Setting Up Religious Programs

Scripture: This is the Moses who said to his congregation, ‘God will raise up a prophet just like me from your descendants.’ This is the Moses who stood between the angel speaking at Sinai and your fathers assembled in the wilderness and took the life-giving words given to him and handed them over to us, words our fathers would have nothing to do with. They craved the old Egyptian ways, whining to Aaron, ‘Make us gods we can see and follow. This Moses who got us out here miles from nowhere—who knows what’s happened to him!’ That was the time when they made a calf-idol, brought sacrifices to it, and congratulated each other on the wonderful religious program they had put together. Acts 7:37-41

Observation: Stephen, on trial for the primary accusation of speaking against Moses and the "customs" Moses handed down, goes on to present his thorough yet brief understanding of Moses' mission. In this summary, Stephen hits on three very interesting points:

1) Moses himself had been rejected by the Israelites to be their leader and protector, but was later sent by the Lord to fulfill that purpose. This purpose included being the one who heard from the Lord and presented God's word and teaching to Israel.

2) Furthermore, it was Moses who predicted that someday another prophet with this same purpose and mission would be raised up within Israel.

3) At all times - while Moses was on the mountain receiving the word of God, the entire 40 years in the wilderness, and throughout the history if Israel - the Jews chose to create their own "religious programs" and adopt their own practices and customs, outside of God's instructions.

This is an amazing sermon. In only a few paragraphs, Stephen both defends the charges made against him, and fully summarizes the mission of Jesus to redeem the world. Israel first, then all the world, need a person to stand between the Lord and themselves, and to give us all proper understanding of the Lord's will. Moses did this, now Jesus does it. But rebellious people will instead ignore this council and create their own practices and programs, their own gods and idols. When they do this declaring the name of God, they are in the wrong. When they especially do this in the pursuit of earthly happiness (the old Egyptian ways) independent of God, they are worthy of punishment by exile.

Application: I have read Stephen's speech before, but this section resonates strongly today. This summary of what a redeemer does, and how those who reject the redeemer subsequently behave, is so accurate.

There are SO many today who have created their own "programs" for how to live their lives. A very good friend of mine last week even discussed 'his' philosophy to pursue 'happiness' as how he was planning to model the rest of his life. Woe to those that pursue their own programs.

Do I do that? What practices, behaviors, or activities have I set up that are of my own design, and outside of the Lord's instructions? I do things like play golf for my joy, but I do not set those up as programs that define my own god and religion. It would be better if I took more intentionality doing the things the Lord DOES tell me to do, like pray continually, love others explicitly, and serve diligently.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you again for Jesus as my savior and redeemer. I know I am a sinner, and that Jesus is the one who stands in the gap and provides the path to receive your love, your instruction, and your word. In my daily life, may I more and more seek your direction, and less and less wander on in my own direction. Amen.