[sorry about missing last week]
This week, we look at people in the Bible who were given an assignment
Moses is taking care of the sheep in a wild place, minding his own business. First his curiosity moves him to a bush, and from then on, it gets really intense. Yahweh makes it clear he won’t take no for an answer and that he will do the heavy lifting. Can you identify with Moses “send someone else” statement. Are you looking forward to meeting Moses?
Someone needs to succeed Moses and God chooses his long-time assistant (at least 40 years … note God did not choose one of Moses’ kids). Hear how God says “Be strong and courageous”. How do you imagine Joshua felt on the first day Moses was no longer around? Do you imagine him having a long talk with God?
The last two passages were to take the job of leading the people. Here, Isaiah has an intense vision where he volunteers to be a spokesperson to a stubborn people. Not that verse 9-10 show up in the parable of the sower that we worked through a few weeks ago. Both Moses and Isaiah end up with Jesus at the transfiguration. What would you want to ask Isaiah?
Here Jesus sends out the 70 (or 72) on a short term missions trip, preparing ahead of time the towns Jesus will visit. Note they are not experts. And in vs 17-20, hear the stories they come back with. And note Jesus response to their amazement in vs 20: All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing. How does that make you feel?
Acts 26, especially 17 & 18
Paul gives a first person account of. his encounter with Jesus and the clear “mission” he was given. Do you ever wish you would hear something clear, like Paul?
Bonus: Matthew 28:16-20
Isn’t it amazing that right before “the great commission”, Matthew sees it important to record “but some doubted”. And note the commission: its to make “disciples” - people who spend time with Jesus, become like him and do what he did. People who join Jesus in building the Kingdom. This is way more than “making converts”. And the closing line “I am with you” mirrors the assignments to Moses, Joshua, and Paul. When you hear an assignment, do you feel that “I am with you”?
Nov 9 - 16 — break from series & reading plan
đź“–Â Nov 2 - Nov 8 The Parable of the Sower
Oct 26 - Nov 1 The Gospel According to Jesus
Oct 19 - 25 Money and the Kingdom: How Generosity Sets Us Free
Oct 12 - Oct 18 The Truly Good News
Oct 5 - Oct 11: The King Has Come
Sept 28 - Oct 4: A New Kind of King