Episode 352 - "The Privilege of Ministry" - Exodus 4:10-17

Ex. 4:10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

I typically begin my thoughts by reflecting on what has been revealed up to this point and attempting to establish the broader context so we can best interpret the passage. However, an anecdotal story came to my mind as I read this, and I thought I’d share it

As an adolescent boy, I was stopped in the church hall one Sunday by an old lady who said to me, “I always thought you’d become a pastor someday.” I don’t remember what I said. I’m sure I was polite in my outward response. But my thoughts about that statement amounted to something like, “Crazy old lady!”

Later in college, I started dating the girl who would become my wife, and she once said to me, “I always thought I’d become a pastor’s wife someday.” On this occasion, I made my thoughts clearly known. I said, “You’re not the pastor’s wife type and I’m certainly not the pastor type.” The relationship has thrived in spite of our not seeing eye-to-eye on that. But here I am, a seminary graduate and a pastor for the past 11.5 years.

Why do I share this? Many years later, when things started changing in my mind about going to seminary and preparing for some kind of ministry, those affirmations kept coming. I didn’t need a voice coming out of a burning bush; I had a consistent message coming from many people who had no way of conspiring or knowing that others had told me the same thing.

I had different reasons for why I wasn’t a good fit for that. However, when I started entertaining those thoughts, I sought counsel from pastors whom I respected on how they knew they should go into ministry, and their answers were the same. They basically told me that if God wanted me in a ministry, I wouldn’t be able to do anything but that. It was all they could think about. I had already reached that point. I didn’t decide on my own to leave my career and go to seminary. In fact, I couldn’t give you details about when it was obvious I’d changed my mind. It was like that was all I ever wanted to do. I could not NOT go.

Moses made one last-ditch effort to convince God that he was not qualified for the job. I’m a bad speaker, Moses whined. The LORD was relentless. In essence, his response to Moses was, “I’ll bring your brother Aaron in on this, and we’ll make it a team effort.” (My paraphrase)

If we learn nothing else from Moses, we should learn that ministry is not about you. It’s not about your education, skills, looks, financial status, job history, or even your past. It’s about God. God is the one who does the real work of ministry. We are simply the agents or medium through which God chooses to work. It’s not that he has to do that. He chooses to do that. If people don’t respond to God’s grace accordingly, we are not held accountable. We simply need to be faithful to what the LORD asks of us. We’ll see that Pharaoh is as hard as they come. But the LORD never chastises Moses for Pharaoh’s rebellion. When we understand that, ministry is not a burden. It’s a privilege from the LORD.

That last fact explains the LORD’s reaction when Moses tells him to find someone else. Imagine working hard and making a great sacrifice to do something special for someone you love, only to hear, “No thanks!” That’s what Moses did. Fortunately, God’s grace was as strong as his will to use Moses to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. The LORD was moving in the heart of Moses’ brother Aaron, and they would be reunited and serve the LORD together. What a gift God gave to Moses.

So, what has the LORD tasked us with? “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37-40) Are you pursuing that or making excuses, wanting someone else to do it? May we all gladly accept this privilege in gratitude to the LORD.

Episode352-The Privilege of Ministry-Exodus4v10-17

David Largent

Episode 351 - "God gives three signs to Moses" - Exodus 4:1-9

Ex. 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— 5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”

So far, Moses has had some reasonable questions for the LORD. “Who am I? What should I tell the people when they ask your name? Now, after the LORD addresses these questions, Moses thinks he can educate the LORD. He predicts that the Israelites will not believe the LORD appeared to him. I must admit that I’d probably say the same thing. If I were to go to the people in my church and tell them that the LORD appeared to me and gave me a message, I would expect them to question it or even deny it outright. In fact, I think I’d be worried if they didn’t.

There have been countless people through the generations who have made outlandish claims to have some special authority and identity with God and end up leading others into some disastrous ruin. One should not accept such claims at face value. Later in the New Testament, Jesus will tell his antagonists to consider the witnesses to his identity. There was John the Baptist’s testimony, the Scriptures, and the works (signs) that he was performing. They all testified of his identity as the Son of man and the Christ. He told them that if his only evidence was his own claims, they should not believe him. So, Moses’ concern has merit.

In response, it was the LORD’s turn to ask Moses a question. “What is that in your hand?” Clearly, the LORD was not ignorant about the staff. The question prompts Moses to stop and consider the instrument he likely used every day for forty years as a shepherd. “It’s a staff,” he responded. Imagine the surprise when he threw it down according to the LORD’s command, and it became a serpent. The LORD was teaching Moses that His mighty power would be ever-present with him. He wouldn’t have to convince people to return to this mountain of the LORD and lead them to the burning bush. God would be with Moses and demonstrate his power and presence throughout the entire journey. The LORD had Moses put his hand inside his cloak and withdraw it. It came out with some obvious skin disease. When instructed to do it again, it came out completely healed. The LORD had demonstrated with two miracles that not only could he perform a sign that would cause anxiety and terror for people, but he could also completely resolve the problem. Without needing to demonstrate it, the LORD informed Moses that if the people still needed a sign, he could draw water from the Nile, pour it on the ground, and it would turn to blood. This information foretells what would soon come in the story.

What might we glean from this section of the Exodus story? First, God has significant power. He has the power to transform an inanimate object into an animate one and then completely reverse the change. He has the power to bring disease upon humanity, and he has the power to heal completely. He proved this without any help from Moses. In other words, he doesn’t need Moses to do his work. Yet he chose Moses as his human agent to the Israelites and Egyptians alike. Indirectly, he chose Moses as his agent to the world, since we are reading Moses’ story. Finally, the LORD may not (and likely won’t) appear to us in a burning bush. Yet, without asserting ourselves as superior to others, we can and should be willing to act as agents of the LORD, taking God’s message to others and sharing the good news of the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life through Jesus.

Episode351-God gives three signs to Moses - Exodus4v1-9

David Largent

Episode 350 - "God reveals his name" - Exodus 3:13-22

Ex. 3:13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, 22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

In this section, Moses asked the LORD a simple question and received a lot more information than he probably expected. It’s already appearing that Moses has not yet bought into the idea of going back to Egypt. I don’t know whether his question is born of skepticism, curiosity, or perhaps a measure of both. I suggest we give Moses the benefit of the doubt and that he is truly curious. He knows that the Egyptians worshipped many gods. It’s reasonable to assume these Israelites have become accustomed to the names of at least some of those gods. They would want to know the identity of this supposed god that Moses is claiming will deliver them out of their bondage. In other words, Moses suspects that they will be as skeptical or curious as he is.

Scholars debate the best interpretation of the Hebrew that is translated in the ESV as “I AM WHO I AM.” Without getting into the weeds of the interpretation of the Hebrew text, let’s consider the implications of this statement based upon what has already been revealed about the LORD in Genesis and the first few chapters of Exodus. The first thing the Scriptures reveal about God is that he already existed in the beginning. God never became. He never used to be. God is the Creator and the source of life. He never had a beginning. He is always, “I am.”

The God of Abraham single-handedly judged the world of rebellious humanity in the flood, and yet divinely and graciously preserved a man named Noah, whom the LORD deemed righteous, along with his family. God chose a man named Abram to be the progenitor of a people group through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. God knew in advance what would happen much later and made promises to Abram and his descendants that he would fulfill. It’s good to know that a God who is both just and merciful is “I am.” He was just and merciful in the past. He is just and merciful in the present and will be just and merciful in the future because he always is “I am.”

God defies exhaustive explanation. He cannot be labeled and limited. When he told Moses to tell the people, “I AM has sent me to you” (Exo. 3:14), it seems the LORD knew that name would get their attention. The LORD continued to explain that this is his name forever and it was to be remembered for generations. This is a God that doesn’t change or evolve. This revelation should be understood as conveying the idea that future generations can trust this God to be faithful to his word and to fulfill his promises.

Finally, the LORD promises again that he will deliver the Israelites to a land flowing with milk and honey (plenty of food and provision). He reveals that Pharaoh will not like the idea of letting the people go, but that the LORD will compel him to do so. Furthermore, the LORD will inspire the Egyptians to give them valuables. The LORD is not just laying out a strategy. He is foretelling the way things will happen. In doing so, he is setting himself up to demonstrate that he can truly do whatever he promises and is true to his word. If things transpire according to what the LORD has foretold, there is no excuse not to trust his word and obey his commands.

Spoiler alert: He pulls it off.

Episode350-God reveals his name -Exodus3v13-22

David Largent

Episode 349 - "The LORD will deliver his people" - Exodus 3:7-12

Ex. 3:7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

If you recall from our previous episode, the LORD God is speaking to Moses by the angel of the LORD. Once again, there is an emphasis on the LORD’s attention to the plight of the Israelites in Egypt. Exodus 3:7-9 makes it clear that this is not some random event. The LORD has “seen” their affliction, “heard their cry,” and he “knows their suffering.” The situation has the full attention of the LORD.

More importantly, the LORD is going to do something about it. This is revealed by the LORD’s words to Moses in verse 8. “I have come down to deliver them” from the oppression in Egypt and bring them to a place of abundance, a land that was currently supporting at least six other groups of people.

If you’re wondering if there’s anything special about this list of people who are inhabiting the land where the LORD will take the Israelites, I’ve yet to discover what that significance is. We do know these groups did not worship the LORD. They served other so-called gods. The Jebusites, Amorites, and the Hivites were descendants of Canaan. It’s safe to assume that they will not be thrilled when the LORD brings the Israelites up to their land. This suggests a future conflict.

In verse 9, the LORD restates his awareness and concern for the plight of his people in Egypt before laying out his plan on how he is going to accomplish this deliverance. Then, in verse 10, the LORD informs Moses that he will send Moses to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt. Before we consider Moses’ response, it is important to stop and remember that the LORD has already announced that he has “come down” and will deliver his people. How does this line up with this announcement that he is going to send Moses to Pharaoh and use him to deliver the Israelites? Simply put, it means that the LORD’s power and authority will accomplish it, but that Moses would be the LORD God’s human agent of communication and authority. More on this shortly.

Moses responds to the LORD’s charge with a very reasonable question: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (v.11) Let’s stop for a moment to think about what is going on in Moses mind. Moses was approximately 80 years old at this point. The first half of his life was spent growing up in Egypt and in Pharaoh’s house. My guess is that if the LORD had commissioned a much younger Moses to do this, he might have thought that he was a logical pick since he seemed to know that he was a Hebrew, but also had the privilege of being a part of Pharaoh’s household. That’s simply a guess. But now Moses was a murderer, a fugitive, disrespected by at least a few of his kinsmen whom he tried to help, and for the last forty years has been leading sheep around in the wilderness. In Moses’ mind, he is entirely unqualified for this task. Moses appears not to have heard the LORD say, “I have come down to deliver them.” (v. 8) His focus is entirely upon his perception of his own identity and questions the LORD’s charge.

In response to Moses’ self-doubt, the LORD assures him that he will be with Moses. (v. 12) The LORD instructed Moses that the sign that he is the LORD’s agent is that he will return to this same mountain with the Israelites. Notice that the sign is not something to motivate him to follow the LORD’s instruction. The sign is the LORD’s foretelling of something that will happen in the future, and it will affirm to Moses that he can trust the LORD’s words. The LORD is giving something to Moses. But Moses must have faith in what the LORD has promised.

Do you see the application for us today? The bottom line is that the LORD gave his disciples commands that I believe we are supposed to continue today. For example, we must love the LORD our God and love our neighbor as ourselves. The LORD also gave his disciples the Great Commission to go into all the world and make disciples, teaching others what Jesus had taught his disciples. We have no right to say, “Who am I?” If the LORD is giving us something to do, we are not doing it by our own authority, power, or wisdom. We are being blessed to be agents of God’s work, grace, and truth. God is the one doing the real work. We just need to follow the LORD’s commands by faith. What a privilege.

Episode349-The LORD will deliver his people -Exodus3v7-12

David Largent

Episode 348 - "The LORD God calls Moses" - Exodus 3:1-6

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Our last episode concluded with God (Elohim) hearing the Israelites' groaning, remembering his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and seeing the people of Israel. Finally, Moses wrote, “and God knew.” God was never unaware of their troubles. In fact, God had foretold to Abraham that this would happen. When Moses wrote that God remembered his covenant, it does not mean that he had forgotten it and then suddenly recalled it. It means that, in God’s sovereign time, he brought his attention to it. Christians “remember” Jesus’ death on the cross through the bread and the cup in communion. It’s the same kind of thing. We haven’t forgotten about Jesus and his death. But we need to especially bring it to the forefront of our minds.

The story transitions to Moses keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro. Wait a minute! Didn’t we read in chapter two that his father-in-law was named Reuel? As mentioned in the last episode, some scholars believe that Reuel was actually the grandfather, but was addressed as father. We read in the New Testament that people referred to Abraham as “our father.” In reality, he was many generations removed, but still referred to as father. The bottom line is that it’s not really important to the story. But there are logical explanations of differences.

In the first verse of chapter three, Moses is shepherding the flock near the “mountain of God (Elohim). The next verse informs the reader that “the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.” (Exo. 3:2) Yet, the bush was not burning up. The interesting thing to me here is the mention of the divine name, represented in English as “LORD,” with all capital letters. Understand that at the time of this event in Moses’ life, there was no apparent revelation to him of the divine name. Moses writes this later in his life and, apparently, chooses when to speak of God in general terms, such as Elohim, and when to specify his divine name. When we read Genesis, Elohim is used in chapter one to describe the Creator God. But when he provides more detail in chapter two, “the LORD God” is given the credit as the Creator. He is the one who speaks to Adam and puts him in the garden. He is the one who gives him instruction. Moses is careful to inform his readers that the God who spoke to him is the LORD.

The LORD got Moses’ attention by the spectacle of the burning bush that did not burn up. Moses’ intrigue led him to take a closer look. At that time, the LORD called Moses by name, and Moses responded. The angel of the LORD instructed him to take off his shoes because he was on holy ground. We are not told why the shoes made a difference. But I’ve heard it preached that Moses ' sandals were manmade items that came between him and what the LORD had made and consecrated. That sounds nice. But the real point is that obedience to the LORD’s command was much more essential. It’s an act of faith.

The LORD then explained that he was the God of Moses’ ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses’ response to that was to hide his face out of fear of God. This last detail will be significant later in Exodus.

One must be careful not to assume that God will appear to them in such dramatic ways. The events of this story and others in the Bible are not intended for the readers to draw conclusions that suggest God will do the same thing to or for them. But it may be reasonable to suggest that God appeared to Moses as he did, knowing it would reveal truths about God that would benefit many more people than Moses and the Israelites in bondage. Such principles that we could glean are: God can and will draw people to himself. God knows who we are. It’s essential to have a reverent or respectful kind of fear before God.

Episode348-"The LORD God calls Moses" Exodus3v1-6

David Largent

Episode 347 - "And God knew" - Exodus 2:23-25

Ex. 2:23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

Sometimes, the brief and seemingly ambiguous sections of Scripture contain some of the greatest treasures of truth. This section moves the story from Moses' life as a shepherd back to the primary conflict of God’s covenant people, Israel, being enslaved in Egypt. On the surface, the statements of this section do not appear all that encouraging. But let’s take a closer look.

The first thing we’re told here is that the king of Egypt died. Who is this? This was the king who wanted to kill Moses due to Moses killing of the Egyptian who abused his fellow Hebrew. This king was the Pharaoh who had greatly oppressed the Israelites in slavery. The last time we were told about the death of a Pharaoh was when the one who both blessed Israel and was blessed by Israel died. The next Pharaoh had a completely different attitude about the Israelites. Does the death of this Pharaoh signify a change and offer hope of deliverance from that bondage? The second half of verse 23 gives us the answer, “and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help.” (Ex. 2:23b) The transition from one king to another revealed to them that there was no end in sight of their situation.

This transitional section provides a succinct list of events that occur in succession, setting the stage for what is to come. First, the people “groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help.” (Notice the cause of their groaning is their enslavement. This will be important later.) Who did they cry out to? We’re not told. The text does not say they cried out to the LORD. The picture here is that they are looking for help from anywhere.

The last part of verse 23 says, “Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. (Ex. 2:23c)” The Hebrew word for God here and throughout this section is the more generic term Elohim. (The LORD has not yet revealed his name.)

Verse 24 gives us the next two things that happened. First, God “heard their groaning.” Second, “God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (Ex. 2:24b) This helps us understand that the God who heard their groaning was the same God who had spoken to their forefathers, provided for them, and blessed them. This detail tips off the reader to recall that the covenant God had made with them had foretold the enslavement of Abraham’s descendants and God’s promise to deliver them out of that oppression back to the land God had promised them. Hope is starting to be revealed.

Verse 25 reads, “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” The idea of God seeing the people of Israel and their situation might suggest his imminent favor toward them. Numbers 6:24-26 is a priestly blessing that includes “may his face shine upon you.” At the very least, I think the point is to communicate that God is fully aware of their problem. This fact is emphasized by the last statement, “and God knew.” Listen to what Dr. Duane A. Garrett says about this brief statement: “It does not primarily mean that God ‘understood’ in the sense of empathizing with their suffering. . . . This assertion most dramatically sets the earthly appearance—that evil has triumphed and that God is nowhere to be found—against the heavenly reality that God does see, know, and care. The heavenly truth calls both the sufferer and the reader to faith.”

Wow! What a powerful reminder that God is never unaware or uncaring. We may not understand the purpose of why he let this happen to Israel or why bad things happen to people today. But these few verses remind us that God can hear our most desperate cries for help. He sees, knows, and cares about us. There may be many factors in our experience that don’t line up with what we expect or would like. But we must trust in his ability and goodness to do what is right. That’s faith.

Episode347-Exodus2v23-25

David Largent

Episode 346 - "Moses' Conscience" - Exodus 2:11-22

[11] One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. [12] He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. [13] When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” [14] He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” [15] When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed 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 filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. [17] The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. [18] When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” [19] They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” [20] He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” [21] And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. [22] She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” (ESV)

In our previous episodes, we read about how the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob not only reached a foreign land but were later enslaved and oppressed in Egypt. This fact resonates with what God had revealed to Abraham when he promised that he would not leave them there, but deliver them out of that land to the land God had promised them.

If we start reading Exodus without having read Genesis, we miss out on important details beyond the Abrahamic Covenant. Exodus might better be titled, “Genesis Volume 2.” We are not just anticipating God’s solution to deliver this people group out of bondage, but we are also anticipating the “seed of the woman” who will crush the head of the serpent (the devil) and death itself. These stories are interrelated, and we should not lose sight of this as we read.

So far, the indicators point to a child named Moses, who was protected from the Pharaoh's genocidal death edict, as a key figure and likely protagonist in this Exodus story. He is a Hebrew child born to two descendants of Levi, a son of Jacob (Israel), who, along with his brother Simeon, massacred a community of Hivites in revenge for one of their men raping their sister Dinah. Will this family history have any bearing upon the events that will unfold in Exodus?

An interesting twist in the story is that while baby Moses' life was spared, he was given to his biological mother by the daughter of Pharaoh to nurse. He likely spent at least the first few years of his life with his own mother and culture before being given to Pharaoh’s daughter to be raised in Pharaoh’s household. It’s a twist that makes the reader wonder where his allegiance will ultimately lie.

The answer to that comes very quickly when the story jumps from his early childhood to his adult years. In fact, we understand that Moses was nearing 40 years of age. Verse 11 tells us, “he went out to his people and looked on their burdens.” This suggests that he not only understood his identity as a Hebrew, but that he was compassionate toward their plight and had a conflict of conscience about his position as a member of Pharaoh’s household who oppressed his people. When he watched an Egyptian beating a fellow Hebrew, he murdered the Egyptian and hid his body, thinking no one had seen him. (Maybe a little of that Levitical heritage had come through.)

The next day, he tried to intervene to bring peace between two fighting Hebrew men. The offender asked Moses if he intended to kill him like he killed the Egyptian. Certainly, this man would not have mocked Moses, someone from Pharaoh’s house, unless he knew he had some power over him. There is a bit of irony in the man’s rhetorical question, “Who had made you a prince and judge over us?” (v. 14) As a member of Pharaoh’s household, it seems likely that he was a prince and judge over them. More importantly, we’ll soon discover that God will make Moses a prince and judge over the people. The bottom line is that Moses realized that his crime had been witnessed and his life was in danger. He fled to the east out of Egypt.

Moses stopped at a well where seven daughters of a Midianite priest brought their father’s flocks to water. Other shepherds began to drive them away, but Moses defended them and drove the men away. This act of kindness or justice by Moses led their father, Reuel, to marry off his daughter Zipporah to Moses and make Moses part of his family.

Some interesting facts about these details are that, first, the Midianites were Semitic people. They were descendants of Abraham and his second wife. We don’t know exactly who, what, or how the Midianites worshipped. However, in reading Genesis, Abraham was very specific in sending his servant back to his home area and people to find a wife for his son, Isaac. It was important to Abraham that his son not marry a Canaanite. It seems to me that Moses includes these details to reveal the LORD’s sovereign hand in bringing him into a relation with distant relatives.

A second detail is that the priest of Midian is named Reuel here, but later named Jethro. Scholars suggest that Reuel may have actually been the biological grandfather of the women and Jethro their biological father. Reuel would have been the head of the family and addressed as father. There are other possibilities besides a mistake in the text.

Finally, while we know nothing about the religion of the Midianites. However, later in Exodus 18, we’ll read that Jethro worshipped the LORD for what he had done for the Israelites.

We conclude this section with the birth of Moses and Zipporah’s son, named Gershom, because Moses says, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” (v. 22) Notably, this has been the case for Moses his entire life.

As this story continues to unfold over decades, the evidence of God’s hand remains consistently evident. I believe that’s true today. God is not some force in the universe with no concern for or involvement in the events that unfold in our lives. God will bring all his promises to fulfillment according to his will.

Episode 346 - "Moses' Conscience" -Exodus 2:11-22

David Largent

Episode 345 "Moses is spared" - Exodus 2:1-10

Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. 4 And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. 5 Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity 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 you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 And 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 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”

The first chapter of Exodus reveals a sharp contrast in the attitude of the Pharaoh of Egypt (whom we read about in Egypt) toward Jacob’s family and a later Pharaoh who knew nothing about the events that brought Jacob’s son Joseph to Egypt and, in turn, his whole family. The earlier Pharaoh and all of Egypt had been blessed because God used Joseph to provide for them during a severe famine. Jacob’s family was a blessing to Egypt, and Pharaoh and Egypt had become a blessing to them. This was the outworking of the positive side of the Abrahamic Covenant. But the new Pharaoh had no knowledge of those things and became paranoid of the ever-growing number of Israelites in Egypt. That ignorance and fear led to a genocidal mandate to all Egypt to throw every newborn male Hebrew baby into the Nile River. This is the conflict of the next epic narrative that we encounter in Exodus.

We read that a Levite man married a Levite woman. In other words, they had both descended from Jacob’s son Levi. What do we know about him? We know that he and his brother Simeon murdered a community of Hitites whose men had agreed to be circumcised, the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, in order to live in a peaceful arrangement with Jacob’s family. One of their prominent men had raped Jacob’s daughter Dinah and wanted to marry her. Dinah’s brothers concocted this plan, and when the men were sore a few days after the circumcisions, Levi and Simeon went into their village and massacred them. (Gen 34) Not only did they murder these people in vengeance, but they also abused the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant to do it. Jacob was not pleased with this and, on his deathbed, pronounced that the descendants of Levi and Simeon would be “divided” and “scattered.” (Gen 49:5-7)

In light of this mandate to kill all male Hebrew babies, I suspect that we’re supposed to understand this detail of a Levite man and a Levite woman having a male baby might be an instrument of God’s wrath against this Pharaoh. But, of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that this male Hebrew baby is delivered from this edict.

The story moves quickly, explaining that his mother successfully hid him for a few months. Then, knowing that it couldn’t last long, she contrived a plan that, ideally, would protect her family from retribution by Pharaoh and possibly spare her baby as well. She made a floating basket, put him in the basket, and put the basket in the Nile among the reeds. Once again, I’m conjecturing. But it seems to me that her plan was a clever loophole because if she were found out, she could say, “I put my baby in the Nile as commanded.” Putting him in the reeds may have offered more protection from crocodiles and the dangers of a swifter current. We’re then told that the baby’s sister watched to see what would happen. My guess is that it was too much for his mother, having just made the most difficult decision of her life.

The story moves quickly from telling us about this baby boy who was a Hebrew and a Levite. His life was preserved and even returned to his own family until he was weaned. I would guess (once again) that he was even circumcised. Later in Moses’ life, God almost struck Moses dead because his own son was not circumcised. Moses’ wife Zipporah circumcised the boy. This suggests that Moses had already been circumcised. Surely, the LORD would not have given him an exception to the command.

Scholars debate the origin of the name Moses. Since Pharaoh’s daughter was Egyptian, some scholars point to a similar Egyptian name meaning "child." They also assume that Pharaoh’s daughter could not understand Hebrew. Even if she did, would she have given him a Hebrew name since she was going to raise him as her own child in the house of Pharaoh? Moses’ Hebrew name means " to draw out.” Pharaoh’s daughter had drawn him out of the water. God was drawing him out from among the Hebrews for a purpose. While I’m inserting much of my own reasoning into the interpretation of this text, perhaps Pharaoh’s daughter gave him the Egyptian name inspired by the LORD, with the view that there would be a double entendre, and later Moses and the Hebrews understood the Hebrew meaning.

So far, this story has established the scene and the conflict, and is clearly introducing us to a major character. But what we should recognize most of all is that God is in control. This new Pharaoh has already revealed that he is not learning this lesson and is inclined to do things his own way. Since God, hundreds of years earlier, had foretold to Abraham this oppression of his descendants and promised to deliver them back to the promised land, we should anticipate that this promise is about to be fulfilled. There will be much more conflict and trouble. But God is in control and will fulfill his promises. We can never hear this too much.

Episode345-"Moses is spared" - Exodus2v1-10

David Largent

Episode 344 - "Pharaoh's Genocidal Plans" - Exodus 1:15-22

Ex. 1:15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20 So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”

In our last episode, we were introduced to the initial and primary conflict in the Exodus story. Continuing what Moses recorded in Genesis, the events that unfolded reflected God’s promises to Abraham as well as the warning in the Abrahamic Covenant that Abraham’s descendants would be oppressed in a foreign land for 400 years. God was blessing the Israelites and causing them to multiply. But they were also in a foreign land as God had foretold. Then, after Joseph had died and the Pharaoh who had welcomed Jacob’s family had died, the reader is told that a new king arose who did not know Joseph. The conflict is revealed through the digression of the new Pharaoh’s ignorance, leading to fear, paranoia, and finally, oppression of the Israelites. But Moses noted, “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel” (Exo 1:12). Pharaoh’s desired effect of limiting the number of the Hebrews had a reverse effect. They multiplied even more. God was revealing that his power and plans were greater than Pharaoh’s.

Rather than backtracking on his plans, the Pharaoh doubled down on his plans and told the Hebrew midwives to kill the Hebrew boys when they were born, but to let the girls live. Scholars debate whether the midwives were actually Hebrews themselves or Egyptians serving the Hebrew women who were delivering children. At least one scholar has argued that the names Shiphrah and Puah are Semitic, suggesting they are Hebrew. What’s important to Moses is the fact that they did not obey Pharaoh’s command because they “feared God”. This fact was reiterated, emphasizing the importance of fearing God rather than Pharaoh. This is a principle that the Israelites to whom this is written are those who would later be on the cusp of entering into the promised land. Moses even wrote that God blessed these women with families of their own because of their commitment to respecting God.

Scholars have also noted the fact that the women lied about why they hadn’t followed Pharaoh’s command. Clearly, fearing God was the primary act of faith for these women, overriding any violation of truthfulness toward Pharaoh, who did not fear God.

What did Moses tell his readers then? He added, “And the people multiplied and grew very strong” (Exo 1:20). Every time Pharaoh did something to limit the reproduction of the Hebrews, God caused them to multiply and be strong. God was sending a message to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh was not listening. In fact, Pharaoh now went public with his plan. He commanded all the people that male Hebrew babies were to be cast into the Nile. The river that brought life through agricultural sustenance was to become an instrument of death.

The primary point revealed here is that no one can defeat God's plans. Pharaoh is going to fight God and will pay a high price for his defiance. I would suggest that we see this truth revealed time and again through the Scriptures. If we take this to heart, it should remind us that God has made promises to all who will trust Him, and we can rest knowing that nothing can defeat those plans.

Episode344-"Pharaoh's Genocidal Plans" -Exodus1v15-22

David Largent

Episode 343 - "The New King Did Not Know Joseph" - Exodus 1:8-14

Ex. 1:8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

Do you remember how the book of Genesis opens? God, who was present at the beginning of time, created everything. It’s simple and direct, but it creates the setting for the story of Creation, and the lone character in the story at this point is God. Then, verse 2 reveals a conflict; the earth was formless and void, and it was dark. What makes a story a story is the plot, which reveals how that conflict will be resolved.

Exodus is also a story within a greater story setup in Genesis. The book of Genesis has the reader looking for the “Seed of the woman” who will resolve the problem of sin and death by crushing the serpent's head. (Gen 3:15) As Genesis unfolds, we find that God chooses a man named Abram (later Abraham) and makes a covenant promise to him and his descendants to bless them, give them land and innumerable descendants, and they will be a blessing to the nations. God promised that he would bless those who blessed Abraham and curse those who cursed Abraham. Oddly, God also told Abraham that his descendants would someday be in a foreign land and oppressed for four hundred years, but that God would remember his covenant, deliver them out of bondage, and bring them back to the land which God had promised to them.

At the end of Genesis, we read about how God used Abraham’s great-grandson Joseph to be a blessing to the nation of Egypt as well as his family by managing the grain stored up in preparation for seven years of great famine that God had revealed in a dream to Pharaoh, which Joseph interpreted. Up to this point, and through the introduction to Exodus, the covenant promise is working out positively. Abraham’s grandson Jacob (Israel) and his family are in a foreign land. But there is a mutual blessing happening. Egypt has been blessed because the Israelites were welcomed, and God has caused the Israelites to thrive.

But we are soon introduced to a conflict. Joseph had died, and the Pharaoh who knew the history had died, and a new Pharaoh who “did not know Joseph” came to power. (Ex 1:8) The conflict develops quickly. Ignorance led to fear. Fear developed into paranoia. The paranoia led to the bias against and oppression of the Israelites. Now, we see how God’s warning to Abraham is coming to reality. Soon, we will see exactly how far removed this new Pharaoh is from the one who trusted God’s revelation as interpreted by Joseph. As a result, we will read how faithful God is to his word.

So, what might we gain from this brief introduction to the conflict of the Exodus story? I don’t think one has to try too hard to recognize that what occurred in the mind of this new Pharaoh happens in individuals today. Ignorance of what God has done in the past can lead to fear and bias against God and other people. Perhaps it doesn’t lead to such extreme actions in every case. But when we live in ignorance, fear, and some measure of paranoia, we may alienate ourselves from others to whom God may want us to be a blessing. As the story of the Bible continues, the Israelites will be instructed to set up memorials that will evoke questions from later generations and create opportunities to pass on the stories of God’s faithfulness to his promises. The God of the Bible makes Himself known, and we must remember that He is a God who keeps the promises He makes and wants to bless those who follow Him.

Episode 343 - "The New King Did Not Know Joseph" - Exodus 1:8-14

David Largent

Episode 342 - God is faithful to his covenant promises - Exodus 1:1-7

Exodus 1:1–7

[1] These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: [2] Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, [3] Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, [4] Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. [5] All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. [6] Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. [7] But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. (ESV)

Prior to our study through the four-chapter letter from the apostle Paul to the Christians at Philippi, we walked through Genesis, the first book of the Bible. I believe that while we can be served by studying any book of the Bible, it is valuable not to bounce around too much so as not to forget that the rest of the Bible is heavily dependent upon the context set by the book of Genesis.

Yes. Genesis has many stories and personalities that are interesting in and of themselves. These stories tell us about God and humanity alike. However, unless we read the rest of the Scriptures with a healthy understanding of Genesis, we’ll miss a lot. The opening verses of Exodus remind us of important things revealed in Genesis and prepare us for what is about to be revealed.

If I were to summarize key points of Genesis, it would look as follows:

The God of the Bible is eternal, good, powerful, and loves both justice and mercy. We see the eternal existence, power, and goodness in the first few chapters of the Bible. God created humanity for a relationship with him and with others. God provided an abundance of provisions for his creatures. God is the authority of right and wrong. There are consequences of violating God’s commands. Yet we find God consistently showing mercy and hope. This is most evident in the promise of a “Seed” of the woman who would someday crush the head of the serpent and death itself. As Genesis unfolds, we read about different people who make us wonder for a little bit if they are that “Seed.”

God chose and called a man named Abram (Abraham), who did not know Him, to trust Him and follow a command to leave his home with his family and go to a land that God would show him. Abram did. God made a covenant promise to bless him, give him a great land, and innumerable descendants. That covenant promise was passed down to his miracle son, Isaac, and then to his grandson, Jacob (later named Israel). The covenant included a revelation by God to Abraham that his descendants would someday be enslaved in a foreign land for 400 years. However, God promised that He would remember His covenant and deliver the people from that bondage back to the land of promise. Genesis concludes with all of Jacob’s family in Egypt, a foreign land.

So, the first seven verses of Exodus connect what is about to happen with what has been revealed before. We believe that Moses is the human author of the first five books of the Bible. So, Exodus is not so much the second book as it is the second volume of what Moses has to write. We also believe that Moses wrote this five-volume work at the end of his life. Who is Moses? We’re about to find out. For the time being, we are told the names of each of Jacob’s sons who represent the twelve tribes. Everyone of Jacob’s family is in Egypt.

The next thing we’re told is that each of those children died. This is a reminder that the effects of sin, which began in Genesis 3, are still at play. People die because of the sin of humanity. The Seed has not yet come and crushed the head of the serpent, who was chiefly responsible for the deceit and temptation that led the first people to disobey God.

Then, verse 7 reports that their descendants had multiplied greatly and were strong. Why does Moses write this? To show us that God had been faithful to His covenant promise to greatly increase Abraham’s descendants and bless them. This is a central theme throughout the Scriptures: God is faithful to His word.

Let’s keep this in our minds this week. Even as we hear, see, or read about injustices in the world, let us be reminded that God wants what is good for us, that God is both just and merciful, and that God is faithful and will be faithful to those who, like Abraham, hear his call and trust Him.

Episode342-God is faithful to his covenant promises - Exodus1v1-7

David Largent

Episode 341 - "Consistent Faithfulness" - Philippians 4:10-23

Phil. 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Phil. 4:14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Phil. 4:21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

Phil. 4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

One last time, Paul returns to the theme of rejoicing. He rejoices that they have revived their concern for him and have sent a financial gift for his needs. While he acknowledges the gift and is grateful for it, what lies at the heart of his rejoicing is their faithfulness to the work of the gospel. They were the only church that assisted him at the beginning of his ministry. They have not forgotten about him. They have been faithful to continue to support him as they were able.

This is perhaps one of the most valuable lessons we can receive from this letter.

Consider what it must have been like for Paul, traveling about for the sake of sharing the gospel. He knew that there would be times when he would be rejected and even persecuted. There were also times when he was received well. Yet maybe he went stretches of time without sufficient means for food or other necessities. How encouraging it was to him to be reminded that the believers at Philippi had not forgotten him. I believe this is an important function of the church. Collectively, we can remind ourselves and encourage each other to look out for the welfare of others in need.

Paul explained that he had learned how to be content in various circumstances, regardless of how much he had or lacked. This is the context for his assertion, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." This is one of those verses that we find hanging on people's walls, either embroidered or as a print. Some people like to make it a life verse. My question to you is, “what do you think about that?" Is this a verse that we claim for ourselves, treating it like a spiritual vitamin? Is it like a can of spinach for Popeye? Do we boldly quote it, thinking that God will grant us some instant superpower to do whatever we decide to apply it?

I don't think that is what Paul intended. Rather, it's a statement about what Paul has learned from his many trials. I think this means that he's learned not to become self-sufficient when he has plenty and not to be bitter when he lacks. He's ready for it because the Lord has taught him this throughout his ministry. Consequently, Paul can confidently promise that God will provide all their needs out of His riches.

As the Philippian believers have encouraged Paul through their faithful generosity, he assures them that the LORD will provide for their needs.

There is one final detail in this letter I do not want you to miss. Notice in verse 22, he writes," All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household." Why is this important? It reveals that the gospel is making inroads in the household of the most powerful person in the known world at the time. The faithful service of those Philippian believers to the work of the gospel has had an impact that literally changed the world.

Imagine what God can do with us as we join together with fellow believers for the purpose of supporting the work of spreading the gospel of Christ and making disciples.

Episode 341 "Consistent Faithfulness" - Philippians 4:10-23

David Largent

Episode 339 - "Be anxious for nothing . . ." - Philippians 4:2-7

Phil. 4:2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

One of the things I love about Paul’s letters is their personal nature: writing to a group of friends and including messages directly to, or concerning, certain individuals. Here, we see Paul appealing for Euodia and Syntyche to “agree in the Lord.” Wow! There’s some good advice for us today. People are so divided over so many things. But in the church, our common unifying factor is the Lord. Jesus prayed that his disciples would “all be one” (John 17:20-23). This doesn’t mean we have to compromise our convictions and agree on everything. It means that since this other person or people have placed their trust in the person and work of Jesus on the cross, we need to look past our differences for the purpose of working together for God’s mission to the world. Paul adds a subtle, but clear, emphasis to remind them of the importance of this unity. They had “labored side by side with me (Paul) . . . and with Clement and . . . (other) fellow workers whose names are in the book of life. Paul is drawing from Old Testament passages speaking of a “book” in which are the names of people God has declared righteous and will receive eternal life. Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans that God demonstrated his love for us by sending his Son (Jesus) to die for us “while we were still sinners” (enemies) (Rom 5:8, 10). God didn’t wait for us to fix ourselves because it never would have happened.

Paul returns to his exhortation to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4). When our focus is on the Lord and his love for us, what else can we do? If we cannot rejoice in that, there is something we are just not getting. When we rejoice in the Lord and believe that he is near, it allows us to let down our pride and our petty divisions, and it makes room for being “reasonable” (Phil 4:5).

It occurs to me that anxiety comes with conflict. When Paul writes, “do not be anxious about anything” (Phil 4:6), he can speak with some authority since he is incarcerated and is aware that he could be executed. But he is confident in the Lord. He knows his name is in “the book of life.” Therefore, he gives his readers helpful advice to pray, give thanks to God, and express their concerns and requests to God. The promise is that God will deliver peace to them that cannot be explained and calm their anxiety. The focus on Christ guards our thoughts and emotions. That is an encouraging itself.

Episode339-"Be anxious for nothing . . . " -Philippians4v2-7

David Largent

Episode 338 "Stand Firm in Your Faith" - Philippians 3:17-4:1

Phil. 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Phil. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

It would be so easy to read the first half of verse 17 and think, “Wow! Paul sure thinks highly of himself.” The only problem is that we would be wrong. Why am I so certain of that? The first reason is that Paul has already told us about his past credentials that he used to his benefit prior to his conversion experience with the Lord. He had authority and “the stage,” to use a contemporary expression, as a means by which to command attention to himself and gain a following. But he threw it all away upon coming to Christ. He knew that none of those credentials put him in a right-standing position with God. Only relying on the righteousness of Christ was sufficient.

The second reason is that Paul preempts his readers' understanding that he has arrived at sinless perfection. He makes it very clear that he hasn’t and it will not happen until he receives a glorified body in the resurrection. Paul has been attempting to minimize any elevated thoughts the Philippians might have toward him. So, he is not backtracking on that now.

The third reason is that Paul is incarcerated and suffering persecution for his faith. In exhorting these believers to “imitate me” (v. 17), Paul encourages them to be strong in their faith, even if it leads to persecution. There is no ego in Paul’s exhortation. In fact, the words that follow “imitate me” expand the point that they are to follow the model of anyone who has walked in the same way.

Paul then quickly juxtaposes those who walk in a way modeled for them with spiritual impostors, and the Philippian believers should be able to identify them. In verse 19, he says of these others, “their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” Paul says that those people are on a path to destruction. He is telling the Philippians, “Don’t act like that because nothing good will come from it.” (My paraphrase) The manner in which Paul and others who live in a similar way are thinking about eternity and ultimate presence with the Lord.

Those who stand firm in their faith in Jesus Christ have a “citizenship in heaven,” and we look forward to Christ’s return, when we will receive a different, eternal body designed for eternity with him.

In our culture and age, image is everything. Gaining attention and a following is a popular trend in our society. It could be through a YouTube channel, TikTok, or some other social media platform. People spend a lot of money attempting to live a little longer and look a little younger at the same time. But they cannot escape the fact that the end of that is death and destruction. The material things and the attention we often seek in this life are all fragile and limited. We all need Jesus to give us hope for what lies ahead in eternity with God.

Episode338-Stand Firm in Your Faith -Philippians3v17-4v1

David Largent

Episode 337 - "Press on toward the upward call" - Philippians 3:12-16

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

As is often the case with this slow-paced exposition of the books of the Bible, we jump into the text this week and likely discover that we have no idea what Paul is talking about. We need to go back in the text and be reminded of the context.

Paul is talking about knowing Christ (v. 8), having a righteousness that does not come from human effort but from God through faith in Christ (v.9), and knowing the power of his resurrection (v. 10). Everything about his past and his credentials as a Jewish leader had value to him at one time. Recall that Paul (Saul) affirmed and held the coats for those who stoned Stephen to death. (Acts 7:54-8:3) He was on a zealous mission to stop the spread of the gospel. That is, until the Lord appeared to him. (Acts 9:1-9) After his conversion and the Lord changed his name from Saul to Paul, Paul considered himself the worst of sinners. (1 Tim. 1:15) Paul turned the zeal he had in persecuting the church toward his mission to be a servant of Christ in spreading the gospel and knowing Christ. Now, all those credentials meant nothing to him

What Paul is doing in our text for today is explaining that even though he has abandoned everything for Christ and is willing to even die for the cause of the gospel, he has not yet reached sinless perfection. That is yet to come in the resurrection. Throughout the history of the church, there have been people who believed that one could achieve sinless perfection in this life. In Romans, Paul says that all have sinned and fall short (present tense) of God’s glory. Why is this important for Paul to communicate to these Christians at Philippi? Simply put, there is no room in the Christian life for arrogance or laziness.

Paul writes to the Philippians that he is a work in progress. While Paul denies that he has achieved the end goal, he doesn’t use it as an excuse to be lazy and live however he wants until Christ returns. Rather, he says, I press on . . . because Christ has made me his own. He adds, “one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

He drives home his point for application to his readers by saying, “If you want to be mature in your faith, you will have this kind of mindset.” What is that? I believe Paul is saying, “Don’t let your credentials and spiritual accomplishments go to your head and make you think you’ve achieved Jesus-like righteousness on your own. Spiritual maturity is characterized by a humble pursuit of serving Christ.

Episode337-"Press on toward the upward call" -Philippians3:12-16

David Largent

Episode 336 "The Worth of Knowing Christ Jesus" - Philippians 3:7-11

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Paul is warning the Philippian believers about false teachers who might come to them and deceive them into thinking that faith in Christ alone is not sufficient, attempting to convince them that they needed to follow the Mosaic Law. Paul has just told them that if people think they have some special credentials in their Jewishness and attempt to control them through some sense of spiritual authority, they need to understand that he has even more credentials. He explained his own heritage and credentials.

But in verses 7-11 he explains that those credentials are now worthless. In fact, he calls them “rubbish.” (v. 8) Why is this? In verse 7, he explained that in all those things he “counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” All those credentials had served him well prior to his conversion to faith in Jesus. He had the authority to teach others. People recognized his credentials and accepted what he said and did. We see that evident early in the book of Acts, which reveals Paul’s zealous persecution of the early Christians. He believed they were blasphemers. So, he sought to stop it, and people understood his credentials. But when Jesus appeared to him and revealed that he was the Christ (Messiah), Paul realized that he had to switch teams, so to speak. He understood that he would have to forfeit everything he had gained in order to serve Jesus and the gospel.

In verse 8, he continues by explaining that he counted “everything as loss.” Imagine working your whole life in pursuit of gaining something and achieving it, only to lose it all in a moment. It would be hard enough if you had no control over it. But Paul made the choice because he understood there was something to gain that far exceeded the value of what he had gained in the flesh. He said that it was, “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (v. 8) What a thought. It makes me wonder if I see “knowing Christ Jesus [as] my Lord” as more valuable than anything and everything else in life.

Paul continues by explaining what that looks like. He says that knowing Christ means receiving a righteousness that comes through faith in Christ and not from his own efforts to do good. (vv. 8-9) His position with God is not about his credentials or his efforts to obey the law, but simply about being “in Christ” and therefore accepted before God based on the righteousness of Jesus, not his own.

Verses 10-11 sound a bit like Paul is not certain about the ultimate outcome of trusting in Christ versus his own fleshly credentials. Verse 10, “that I may know him . . . “ and verse 11, “that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection,” make it sound like he is ambiguous about how it will work out. But the fact that he has already become absolutely convinced that Jesus is the Christ and has been willing to forfeit everything else to follow Christ, even in his sufferings and death, reveals confidence, not uncertainty. Paul makes a strong argument for a literal resurrection from the dead in his first letter to the Corinthians (See 1 Corinthians 15:12-49). So, why the apparent uncertainty? One possibility is that Paul is expressing his uncertainty about the path and about the experiences the Lord will lead him through to his death and resurrection. Another possibility is that Paul is speaking in these terms to downplay his own effort and credentials, and to emphasize that everything about him and his future is in the hands of the Lord.

The big idea here is that we need to follow Paul’s example of not trusting in our own efforts of doing good to be accepted by God, but by faith, trusting in Jesus, so that we can know him and stand before God in his righteousness and not our own.

Episode336-Philippians3v7-11 -"The Worth of Knowing Christ Jesus"

David Largent

Episode 335- "Beware the dogs, evildoers, and those who would mutilate the flesh" - Philippians 3:1-6

Phil. 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Phil. 3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

How can you not appreciate someone who says, “Finally . . .” and then proceeds to write or say as much as they already have up to this point? Then, what comes from his pen? He tells the Philippians the same thing he’s told them multiple times already: “Rejoice in the Lord.” I think Paul means it, right? Paul’s point is that when you truly stop to consider who Jesus is and what he’s done to serve us, it puts everything else in perspective, and we should rejoice in our gratitude and awe. For Paul, Jesus diminishes the reality of his own incarceration and even the potential that he could be executed. This is why he states, “To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.” (Philip. 3:1)

He follows that with a dose of reality by warning them about a group of troublemakers. He refers to them in three ways. He calls them “dogs, evildoers, and those who mutilate the flesh.” These aren’t three different groups. They are the same. What does he mean by this? Who are these people?

These are people who would come in among the Christians, posing as people with authority and attempting to control them by requiring them to be circumcised. Why would Paul, a Jew who had Timothy circumcised, speak of these people as evildoers and those who would mutilate the flesh if he had Timothy circumcised? The answer is that those people are not trusting in the gospel of Jesus. Their motives are not about Christ and his Church but are entirely self-serving. They would attempt to use a requirement of circumcision to create confusion and conflict among the believers in an attempt to gain control over them. These are people whose motives and mindset are not consistent with Jesus’ motives that Paul described back in chapter 2.

Circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant and was required of Jewish males. But physical circumcision does not make one righteous. It never did. It was intended to be an outward act of inner faith in God’s promises to Abraham and his seed.

Even though Paul was physically circumcised himself, as a Jewish man, he identifies those, “who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (v.3) as the circumcised. While circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant, the Holy Spirit is the sign of the New Covenant. Notice how Paul explains circumcision and the work of the Holy Spirit in his letter to the church at Rome:

Rom. 2:25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

While we likely don’t have the problem today of people coming into our churches and demanding that all males be circumcised, there are “evildoers” whose only motives are to control and manipulate people and will ultimately divide the church. We need to keep a watchful eye on who might become leaders in the church. Do they exhibit the humility that Jesus did, or do they start imposing rules and acting as though they have authority over everyone?

Paul follows the warning with an “Oh! By the way . . . “ comment. He tells these Christians that if someone presents themselves as having great credentials to validate their authority, Paul has more credentials than they do. Don’t trust the outward signs. Evaluate their attitudes and actions.

Let us rejoice in Christ according to the leading of the Holy Spirit that God has given to us as a sign of his New Covenant established through the death of Jesus on the cross.

Episode335-Beware of the dogs, evildoers, and those who mutilate the flesh - Philippians3v1-6

David Largent

Episode 334 - "Timothy and Epaphroditus - True disciples" - Philippians 2:19-30

Phil. 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

Phil. 2:25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

In the middle of this letter, Paul writes about two individuals, Timothy and Epaphroditus, and their relationship to him and to the Philippian believers. While there aren’t commands within this section from which we can draw for our own lives and guidance for our church, I believe we can make some observations that may provide some valuable wisdom for our churches today.

He speaks about hoping to send Timothy to them soon. Who is Timothy? In Acts 16, we read that Timothy is a disciple, that his mother is a Jewish believer, and that his father was a Greek. He also lived in modern-day Turkey. (Acts 16:1) Some scholars believe that Paul may have led Timothy and his mother to faith in Jesus during his first missionary journey. On this occasion of their encounter, Paul is on his second missionary journey and wants Timothy to accompany him. Because Paul knew they would be interacting with many Jews on the journey, Paul had Timothy circumcised. This was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant that Jewish males were to follow to be a part of the covenant community. What’s interesting is that elsewhere in Acts we read about Jewish people wanting Gentile believers in Christ to follow everything in the Law they had been taught. But the Church leaders, who were also Jewish, understood that doing such things had no bearing upon their faith in Christ and instructed the leaders to simply have the Gentile believers abandon idolatry and live morally. So, why was Paul requiring this for Timothy? It would appear that Paul knew it would be an obstacle for him to speak in the synagogues if Timothy were not circumcised. Paul was wisely anticipating what he might encounter and did what he could to create opportunities to share the gospel. Timothy seems to have been fully cooperative.

We have two letters in the New Testament that are titled 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. These are letters Paul wrote to Timothy, offering pastoral advice. Collectively, we see that Timothy is a model disciple who is both learning and leading others at the same time.

Timothy is obviously with Paul while Paul is under house arrest. Paul wanted to send Timothy to the Philippians for the purpose of pastoral care and encouragement. The only thing holding Paul back from sending Timothy to them is waiting to see how things will work out for him.

Epaphroditus was sent by the Christians at Philippi to Paul to deliver messages and financial support to him. (Philippians 2:25) In the process of fulfilling that mission, he became gravely ill and almost died in order to reach Paul with their gifts and communication. Paul wants the believers to show their appreciation and encouragement to Epaphroditus upon his return because of his dedication and his love for these people.

What can we learn from these men? For me, I see humility, a deep love and compassion for others, and a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Episode334-"Timothy & Epaphroditus" -Philippians2v19-30

David Largent

Episode 333 - "Don't grumble or complain" - Philippians 2:14-18

Phil. 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

As we pick up where we left off last week, Paul tells the Philippians not to grumble or be disputing. The idea from the Greek text is that one should neither hold on to a negative attitude nor display it more publicly by arguing with others. It seems to me that’s pretty clear (not to mention convicting.) There are two basic questions I think we should ask of ourselves. First, on what basis should we not do this, that is, not grumbling and disputing? Bad stuff happens. At the time Paul wrote this letter, he was unjustly incarcerated. If that were me, I’d be grumbling AND disputing.

The question that follows is “How might we follow Paul’s command to the Philippians, when we’re inclined to grumble and dispute?” Does Paul give us some help?

The answer to the first question is to examine the context and notice what Paul has already laid out in this short letter. One is that the Father sent the Son (Jesus) into the world to die an unjust death on our behalf in order to justify us and make us right with God based upon our faith in and relationship with Christ. The second point of why we shouldn’t grumble or dispute is that the Son willingly submitted himself and humbled himself to die on a cross for the sake of his rebellious creatures. He didn’t grumble or dispute. In light of what God has done for us without grumbling, we have no right to think that our troubles are greater than what Jesus took on himself.

Before I address the second question, notice that Paul explains the purpose of not grumbling. Verse 15 says, “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (v.15) This sounds like followers of Jesus have a very specific purpose in the world. If we refuse to grumble and complain, we will stand out in a positive way in the world in which we live. Does this sound familiar? This theme arises time and again in the Old Testament. God chose Abraham and blessed him with a purpose of being a blessing to the nations. That theme continues with Abraham’s descendants, whom God wanted to be a “Kingdom of Priests.” God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the Israelites being disciplined for their failure to be faithful to the LORD said, “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isa. 49:6) God’s desire for those he redeems to himself is to be agents of his truth and grace to the world. In short, Paul is telling the Philippian believers, “Don’t be like the Israelites who grumbled and disputed and failed to be a light to the world.”

Now, in verse 16, Paul begins to answer our second question. What steps can we take to help us avoid grumbling, arguing, or complaining? The first thing is to “hold fast to the word of life.” (v. 16) Jesus is the word of life. Out of all the things that Christians believe or do concerning their faith, there is nothing more important than to understand and value who Jesus is and what he did for us on the cross. This is what should keep us humble and grateful. The second part of verse 16 and verse 17 is Paul saying that their tenacity in holding onto the good news of Jesus is what will validate any sacrifice or suffering he might endure, even to the point of losing his own life for that cause.

Paul returns to the theme of rejoicing, suggesting that he is glad and rejoices if his own life is the sacrifice for their participation in the gospel of Jesus. Paul himself is modeling the same attitude toward his own suffering for the sake of others that Christ demonstrated. He invites them to be glad and rejoice with Paul as well.

Is it possible to grumble and complain when we are glad and rejoicing? Thinking and dwelling upon Christ’s love for us should make us glad and rejoicing followers of Jesus who are not grumbling and complaining. Let us hold fast to the word of life.

Episode323-"Don't Grumble or Complain" - Philippians2v14-18

David Largent

Episode 332 - "Be obedient to God's work in your life" - Philippians 2:12-13

Phil. 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Yes . . . I know it’s only two verses. But there are some intriguing things in these two verses. The first thing we want to consider is the word “Therefore.” It’s one of those big points that is made in a Bible Study Methods class, and the saying goes, “Whenever you see a 'therefore,' you want to go back in the text to find out what it’s 'there for.’” In other words, what follows the “therefore” must be interpreted in light of what was said before.

It’s important to apply it here; otherwise, we can’t really understand what Paul is telling the Philippian believers when he says, “as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (v. 12) What are they to obey, and what does that have to do with fear and trembling?

In the beginning of the letter, Paul recalls their “participation in the gospel from the first day until now” and then assures them that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:5-6) Shortly after, he explained that he prays that their “love may abound more and more with knowledge and discernment” (v. 9). He continues by exhorting them to be unified and to stand firm in the gospel, because he knows they will face persecution. (vv. 27-29) The means by which they can do this is to adopt the same kind of mindset or attitude demonstrated by Christ in humbling himself to leave the glory of heaven, entering into his own creation, becoming a servant to his human creatures, and being “obedient” to death on a cross.

Ah! There’s something. Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will that he die for the sins of the world. We could say that Jesus was obedient to the gospel. So then, if the same God who sent his Son into the world to bring us the gospel and the hope of forgiveness of sins and eternal life, also began a good work in Jesus’ followers, it’s reasonable to interpret this call to obedience of the Philippian believers as a call to obedience to the gospel that God would direct in their lives.

So, our next question then should likely be, “So what does that have to do with 'work out your salvation with fear and trembling?’” Furthermore, one might argue, “I thought salvation was by faith and not by works.” Given that our immediate context informs us that it was God who began the good work in them suggests that Paul is not telling them that their salvation is based on their works. Further reading of Paul’s letters reinforces the idea that God’s salvation for us is based on His work through Christ. God gets the credit for our salvation. Therefore, what Paul is saying in “work out your salvation” is to be obedient to the gospel and continue doing the good things God has been doing in their lives. Is there any way we can verify that meaning? Look at verse 13. “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Clearly, what Paul means is for them to cooperate, or rather, be obedient, to what God wants them to do in standing firm in their faith and demonstrating love and being unified.

So, why should they do this with “fear and trembling?” The explanatory clause of verse 13, indicated by the word “for,” suggests a reverential kind of fear. We should not take the idea of doing good works of serving others lightly, because we diminish what Christ has done for us on the cross by not showing the same concern and love for others.

That’s pretty heavy for two verses, isn’t it? May the Lord instill the remembrance of his love toward us so that we will show love to others as the Lord works His works through us.

Episode322-"Be obedient to God's work in your life" - Philippians2v12-13

David Largent