Tag: Moses

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1 Timothy 1:13b – Man’s Plan, God’s Mercy

Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh. (Grok)

… I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 

Summary: Paul’s confession of his actions before meeting Jesus Christ is a helpful reference point for us.   

When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, he chose Moses to lead them. In the story, Moses is not some superhero who comes out of nowhere. He has what is called a “back story.” He was born in Egypt during a time of persecution (Exodus 1:8-14). He survives a royal edict to kill all male children (Exodus 1:22). He has an older sister, Miriam, and an older brother, Aaron (Numbers 26:59). 

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1 Timothy 1:7 – Part IV: Whose Law?

Moses carrying the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on them (Grok)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: When we talk about being a teacher of the law, it is important to consider the source of the laws we are teaching. They are not all the same.   

Before we move on, we need to spend a few minutes talking about the difference between God’s laws and man’s laws. 

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Philippians 2:28 – Paul’s Relief

Man in a workshop with a broken power saw (Grok)

Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.

Summary: This verse provides an excellent example of how the original Greek can help clear up questions about seeming contradictions in the Bible.   

This verse provides the opportunity to clarify something that could be important to some.

The word Paul used when writing his letter was “alypos.” The NIV translation uses the English word “anxiety” here, but that is not a direct translation. Most English translations use a different word. 

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Philippians 2:15b – Star Light

Artistic rendering of stars in space (Pixabay)

“children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…

Summary: Paul’s words point us to one of the most important questions facing Christians: How do we know we are saved?   

What does he mean by suggesting that we can become “blameless and pure” (Philippians 1:15a) and “children of God without fault?” Is he suggesting that we can attain some level of perfection as believers in Christ? 

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Colossians 3:20 – God’s Children

Picture of a man in white hair, beard and robe depicting God holding the world in his hand and rolling his eyes.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Summary: Speaking of children, how did God deal with his kids? 

It is interesting that Paul would include this statement in his section on family values, but not surprising. 

Paul is sharing information revealed to him by God (Galatians 1:12). As usual, God’s message is completely consistent over the centuries. It is also a message close to God’s heart. 

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Colossians 3:12e – Something to Remember

AI Picture of Moses in four stages of life - as a baby in a basket, as a young man, as a shepherd, and with the burning bush.

…[clothe yourselves with] … humility …

Summary: In the grand scheme of things, understanding a word like “humility” requires us to have an understanding of how we measure our own self-importance. 

When I think of humility, I always think of Moses. The Bible says that Moses was “a very humble man.” It goes on to say that he was “more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Number 12:3). 

At first glance, that statement sounds oxymoronic. 

We assume the first five books of the Bible are written by Moses, so how could he claim to be “more humble than anyone else” and still be humble? 

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Galatians 4:24c – The Unseen Connection

One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

Summary: The writer of Hebrews reminds us that faith is “assurance about what we do not see.” Sometimes we need to be reminded of what it is that we don’t see. Paul is here to help us!

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