RefreshingEDEN making all things new

Just what do you do with a child who will not listen? There seems to be a built-in mechanism for handling this that parents universally apply. We begin by speaking with the child about what is expected, teaching in fact, what will be good for him, what will give him life. “Don’t run into the street. There are cars that may not see you and could hurt you terribly. So please, do not run into the street.” If and when the child ignores our voice and we see him running into danger we speak louder or more forcefully. When his dangerous actions continue we administer consequences – grabbing him or even a swat to the behind. It may even go as far as needing to keep him in the house for a time.  The escalation of our voice and actions are meant to bring him life, keep him out of danger –  all because we love him.

If God’s whole story is about restoring life to us – that intimate relationship with Him He intended us to have – then it is in the same vein that God applies “The 10 Plagues”.  Yes, they are judgment for the oppression administered to His people. But the oppression is just a manifestation of the culture’s way of trying to do what it wants – like your child running into the street. And God is quick to say “This is not life!”

It could be an interesting week as we listen deeper for those places in our own life where God is saying “This is not life!”

To listen to Exodus Lesson 3 “The Voice Gets Louder” click below:

exodus3

Outline notes:

EX lesson 3