Essential 100

Week Five: The Law and the Land

[To listen to an audio recording,  click here]

21.    The Ten Commandments (Exodus 19:1—20:21)

What place should the Ten Commandments have in our pluralistic society today?

Which of the Ten Commandments is most challenging to you? Why?

22.    The Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1—34:35)

What motivated the Israelites to worship the Golden Calf instead of God?

What things pull you away from God? What makes you feel closer to God?

23.    Joshua Succeeds Moses (Joshua 1:1-18)

From what you know about Moses, why was he a good spiritual mentor for Joshua?

Is there anyone you view as a spiritual mentor—either a living person or someone from history?

How does their example help you today?

24.    Crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3:1—4:24)

Some people see the Israelites crossing the Jordan as an image of death.     What do you think?

What is the Promised Land for you? Do you ever think you’ll reach it? Why?

25.    The Fall of Jericho ( Joshua 5:13—6:27)

How do you think the Israelites felt as they marched around Jericho?

Have you or someone you know ever taken a step of faith that seemed odd?

Pastor's Meditation for the Week:

A Kingdom of Priests

Before the Ten Commandments were given to Moses on Mount Sinai the Lord gave Moses the goal He had for the people of Israel. That goal was for them to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In order to reach that goal Israel needed a structure to live within and guidelines to follow. That structure really had to do with love relationships. The first half of the commandments dealt with Israel’s love relationship with God and the second half dealt with their love relationship with others. When the structure and guidelines for both of these relationships are kept the result will be a people who could indeed become a kingdom of priests able to minister to the whole world.

As we continue to read the history of Israel this week we find them, at times, living within the structure and by the guidelines and moving toward the goal, and at other times not loving the Lord and others  with the results being  broken relationships.  The goal of becoming a kingdom of priests and a holy nation remained illusive and ultimately unrealized for Israel.

For us Christians Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments this way: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” And the second is like it: ”love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” [Matthew 22:37-40]  As Christians we are also given these commandments by the Lord Jesus with the goal of becoming  a “holy priesthood”,  [2 Peter 2:5] loving and serving the Lord through a ministry of love to the world.  As we live a life of love for the Lord and others, including love for ourselves, we can become the holy priesthood the Lord intends us to be. How are you doing this week in reaching the goal of becoming a holy priest?

Blessings in Christ, Pastor Jim