I may find that I'm singing off key here, but during my scripture reading I had an interesting thought...
"When you cross the Jordan, set up these stones at Mount Ebal and coat them with plaster, as I am commanding you today. Then build an altar there to the LORD your God, using natural, uncut stones. You must not shape the stones with an iron tool. Build the altar of uncut stones, and use it to offer burnt offerings to the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 27:4-6 (NLT)
Have you ever read this passage and wondered why the Lord wanted the alter built with uncut stones? When there were obviously so many skilled craftsmen among the children of Israel who could have used their skill and creativity to create something more appealing from those raw and uncultured stones, why would the Lord forbid it?
There are no doubt more in depth explanations that escape my thoughts at the moment, but I've wondered about this more than once and came up with one possibility in my own mind...
"Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day." Genesis 1:31 (NLT)
Have you ever wondered about the difference between how we esteem the work of our own hands and how Father God views His? Is it possible for man to take something that God said was good and make it better? Or is it more possible perhaps that man has a tendency to corrupt what he touches? From God's perspective it was already good, so ... ... It's just an interesting thought that makes me question once again what I see from my own perspective and cautions me to leave room to defer to His far greater vantage point.
As a child of God and in regard to people, I realize that as He creates them in the womb, they're innocent in themselves of wrong doing by their own works, thoughts and words. They haven't yet had the opportunity at that point to be corrupted by outside influence or even to corrupt themselves - in a way, maybe they're a little like those uncut stones.
Our lives in the world here, momentarily influenced by the cutting evil that exists, have a tendency to allow us to be shaped in ways that deny us the innocence we once had when we were formed by the hand of the God that gave us life. Jesus' sacrifice and the ensuing sanctification process as we submit to it, is in essence bringing us back toward that point of innocence. He's carefully restoring us, putting the pieces back in place as only He can, to perhaps make us once again... like uncut stones.
I love you. Stay strong and healthy in Christ.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
"When you cross the Jordan, set up these stones at Mount Ebal and coat them with plaster, as I am commanding you today. Then build an altar there to the LORD your God, using natural, uncut stones. You must not shape the stones with an iron tool. Build the altar of uncut stones, and use it to offer burnt offerings to the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 27:4-6 (NLT)
Have you ever read this passage and wondered why the Lord wanted the alter built with uncut stones? When there were obviously so many skilled craftsmen among the children of Israel who could have used their skill and creativity to create something more appealing from those raw and uncultured stones, why would the Lord forbid it?
There are no doubt more in depth explanations that escape my thoughts at the moment, but I've wondered about this more than once and came up with one possibility in my own mind...
"Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day." Genesis 1:31 (NLT)
Have you ever wondered about the difference between how we esteem the work of our own hands and how Father God views His? Is it possible for man to take something that God said was good and make it better? Or is it more possible perhaps that man has a tendency to corrupt what he touches? From God's perspective it was already good, so ... ... It's just an interesting thought that makes me question once again what I see from my own perspective and cautions me to leave room to defer to His far greater vantage point.
As a child of God and in regard to people, I realize that as He creates them in the womb, they're innocent in themselves of wrong doing by their own works, thoughts and words. They haven't yet had the opportunity at that point to be corrupted by outside influence or even to corrupt themselves - in a way, maybe they're a little like those uncut stones.
Our lives in the world here, momentarily influenced by the cutting evil that exists, have a tendency to allow us to be shaped in ways that deny us the innocence we once had when we were formed by the hand of the God that gave us life. Jesus' sacrifice and the ensuing sanctification process as we submit to it, is in essence bringing us back toward that point of innocence. He's carefully restoring us, putting the pieces back in place as only He can, to perhaps make us once again... like uncut stones.
I love you. Stay strong and healthy in Christ.
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
Comments
Post a Comment