God for an Ephod

SCRIPTURE
"Gideon made the gold into an Ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his home town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshipping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family." (Judges 8:27)

OBSERVATION
Gideon fought and subdued the Midianites. Being the great warrior that he was, the Israelites wanted him to rule over them. He declined stating, "The Lord will rule over you." However, he did request that each person give him a gold earring from the plunder. In all, he collected about 43 pounds of gold which he made into an ephod (a garment worn by the priests).

The ephod could have been a great reminder of the Israelites' deliverance from the Midianites. Or, of God's faithfulness to keep his promises and fight the battle. Even a reminder that God can use people like Gideon. The Israelites chose otherwise...they worshipped it.

Gideon made a religious object which later turned around to bite him (it became a snare). The ephod in itself is a good thing. The people's response, not so good. They broke faith with God, and the first commandment, by worshipping a created thing rather than the Creator.

APPLICATION
Even a good thing can become a snare. If I obtain my security, worth, or meaning from anything, or anyone, other than God, that good thing has become an idol. I don't know that it intentionally happens, but after a while the tangible thing in front of me can become a source of comfort and security. If the Israelites can worship a shirt, I can certainly find a lot of other things to trust. Whether it's finances, family, ministry, or material goods, these things, good in themselves, cannot become a snare, replacing God as the foundation of my life. I have to be careful not to trade God for an ephod.

PRAYER
Father, I've found security, worth, and meaning in good things at times. I want my life to center on you and not on someone or something else, no matter how good. You are the one who is good. You are God.

My End of the Deal

SCRIPTURE
"Be very careful to keep the commandments and the law that Moses gave you." (Joshua 22:5)

OBSERVATION
Three tribes (Reuben, Gad, and the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh) wanted to acquire territory on the east side of the Jordan river instead of crossing with the rest of the tribes. They would be allowed on the condition that they would help their brothers conquer the land. The other tribes were settled and here in Joshua, the three tribes were returning to their side of the Jordan to take possession of their territories. Joshua instructs them to live in a way that will maintain God's blessing and keep them walking close to God. He tells them...

• Love the Lord your God
• Walk in his ways
• Obey his commands
• Hold fast to him
• Serve with with all your heart and soul
  

God had given his people rest in their new land. The Bible says he fulfilled all his promises. He delivered on his word. Now, he wants a people who will be loyal, keeping their promises, to him. He does not ask us to be or do something that does not come from his own character. He is a promise maker and Joshua reminds the people not to be promise breakers.

APPLICATION
I've entered into this relationship with God. It is a two way street. Keeping my end of the deal means being faithful to God. He has fulfilled his promises to me in Christ. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ." (2 Co. 1:20) I owe him my life and he wants me to reflect his character by keeping my promise of faithfulness to him. I am to, love, walk, obey, hold and serve. These are not just one time actions but are to be hallmarks of my walk with him.

PRAYER
Lord, you have fulfilled your promises in Christ. I want to fulfill my promises to you.

Blessing Through Listening

SCRIPTURE
"If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways." (Psalm 81:13)

OBSERVATION
Doesn't that seem like the plea of every parent? If my kids would just listen. However, coming from God it is not a cry of anger but of frustration or disappointment. He says, "if only." There is a longing from God to do far more in our lives than even we want for ourselves. In not listening, we are blocking God's blessing.

He listed several ways he would bless the Israelites (and quickly).

• He would subdue their enemies.
• Turn his hand against their foes.
• Feed them with the finest wheat.
• Satisfy them with honey from the rock.
  

The reason these things were not happening was because they would not listen and follow his ways. God desires far more for us than we desire for ourselves. We want the benefits of the blessing without having to listen or follow.

APPLICATION
How much of God's work in my life have I missed out on because I would not listen and follow? Too many times to count I'm afraid. How quickly the Lord would've worked. Instead, by going my own way the blessing came later, slower, or not at all. I need to see my life from God's perspective. He tries in many ways to get my attention. If only I would listen and follow.

PRAYER
Lord, I desire honey from the rock. The impossible blessing made possible by listening.

Hamster Wheel Living

SCRIPTURE
"In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." (Psalm 78:32-36)

OBSERVATION
Whenever we read "in spite of this" we need to pay attention. The Psalmist was describing a cycle of life which keeps repeating itself (much like living in a hamster wheel).

• God would bless the people.
• In spite of this they did not believe and kept on sinning.
• God disciplined them (he slew them).
• They were sorry and would seek him again.
• Now closer to God, they would flatter him and lie to him because their hearts were not faithful.
• He did not destroy them but restrained his anger.
• Even in the face of his grace they did not return, in spite of this...and the cycle repeated itself.
  

APPLICATION
The problem with living a hamster wheel life is that there is a lot of motion but no forward progress. God wants more than lip service,he wants our hearts. Going through the motions (flattering mouths, lying tongues) is a vicious cycle. In those times when we experience God's grace he wants all of us (heart included) to be faithful.

Life on the wheel is tiring. Running and running and running and running...without ever going anywhere. God wants my heart not just lip service. That is a life lived on the Rock. There is security, stability, and strength. God disciplines me to seek him but this cycle will not last forever. Not because of who God is but because of who I am (I am flesh, a passing breeze). I need to seek God with my heart, with all that I am. Living on this relentless wheel makes it seem like something is happening but in the end it's still just a rat race.

PRAYER
Lord, I seek you with my whole heart. In the face of your grace, I stand on the Rock.