Tuesday, January 24, 2017

No Compromise -- "Not a Hoof"


Today’s Bible Reading:  Exodus 9-11, Luke 24
Topic: Obedience



SCRIPTURE:  Exodus 10:26

Our livestock shall also go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. (Exodus 10:26 a)


OBSERVATION: 

As things got worse and worse for Pharaoh and Egypt during the plagues, Pharaoh employed a common political tactic - negotiate for a compromise. But when it comes to the commands of the Lord we learn an important and invaluable lesson in this verse: "Not a hoof!" God's command and will was that "all" Israel be set free - every man, woman, child and possession! Pharaoh tried to persuade Moses to compromise - first to leave the women and children behind, then to leave some of the livestock. Moses knew that to compromise God's command would lead to death and destruction. "NO! 'All' of Israel will go - every person, young or old, every possession, every beast - NOT A HOOF shall be left behind. We will not compromise!"


APPLICATION:

What was true for Moses and the Israelites is true for me today.  There are many ways in which followers of Christ can and should be conciliatory.  There are matters of culture and contemporary realities to which I can and, in some case, even should adapt in order to reach some.  There are matters of Church tradition which I must recognize as such and not treat as dogma.  However, when it comes to God’s commands, there must be no compromise. 


PRAYER:


Lord, to compromise You—to dilute Your ways at all—is an abomination. Give me the wisdom to recognize the difference between Divine command and human dogma.  Give me the strength and resolve to never compromise You or myself. In Jesus' name. Amen.  -AP

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