Hard Words of Christ

Synopsis     Deuteronomy 31:11-18     3/29/2018

Moses concluded his instructions to the people. He entrusted the law to the Levitical priests to conduct annual readings at the Feast of Booths. He then presented himself at the Tent of Meeting with Joshua.

God met him there in the cloud. He prophesized about how the people would fail after Moses was gone.

Summon Joshua

Once again a few words on a page – but this is a radically intense moment. Imagine yourself there: The cloud of God speaks. Moses is reminded that he is about to die. Joshua is commissioned with power to lead the people. But he is immediately told by God that the people will rebel and break the covenant.

Perhaps none of this is a surprise to either man, but still the God of all creation is saying some hard things to hear. “Moses – it’s time for you to die.” “Joshua – the people will rebel against you.” God’s voice. What would that be like?

Hard Words of Christ

Jesus once told Peter, “Get thee behind Me Satan.” (Luke 16:18) On another occasion he said, ““Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat”. (Luke 22:31) And to the church of  Ephesus; he said, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” (Rev 2:4) And to Laodicia, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Rev 3:19

The hard words; the moments of realization of moral failure; the challenge of knowing that maybe life won’t turn out the way I imagined; they have a purpose. I won’t get better until I confront the reality that I am sick. I won’t play to win unless I believe that I can lose.

Trustworthy are the blows of a friend, dangerous, the kisses of an enemy Prov 27:5