Friday, January 27, 2012

From Milk to Solid Food

The more I read the Old Testament through the lens of Christmas and the Cross (meaning it all pointed to, and aimed at, and passed through the life and ministry and death and resurrection of Christ) the more I am rocked by the foreshadows and physical pictures it contains of spiritual truths and realities to come after the cross, in the New Covenant. Like an hourglass turned on its side, all the sand (events, pictures, signs, hopes) of time before the life and death of Jesus on earth pointed to, and narrowed to, and passed through that narrow neck of the hourglass of time from His birth to death and resurrection. Likewise, on the other side (our side) of those events, all of the sand that spreads out from the neck passed through, and finds its origin and source and meaning in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

It is a fascinating reality—everything before that first Christmas (and ultimately the cross and empty tomb) looked to those moments, foreshadowed those moments, and awaited those moments. And everything after those moments—the spreading church, our position as believers, the power and authority we walk in, and our purpose and mission in life—find their origin and source by looking back to those moments. That first Christmas, leading to the death and resurrection, truly was, as Paul said twice, "the fullness of time" . . . the moment all history prior looked and pointed to and awaited, and the moment all history since finds its explanation, purpose, and origin in.

With that said, I am most of the way through Leviticus in my reading through the Bible, and I am struck by an interesting idea I'd love your thoughts on. We have, in Genesis and Exodus, a people in slavery and bondage in Egypt, as well as a line of redemption chosen and being prepared (Abraham's line). Then we have, in Moses, a man coming in, confronting the powers of darkness, defeating them, and setting the people free from bondage and slavery. Then, in the wilderness, before coming to the land they are to occupy, the people are given the Law and taught how to worship God and how to live. Ahead, they will be brought to the land they are expected to conquer—a calling most will turn from and remain in the wilderness, provided for, with God present, but in no victory and no threat to the enemy who occupies the land. Later a new generation will, in faith, take up the mantle and cross the Jordan and see the strongholds of the enemy fall and capture the land.

I was struck, reflecting on this, that it is quite a picture of the New Testament call. We are in darkness, bondage, slavery. Jesus comes in, confronts the darkness, and the power of God sets us free from that (we are born again, saved). We then, as infants in Christ, are taught God's heart, how to worship Him, how to live as His free people, how to be His people who are set apart from the rest. But then we are called to move past that, to a maturity if you will. We are called to confront the giants, to stand and step out in faith on God's character and promises, and to see the strongholds of the enemy toppled and to occupy the land (to be His hands and feet, His body, and to go in His authority). We are not supposed to remain wandering infants, happy and content in remaining provided for and knowing God is real and there, but not moving in any threat to the enemy or seeing the enemy knocked back or strongholds demolished. At some point we are to be God's people who in faith, and with His leading, start to go against the enemy who is holding families and marriages in bondage, people in addiction, people lost and blinded to the Gospel, etc. It is our calling, I believe, I had just not seen the Old Testament parallel or picture of it in that way before.

I'd love your thoughts. I hope that this has been a wonderful week for you and that it will be an amazing weekend in His presence. Thanks for being a part of my life.   —Erick

4 comments:

  1. Erick,

    I hadn't quite thought about the journeys of Israel in this way before either. But I agree with you that it is a great picture. In keeping with the parallels you pointed out, it makes me wonder what role faith plays in all of this. Do we live among God's children but they really don't believe they have been given the promised land nor understand that all they need to do is rest in His strength to march to victory? Thanks for a great article as always!

    Rejoicing With You In His Grace - Glen

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    1. Thanks, Glen, for reading and for commenting. I value you in my life. I believe this example is for Christians, not the unsaved, so if you are talking about Christians who don't understand this then I agree. Faith is the key, I think, of all we do and of how we will grow (or not grow). After the theology comes the stepping out in faith, trusting the knowledge we gained (at its core, trusting the God we learned about). I believe a lack of faith caused the Israelites to miss the conquest God called them to. God even asked Moses how long the people would reject Him. They thought it was simply fear, He took it as a rejection of Him because they didn't trust Him or His promises. Our fear is a lack of faith, and faith propels us into the places God calls us, relying on Him, which is our truly safest place! God bless you, and thanks again.

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  2. Beautiful message!

    Meet your blog very happy my heart that the Lord Jesus bless your life,family and a shower of blessings descend upon your house!

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     // / / / / | \ \ \ \
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    In Christ,

    http://frutodoespirito9.blogspot.com/

    ***Lucy***

    Visit also: http://discipulodecristo7.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lucy, for visiting and for the encouragement! I found your blog tested my Spanish from long ago! I wish I could understand more of it, but it seems, from what I could, that you have a real heart for God. May He bless and guide you as you follow Him.

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