JANUARY 2000 MARCH 2000 THE READING ROOM HOME
Because The Lord Kept Vigil That Night
(Kent Heaton)
It was on this day, four hundred and thirty years before, bondage began for a small group of people. Numbering over one million, they now went out from the land of Egypt. The beginning of their travail was marked with a desperate act of hateful brothers against one of their own. In an act of desperation, Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to Egypt. He would rise to be second only to Pharaoh and finally be reunited with his family. At the bidding of Joseph, his father, brothers and families moved to the land of blessings and prosperity.
Many years later, a Pharaoh arose that did not know Joseph and the people of Egypt worried because his descendants had grown numerous and powerful. The Egyptians set the people to task in hard bondage making mortar, brick and all manner of service in the field. God's deliverance of His people would come by the hand of Moses and Aaron. They would speak to the Pharaoh and plead for the release of the children of Israel.
After the plagues devastated the people and the land, the final act upon the first born was carried out in mournful tones. The children of Israel were told how to avert the destroyer from entering their homes and how that God would bring judgment upon the land of Egypt. (Exodus 11-13) The people followed the instructions of Moses
"And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt ... and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead." (Exodus 12:29,30) Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and released the children of Israel to leave Egypt.The Lord instituted the Passover as a remembrance of that great day when the children of Israel were set free from bondage. Exodus 12:42 recalls the importance of that day when it reads:
"It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations." The use of "solemn observance" is the word "vigil." The NIV renders the verse: "Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come."We no longer keep the Passover as it was given to the Jews and the Jews alone. (Deuteronomy 5:1-3) Secondly, the Law of Moses has been abolished and we now serve the law of Christ. (Colossians 2:14) There was a night in which the Lord kept vigil that gives all men the hope of salvation in Christ. As His Son hung upon the cross and died such a terrible death, there was darkness over all the land from the sixth hour until the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45) The vigilance on this
"night" was the witness of mans release from the bondage of sin.The children of Israel had only been in bondage 430 years - man had been in bondage since the garden of Eden. Now salvation could be heard throughout all the land and we celebrate the feast of the supper of Christ in remembrance of the night the Lord kept vigil to release us from the bondage of sin. To those who have made the journey of obedience in becoming children of God (Galatians 3:26-4:7), the celebration of the supper is the joy of the Lord keeping vigil for our sins.
Our solemn observance is remembered every first day of the week. As we partake of the supper of Christ, our lives should turn to that time when God was watching over all mankind and bringing to pass the greatness of His power. It was that night we were delivered from sin. Because the Lord kept vigil that night we rejoice in the memory of Jesus' sacrifice.
(Kent Heaton)
The earthly life of Jesus was remarkable considering He was also the Son of God. His birth was like no other birth and his life would be nothing like any before Him or any after Him. The miracles He performed established His authority of Deity. His humanity shows how He
"made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of man." (Philippians 2:7) While the part of Jesus' life was marvelous as He showed the power of the Father through miracles, wonders and signs which God did through Him, His earthly life as a man was most common.His earthly life was most common in that He was born a baby and grew as other children. He learned to walk and run with the stumbled steps of a toddler. His first words were as all little children learning to talk. He giggled and laughed and slept in the arms of His dear mother. He stared with awe at Joseph - that big man who took Him with roughened hands and told Him about God.
"And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him ... And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." (Luke 2:40,52)The common factor in the life of Jesus was that He had family. All four of the gospel writers refer to the family of Jesus. Matthew records that Jesus was not an only child.
"While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him." (12:46) Mark also in his gospel, tells us about the family of Jesus - "Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him." (3:31) Luke describes the family of Jesus in Luke 8:19: "Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd." Finally, John writes - "After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days." (2:12)During a trip to Nazareth, Jesus went into the synagogue and astonished the multitudes with His teaching. The reaction of the people is recorded by Matthew in 13:55-56 -
"Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us?" (See also Mark 6:1-6) Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters (as suggested by the plural use of "sisters" - how many sisters is unknown). Jesus had family! He was the older brother to at least six siblings.The common factor in Jesus' life was that He was like other men. His humanity was shared by siblings and a family. For thirty-three years He shared His life with His earthly family as a son and as a brother. Joseph and Mary were as other parents and as other husbands and wives. But they were blessed with the truly perfect son. It seems apparent that Joseph died before Jesus began His ministry. How difficult that must have been for such a large family. The burden of leadership would fall upon the shoulders of Jesus.
At the age of 33 He would take on the role of bearing the sins of the world to the cross. His life would now focus upon the reason He came to man - to finish the work of His heavenly Father. How touching the scene in the final hours of His life -
"When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, 'Woman, behold your son!' Ten He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:26,27) In the moment of all eternity focused upon the sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus stops and remembers - He had a family!(Kent Heaton)
One of the most amazing battles fought in the Old Testament is found in Exodus 17:8-16. The children of Israel are being attacked by the Amalekites in Rephidim, the last stop before reaching Mount Sinai.
"And Moses said to Joshua, 'Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.' So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." (Exodus 17:9-13)God continued to show His power through Moses by determining the outcome of the battle by the lifting up or lowering of Moses' hands. As long as Moses extended his hands toward the heavens, the people would prevail. When he lowered his hands, the battle was won by the enemy. Through this demonstration of power, God showed the people how important it was to rely upon Him and not man.
The wonders beheld by the people in their deliverance from Egypt shows the overwhelming power of God. The ten plagues were brought to bear upon the Egyptians by the God above. The food and water supplied came from the God above. As they approached Mount Sinai, they would have to depend upon the God above for their law. As they made their way to the promised land, they would have to trust in the God above. In all things, they must lift their hands up to God to attain the victory and enter the promised land.
The troubles of Israel came when they took their eyes off God and lowered their hands to themselves. When Pharaoh drew near to the children of Israel at the Red Sea and the people cried out to Moses,
"Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, `Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians?' For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness." (Exodus 14:11,12) Moses told them to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." (14:13) He then lifted up his rod and stretched out his hand over the sea and the people were delivered.As they journeyed in the wilderness they would complain and murmur for water and food. God would provide from His bountiful mercy. Throughout the history of the children of Israel, when they took their eyes off the Lord and sought to find their own way, they would be defeated. At the battle of Rephidim, they learned victory can only be given when hands are lifted up to God.
Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:8 -
"I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." Our lives as children of God should be expressed by our lives being lifted up to God in faith. To lift up holy hands is to seek the counsel of God in every way of our lives. The only time we can have the victory over Satan is to lift our hands to God.It may be well to point out that we also need others to help us keep our hands lifted up. Moses needed help as he grew weary. Aaron and Hur helped him hold his hands up and ensured the victory. We should help others keep their hands lifted high as we too keep our hands lifted up to the Lord. The victory is ours when our hands are lifted high.
(Kent Heaton)
When the children of Israel gathered at Mount Sinai, God began to impart to them the law that would make them a nation. Before that time, they were a scattered mass of people seeking a better life in a promise made to their father Abraham. It was at Sinai they became a nation as God gave them law. Found in this law were the many offerings and sacrifices they were commanded by God to perform. They had an abundance of various holidays, weekly Sabbaths, celebrations of the new moon, the day of atonement and so forth.
The book of Leviticus is a law book outlining many of the laws governing the children of Israel. Contained also were regulations of infectious diseases and how the priest would determine if a person was clean or unclean. It is remarkable the way God instructed the priest to look out for and treat various kinds of diseases. While many of the laws given to the children of Israel were given to make them a separate people, one can also see the benefits of good health enjoined by the practice of such laws.
God prescribed laws on how to recognize a true infectious disease from a common rash. (Leviticus 13) The problem of mildew or leprous garments was dealt with in Leviticus 13:47-52. Even buildings with mildew or mold were discussed (Leviticus 13:34-53) When leprosy was recognized in people, various regulations governed its treatment. (Leviticus 13-14) Throughout the book of Leviticus, laws are given concerning unclean food, uncleanness with regard to functions of reproduction and death as a guide for the people to follow.
It is apparent on first glance the laws were given for the people to obey and to make them as separate people in a world filled with uncleanness. However, another side of that law can be seen as the purpose of God establishing His law. That reason can be found in 1 Timothy 4:8,
"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come."Godliness is a life of reverence toward God and seeking to follow His laws. The result of godly living will bring about greater happiness than ungodly living. The laws of God are prescribed as commandments that must be followed. We also find in keeping these laws that a quality of life is also given whereby a greater level of happiness will be achieved.
Paul encourages Christians to
"put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) While the practice of such things is sin, we also recognize the value in not engaging in such activity from a physical point of view. There are many consequences of sin that are physical in nature. To refrain from the practice of such will lessen the hardships upon ones life. Being faithful in sexual matters will lessen the risk of sexual diseases. Refraining from alcohol will lessen the possibilities of health risk that will damage or destroy the body. And so it is with many laws given by God in response to their consequences.The wise man wrote in Proverbs 3:7-8,
"Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones." The principle shown here is the value the law of the Lord has upon life. Godly living will have promise in this life as well as the life to come. (Proverbs 4:20-27; 5:1-23; 6:20-7:27; Romans 8:28) "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." And beyond all that, we have from the Lord that bald men are clean. Even those whose foreheads have moved on top of their head. They are clean too. Really! - Leviticus 13:40,41.