SOAP 02/10/2015; Exodus 23:25

Today's reading: Exodus 23

S) "²⁵ But you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst."

Exodus 23:25 (NASB)

O) Initially, as with all Scripture, we must beware of taking verses out of context. This was, without doubt, a promise to the Israelites of The Exodus. As such, it would be presumptuous to think I can simply claim this same promise. Reading my footnotes, though, I see that the words, "and He will bless..." can also be translated, "that He may bless..." That subtle word change is the difference maker. Now, while this is a promise to the Israelites, it also takes on a different note as a statement about who God is. His desire is to bless His people (which includes me). His desire is to bless their (my) bread and water, and remove sickness from their (my) midst. But before any of that happens, God is saying that we must serve the LORD our God.

A) God is not under contract, but He is in a covenant with His people. In a contract, each side is legally required to do things, regardless of the actions of the other side. This is not how God operates with His people. He gives promises within the context of a covenant that says, "If you will do this, then I will do this." That is the premise of this promise. His desire is to bless and heal, but He also requires devotion from His people. If I am not serving the LORD, I cannot rightly ask God to bless my meals or heal my body. Now, God can, in His sovereignty and grace, choose to bless and heal whomever He chooses. As His child, I can hope that my Father God will do that, but I cannot rightly expect it, unless I am also upholding my side of the covenant.

P) Father, even the fact that You enter into covenant with such wretched creatures as us, is a testament to Your unparalleled love. In Your grace, You brought me to a place that I could even enter that covenant with You. The promises I have, through Your written Word, they are deep and wide, and yes and amen. Open my eyes and ears, and give me proper understanding, so that I am not assuming any promises that are not truly for me. At the same time, please increase my faith to attain all of the promises that are for me. Let me walk in obedience and faithfulness, not just for the reward of promises, but because that will increase my intimacy with You, Lord. Be glorified in my life, and let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.