Today, for Day #38 of Counting the Omer we will be examining the difference between being a slave and willingly becoming a bondservant. At first glance these two states may appear to be quite similar. Neither is permitted to simply follow their own way. Neither is "free" in the sense of no restrictions on their behavior. Both do the bidding of their master. However, everyone would agree that slavery is not desirable while many people willingly place themselves in the position of a bondservant. We can see this concept when people engage in an apprenticeship position, an educational program and/or military service. They WILLINGLY place themselves into an arrangement that limits and restricts their ability to act independently.
In Hebrew, the number
38 is expressed by the letters "Lamed" and "Chet." They are derived from a word meaning which connotes: "freshness, green, new." When we are bondservants of Christ, we attach ourselves to Him willingly and then our lives are transformed, and we are enabled to walk in the newness of life.
So, what specifically does God want when we willingly conscript ourselves into His Army? We certainly do not want to make the "Cain mistake" and have God declare our service was unsatisfactory. It would be disgraceful to get court-martialed and then exiled. What does the Bible say? Scripture says we are supposed to bring God "Fire Gifts."
"Offer Fire-Gifts to God." ~ Leviticus 23:8 (The Message)
Just what are "Fire-Gifts?" After much research and prayer, I compiled this list from scripture:
Prayers, Obedience, Fasting (Food and/or Activities in our life), Praising, Worshipping (Music/Singing), Adoring, Glorifying, Magnifying, Meditating on the Word, Giving of our unique God-given treasure and talents.
I foolishly used to think God must be One big Egomaniac. Why does he need all this attention and "stroking?" Then I finally got a revelation: As with everything God asks us to do, it will ultimately benefit
us if we would just stop being so selfish and withholding. When we meditate on how awesome, majestic, magnificent, all-powerful, amazing, wonderful, loving God is--our problems seem puny in comparison!
God spells this out for us in another scripture. He tells us exactly what He wants from us. For today's Day #
38 of "Counting the Omer," The Message version states this in the most easily understandable way:
"So, here's what I want...Take your every day ordinary life--and place it before God as an offering."
~ Romans 12:1-2 (The Message Bible)
God continually has His own "Cosmic Drama" playing out on the World stage. I am constantly amazed at how typecast we all are. Just as history tends to repeat itself, so do certain character types. Are we the black sheep of the family? The wild and crazy one? Maybe sadly, we are playing the part of the village idiot.
The Bible was written partly to display the many colorful stories and characters that would help us to discern the individual roles God has called us to. All of us can relate to the characters in the Bible who, as messy "screw ups," persevered over their character flaws and were able to be greatly used by God. If evil people can be stubborn and resolute in their wickedness, how much MORE SO, should we, as God's people, be steadfast and resolute in purity perseverance?
The more we journey onward with God, the more we should realize that we add nothing to this drama, just as an actor does not change the screenplay. God scripted it all. We simply bring ourselves as empty and willing vessels to the audition. Even our vessels are only useful when they are poured out and broken. Perhaps that is where the theatrical slang terminology "break a leg" comes from. In fact, when we empty ourselves, THAT is when God's power becomes the most obvious in us:
But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Berean Study Bible)
Jacob is one such example. His encounter with the Angel is widely understood, through theological exegesis, to have been an example of a "Theophany" or a symbolic encounter with Christ. Jacob's very name means: "schemer, cheater; one who grabs from behind"--Not exactly an auspicious beginning!
Now why would the Bible give us a story about WRESTLING WITH CHRIST? One would automatically assume this would be a BAD thing, right? I mean, can you imagine this scenario?-
"Brace yourself Jesus...I'm comin' for ya."
The ending of this drama shows that Jacob had Jesus (aka God Almighty!) in some sort of a spiritual wrestling hold at one point.
Then he [Christ manifested in a Theophany] said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." And He [Christ] said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." ~Genesis 32: 26-28 (comments added)
Imagine the confidence to proclaim to God: I WON'T LET YOU GO UNTIL YOU BLESS ME! Wow...how bold of a performance is that? It appears, by this Biblical account, that Jesus was actually pleased by Jacob's wrestling. It resulted in his name of "schemer" being changed to "Israel" or "One who prevails with God." He won the ultimate academy award.
While we cannot presume to know the final umpire call for humanity, scripture indicates there will be a group of people that go through the fire but all of their earthly works are burned up and they lose their reward.
Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
~ 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
But, the "Kingdom of God" is a different concept altogether. Clearly, there is a group of people who will RULE alongside with God. These people must be overcomers. They can not be wishy-washy, insipid, non-passionate quitters.
If we endure, we will also reign with Him.
~2 Timothy 2:12
Jacob PREVAILED and God changed his name to Israel (a shadow picture of those who become God's Elect). We must TRIUMPH, we must be OVERCOMERS. God wants us to "wrestle" with Him! In other words, we need to wrap our minds around His Word, constantly challenging ourselves (and yes...even challenging Him in a good way just as the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon and questioned him) because He is not afraid to answer us when we have questions.
Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD,
she came to test him with hard questions.
~ 1 Kings 10:1 (NKJV)
Solomon is a "shadow and type" of Christ and the Queen of Sheba symbolizes The Church. I believe God encourages us to bring our doubts, questions, and fears to Him. Too many times we are afraid to "wrestle" with the big questions thinking that deep in our hearts, maybe we will not like His answers or, we foolishly believe God won't measure up.
The Hebrew word for "wrestle" in Strong's Concordance means: "grappled, get dusty, pound small, distill"...we become DISTILLED when we wrestle w/ God. CONCENTRATED PURITY! God wants us to "wrestle" with Him (have familiar relations with Him)...get stirred up mentally and aroused in our spirits until we have our minds meditating on His insights. The scripture also mentions wrestling until the "dawn"---as when new insights "dawn on us." Jacob wrestled until the "dawn"--until he saw the Light! Don't let go of God until He blesses you! Let Him touch the "hollow of your thigh"...which also means "striking a nerve."
Interestingly alabaster, when smashed, turns into a powdery dust. Our lives are to be like Mary Magdalene's alabaster jar. We need to be smashed into dust and ashes (repentant) before we can release the sweet perfume aroma of Christ! If you want to be a bondservant for the Almighty, prepare for a "dust up"...some spiritual warfare.
So, what mission or role has God called you to play in His Grand Drama? Are you a Mary Magdalene...a devoted, loyal, faithful friend of Christ? Are you a Peter...an initial failure who, by his repentance confession, went on to become the symbolic foundation of the Christian faith?
Perhaps you are Joseph...shepherding the Church (Mary) in her time of travail. Don't grudgingly serve your Master. Do your part with true passion, using the Passion of Christ as your role model!
Whatever role God has called you to, do it with all of your might. God only wants one thing from you in this spiritual battle, He wants you to give yourself willingly...your fire-gifts. Bring Him your best sacrificial offering and then...
FIRE AWAY!
