Greetings,
Numbers 14:22-23 …because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.
I believe that the ten tests of Israel from Egypt and in the wilderness represent tests that we must all face in our journey to embracing the testimony of being sons and daughters of God who live life in a way that expresses the internal kingdom of God in external ways. It is a matter of living our lives from the foundation and growing testimony of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit within our hearts. The tests that we face are not meant to disqualify us, but to inspire the manifestation of the life of God’s kingdom power within our hearts to become the motivating force in our journey in life. I have addressed five tests and today I am going to address the next test as I see it in the journey of the children of Israel.
The sixth test is a test of the likeness and image of God. This test involves the temptation to settle for a created image of God instead of being formed by God’s Word and Spirit. The gift given to us through Jesus Christ is one where the Word became flesh, so we could become a testimony of God’s word in life. We are to be in His likeness and His image in the uniqueness of our identity, testimony, and purpose in life that reveals who He is. To become the likeness and image of God our Father we must overcome the temptation to form God in our likeness and image. We must be willing to be changed by Him as we welcome His presence to transform who we are by the power of His Spirit and Word.
Exodus 19:3-6 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
God’s plan was to cause His people to manifest as kings and priests among the kingdoms of the world. They were to be a testimony of heavenly realities in earthly ways. We are called to be expressions of God in His likeness and image. We are to demonstrate the fruit of who He is in earthly ways and we are called to demonstrate the power of who He is in our earthly realities. In Exodus chapter 20, Moses received the ten commandments, the moral laws, the social laws, the sanctions, the instruction for the tabernacle and its functions. He received the testimony of all that was a shadow of who we are to be in Christ. We are to be the testimony of God’s presence and God’s word in our world. Exodus 20:1-17 reveals what we know to be the 10 commandments given by God. Those commandments were a testimony of a love for God and love for their fellow man. Following this, God gave instructions for moral and social laws as well as sanctions and the plans for a tabernacle, its functions and the articles of its function. These things were testimonies of a heavenly presence, a heavenly character, and heavenly power among men; of which all reveal the testimony of being the people of God. As Moses was receiving the instructions for being the people of God, the children of Israel chose to fashion a created creature made of gold and they began to worship it. The delay of Moses on the mountain proved to draw the weakness of inpatients from the hearts of the children of Israel. They feared going up the mountain to face who God really was and were hoping for a human version of God in the form of Moses, but his delay upon the mountain caused the people to be willing to succumb to believe that God could be fashioned according to their likings and their vision of what they thought were true treasures in life. The things that they wore as jewelry became the material for a golden calf. Their own personal treasures became the substance of value to from a God they thought could be worshipped.
Exodus 32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf.
Sometimes there seems to be a delay in God revealing who He is in our lives. Sometimes there seems to be a delay in His miraculous power or a delay in His ability to bring deliverance, healing, restoration, or some form of transformation in our lives. When this happens, we can be tempted to measure Him by what we have seen as treasures in our lives. Because we cannot see Him for who He is in our lives we create a god according to our own desires and our own preconceived image of who He should be. When we do this, we fail the test of allowing God to form us in His likeness and image. When we do this, we fall short of seeing His glory in our lives. We end up worshipping a form of godliness that is void of the life-transforming power of the One who gives life, breath, and all things. As leaders we must lead others in passing the test of being transformed into the likeness and image of God in the process of faith and patience.
Food For Thought,
Ted J. Hanson
Thank you so much to those of you who have been able to give your support to House of Bread Ministry at this time. Several of you have responded to our need and you are proving that God is good and faithful in all things. There is only a couple of weeks to help us finish 2018 strong. We have a number of expenses to pay before the end of the year. We have been able to go to many peoples and many nations with a message and impartation of New Covenant Life and Grace. Your assistance in prayers and resources helps us accomplish our assignment.
We are expecting another great year of reaching the nations and generations in 2019 and your financial support can help us accomplish the task.
We need your continued prayer support and any financial contribution you are able to give. We are reaching the nations with New Covenant life and Grace for the generations of tomorrow.
Donations can be made at the above right link or mail your donation to House of Bread Ministry, 3210 Meridian St., Bellingham, Wa. 98225
