Exodus 13, Luke 10

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - Brandon Hatmaker (Exodus 13, Luke 10)

"Giving your best, today, tomorrow, for eternity."

(Exodus 13)

“The LORD said to Moses, "Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal." Vs. 1-2

The firstborn held a more significant position in society in Moses’ day than they typically do today (Unless, of course, you’re royalty). They were the ones whom authorities were passed along to. They were the ones most often looked towards for support in the family. They were significant, and while it seems hard for us to understand this today, were often more highly regarded or valued in a family. Among other things, they represented a father’s legacy and a nation’s future.

And God said, consecrate them to me. In essence, it’s a reminder of giving Him not only your first, but also your best and most cherished. This represents not just a “giving away” but acknowledges a responsibility to steward raising that child and preparing them for life ahead. It has as much to do with the one making the offering as it does the one being offered.

This makes me wonder what things we value today that God has asked us to consecrate to Him. What are the things we hold on to? To consecrate means set apart or dedicate to the service of God. How are we using our experiences, our abilities, our time, our mental efforts, our fatherhood, or our finances? God told Moses to consecrate his firstborn male. For many of us, that would be easier than consecrating our time or abilities.

It would be valuable to prayerfully investigate the things that we think we’ve set aside for Christ, and see which ones we honestly do out of personal gain. Maybe our gain is in position, pride, or emotional security. But where is our heart focus? Is it to truly see God’s Kingdom come or to hope for it while we quietly (or loudly) live our lives?

I believe with all my heart, that when people see believers truly living the Good News of Christ, others will want to be a part of it. And lives will be transformed, not just impacted. There is a formula in life. Paul gives it to us in Philippians 1:21 when he wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Paul truly believed that God is good and that the way of Jesus is supreme.

(Luke 10)

“However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Vs. 20

Our work on this earth is not of us. We should not boast of authority given or even success. That only puts attention on us in this moment and lends us towards the temptation of pride. Even more so, it takes our eyes off the eternal. One of our greatest accomplishments will come in leading others to think of the eternal over the temporal. We must first come to this understanding ourselves. There is no sickness, no death, no trial or tribulation that can derail our faith when we truly gain this perspective. This is no easy task on our constant journey, but possible through Christ.

Then Paul’s words to the Corinthians will make sense. “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting.”

Father, we struggle today and tomorrow. It’s so hard to focus on eternity. So I ask for your Spirit to strengthen and lead us. Continue to sharpen us that we might gain your eternal perspective. Then teach us to trust that eternal perspective as we live in today.