God’s Majesty and Human Dignity

October 3, 2010

Background Scripture: Psalm 8
Lesson Passage: Psalm 8

God has given man dignity by assigning him his place in creation. The psalmist declares that in the creation order, man is a little lower than the angels. That very knowledge is awe inspiring in itself. We know so little about angels and yet God has revealed that they are just a little higher than man. We know that angels are exceedingly powerful in that God can send just one to destroy a whole nation of people. Likewise, man also has the capacity to destroy. Yet it was man and not angels that God gave dominion over the earth. The fact that God gave man dominion over the earth further illustrates the dignity that he has bestowed on mankind. Dominion implies authority yet it must always be considered in the light of responsibility. Man was not given the world as a possession but rather man was entrusted with caring for God’s creation and being a steward of it. Man’s first assignment is a reflection of this. After the creation of Adam, he was placed in the Garden of Eden to keep and dress the garden. He was given the privilege to eat of the increase (or fruit) of its trees with the exception of the one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When Adam was found unfaithful to the work through his disobedience to God, God removed him from the garden and the ground that once provided only blessings to him began to provide a mixture of blessings and curses. Adam’s work became more toilsome as a result of his disobedience. Adam had to give an account of his stewardship to God for that which he was entrusted with. Man also has the capacity to create; which is an attribute that has not been attributed to angels. In being creative, man reflects the image and likeness of God that is in us. Man’s capacity to destroy or create is dangerous for him and all physical creation when it is not considered in the light of the dignity that God has bestowed on us. As man destroys, he must also create or risk being found an unfaithful steward. How should man ensure the adequacy of his stewardship? He must have a role model to pattern himself after. That role model is God. God has always been man’s role model but man has constantly fallen short of following him. God’s name is a reflection of his character and glory. The very idea of God’s name is enough to inspire awe and admiration. God’s handiwork of creation is a reflection of his divine glory and majesty. What God has done is a display of his majesty and his name is an expression of his excellence. Today, man does not reflect this in his own character. This alone is an indication that man is far from following his role model. As this psalm wraps around itself with a doxology that is an echo of its opening expression, it is made clear that this is a psalm of praise to the glory of God. Man’s true dignity is derived from the actions of an awe inspiring God who would condescend to relate to man. God is mindful of man and his affairs. God orders the steps of those who put their trust in him. God builds a hedge of protection around those who are his own. Above all of that, God allows man to enter into his presence. The infinite and holy God allows man in his finite and fallen nature to experience his presence. What is man that God would do such a thing?

Robert C. Hudson
September 17, 2010

God Promises an Awesome Thing

September 26, 2010

Background Scripture: Exodus 34:1 – 10
Lesson Passage: Exodus 34:1 – 10

Today’s lesson starts out on a somewhat somber note. It begins with Moses picking up the pieces and preparing to get back on track with his conversation with God. God and Moses were in conversation when God interrupted it in reaction to the wanton and shameful national sin of Israel. Their behavior was beyond reprehensible for a nation and it could not have happened at a worse time. Their actions took place as God was preparing for them the most unique document ever created for mankind. This document would become the basis of a written contract between God and mankind. In it, God would put unbelievable gifts of grace for Israel. This would become the most prestigious document the world has ever known and it was being prepared especially for Israel. God had carved out two stone tablets and written the contract language himself. When Moses returned to the foot of the mountain and witnessed Israel’s transgression, he became so distraught with them that he threw the stone tablets down and broke them. By the time things had settled down and God had forgiven Israel’s trespass against him, Moses was left to pick up the pieces and start afresh. This time God would not carve out tablets and write on them. Instead, he required Moses to carve the tablets and then God wrote on the tablets that Moses had to provide. No doubt, every strike of the chisel must have reminded Moses of what it was that led to him having to carve stone tablets. Finally, they were done and Moses could again return to his meeting place with God and resume the conversation. When God met Moses, he proclaimed his presence by declaring the holiness of his character. In that proclamation were seeds of a special blessing. God is merciful, forgiving, patient, and filled with goodness and mercy. God, who had every right to be angry and vengeful, is also merciful and forgiving. God never changes. Israel’s sin, however, had revealed an aspect of God’s nature that was up to this point unknown or perhaps just unappreciated. Furthermore, God promised to display miracles among Israel that would be witnessed by all who came in contact with Israel. Not only would Israel be blessed beyond imagination, but their blessings from God would be evident to others who they would be among. God will display an awesomeness that will be observed and talked about. Although God is spirit and therefore not visible, yet there will be no mistaking the fact that his presence is with Israel. No other nation had ever known such a thing. Israel was still yet unborn as a nation but they had the assurance from God that they would exceed all other nations in God’s display of goodness towards them. Other nations had thousands of years of history, culture, education, and wealth but Israel, yet unborn as a nation, had an eternity of blessings promised to them. God had promised an awesome thing.


Robert C. Hudson
September 15, 2010

God Makes a Covenant with Israel

September 12, 2010

Background Scripture: Exodus 20
Lesson Passage: Exodus 20:1 – 11

There were three basic forms of covenants or contracts between two or more parties during the time that God delivered Israel out of Egypt. A covenant could be a mutual agreement between equal parties. A covenant could be an agreement between unequal parties with conditions imposed on the inferior party by the superior party. The third and perhaps the least common covenant was an agreement between a superior party and an inferior party where the superior party self-imposes conditions on himself and places no conditions on the inferior party. In our lesson today, God, the superior party, imposes conditions on himself and Israel but he allows Israel to consider the terms of the agreement and then ratify the covenant if they agreed with its terms and conditions.

God entered into a contractual agreement with Israel. That very concept is worth some serious introspection on the part of any religious-minded person. God is the supreme example of a superior party whether one reaches that conclusion through philosophy, definition, or divine revelation. Speaking of God in a contractual relationship with people is a mind bending concept. It is much easier to think of God as distant and indifferent to the needs and affairs of the human experience than to consider him as interested and engaged in the same. Reasons such as these make God’s revelation of himself to mankind intriguing. When one considers God’s revelation of himself as being both all powerful as well as all holy, then the contrast between God’s character and that of humanity becomes starkly obvious. Again, this makes the idea of a divine-human contract seem rather unlikely. But that is exactly what God offered Israel in today’s bible passage. God offered to be their protector and provider in exchange for their loyal obedience to following after holiness. God desired Israel’s character to be even as his own, holy. Israel did not have to determine what was holy and what was not. God provided the terms of holiness to them. God gave clear stipulations as to what was required of Israel to come into and remain in right standing with him. In exchange for their loving obedience, God would give them whatever their hearts desired that was in keeping with holiness. Although God is clearly superior, the covenant he established with Israel was similar to a covenant between equal parties where they both agreed on the terms and conditions. In our lesson today, God outlined some basic terms and conditions of the Sinai Covenant with a clear description of holy living or holiness on the part of Israel. This was a fundamental requirement of the covenant—holy living. This manner of living would bring Israel into right standing or righteousness with God. God, through Moses, described the law of righteousness. This description was put in a covenant that God made with Israel.


Robert C. Hudson
August 31, 2010