So let it be written ∙

So let it be written ∙

I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the LORD my God commanded me so that you may obey them. – Deuteronomy 4:5

Nehemiah 8:6,8

 6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

In 1956, the legendary Cecil B. DeMille brought to the screen an epic masterpiece, “The Ten Commandments.” The film boasted a stellar cast, with Charlton Heston portraying Moses, Yul Brynner as Rameses II, Anne Baxter as Nefertiti, and John Derek as Joshua.

The movie is remembered for its powerful lines, including:

“It would take more than a man to lead the slaves from bondage. It would take a god. And I am no god, I am but a man” (Moses).

“His god…is God!” (Rameses II).

“He has forgotten both of us. You lost him when he went to seek his God. I lost him when he found his God” (Sephora, speaking to Nefertiti regarding Moses).

“So let it be written; so let it be done” (Rameses II). What does this mean? The Egyptians were meticulous record keepers. When important decisions were made or actions performed, they were written down by a court scribe.

The Father has provided people with an accurate, written record regarding Himself, biblical history, His will, His standards, and His plans for the future. To paraphrase Ramses II, “What has been written is what is to be done.”

The Father has revealed what He wants the children of the King to know, believe, and act upon. But sadly, people have poor memories. Do the children of the King know what the Father desires or asks of them? Do they know where to begin to fulfill His dreams for them?

The remarkable story and the events portrayed in Cecil B. DeMille’s movie, The Ten Commandments, are often considered nothing but myth today. How can this possibly have happened? The Scriptures have been preserved and handed down through the centuries. The warning to remember one’s history, issued to the children of Israel 3500 years ago, has never been more pertinent.

Deuteronomy 4:9-13

 9 But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

 10 Never forget the day when you stood before the LORD your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, “Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live and teach their children to fear me.”

 12 And the LORD spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice.

 13 He proclaimed his covenant – the Ten Commandments – which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father does not have grandchildren. He only has children. Each of us must decide to believe and eagerly desire to learn and follow what He has provided.

Father may I eagerly seek You. May I be attentive, hear, listen, and receive Your word, and may I respond accordingly.

INSIGHT

There’s a story about two graduate students discussing the event where Moses records the parting of the Red Sea in the book of Exodus. The first student expresses disbelief, saying, “I am at a loss; how could such an event ever occur?” To this, the second student responds, “It’s simple! The story of the Red Sea is the story of a miracle. When you believe in God, you believe in miracles.” The first grad student says, “Now I understand. I don’t believe in miracles because I don’t believe in God.”

Our culture has shifted away from theism, the belief in a prayer-hearing God Who is there and Who acts in the space-time continuum. The collateral damage has been considerable. Faith in the Father God, as revealed in the Scriptures, has become almost absent. Reverence and worship are becoming outdated notions for many. Tragically, the Father and His teachings have lost their relevance to a significant portion of the population.

This is nothing new. It has happened many times in history. Before we criticize others, perhaps we should examine ourselves. Do we read the Scriptures with eagerness and understanding? Do we make life decisions based on what we read? Or do we take the Father for granted?

By around 600 BC, the children of Israel had become complacent and fallen into a state of spiritual apathy. They were simply going through the motions of their faith. They had head knowledge, but the Father was far from their hearts. They defied the proclamations of His prophets. They ignored and disregarded the warnings of His prophets of impending doom. Prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah were met with hostility and horrible mistreatment.

There was no change of heart nor repentance; judgment fell. Jerusalem was conquered, the temple was destroyed, and the people were taken to Babylon.

Captive in Babylon, the children of Israel were demoralized, saddened, and afraid. So much had been lost. They lamented and longed for “the good old days.”

However, ironically, those “good old days” led to their current plight.

Eventually, Babylon fell to the Persians, and the people of Israel were allowed to return home. The Father raised up Nehemiah and Ezra. The Word of God was again available to be heard, understood, believed, and followed.

It was read aloud to the people, translated as needed, and explained. Truth and sound teaching were again within reach. The people were eager and attentive. Hard times have a way of turning things around, even for the hardest of hearts.

Nehemiah 8:2-10

 2 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, including the men, women, and children old enough to understand.

 3 He read it from early morning until noon to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.

 6 Then Ezra praised the LORD, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

 10 This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”

The time for mourning and weeping was over. A new day had begun. The children of the King had rediscovered and embraced the Father God and His Word and soon discovered that, indeed, “the joy of the LORD is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10).

The “good old days” of Israel bear a striking resemblance to our own times. In our fast-paced streaming culture, it is easy to take what is commonly available for granted. As children of the King, the most priceless treasure we hold is the gift from our Father: His Word.

Today can be a new day for each of us. The Father has made His Word accessible and continues to speak; are we listening? Are we open to hearing His voice?

Oh, that today you would listen as He speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, but instead listen attentively to His words today (Hebrews 3:7-8).

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© Dr. H 2024