Day 45, February 14, 2021
Scriptures: Exodus 31-32, 2 Corinthians 2 What a powerful connection to both books today, forgiveness! In Exodus 31 and 32, we are reminded once again of the brokenness of humankind. The Israelites blatantly sin. They make the golden calf, worship it, and declare, “This is the god who delivered us from Egypt!” How dumb can you be? After everything that just happened. After everything God has done, to redeem them and rescue them? This is what they do and say? It is heart wrenching, because we know the feeling. We know what it is like to personally know the love of God, and give credit elsewhere. It must have been me! I did it! I’m so great! God is ready to destroy all of them for this blatant sin and disregard for God. But Moses intercedes for them and seeks forgiveness for them. God relents, but there are still consequences to their disobedience. The connection to 2 Corinthians 2 is a focus on an individual who grieves the community. We don’t necessarily know the grievous activity, but it is something that Paul commends the people to forgive. The theme today is forgiveness. Paul knows that humankind will continue to grieve God, grieve one another. But the way forward is forgiveness. Forgiveness is what will reconcile the church community and help it to move forward together. God doesn’t see the church as a community that won’t need forgiveness. Rather, God very much knows that moving forward, His great love for humankind will be on display in this community that grieves one another, but doesn’t give up on each other. We will grieve God and one another, but forgiveness is the way forward. Forgive! Jordan
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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