READING: Exodus 24-25, Matthew 22:15-33
They didn’t always do it, but God’s people affirmed their commitment to Him when Moses read to them the commands of the Lord. Indeed, they said it not once, but twice: “We will do everything that the Lord has commanded”(Exo. 24:3) and “We will do and obey all that the Lordhas commanded” (Exo. 24:7). The people were to obey “all these words” (Exo. 24:8), and they were prepared to do so.
He was, after all, the God who had called them out through Abraham. He had led them into Egypt and then out again. He was the God who made all that is made, the one who is greater than all the “gods” of Egypt, the one who moves waters at His commands. He alone has the right to say, “Do not have other gods besides me” (Exo. 20:3) – and the only proper response to Him is, “We will do whatever You command.”
I’m reminded, though, that too often we put caveats on those words:
- “Lord, I’ll follow You as long as You ________________.”
- “I’ll serve You in ______, but not in ______.”
- “Lord, I give you every area of my life except ________________.”
- “I’m on board, God, for the most part.”
I could keep writing, since our excuses outnumber us. At the end of the day, however, a disciple of Jesus drops the caveats and agrees with the Hebrews: “I will do whatever You say, God.” Period.
PRAYER: “God, help me to live up to this commitment.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Exodus 26:1-28:14, Matthew 22:34-23:12
