they are now, and for all of you to enjoy your cruise together….for Angela, for the Lord to give you the strength physically, emotionally, and spiritually, to care for this little boy….and Kim and Elizabeth for healing of these pinched nerves!
Susan — you are so good at connecting. Thank you. I had missed Kim has a pinched nerve too!
I echo those prayers and pray for the joy of the Lord to be your strength! Where would we be without Him?! An extra measure of His joy, His peace I pray for this weekend for everyone involved in this study.
Welcome Anne Meredith!
4. Read Exodus 3:1-15
A. Why was this bush unusual and what did God tell Moses? (verses 1-6)
The bush was burning with fire but it did not burn up. God told Moses to take off his sandals and not to come too close, because it was holy ground. He told Moses that He is the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
B. CHALLENGE QUESTION: Since our God is a consuming fire, and since Moses had, indeed, an idol of the heart, why was neither the bush nor Moses consumed?
This does confuse me in that the text first says “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire”, and then in verse 4 it says “when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the bush…” I know some commentators say it was the pre-incarnate Jesus, but I am not understanding why Jesus would be referred to as an angel, because angels are created beings, and Jesus is God.
The bush scene reminds me of Exodus 19, where God descends upon Mt. Sinai in fire, and God warns Moses to not let the priests and the people to come up to Him, lest “He break forth upon them”. Yet Moses was permitted to go up to God. This makes me think that yes, God is a consuming fire, yet He is sovereign and He sets the boundaries.
In Exodus 24, the Lord permitted Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 of the elders to come up and worship at a distance, and Moses was allowed to come near to the Lord.
Verses 9-11 say,
Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,
and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement
of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself.
Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel;
and they beheld God, and they ate and drank.
5. What similarity do you see between the above and Daniel 3:24-25?
There is fire in both passages, but the fourth figure King Nebuchadnezzar sees in the furnace walking around is not referred to as an angel, but “the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”
Susan — this from Walter Kaiser, whom I trust. He wrote the BSF material on Isaiah and is a godly and wise man.
http://www.ivpress.com/title/exc/1423-8c.php
Just listened to Tim Keller-OOOOOOOH MYYYYYYYY!!!!! LOVE IT, LOVE IT. This is what I needed to hear today. Will comment later-can’t wait. Need to go and tend to my oldest-I think he might be sick-not sure.
Just found another interesting passage in Leviticus 10:1-2. Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, burned strange incense before the Lord, not according to His commands, and “fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.”
Moses explains, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near me I will
be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored’”.
This is intriguing….I think I am agreeing with Kim above that in Deuteronomy 4:24, which says that God is a consuming fire, a jealous God, that this describes His character, one of His attributes. I am thinking that the burning bush, and why some are consumed (from disobedience) and others allowed near is something different than what is being described in Deut 4:24.
I think this touches on Diane’s comment above – she said “I don’t see why God cannot be holy and merciful without removing Himself from the situation and being the angel of the Lord (or the preincarnate Jesus).”
7. According to the above message, what did you learn about God’s:
A. Brilliant Delays
It astounds me to think of how long it took for God’s timing with Moses before Moses came to the end of himself and was able to be used by God-it took 80 years! Yet that is o.k. 80 years was God’s brilliant delay-His timing!
Keller said: “Until you feel useless you can’t be useful…. God’s timing is never the same as our timing, yet all his delays are brilliant-His timing is brilliant.”
God brought me comfort and encouragement with this-I am getting older and still singing after over 30 years-often have thought of quitting, but perhaps God is just beginning with me-it astounds me, at 48??? Usually when the big 50 comes your voice changes and mine is-it is harder to sustain long sets of singing without my voice checking out, yet God has brought songs where I am actually using my upper range in belting stuff out again-haven’t done that since I was in my 20′s singing in bars before Christ. I often feel I am getting too old to minister to the youth in song-not sure of God’s direction but not going to sit there and worry, am actively trusting by His Grace. This brings comfort to me. It is o.k. to wait and trust-it is all Him and not me anyway. How liberating! ;-)
6. We will look at this name of I AM more deeply next week, but for now, what significance do you see in the name that God said He is to be remembered by throughout all generations and forever? (Exodus 3:13-15)
This is one of those times I wish I had done a Bible study on the names of God!
My Bible says this: I AM “related to the name of God, YHWH, rendered Lord, which is derived from the verb HAYAH, to be”.
This reminds me of a philosophy class I took in college – one philosopher (Descartes?) said, “I think, THEREFORE I am”. Yet God doesn’t need a “therefore” in there. He simply is I AM. It’s hard to wrap my mind around it. He is uncreated. Has always existed. Eternal, unchanging, always moving in accomplishing His will.
I would love to do a Bible study on the names of God as well. I think it would be so informative and would increase my understanding of God. I have done a bit of research on my own and know more would be better.
I am now anticipating studying “I Am” more.
B. Fiery Reality
O.K. THIS IS WHERE THE LORD QUICKENED ME TO HEAR. Jesus said: “I AM THE VINE YOU ARE THE BRANCHES, WITHOUT ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING.”
Tim Keller said: “The thing you need to be better, stronger, happier, better is without him you can do nothing. The most humbling yet liberating thing to realize-THIS IS KEY-SO TRUE-SO HUMBLING AND LIBERATING!
When you come to the place where you really do know in the center of your being as hard as you have worked with the desires he gave you to create your world that you have and are living in…Everything that has happened to you, everything you have worked for is actually a gift. You did nothing without him, it was all Him, now you can relax of course that is humbling..You thought you have to hold this up, but you don’t. You thought it was you doing it all, but it wasn’t.”
This nailed it for me, it is a ‘spiritual habit’ we need to practice: “This spiritual habit of depending, relying on Him and relaxing, if you can’t do it in the small crisis’, then you may not be able to do it when a big crisis happens.”
“John Newton: The grace of God is as necessary to create a right temper at the breaking of a china plate as on the death of an only son.”
“John Newton is saying, what happens when you drop and smash your great grandmothers irreplaceable china plate. Does it bring you down? Do you know when those things happen how to be aware of Jesus standing there with nail prints on his hands that he incurred for you? Are you aware of his presence, all he has done for you, how he has made you? Do you apply it when you break the china plate? When you do it moment by moment in regular daily life you will say, why was I so upset, look what he has done, look where I am going, look at the nail prints on his hands, it is o.k. it is just a China plate. It is humbling and relaxing to say without Him I can do nothing.”
This “This nailed it for me, it is a ‘spiritual habit’ we need to practice: “This spiritual habit of depending, relying on Him and relaxing, if you can’t do it in the small crisis’, then you may not be able to do it when a big crisis happens.””
Fits nicely with all of the ‘abiding in the vine’ of John 15.
Diane asked:
“I don’t see why God cannot be holy and merciful without removing Himself from the situation and being the angel of the Lord (or the preincarnate Jesus).”
I believe Chris gave a great answer in this: “Jesus, a merciful accommodation of God whereby the Lord can keep company with sinners.” Had The angel of the Lord not been a theophany, or the preincarnate Christ, Moses and the bush would have been consumed.
Walter Kaiser has a good essay, which I gave Susan, on why Jesus is called an angel here. Here is that essay
http://www.ivpress.com/title/exc/1423-8c.php
I keep thinking about what Keller said when he was here in Kansas City about the mystery of God and how time is different with Him. He asked, “What does it mean when the Scripture says “the lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world.”
Mystery. Holiness. Take off your shoes.
Just finished reading Kaiser’s essay, it sheds more light and understanding on this, for sure, and helps me to understand these OT “christophanies”. I was always confused about, like Hagar in the desert, the angel calls to her but it is God speaking to her – the God who sees me.
Yet I still wonder why the preincarnate Christ is not present every time – as in the many times God interacted with Moses “face to face” – perhaps the Bible just doesn’t reveal all the details of those encounters?
That’s what I think — we don’t have all the details. As John said, the books could not contain all that happened…
I believe Chris gave a great answer in this: “Jesus, a merciful accommodation of God whereby the Lord can keep company with sinners.” Had The angel of the Lord not been a theophany, or the preincarnate Christ, Moses and the bush would have been consumed.
I took this directly from the sermon, no credit is owing to me outside of taking it down!
I thought as I read the “the lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world.”
that God God exists outside of time, and is not bound by its constraints as we are.
C. Sovereignty
I think I covered this above. :-)
D. Nearness
This was phenomenal, that is all I can say. Elizabeth and others have already commented on this So I won’t re-state that He died and experienced the absence from God that we won’t have to experience-God hears us when we cry out-and He is near. We can experience His presence! :-)
I had a different pondering and this answered it. God brought a thought to mind a month or so ago where I pondered about Jesus walking on the Earth-HOLY GOD-in the presence of sinners-hugging, touching them, yet the sinners didn’t get consumed in His presence. This goes back to the wonderful truth in the burning bush! :-)
Good observation about Jesus on earth, Rebecca.
Take away- God is at work, nothing is a surprise to Him. It is good to feel useless, maybe He is doing great work because He has your all. Your attentions are not divided.
Dee, about the message you are sharing in Dalton, would it be appropriate for a mature 10 year old, after talking to my husband we thought about her but you know the material and on the website they said it would be the God of all comfort. Don’t want to take her if you think it too heavy.
It’s not all The God of All Comfort — I am actually opening with Falling in Love and closing with The Stonecutter (which is fairly heavy too), but God of all Comfort laced throughout. I use movie clips and lots of pictures — but she would have to be a pretty mature ten year old. Like fifteen! I’ll pray you know!
Ok, I am coming myself. Will find you for lunch and drive you back! Good? Let me know if anything changes for you. I know you will be tired so I want to also minister to you in this way. We can talk as you feel you can but I want it to be restful to you too. I will email the person for my ticket now. Let me know if you need anything at any point or if anything changes. My number is 423-400-6521. I know it will be good for me to step out and go alone (since I am an introvert) and all the messages will minister to me afresh. Bringing tissues but promise wont cry while driving. Ha ha
Seriously one day we need a retreat for all of us on here to come together. Would be a precious time of fellowship.
Seriously one day we need a retreat for all of us on here to come together. Would be a precious time of fellowship.
What an excellent proposal!
Somewhere on the shores of Lake Michigan perhaps?
“like” :)
8. How could any of the above help you with whatever you are facing right now?
Oh my have we been on a roller coaster lately with my oldest son and the reaction from his meds-that combined with his Aspergers, and his thought life sometimes-oh my.
Yesterday morning I had an appointment with my other son’s urologist-a very important one not to miss, but my oldest son literally over reacted to us taking his phone away. Underlying idolatry there too.
Anyway, I had to re-schedule my other son’s appointment-that didn’t sit well with me. I started out patient but as he responded the way he did I became impatient-totally failed in this area in the morning. Anyway, shortly thereafter I prayed and really just started sensing God’s presence there as I reminded myself. I was making this a mountain and was making God merely a hill. So the thought “I AM WHO I AM” came to and burned in my mind. I calmed down and chose to trust I AM.
After a few hours of me dealing with my son’s emotions and erratic thinking, we had a heart to heart. He also asked me some deeper questions about God and sin-and said some things that made me wince inside, but I didn’t react-by the grace of God! Instead of answering him, or pointing out where his thinking is wrong, I asked him questions and waited. Then later after lunch in the midst of another conversation we had, he made some statements about something that related to my question earlier and God gave me the go ahead to say, “you just answered the question I asked you earlier this morning.” he said, “Oh yeah, true.” God moved, NOT ME. So I think some things are starting to sink in but ever ever so slowly. We haven’t ‘arrived’ though-there will be more testing and sharpening for both my son and me, but I can’t control my son. God is in control and just as He has His hand on me and the timing in my life, he has also with my son.
These are the small things so I must practice trusting in the truth of who He is and who I am in Him in the midst of these small crisis’-so when the bigger ones happen I will be ready to trust Him through that too. This is God’s training ground- opportunities to practice trusting and sensing His presence.
Rebecca, I was interested in reading about your son’s over-the-top reaction to something. This reminds me of my grandson whose reactions can sometimes be so over-the-top. A couple of weeks ago, I went to cut his hair. He knew I was coming (although not days before) but he said he did not want his hair cut. So I cut his brother’s hair, then his mom’s. Meanwhile his mom and his dad and others tried to explain to him and persuade him and even bribe him to let me cut his hair but he still argued, and pouted and cried and resisted. At one point, I thought I was going to have to leave his hair only partially cut because of his resistance. Until finally his dad managed to distract him by letting him play games on his cell phone while I was cutting. This is just an example. Then he was fine as if nothing had happened. Similar stuff has happened many times. I just concerns me.
Anyway, do you have any good websites on aspergers or anything else that might explain his behavior? Sometimes he is just an adorable boy but he is very strong willed.
Isn’t is wonderful how anything we study in God’s word applies to the everyday life? Love seeing you live it out with your boys. This particular name for God is a great visual that brings calm to the soul – love that!
This was encouraging Rebecca.
Dee, It is so exciting to see-when you were asking God where to go this week and He answered-such a clear answer-it is obvious! It will be sweet as this continues with going into I AM next week-can’t wait! God is giving me this desire to study His names in a deeper way. This is a great follow up after doing the Stonecutter, as we ‘practice’ setting our soul’s gaze on Him and not our idols.
Rebecca,
There is a book called praying the names of God by Ann Spangler I believe is the author might want to check it out!
Meg, I have heard about that and I want to get that. Does she go deep into the names by chance? I want to pray them too as well! This morning I woke up early as usual. Had a lot of stuff on my mind, so I started praying for those He has laid on my heart and told Him-you are I AM WHO I AM and was able to worship Him in the midst. I want to do that more frequently as things happen as He quickens me.
Rebecca,
I can’t remember exactly but I think it was more of a devotional
I’ve read it and liked it. I have it. But not remembering it well. Sorry!
9. Do you agree or disagree with the above painting that depicts this story by Eugene Pluchart? Explain
I don’t see God as loving here, but angry. Since the Angel of the Lord was Jesus, then that isn’t an accurate portrayal. Jesus took on our wrath-this painting almost looks like Moses is experiencing the wrath of God for His sin-in a way consuming him. Also, in the text Moses was afraid to look at Him so that is accurate in the painting. Not sure if Moses ever quit hiding his face and actually looked at Him-the text doesn’t say so I assume he didn’t, but he could have because the Angel was the pre-incarnate Jesus-like Jesus walking on the earth touching, loving and hugging people-and they could touch and look at Him.
10. My takeaway is to grow in applying or practicing His presence as crisis’ occurs..Remembering He is I AM WHO I AM and remembering what that means, and because of that who I am in Him because of what He has done. He is in control, and everything I am and everything I have is given to me by Him, so I can relax and trust Him. I also want to grow in my ‘first response’ to crisis-I want my first response to be trust and not, as Dee once said, having mad woman thoughts racing around in my head.
10. What is your take-a-way?
I know what he (Keller) means about suffering allowing one to see that they do not now, and never did have control. I discussed with our pastor when we were in the hospital how the illusion that we have control over our lives had been shattered for us, and I won’t shrink away from saying how difficult that realization was, it feels like despair. In the hospital wrestling with the horror of what had happened and was happening to my son, and that my sovereign God who I trusted had allowed it to be, I wanted to find somewhere else to turn, but I felt as I imagine Peter might have in John 6 when after Jesus had given the hard teaching of John 6:56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.
And then asked “Do you want to go away as well?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” I imagine Peter speaking these words with a note of resignation in his voice.
I kept on the path asking to be obedient in my trial, persevering.
Where I am not sure I track with Keller though is if one can really come to that place where one acknowledges utterly & completely ones lack of control before the suffering comes. For me the suffering pushed me there, to the place of acknowledging how very minuscule and helpless I am and that without God there is no hope at all. Brokenness means something more to me than I ever felt it too before.
I feel anxious as I write these thoughts, they have been sort of coming together in my mind since I returned to this blog.
It occurred to me as I studied this week that my unwillingness to personalized Jesus love for me has kept at arm’s length my sin being what held Him to the cross. I have acknowledged it in my head for many years, but I have resisted owning it, taking it into my breast, feeling the weight of His love for me.
There is something to do with pride, carrying it myself, sort of receiving the gift of salvation but refusing to open it up and let what it fully is sink in. I thought of this verse from How Deep the Fathers Love for Us;
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I thought of Christian in Pilgrims Progress being relieved of the heavy burden he had been carrying at the cross when he came to it.
“Up this way, therefore, did burdened CHRISTIAN run; but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.
He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending; and upon that place stood a Cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as CHRISTIAN came up to the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble; and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more. “
Somehow owning’ it was my sin that held Him there’, frees me to take into my heart in a truer richer way that He loves me.
I had been wrestling with these thoughts before listening to the sermon. I had heard Keller reference Blaise Paschal experience before, but I feel a new sort of hope, something to sew in the lining of my coat so to speak of going forward free from the burden of guilt and shame I have before been unable to let go of, with a greater acceptance of my smallness and my frailties and a much greater acceptance and appreciation of what Christ paid to redeem me, ME, a personal thing.
I want to say how blessed I feel to be a part of this blog, to be under Dees teaching and care, and to be on the path with you sisters, thank you for helping me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind!
We are so so blessed by you. I am thankful to God who answered my prayer to bring you back.
This brought tears, Thank you Dee
This blesses me so much, Chris S. Praise the Lord who takes our burden and lifts our heads.
Chris, I just love what depth you bring to us here.
Thank you Diane & Kim!
Chris,
I really resonated with what you wrote. When my nephew died, as I wrestled with the awfulness of how he died, of a drug overdose in his own home, left to die by “friends”, I, too, wanted to turn away from the God who allowed it to happen. Those words of Peter came to me also, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” You said that you imagine Peter saying those words with resignation in his voice. I felt that sense of resignation too, yet knew in my heart God was the only One who could help.
I am so glad you are beginning to personalize God’s great love for you, for this truth to “sew into the lining of your coat”!
Thank you Susan, I am glad too
Chris, your suffering has produced a diamond in your testimony here. You prove to us that He is able to walk with us through our trials. Thank you for coming back to us.
Elizabeth: How is your neck? I haven’t stopped thinking and praying for you.
Thank you for praying for my back. It is much improved. I am going to have to come up with a plan B when changing my 2 year olds diapers at church. Maybe on the floor as opposed to lifting them up to a counter which I think aggravated on old injury.
Chris — “I feel anxious as I write these thoughts, they have been sort of coming together in my mind since I returned to this blog.
It occurred to me as I studied this week that my unwillingness to personalized Jesus love for me has kept at arm’s length my sin being what held Him to the cross. I have acknowledged it in my head for many years, but I have resisted owning it, taking it into my breast, feeling the weight of His love for me.”
You are echoing my thoughts over the last couple of weeks, I equated it with getting love letters. You know that the person who wrote them truly loves you, but you want to feel the arms around you, kiss the face, hear the voice. Head knowledge is the beginning though.
Can sense Him here, Dawn, quickening you.
Dawn, I have felt that we have the same sort of struggles, praying that we will be pliable clay in The Potters hand, not hindering what His shaping of us, blessings to you!
9. Do you agree or disagree with the above painting that depicts this story by Eugene Pluchart? Explain.
I have to comment on the artistic value of this painting. I love it’s colors. It’s Frenchness. I have an Easter dress in the same color scheme. :) I like to pray when I shop, asking the Lord to help me find something beautiful- and He does all the time. Especially cute shoes on sale.
But back to the painting…I relate to Moses, the way he is looking down as the Lord speaks to him, with his hand to his brow. I often feel what the Lord is saying is too difficult, too challenging and I find myself staring at the sidewalk instead of up into His gaze. But when I remember to lean into Him and His promises, I can be brave and my horizon is not so scary.
Your second paragraph reminds me of Grandma’s rabbit trailing… :} We were talking about what?
I like the depiction of Moses — but I’d say Pluchart missed the preincarnate Christ!
thank you all for the prayers so–been praying for kim’s back too!! i’m limiting the computer use today–hard to miss out on responding to all the amazing dialogue though! I’ve never had it quite this bad before, but my Raynaud’s has flared up too, so that adds to it. One of my medications was changed when this started a few weeks ago–so not sure there too…oh how I HATE sounding like such a drippy faucet when so many have SO SO much worse to deal with.
LOVE all Chris has shared–just beautiful, so humbling to me among you–I wonder Chris if you’d consider writing, I do think you share so rich and beautifully filled with Him
praying so much for you dear angela!!
you all are such a gift to me~
We miss you but want you to be careful. You aren’t a drippy faucet. We want to know so we can pray.
I agree with you about Chris!
Dee’s right, we want to know so we can pray.
Praying for you, Elizabeth!
I appreciate your kindness Elizabeth, I usually don’t feel at all confident about what I post, I am never sure that my thoughts are clear enough.
I agree with Dee & Dawn, we can’t bear one anothers burdens if we don’t know what is being carried!
Excellent sermon. Too much to write because being on the computer seems to be making me sick.
So much struck me in the sermon, but one think I took away was that when God in the fire didn’t need fuel. The fire didn’t burn up because He is self-sufficient, self-existent. This stood out to me because it showed me how serious my idol of self-sufficiency is. ONLY God is self-sufficient. By wanting to be self-sufficient, I am trying to be like God.
I’ve been thinking about something related to Diane’s concern for a couple of weeks, since Dawn (I think?) said she had a hard time seeing Jesus in the psalm. I’ve wondered how much I see is because I’ve been told it is there; in other words, would I see anything someone told me to find? I’ve also been taught about Christophanies and probably wouldn’t have thought much more about this… but I already was asking, am I seeing something/someone just because I’ve been taught something. I read Kaiser’s essay and no trouble reading/believing that God appeared in the burning bush. But it wasn’t until the beginning of the last paragraph that Kaiser wrote “It is clear from this abundance of evidence that the angel of the Lord in the Old Testament was a preincarnate form of our Lord Jesus Christ, who would later permanently take on flesh when he came as a babe in Bethlehem.” That seemed to be a disconnect — I was waiting for the “abundance of evidence” (or a little evidence) that it was Jesus and didn’t see the evidence here. Perhaps in other writings? This is such a contrast with the post-resurrection Jesus, when people didn’t recognize Him, let alone take off their shoes.
I also loved the colors of the painting (I’m looking at paint colors these days — at the beginning of the week, I ran the image through a program by a paint company that matches images with paint colors). But the image of God reminds me more of the ghosts in Dickens’ Christmas Carol. Hmmm… just wondering if any artists portrayed images of christophanies similar to how they would have portrayed Jesus. Or if they all looked like their views of angels …. or visions of God the Father as a pale old white guy with long beard.
My take-away for the Lenten season: Make space to listen to God speaking. He does speak :) I’m often not paying attention. Most obvious thing to give up to create that space is some of time on the computer (because that’s where I get most distracted). I’ll keep reading & doing Bible Study, but I expect (some of!) my answers to be shorter.
Welcome annmarie! Sorry I haven’t gotten a chance to welcome u before now! Looking forward to getting to know u better when I get back from my cruise!
Had to share…reading yancey, prayer and he says that God had to give Moses a unnatural phenomenon so there would be no doubt for the task of him leading his people. ( my paraphrase)… Then God brought to memory the rainbow He showed us after the court date when we got Dakota. I must remember because traveling this road is hard. God is all over it.
Angela, I am so glad that God is revealing Himself along this road. What a treasure of memories for your family and what treasure to share with Dakota as he grows.
Glad to hear you are feeling better, Kim. Elizabeth and Renee, take care and hope you begin to feel better soon.
10. My take away is that my God is also the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the God who can use flawed materials. He has shown me this week that my joy is directly related to my dependence on Him. When I slip into independence or get my eyes off of Him onto an idol, joy evaporates.
I agree that the painting does not show an accurate representation of God and how He calls people. I did not think Moses looked right either. He looked like he was fainting, as if he was about to die from being in the presence of God. The verses say that he was afraid and hid his face, but this looks like more than that to me.
The sermon was great! Those 4 things that we learned create a faith bombshell. The thing I loved the most is that His delays are brilliant. Understanding just this in deeply relevant to me.
Can anyone tell me how to get this weeks bible study questions??? thank you!!
Donna this is the sight http://www.deebrestin.com/2012/02/life-is-a-sea-voyage/. In the future you can go to the area between the questions and the comments and there are 2 small arrows the one on the left takes you to the previous week’s lesson and the one on the right to the next week’s. It looks like this:
This entry was posted on Sunday, February 19th, 2012 at 7:14 am and is filed under Personal and tagged with Burning Bush, Ed Welch, Lent, Overcoming Fear. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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480 Responses to “JOIN US FOR A LIFECHANGING LENTEN STUDY — EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER
Also at the top of the page in the green bar it says Bible Study Blog that will take you to the page where you can choose this week’s study.
If we are honest with ourselves, we may somehow think we don’t have to make scrafices as believers but Christ sacrificed HIMSELF so why do we think it should be different for us? Satan is such a deceiver!
It is common for Christians to say to themselves or others; “Lord I want to serve you!” Funny how we say that yet the opportunity to serve Him is right in front of our nose but the “aroma” may not be very appealing so we keep “looking” elsewhere to “minister”.
My firstborn son, Timmy was born with multiple handicaps.
He spent his 18 years of life chronically ill, blind, deaf, and wheelchair bound.
I loved my son. He was such a precious child.
But to be perfectly honest I did feel frustrated at times caring for him. I felt weary at times. I felt angry that God didn’t heal some of his illnesses.
I don’t think God expected me to “like” that Timmy was sick and suffered but I do think God put the opportunity to serve HIM right into my arms the day Timmy was born.
How did I respond?
How do we respond when we don’t necessarily “like” the ministry God has chosen for us?
Do we REALLY want to serve HIM?
If so, it will require sacrifice. Should we expect less then what HE did for us?