Stiff-necked?  Who…me?

This year, the Bible study I attend has been focused on the life of Moses.  We have been reading through Exodus, Leviticus and now we are in the book of Numbers.  If you are familiar with the story, you know that the Israelites had quite a difficult time with obedience, faith and trusting God…even though He proved faithful time after time in many seemingly impossible circumstances.  At the end of Numbers chapter 14, the Israelites had said they would not go into the Promised Land and after God said he was going to discipline them for that choice, they then decided to go into that very same land without God’s presence.  Wait…WHAT?

After I read that chapter to myself, I turned to my husband and said, “I’ve got to read this chapter to you.”  When I was done, we both shook our heads and I said, “Lord, please help us not to be like them.”

So I was chuckling to myself when Pastor Brian started talking about the same thing in his sermon this weekend – those stiff-necked Israelites – and said – we are just like them!  Usually I see a pattern when what I’m studying in the Bible turns up in the message that weekend…it seems to me that’s when God wants to get my attention and make sure I listen!

Why is it so easy to point at others and look at their sin and fail to see our own shortcomings?  Well, that’s what happened in the Garden of Eden when God asked Adam and Eve if they had disobeyed Him.  Adam pointed at Eve and Eve pointed to the serpent (Satan).

I love what Pastor Brian said about the Old Testament pointing to Jesus. He also said that as believers in Christ, WE are to point to Jesus.  And that is the lesson we all need to learn, and learn, and learn…every time we fail.  INSTEAD OF POINTING AT OTHERS, POINT OTHERS TO JESUS!

Lord, help me to do this.  As women of the Vineyard, any time we are tempted to point at others, let’s point to JESUS.  He is what we are to always be focused on…His wonderful life and sacrifice is what amazing grace and reconciling us back to God the Father is all about!  Are you with me?

Melissa

4 thoughts on “Stiff-necked?  Who…me?”

  1. Well said Melissa, I also went to see Joyce Meyer this week and she spoke on complaining also this week,
    It is such a beautiful message, makes me even more grateful for Jesus!!
    The book of Psalms shows us how to complain, as the study shows us we are to take our complaints to the Lord!! for he does care about our feelings,

  2. Love that you spoke on what Pastor brought out in his message. Stiff-necked–like a cow pulling away from the yoke–I’ve done that. Another example is Psalm 32:9 “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” It says “or they will not come to you.” Being stiff-necked, stubborn, and without understanding (it helps to understand) keeps us from coming to Jesus–YUK!

  3. I love it when God uses totally different, unrelated people or situations to speak to our hearts the very same message. We then KNOW He is speaking!

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