Category: New Testament

The Three Thousand

~ Sowmya Gali

Numerical facts are important to God so they must be important to us too when we read the Bible. In the Book of Exodus, as God was pronouncing His law to Moses on Mount Sinai, the Israelites at the bottom of the mountain grew impatient waiting for Moses to return and committed a great sin – the sin of idolatry. Instead of waiting expectantly in fear and reverence, they rebelled against God and Moses. When Moses learns of the sin and returns to the camp, he witnesses a disgusting sight. The people were running wild and so became a laughing stock to the enemies of Israel (Exodus 32: 25).

With anger burning against these people, Moses says. “If anyone is for the Lord, come to me.” Immediately the Levites rallied towards him. Moses then commands these Levites to armor themselves with swords and then go out into the camp from one end to the other, back and forth and kill the people. That day, three thousand people died in front of the Lord (Exodus 32: 28). Moses returns to Mount Sinai to atone for the sin and seek forgiveness from the Lord for their sin. God afflicts them with a plague for their grievous sin.

When God’s Law came down at Mount Sinai, judgment and death followed. Grace was no longer available for free. The people could not approach God with empty hands. Some sort of sacrifice or offering was required of the people to receive God’s grace. Unless they fulfilled the Law, their prayers were not answered, their diseases were not healed and their enemies were not defeated. The people of Israel entered a new phase in time.

Jump ahead to Acts 1. Jesus ascended to heaven commissioning His disciples to preach the good news of the gospel and making disciples of all nations. However, He asked them to wait in Jerusalem for the gift that His Father promised – the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the power of the Holy Spirit will guide them to the ends of the earth. As the disciples were awaiting the Holy Spirit to descend from heaven, they chose Mathias to replace Judas and remained together constantly praying (Acts 1: 14). In this instant, the disciples were waiting the Holy Spirit’s arrival expectantly in prayer and fellowship. What a contrast from the days of Moses!

On the Day of Pentecost, a sound like the violent blowing of the wind came from heaven and filled the whole house (Acts 2:2). Tongues of fire came and rested on each of the disciples and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in other tongues or languages. Later, Peter stood up and addressed the crowd that gathered to witness this amazing miracle unfolding right in front of their eyes. That day about three thousand accepted the message and were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The grace of God once again descended from heaven not to condemn any man but to redeem and bring them into the fold of God. Our Heavenly Father, who is utterly pleased with the sacrifice of His beloved Son, saw us through the eyes of His Son Jesus Christ. From then on, there is no condemnation. Praise God for His Grace!

Uphill, Downhill

~ Sowmya Gali ~ 1 Comment

Many people will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths…”  Isaiah 2: 3

During one of my recent hikes, I was climbing up a steep hill. It is one of the most arduous hikes I’ve undertaken as the ascent is steadily steep for more than 300 feet. The gentle Holy Spirit prompted me to look at my posture as I was climbing up the hill. I was hunched forward with my knees slightly bent and my head bent low. Even though, I tried to look up and walk, I couldn’t do it for long. The only time I looked up was to assess the distance to reach the top of that hill. And so I forged ahead until I reached the top of the hill.

I was reminded of the story of Abraham when he took his son Isaac to sacrifice on Mount Moriah. As he ascended that mountain, he must’ve been walking in the same posture as I did; unaware of what lay ahead on top of the hill. A God who granted him a son in old age has now commanded him to sacrifice that very son on the top of the mountain. A perplexing situation but Abraham never questioned God instead obeyed Him. Somewhere along that ascension, Abraham must’ve realized that a God, who could provide him with a son in his old age, is well able to provide either with a sacrifice or another son to replace Isaac. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have assured his son Isaac when the boy questioned about the lamb.

Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Genesis 22: 8

As we go through life, many a times we are climbing uphill, oblivious of what lay ahead. If we are not ascending to the mountain of the Lord, then we will miss out the promises and blessings that await us there. We are so accustomed to mediocrity that we dread to let ourselves step out in faith into oblivion. We contend ourselves with what we have. We assure ourselves that that is our lot and shouldn’t dream bigger. How disappointed must God be when He looks at us! Promise of a better life filled with abounding spiritual blessings, health and prosperity, and much more await us on top of that mountain that we are so reluctant to ascend. All God wants us is obey His call and start ascending, hunched forward, head bowed and on bended knees.

When Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac on top of Mount Moriah, the angel of the Lord stopped him. God provided a ram. Father and son sacrificed the ram as a burnt offering instead. This experience led Abraham to believe and proclaim with confidence, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22: 14. The question that begs to be asked is, “what is stopping us to make that ascension?”

When I reached that hill top, I was left breathless of the beauty and magnificence that lay around and below me. From that pinnacle, I could see the beauty of God’s creation in all directions without any obstructions resulting in a changed perspective. From up there, all my problems seem so distant and small as I gazed at the beauty around me. I could see the easing of the traffic jams on the freeways ahead. I could see every bend in the road that I frequently travel. Everything from up there seemed plausible. Even on the distant horizon where the ocean meets the sky, I couldn’t discern the dividing line.

Now I could see what God wants me to see: HIM. Realized that God is bigger than anything we can see. From His perspective, all worries are trivial. Every obstacle can be conquered. We can turn fearlessly at life’s every blind corner. With that newly gained confidence in the Lord who provides, I started descending that hill. Once again, the gentle Holy Spirit reminded me of my posture. Now my shoulders are back, my legs straightened and I was leaning back to balance. My gait is confident as I have trodden that path already, fully aware of every bend, turn or obstacle that lay on the path.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8: 18

Forge ahead, my dear brothers and sisters, for the Lord who provides will meet you on top of the mountain. Let us learn His ways so we can walk in His paths. Abraham descended Mount Moriah joyful and confident in the Lord who provides.