Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
To accept
the unacceptable
“And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way
of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not
journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.” (8)
This passage is a poem which recalls the Exodus story. The people of Israel were under oppression but had confidence that salvation would soon come, and it did. The Israelites went from Pharaoh’s courts to the desert. At first they only saw barrenness but they witnessed blossoming at the Lord’s hands as they walked the path. This is why the passage urges us believers to strengthen our hands because on our faith/kingdom building journey our hands will need encouragement to stick to the task at hand while our hearts will need nourishing from one another to stick with our convictions. Only when we join hands will we be able to keep our commitments mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
In Exodus 17 the Israelites saw the desert blossom momentarily when water began to flow through it. However, in this poem we glimpse upon the final destination for those who are with the Lord. In this environment everywhere the faithful walk is glorious and will remain that way forever, not just momentarily. Salvation is accomplished and there is a highway for the holy ones to walk towards this destination free of danger. The redeemed will arrive with joy to their final destination. Here our weaknesses in the present will be transformed into new abilities. Here they will see the beauty of a restored creation as well as the glory and splendor of the creator. God’s glory is his inherent worth and His splendor is the majesty and divinity we experience in His actions.
However being a member of the redeemed requires more than a verbal proclamation of belief in Jesus. The passage makes it clear that holiness is a requirement to be saved and the unclean cannot travel the highway. The Lord never reduces his standards to match the weaknesses of his people instead he raises his people to the height of his standards. He does this through the work of salvation available to all. However, we must accept it and allow his pruning, and then we shall be redeemed.
This passage is a poem which recalls the Exodus story. The people of Israel were under oppression but had confidence that salvation would soon come, and it did. The Israelites went from Pharaoh’s courts to the desert. At first they only saw barrenness but they witnessed blossoming at the Lord’s hands as they walked the path. This is why the passage urges us believers to strengthen our hands because on our faith/kingdom building journey our hands will need encouragement to stick to the task at hand while our hearts will need nourishing from one another to stick with our convictions. Only when we join hands will we be able to keep our commitments mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
In Exodus 17 the Israelites saw the desert blossom momentarily when water began to flow through it. However, in this poem we glimpse upon the final destination for those who are with the Lord. In this environment everywhere the faithful walk is glorious and will remain that way forever, not just momentarily. Salvation is accomplished and there is a highway for the holy ones to walk towards this destination free of danger. The redeemed will arrive with joy to their final destination. Here our weaknesses in the present will be transformed into new abilities. Here they will see the beauty of a restored creation as well as the glory and splendor of the creator. God’s glory is his inherent worth and His splendor is the majesty and divinity we experience in His actions.
However being a member of the redeemed requires more than a verbal proclamation of belief in Jesus. The passage makes it clear that holiness is a requirement to be saved and the unclean cannot travel the highway. The Lord never reduces his standards to match the weaknesses of his people instead he raises his people to the height of his standards. He does this through the work of salvation available to all. However, we must accept it and allow his pruning, and then we shall be redeemed.
Though
holiness is not easy, this passage reminds us that the initial work of
salvation enables us to radically overcome our former human frailties. The language
of ‘no lions’ coming our way in this passage reminds us that if we truly accept
the Lord’s pruning then nothing will deter us from the completion of becoming a
holy being.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we
thank you for the promise of salvation that you offer freely to all and we pray
that you would help us to accept this gift and allow you to mold us into a new
holy creation. Amen.
Jebin Yohannan, St. Andrews Mar Thoma Church, NY