Reading: I Chronicles 21-23
Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi (I Chr. 23:14).
Before beginning his record of the reign of Solomon, the Chronicler painstakingly recorded the lineage and duties of the priests and Levites that provided the critical spiritual support system for all of Israel. The purpose of this was to outline the human component that would be necessary for the utilization of the Temple of God that would be constructed by Solomon during his tenure as king of all Israel. Almost as an aside in the listing, we find this characterization of Moses: Moses the man of God.
Moses lived a long and extraordinarily full life. Over the course of that lifetime, He filled many roles. He began life as a Hebrew infant without hope, destined to die solely on the basis of his gender and his race (Ex. 1:22). Thanks to the godly courage of his mother and sister, he survived and was raised as an Egyptian prince in the Pharaoh's own household (2:2-10). Later in his life he became a simple shepherd (3:1). At God's command, he then left that life behind and became God's representative, ultimately leading the Israelites out of slavery and all the way to the promised land (3:10). During the forty years he led them through the wilderness, he was many things: prophet, teacher, leader, judge, husband, father, brother, friend.
I Chronicles was written approximately 800 to 1000 years after the life of Moses. At the time of its writing, his description was pared down to 4 simple words - the man of God. At first glance, it might seem that Moses was being slighted. After all, this was a man that had lived an amazing life. Shouldn't more be said to remind the people of just how unique he truly was? In truth, Moses was given the greatest tribute possible. Moses had not merely been a righteous man that worshiped the Lord and tried to follow His ways; Moses had been a man living fully in the confidence of God. Moses regularly stood in the unshielded physical presence of God and carried on conversations with Him. What more powerful legacy could he leave? And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle (Ex. 33:11).
Every step that Moses took in the wilderness, he took with God by his side. Today, each of us has the opportunity to live as Moses lived. God has established a permanent physical presence here on earth, one that lives in communion with each and every person that has turned their life over to Jesus. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit is our guide and our confidant. Its presence is what allows each of us to live, not just as followers of God, but also as fully connected members of the body of Christ. When we nurture the relationship, it will shine out for the world to see, clearly marking us as a man or woman of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Gal. 5:22-23).
Thought for Today: There is no height of Glory to be found in life greater than at God’s side.
Christ Revealed:Through the altar David built to sacrifice unto the Lord so that Israel might be restored to a right relationship with God (I Chr. 21:18,26). Only through Christ can we be restored to a right relationship with God. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:24).
Word Studies: 21:13 a great strait = deep distress; 21:15 repented Him of the evil = felt compassion due to man’s repentance and intercession; 22:3 without weight = beyond calculation; 23:1 old and full of days = reached old age
Pray For Staff: Tifany Parisi • Government Official: Sen. Tom Udall (NM) • Country: Namibia (2,182,852) Southwest Africa • Major Languages: Afrikaans, German, English • Religious Freedom • 90% Christian; 10% Traditional Beliefs/Other (Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i) • Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord (Ex. 15:1-19).
Optional Reading:I Corinthians 5.