He Gave Moses Two Tablets of the Testimony, Tablets of Stone, Written with the Finger of God: Exodus 31:18-32:35

Exodus 31:18-32:35: "31:18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

"32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, 'Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.' 2 And Aaron said to them, 'Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.' 3 So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, 'This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!' 5 So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, 'Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD.' 6 Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 7 And the LORD said to Moses, 'Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!"' 9 And the LORD said to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! 10 Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.' 11 Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: 'LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, "He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth?" Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, "I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever."' 14 So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people. 15 And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony were in his hand. The tablets were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other they were written. 16 Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets. 17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, 'There is a noise of war in the camp.' 18 But he said: 'It is not the noise of the shout of victory, nor the noise of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing I hear.' 19 So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses' anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20 Then he took the calf which they had made, burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it. 21 And Moses said to Aaron, 'What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?' 22 So Aaron said, 'Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. 23 For they said to me, "Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." 24 And I said to them, "Whoever has any gold, let them break it off." So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.' 25 Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies), 26 then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, 'Whoever is on the LORD's side--come to me.' And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. 27 And he said to them, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor."' 28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. 29 Then Moses said, 'Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother.' 30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, 'You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.' 31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.' 33 And the LORD said to Moses, 'Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. 34 Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.' 35 So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made."

As soon as God delivers His Law written by His own finger to Moses, we are shown that the people of God, have broken the Testimony. And it is the very first Commandment, that is, to not have other gods. The narrative of the golden calf is familiar to us. But here are a couple of things that should be drawn to our attention regarding this pericope.

The first is that God writes the Ten Commandments with His own finger. This reveals the love our Lord God has for His people, and how important this Law is to Him. He doesn't pass the task of writing it on to an angel, or to Moses, but He writes it Himself. This means that what He writes, He means to be kept flawlessly.

The second thing to point out is that when the Israelites approach Aaron to make them a false god, he doesn't put up any sort of an argument, at least none that is written about. He basically says, "Ok, give me your gold and silver, and I'll do it." Along these lines, and something that is interesting, is when Aaron is relaying the story to Moses, he states that when he threw the gold and the silver into the fire, the golden calf just appeared out of the flames. This is different the narrative that Moses relates earlier in the chapter, that is, that Aaron fashioned it with an engraving tool. What does that mean? It means that Aaron is lying to Moses, to make it seem like what he did wasn't that bad. Although, Aaron leaves out the part about making an altar to the golden calf, too. We also learn that Aaron was the guy left in charge by Moses, to keep the Israelites from doing just such a thing. What is truly remarkable about all this, is that Aaron is still chosen as the High Priest. This shows how forgiving our Lord can be.

Another thing to point out is that our Lord God, when He discovers what the Israelites are doing, He wants to immediately wipe out the entire nation, however, Moses intercedes for them. We see in this a prefigurement of our Lord Jesus, Who intercedes for us to the Father. But what is interesting is that as soon as Moses comes down the mountain, the same wrath that our Lord God had, now consumes him. And he smashes the stone tablets on the ground, has the calf ground into powder, and makes them drink it. Then he sends the Levites out among the Israelites, and they kill 3,000 of them. What this means, is that Moses is acting on God's behalf. He both intercedes and metes out punishment. Or to say it another way, he both forgives and retains sins, much like the ministers do today. Forgiving the sins of those who repent, but retaining the sin of those who do not repent.

The final thing to point out is that after Moses does all these things to the Israelite people, he is back to interceding to the Lord God for the people. He even makes the great statement, that he would be willing to die in the place of the Israelites for their sin (see verse 32). Moses is showing himself to be a prefigurement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who was willing to suffer and die on behalf of us and the whole world, who are manifest sinners, so that we might have life, and have it abundantly.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

Be Strong, Do Not Fear! : Isaiah 35:3-7

Isaiah 35:3-7: "3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.' 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes."

This Old Testament lesson for the Prophet Isaiah, which is appointed for Quinquagesima, ties in nicely with both the Epistle and the Gospel. For it talks about the acts of love, and about the blind being given their sight. It also talks about God coming to save us. This is fulfilled in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was born into our flesh, to fulfill the Law perfectly, and suffer our punishment for breaking the Law of God, by His suffering and death on the cross. We are even told about the gift that our Lord Jesus would give to us, in order to make disciples, that is, Holy Baptism, for out of the wilderness of sin and death, the waters of Holy Baptism have burst forth, and have filled the desert of this world with a living stream that produces life.

Strengthening weak hands and making firm feeble knees are acts of love, for they concern our neighbor. In this pericope, it is referring to the preached Word of God. For the hands and knees are shaking from trials and tribulations of this life. But through the preaching of the Word of God, faith in the One True God is created, and sustained, so that our weak hands, and feeble knees are strengthened through hearing about what our Lord God has done for us. It is through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we have no fear, and are able to be strong in the midst of sin and death, and trouble and sorrow.

This pericope prepares us for Lent as well, which starts this Wednesday, for it reminds us that we live in a desert, a wilderness; the wilderness and desert of this world full of sin and hatred towards God and His Commandments. Life in the wilderness is hard. Not only do the elements burden us, but the "jackals" of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh are always prowling around looking to devour us.

But we have the good news, which our Lord God promised, that He would take vengeance upon them. He takes His vengeance upon them in His very own Son. He sacrifices His Son, so that we might be rescued from the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh. He gives of Himself, so that we might be His through the water of Holy Baptism.

Holy Baptism, has created a pool in the parched land of this world. A place where we might find strength and comfort.Through it the eyes of spiritual blindness are opened, the ears that have been closed to the Word of God, are opened to hear the Gospel, those who are spiritually lame, unable to walk according to love, are healed so that they may walk in the commandments of God. And those who did not know how to confess their faith, or who were not able even to confess God, have their tongues healed, so that they might pray the liturgy, and sing hymns and psalms to God. Therefore, "Be strong; Do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you."

May God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

But After That No One Dared Question Him: St. Mark 12:13-44

St. Mark 12:13-44: "13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, 'Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?' But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, 'Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.' 16 So they brought it. And He said to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar's.' 17 And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' And they marveled at Him. 18 Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 19 'Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. 22 So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 23 Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.' 24 Jesus answered and said to them, 'Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.' 28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, 'Which is the first commandment of all?' 29 Jesus answered him, 'The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.' 32 So the scribe said to Him, 'Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.' 34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' But after that no one dared question Him. 35 Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, 'How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Spirit: "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" 37 Therefore David himself calls Him "Lord;" how is He then his Son?' And the common people heard Him gladly. 38 Then He said to them in His teaching, 'Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.' 41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.'"

Today's reading is the last reading from the Evangelist St. Mark until the week of Judica, when we will pick up again with the Passion of our Lord. Starting tomorrow we will begin reading through the Gospel of St. Luke skipping over the Christmas narratives, which we read during that season. So today, we have the final debates between our Lord Jesus, and the religious leaders of His day. We hear from the Pharisees and Herodians, who were Jews who were loyal to the Roman power, from the Sadducees, and from a scribe, the only one in the bunch who is "not far from the kingdom of God." Therefore, all the groups who will seek for His death are represented.

In the first group, the Pharisees and Herodians, we learn from chapter 11:27, that the "they sent" refers to the chief priests, elders and scribes. Having already been silenced by our Lord, they send the Pharisees and Herodians. The interesting thing about these two groups, is that they were at odds with each other, for the Pharisees, were concerned with achieving freedom from Roman power. They wanted the Jews to be free from the Roman rule, so that they could rule and govern themselves. Therefore, the subcurrent of this narrative about taxes to Caesar is that if our Lord Jesus were to say pay Caesar the Pharisees would jump on Him for being a disloyalist. And if He said, do not pay Caesar, the Herodians would jump all over Him for not being loyal to the Roman government. Therefore, in their minds, they have set the perfect trap. A no win question for our Lord Jesus.

However, our Lord sees right through this ruse, and answers their question with a question as He is wont to do. And after ascertaining that the coin bore the image of Caesar, and therefore, belonged to him, our Lord tells them to give back the coin to whom it belongs.

The second group coming to Him is are the Sadducees. The Sadducees differed from the Pharisees and Herodians, not only in doctrine, but in their intent. For the Pharisees and Herodians, and the chief priests, elders, and scribes who sent them, hated our Lord Jesus, because of Who He is, that is He is the Messiah, and all the people see it. These people have therefore stopped listening to them, and have gone after Him. In short, they were driven by jealousy, and attacked His person, trying to get the people to see He was a liar and not worthy of being listened too. The Sadducees, on the other hand, hated our Lord Jesus, because of His doctrine. They did not like what He taught, for He taught about the resurrection, that there are such a thing as angels and demons, and other doctrines which they did not believe. For they only read the Pentateuch, that is, the five books of Moses, sometimes called the Torah. And only the doctrines contained in those books they would uphold. They were the Marcionites of our Lord Jesus' time. Those who cut out certain parts of Scripture because it didn't agree with their teachings.

Their question centers around the Resurrection. Here again, the Sadducees, like the Pharisees and Herodians, try to trick our Lord Jesus, by offering an elaborate example of the Law of Moses regarding the producing of offspring. First of all, the question ignores the purpose of this Law, it was to keep the Jewish line going, this was especially important in the line of David, for his offspring would be the Messiah. Second, it shows their lack of understanding of the holy Scriptures. For all those who cut out parts of holy Scripture, or say that some parts are God's Word and other parts are not, or that some parts are only to be understood as being culturally relevant to the time when they were written in the Bible, lack true understanding of holy Scripture. This also obviously applies to those who say that the Bible is not the Word of God, or only contains the Word of God, and other such nonsense.

For the Sadducees, because they have left out, or don't read, or don't believe in certain parts of holy Scripture, their understanding of the resurrection is flawed. For these Sadducees didn't believe in the resurrection of the body, for they thought that the body was raised in the same form it died, and therefore, if the body is completely destroyed it could not be raised from the dead. And, as we learn fromt the Blessed Apostle, St. Paul, a Pharisee who had full knowledge of all the holy Scriptures, in his epistle to the Church at Corinth, that the body is raised as a "glorious" body. Much like when we witness our Lord Jesus being transfigured on the mountain.

Our Lord refutes this lack of knowledge by going back to the Words of holy Scripture to which they would actually read and believe; to the passage on the burning bush which appeared to Moses. The Lord God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were at the time of Moses (and the time of Jesus) not alive on the Earth, but alive in Heaven. For even those these patriarchs appeared to be dead, they were alive, hence, our Lord God is not a God of the dead, but the living.

The Pharisees and Sadducees are contrasted with a scribe, a lone scribe, who understands and believes our Lord Jesus. He is the model of faith among the clergy. For although it is said in the Gospel of St. Matthew, that this man asked the question to test Him, it need not be understood to be with evil intent, but to ask a question, about which He pondered. The most striking thing about this whole discourse is the final realization of the scribe, that the commandments of our Lord God were greater than all the sacrifices. This is also why our Lord Jesus says that he is not far from the kingdom of God, and not that he is within the kingdom of God. For this man places the Law above sacrifices. Which is better than what the Pharisees and Sadducees believed, but it is not fully informed. This man is like the people today who desire to good work their way into heaven.

All this man really needs to hear is the Gospel, that our Lord Jesus suffered and died for his salvation, so that in His love for His Father, and for His Father's creation, all the sacrifices and burnt offerings are no longer necessary, for our Lord has completed them all by His once and for all sacrifice of atonement for us on the cross, so that we might have forgiveness, life, and salvation. Therefore, this man is close to the kingdom of God, but not there yet. We can almost gather from this narrative by the Evangelist St. Mark, that he is referring to a specific individual that would have been known to the first hearers of this Gospel. We don't know, but we do know that this man's enlightenment from the Word of our Lord Jesus, give an example of the enlightenment that takes place in all those who hear the Gospel.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

Consecrate to Me All the Firstborn: Exodus 13:1-22

Exodus 13:1-22: "1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 'Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.' 3 And Moses said to the people: 'Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. 5 And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters. 8 And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, "This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt." 9 It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year. 11 And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, 12 that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD's. 13 But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14 So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is this?" that you shall say to him, "By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem." 16 It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.' 17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, 'Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.' 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, 'God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.' 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people."

All the firstborn of Israel are consecrated to the Lord. Having celebrated this past week the Presentation of our Lord and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is sometimes called Candlemas, this reading should be especially poignant. For it is the purification rite that the Blessed Virgin under went that is a result of this consecration of the firstborn. Everyone that opened the womb must be redeemed, that is, they must be bought back from God. This was done through the sacrifices listed in the Old Testament.

But this consecration of the firstborn, really points to our Lord Jesus Christ. For He is consecrated to His Heavenly Father, and because of this, He does His Father's will. For the Christian, our Lord Jesus is called the Firstborn out of all the dead. When the Blessed Apostle St. Paul states this, he is recalling this narrative from Exodus 13. For our Lord Jesus has opened up the womb of the tomb. He is the Firstborn of out the dead, that means that all those who are baptized with the waters of Holy Baptism, also come out of that womb of the tomb. Therefore, just as He was raised from the dead, and arose out of that tomb alive, so to all those who come out of the womb of Holy Baptism, are eternally alive in Christ Jesus.

This is why the Church is often referred to Holy MOTHER Church, for she gives birth to her children through the waters of Holy Baptism. A woman's womb, is like a tomb, for inside the baby grows alive while the outside world is unaware, especially before the baby's life is detected and known. In that time, it is as if the baby does not exist, as if it was dead to the world, however, that baby is alive and growing. So it is to in Holy Baptism, for in the waters of Holy Baptism the baby, or the one being baptized, is spiritually drowned in those waters, and all that is in him from Adam, and all that he has added thereto is drowned and killed in those waters of Holy Baptism.

Having therefore killed off the sin, death, and devil that lived in that child, he is now able to arise again to a new life in Christ. On the cross, our Lord Jesus took upon Him all of our sin, death, and the marks of the devil, and crucified it with Himself, so that He could place them eternally in the grave, and leave them their dead and rotting, so that they could no longer harm us or have an eternal effect on us. Having accomplished this task He rose alive again from the tomb, and opened the womb of eternal life.

However, He did not stop there. He did not only become the Firstborn out of all the dead, who are now living. But He gave that gift to all those who believe. He made us co-heirs of His triumph. So that now we also are considered in the Father's eyes as firstborn out of the dead, and His children. Therefore, we rightly call Him Father, for He is our eternal Father. Having then been consecrated to the Lord our Heavenly Father, through the waters of Holy Baptism, we do His will, trusting in His mercy and grace, and living according to His commandments, and listening to and hearing His holy Word, which is preached into our ears to keep reminding us that we are His children, and He provides us with all that we need to support this body and life. Especially has He gifted us with forgiveness of sins, eternal life and salvation.

May the Lord God Heavenly Father keep you in your baptismal grace, and bring you to His home in Heaven, when your Holy Baptism is consummated at your death.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

So She Called His Name Moses: Exodus 2:1-25

Exodus 2:1-25: "1 And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river's bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. 5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?' 8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go.' So the maiden went and called the child's mother. 9 Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, 'Because I drew him out of the water.' 11 Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 So he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, 'Why are you striking your companion?' 14 Then he said, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' So Moses feared and said, 'Surely this thing is known!' 15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 Then the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 When they came to Reuel their father, he said, 'How is it that you have come so soon today?' 19 And they said, 'An Egyptian delivered us from the hand of the shepherds, and he also drew enough water for us and watered the flock.' 20 So he said to his daughters, 'And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.' 21 Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. 22 And she bore him a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, 'I have been a stranger in a foreign land.' 23 Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. 24 So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them."

Today we get introduced to Moses. Therefore we have the narrative of how Moses came to be born, and how he came to be named and raised among the Egyptians. This chapter is contrasted with the first chapter, where Pharaoh was consumed with the extermination of the Jewish nation. In this chapter we are shown how God plans to deliver them from extermination. It begins with a man, a levite, who we learn from other sections of holy Scripture (later in Exodus, Numbers) that his name was Amram, a Kohathite, meaning he was descended from Kohath. He also married a descendant of Levi, one of Israel's sons, her name we learn from other places in holy Scripture is Jochebed.

We are told here about the birth of Moses, because he will become the vessel of God's deliverance of the Jews, but it should be pointed out that Moses is not the firstborn. Aaron was born before him, and in this chapter we also hear of Moses sister Miriam, who was not a little girl as is depicted in some movies, but was a young woman, since she is referred to as a "maiden," which commonly means young woman. It also referred to someone who was not married, and therefore would be a virgin, but that is another post. Aaron and Miriam, however, were born before the Pharaoh's edict from chapter one to drown all Hebrew baby boys in the River.

It is this edict that causes Moses mother, Jochebed, to hide him away from the Egyptians for the first three months of his life. It is when she can no longer hide him, that he ends up in the River, but not to be drowned, but to be saved. For he is saved from the waters by floating in a small ark. Moses is the new Noah. The one who saves his people by being saved in an ark.

The fact that Moses is drawn out of the water, which is what his name means "drawn out of the waters," also likens him to Noah. And in a certain sense is a picture of Holy Baptism, where the infant is drawn out of the waters, having received the Triune God's Name, and being saved from his sin. There is even theological meaning in Moses' name, for the one who was drawn out, will become the drawer out of the people of Israel.

Also it should be pointed out, contrary to popular movies supposedly portraying these events, that the princess of Egypt knew that Moses was a Hebrew boy, and in spite of the Pharaoh's edict (her own father) and on account of her compassion for the crying baby boy, she saves him. Moses grew up his whole life knowing he was a Hebrew, it wasn't some surprising shock years later, when he discovers a silly blanket. No thank you, Hollywood! In fact, because the sister of Moses, Miriam, follows the ark until the princess finds it, and tells her that she knows someone who can feed the child, the princess tells her to bring the person, who just happens to be his real mother. Therefore, Moses lived with his family until he was weaned, probably about two years old, and then went to live with the princess. And we can assume that the princess paid regular visits to the family of Moses to keep in touch with the lad. Not only that, but Moses mother, Jochebed, was paid to take care of her own child. Pretty sweet deal!

We also learn from other places in holy Scripture, that Moses was fully trained in all the knowledge of Egypt. This is saying something, for at that time, Egypt was the cultural epicenter of the world. It was the place where knowledge was it's greatest. And so, we see from this that our Lord God, uses the wisdom of the world to train his future servant, so that he might use the wisdom of God to thwart the wisdom of the world. Our Almighty Lord's hand is seen in all of this, from Moses birth, to his rescue, to his upbringing.

However, Moses is not perfect. He is a murderer, a sinner. Again, our Lord chooses men who according to the world's eyes are not worthy. But God's ways our not our ways. He uses the frail, the weak, the unworthy, in order to call all the other unworthy ones, so that He might make them worthy through His holy Word. And for the Israelites this man would become Moses, for he would deliver the people of God from Pharaoh.

There are a few things missing from this narrative that cause one to ponder: First, usually there was a prophecy concerning the baby who would perform great things. However, there is no prophecy of Moses, not of his birth, nor of the rescue of the Israelites. Second, we are not told how Moses was accepted into Pharaoh's home, when he clearly wanted the Hebrew boys killed. We can assume that since he continued to be raised in Pharaoh's home, that perhaps he took a liking to the boy, after all, it is said of him that he was a beautiful child. Third, we are not told how Moses maintained his faith in the One True God, in the midst of learning all the knowledge of Egypt. We are only shown that this is true in his murder of the Egyptian task master (representive of the enemies of God) and in his trying to break up a fight between two of his fellow Jews. We are told from St. Stephen's retelling of the narrative, that Moses was forty years old when this happened, so he wasn't young and impetuous, but had lived a fairly decent amount of time.

We see in these actions of Moses, his belief that he could be used by God to deliver the Israelite nation. However, his brothers did not understand it. It wasn't his time, another forty years would pass before that happened. But in this we can see our own and the world's stiff-neckedness. For God desires to deliver us, and sends us ministers to deliver us through His holy Word and Sacraments, but we and the world "understand it not." We do not see that the Lord desires us to be saved us through such simple means. Perhaps it's because we would rather be saved from sin and death, by more extraordinary means, but this is not how our Lord desires to save us.

Therefore we see our Lord's providence in sending the people of Israel a deliver, that is, Moses. God plans to rescue His people who are trapped in the bondage of slavery, and are oppressed by the enemy, Egypt. Our Lord delivers us from the bondage of slavery to sin, and frees us from the oppression of the enemy the devil. Just as Moses was drawn out of waters and saved, so too are we drawn out of the waters of Holy Baptism, and are saved from our sins. And through His holy Word, he keeps us in this salvation, unto life everlasting.

May God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

I Will Raise Up For Them a Prophet Like You From Among Their Brethren: Deuteronomy 18:15-19

Deuteronomy 18:15-19: "15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, 16 according to all you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, nor let me see this great fire anymore, lest I die.' 17 And the LORD said to me: 'What they have spoken is good. 18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. 19 And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.'"

Unlike this morning's reading from the Epistle for today, which did not appear to have anything in common with the Gospel reading. This evening's reading, appointed as the Old Testament reading for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, shows the theme of the Gospel rather clearly. This reading from the Book of Moses, commonly called Deuteronomy, relates the prophecy given through Moses to the people of Israel, that our Lord God would raise up from among their brethren a Prophet.

In the Gospel for today we heard of our Lord Jesus manifesting Himself as God by working His first miracle. In this He shows that He is the Propet that our Lord God promised to the Israelites. We are told that His disciples believed on Him, on account of the miracle at Cana.

Our Lord God tells us that this Prophet would speak all the Words that He gave to Him. And whoever does not listen to them, or heed them, payment will be required. This is a clear statement that only our Lord Christ is the True Messiah, and that salvation is found only in Him. Those who do not hear His Words, that is, believe on Him as did the disciples in today's Gospel, cannot have salvation. There is only one way to heaven, and that is through the True Prophet, our Lord and Savior Jesus.

The Old Testament prophets were called and sent to preach glad tidings. The glad tidings of our Lord God, specifically the glad tidings of the coming Messiah. Our Lord Jesus as Prophet does the same thing, He proclaims Himself and His work of salvation. In the Gospel from St. John 2, our Lord doesn't speak to proclaim Himself, but He does a work, a miracle to proclaim Himself as the Messiah.

In our Lord Jesus this prophecy recorded in the Book of Moses called Deuteronomy is fulfilled. He manifests Himself as this Prophet by performing a miracle. This is really just the first step in His work of salvation for mankind. From Cana He began to preach and teach about what He was to do, and who He was. His disciples who were with Him in Cana got to spend the next three years with Him hearing His Word, which was the Father's Word. They in turn carried that Word to the whole world, until it reached our ears. We have been given the proclamation of the True Prophet. We have been told about our Lord Jesus and the great things that He did for us.

And through the mouths of the prophets of today, who proclaim our Savior, we continue to hear what He has done, that He fulfilled the Law perfectly for us, and suffered and died in our place. We hear of how our Lord Jesus sent us the Holy Ghost to work through means to give us faith and eternal life, so that we might have peace and joy in Him. And we hear of all the good things that our Lord Jesus continues to do for us through His Word and Sacraments, and that on the Last Day, He will raise us up, along with all the dead, and we who believe on Him; who have heard and listened to His Word, will live with Him forever in heaven.

May God keep you in His holy Word, and strengthen you richly and daily with His Holy Spirit.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

I Am Your Shield, Your Exceedingly Great Reward: Genesis 15:1-21

Genesis 15:1-21: "1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.' 2 But Abram said, 'Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?' 3 Then Abram said, 'Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!' 4 And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.' 5 Then He brought him outside and said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.' 6 And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 7 Then He said to him, 'I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.' 8 And he said, 'Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?' 9 So He said to him, 'Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.' 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then He said to Abram: 'Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.' 17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: 'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates--19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.'"

Abram shows a moment of doubt towards God's promise. He hears the promise, but doesn't see the results. There are times we can certainly relate. God has promised in His Word that His Word will not return to Him void, yet, from our perspective we often don't see this happening. We see congregations disdaining the Word of God, exchanging it for man-made platitudes. We see discord among brother ministers of the Word, where we should see unity. We see strife between clergy and lay people, where there should be peace. We see Church bodies forsaking the Word of God by teaching things that God does not teach. We would think that this world would hear God's Word more attentively than it does.

Of course this is really our own sinful desire to place demands upon God. We expect to see results, just like Abram did. However, as God in the pericope points out to Abram, just because there are no visible results, does not mean that the promise won't come true.

The same is true of our Lord's second coming. This promise was given almost 2,000 years ago, and yet we still wait for His return. There are some who are so antsy for His return that they start making up dates. Again, this is our sinful desire to place demands upon God, instead of trusting that His promises will come true in His own time, and on His own terms.

However, our Lord God doesn't just tell Abram to trust in Him, of which Abram would have been content, for his faith is strenghtened simply by the repetition of the promise, and we are told that this is counted as righteousness, but God actually makes a covenant with Abram, through the sacrifices of the animals that Abram offers. The same is true for us as well, God doesn't simply just remind us of His promises through the spoken, preached Word, but He actually gives us signs that testify to His promises. These signs are His holy Sacraments, and means of grace, that is, Baptism, Absolution, the Lord's Supper, and the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren, in addition to preaching.

Through Baptism and the Lord's Supper we have actual physical signs we can point to that not only proclaim our Lord God's promises, but actually impart forgiveness of sins, eternal life and salvation, which was won for us by our Lord Jesus's death on the cross. These simple signs of water, bread and wine, when connected to the Word of God, remind us of the promise, and place us once again into His covenant that He made with Abram. Even a case could be made for preaching and absolution, for the sign would be the man of God who was sent by Him to impart forgiveness, and proclaim the good things that our Lord has done for us. This minister is a visible sign that God fulfills His promises, for he represents the mouth of God Himself, when He preaches the Word of God in its truth and purity, and administers the Sacraments according to Christ's institution.

The same can be said about the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren, for wherever two or three are gathered together in the Name of our Lord Jesus, He is there amongst them. When we are surrounded by fellow believers in Christ, we have a visible example that God keeps His promises, for we are shown by the gathering of the saints, that God's Word is not fruitless, but has fulfilled its purpose.

Now granted, the men of God, and the gathering together of the saints, aren't as sure signs as the water, bread and wine, since these elements never fail, unless one would use elements unfit for these Sacraments. On account of sin, however, mankind does fail from time to time to give a decent witness of the promises of God. This, however, does not render the promises untrue. Rather, it makes them more true, for we see from these simple mundane things our Lord's grace and mercy, working through what we might consider inferior vessels.

Our Lord God tells Abram that He is his Shield, and His exceedingly great reward. This is the same promise that is made to us. How great it would be if we had faith like Abram's and believed and trusted in God simply when He spoke to us, no matter in what form that Word came to us. Our doubts would be assuaged, and we would have joy knowing that our Lord God is fulfilling His promises.

May God be with you!

Deacon Dulas

I Will Make You A Great Nation: Genesis 12:1-20

Genesis 12:1-20: "1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: 'Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your descendants I will give this land.' And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. 8 And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. 9 So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. 10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, 'Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. 12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, "This is his wife"; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.' 14 So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh's house. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17 But the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, 'What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, "She is my sister"? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.' 20 So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had."

There are several similarities between the calling of Abram, and the Exodus account. Abram is caused by a famine to go to Egypt. So was Jacob and his sons. The Pharaoh of Abram's time is plagued by plagues. So is the Pharaoh of Moses time, who is the writer of this book. The Pharaoh of Abram's time commands him to leave his country. After the plagues during the time of Moses, Abram is Pharaoh demands Moses and all Israel, the descendants of Abram, to depart from the land.

Given the season of the year, this text hearkens us back to the flight into Egypt of our Lord and Savior Jesus, St. Mary, and St. Joseph. Although our Lord was forced from the land, not because of famine, but because of the rage of an evil king, one cannot help but consider that our Lord like Abram, and the Israelites before Him, had to seek shelter, solace, and succor in the land of Egypt. The question that has to come to mind is "Why Egypt?" After all, Egypt is not looked upon all to well by Scripture. There is an answer, and it is a spiritual one. This is really a picture of our own lives. Egypt represents this world. The world is at odds with the True God. It would rather have a god of its own choosing. The god the world chooses is an amalgamated god, one that embraces all religions as the same, and lumps them all together, as just different ways to the same end result of heavenly bliss. This is not the True God. The True God, is only the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and the true Savior is only the Lord Jesus Christ, Who suffered and died on account of our sins, for our salvation.

However, in this world we must live. In a sense we have been exiled to Egypt, we are forced to live a world, and in a land, that is not our true home and land. Our true home and land, is heaven. Our Lord sends plagues, that is, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, war, bloodshed, and the like. He sends these things not just as a punishment for our sinfulness and wicked lives, but He sends them so that all those in the world, might do as the Pharaoh in the time of Abram did, that is, repent. God desires that we turn from our sinful lives, and live according to His ways. But even more than that, He desires that we trust and rely on Him for everything that we need and desire in this life.

Here is truly the amazing thing about this pericope: God tells Abram to leave his home, his family, the place in which he grew up and in what he was familiar, and go someplace else. If the command was given to us, we would balk at it. Moving is a hassle. The packing boxes, the lifting of heavy objects, making sure that everything is marked so that one is able to find it again and easily once we have reaced our destination, doesn't sound like a very attractive task, even when it is desired and/or necessary. For some of us, even just rearranging the furniture can be a hastle that is best avoided. But the fact that Abram, not only packed up all that he and his wife Sarai owned, and all that he acquired, along with his nephew Lot's things, and did as God commanded him, is a sign of absolute faith.

Abram could not have known what was in store for him, nor did he know where he was going. But he faithfully did as God commanded. Such faith is hard to find these days. To find a person that truly trusts and relies on God is a great and precious thing. There are certainly people who belong to the One True Church who fit this example of faith, who by all appearances trust in God completely, just like Abram did. Such a person is truly blessed.

Abram's leaving of Haran is not unlike a small band of brothers, who either forced out or leaving of their own free will the Synod in which they were raised, left to go into a new Diocese, a land of Canaan, flowing with the milk and honey of the pure teaching of God's holy Word and a blessed fellowship of love and trust. To leave this Synod, and form and join this Diocese, took a leap of faith. A leap of faith not unlike the faith the Abram showed. Abram, as well as this Diocese, desired to do what was right, and desired to do the will of God, and he did it trusting in His Divine grace and mercy.

The desire of Abram to pass his wife off as his sister, in order to save his neck, must also be discussed. This is a weird move on the part of Abram. Afterall he has shown such faith up to this point. Why the doubt? Why the mistrust of God? Why all of a sudden is he trusting in his own abilities, or lack their of, instead of God's? The truth of the matter is that Abram displays that which is inside all of us.

There are always doubts that come to us. We see the world, and what it teaches, and how it behaves, and for some of us we desire to be like the world, and in fact, there are those in the Church, who try to fashion God into the type of god the world wants. This is seen in their preaching, which is nothing more than how to live a good life, or handle a certain situation, and not a true preaching about our Lord Jesus Christ, and what He has done for us. We can also see this attitude in these people's worship. It resembles a rock concert, more than a sacred meeting between God and His people, in order that He might give out His gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. These people's worship is focused on themselves, and what they feel, and experience, instead of what God does for them. And they even turn that around, and make their feelings, and emotions, something that God has to effect in them.

For others of us, we are saddened by the abject faithlessness of the world, and wonder why God doesn't do something about it. We secretly desire that God would do something drastic, in order that people would repent, and turn back to Him. Sometimes, there are even people, who do illegal things, like blowing up an abortion clinic, thinking that it is God's will. Abortion is wrong, and it is clearly contrary to God's Commandment, but breaking one commandment to fulfill another doesn't do anybody any good.

Abram had these same doubts, and so he tells his wife to pretend to be his sister. God, however, used the plagues and Pharaoh to get Abram back on track. God sends us these trials and tribulations in this life, so that we might also get back to trusting and relying on Him alone.

There is a true joy that comes, when one trusts in God completely, and is free of doubt. That person hears God more clearly, he trusts in Him more completely, and chases after God wherever He is to be found, desiring and demanding those gifts from Him in all of their grace and purity. That person will also desire to do what is truly God's will, and desire that he receive pure teaching of the Gospel, that the he receive the Sacraments according to Christ's institution, and he will demand that the vehicle in which the Word and the Sacraments are administered be properly adorned like a beautiful Bride set for her wedding, and not a harlot trolling the street for tricks. The historic Liturgy is such a beautiful Bride, and the Liturgy done well, truly adorns the Word and Sacraments in a worthy vehicle.

May all who read this find that True Canaan, where the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and the Sacraments are adminstered according to Christ's institution, and delivered in a worthy vehicle.

God be with you!

Deacon Dulas