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News and views from the German-language region of Europe

January 24, 2014

Out of sight, out of mind

Filed under Sabbath Thoughts

Just over four months after the Israelites left Egypt a human tendency reared its head among them that has bothered the people of God – physical and spiritual Israel – througout their history. After the Old Covenant was ratified, Moses was on mount Sinai for forty days and nights, receiving additional instruction from God.

How did the people react?

"Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him" (Exodus 32:1).

"Out of sight, out of mind" is the proverbial saying. That certainly applied to the Israelites. Their human leader seemed to be gone a long time and the people lost their focus.

"That wouldn't happen to us," some Christians might say today. But apparently Jesus thinks differently. In the parable of the ten virgins, He described them all this way: "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept" (Matthew 25:5).

Will the bridegroom – Christ – be delayed? Perhaps from a human point of view, but not from God's perspective. Christ will return right on time to prevent humanity from committing global suicide (Matthew 24,21-22).

Moses was on mount Sinai and after His resurrection Christ ascended to heavenly mount Zion. Let's not make the same mistake that the Israelites of old did: "Now when the people saw. . ." They walked by sight.

We must avoid this human tendency, "for we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Let's heed the many New Testament exhortations to be awake, "for yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37).

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!

Paul Kieffer's blog with personal insights and news from the German-language region in Europe.

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