Category Archives: Truth

Society is full of individuals who live by the motto, “do as I say, not as I do.” Part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is designed to inform the audience that God expects more of Christians, Matthew 5:43-48. Apparently, Moses didn’t get this memo as his wife Zipporah convinced him not to circumcise their son. Based upon the passage below, God’s message to Moses is clear: no one is exempt from obedience, especially leaders.

Along the way at a [resting-] place, the Lord met [Moses] and sought to kill him [made him acutely and almost fatally ill]. ²⁵ [Now apparently he had ^[b]failed to circumcise one of his sons, his wife being opposed to it; but seeing his life in such danger] Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it to touch [Moses’] feet, and said, Surely a husband of blood you are to me! – Exodus 4:24-25.

The apostle Paul touches on this spiritual condition in Galatians 1:10, seeking to please human beings who you can see over God. Perhaps, God expected more from a man who witnessed and spoke to the flame of God inside a desert bush. Then again, if Moses lost his cool by killing an Egyptian beating one of the Hebrew slaves, perhaps Zipporah’s response to her husband was due to Moses’ anger management issues.

When He let [Moses] alone [to recover], Zipporah said, A husband of blood are you because of the circumcision. ²⁷ The Lord said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mountain of God [Horeb, or Sinai] and kissed him, Exodus 4:26-27.

Whatever the root cause was for Moses’ decision not to obey the Lord, Jesus reveals God’s expectations for Christians in the first century, Matthew 5:43-48. God holds his followers to greater standards. Rather than uphold the expectations of society, Jesus calls believers to perfection. While this is impossible to achieve, Romans 3:9-12, God expects Christians to strive for perfection. Moses’ near fatal illness serves as a reminder that no one is exempt, especially leaders.

by Jay Mankus

Anyone who possesses the gift of conversation, finds talking comes naturally. On the opposite of the spectrum, the shy and stutterers are either afraid to talk or don’t know what to say. Based upon Moses’ own words in the passage below, some sort of speech impediment prevented him from being an effective communicator. Subsequently, Moses initially rejected God’s call to be the voice for the Israelites.

And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue, Exodus 4:10.

To a stutterer, confronting the King of Egypt would scare most to death. This would be equivalent to speaking in front of a packed auditorium. To those who have never been able to verbalize what’s in their heart or on their mind, this seems like an impossible feat. Perhaps, this is what was going through Moses’ mind as he rejects God’s call to become the mouthpiece of Israel. Moses just wasn’t ready to trust an invisible God.

And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say, Exodus 4:11-12.

The above passage serves as a pep talk from God. After doubting God’s ability to make him the mouthpiece of Israel, God reminds Moses of his Creator abilities and power. Whenever someone asks you to do something that forces you to go outside your comfort zone, this request is meant for you to grow. However, when you’re unwilling to try, you’re either trusting in your own strength or don’t think God can use you to do this. When doubt consumes your soul, trust in the Lord as King Solomon commands in Proverbs 3:5-6.

by Jay Mankus

When I was younger, I made the mistake of assuming that church leaders had everything in their life under control. If you’re a member of the Bible’s Hall of Faith, your body of work over the course of your life would reflect this accomplishment. Yet, in an obscure passage at the end of Exodus 4, Moses’ marital problems comes to the surface. When their son reached the age to be circumcised, Zipporah refused to let this happen. Subsequently, Moses nearly dies due to his disobedience.

[Aroused] by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and ^[f]become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. ²⁶ He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense). ²⁷ [Motivated] by faith he left Egypt behind him, being unawed and undismayed by the wrath of the king; for he never flinched but held staunchly to his purpose and endured steadfastly as one who gazed on Him Who is invisible, Hebrews 11:24-27.

As a former high school teacher, my students experienced way too many divorces and separations. Just because you claim to be a Christian doesn’t exempt you from marital issues. One of the initial signs of marital problems is heated arguments in public. As roots of bitterness stored up within souls come to the surface, emotional blow ups often follow. This is what happened to Zipporah who was vehemently against the practice of circumcision.

Along the way at a [resting-] place, the Lord met [Moses] and sought to kill him [made him acutely and almost fatally ill]. ²⁵ [Now apparently he had ^[b]failed to circumcise one of his sons, his wife being opposed to it; but seeing his life in such danger] Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off the foreskin of her son and cast it to touch [Moses’] feet, and said, Surely a husband of blood you are to me! ²⁶ When He let [Moses] alone [to recover], Zipporah said, A husband of blood are you because of the circumcision, Exodus 4:24-26.

Unfortunately, Moses decided to please his wife rather than the Lord, Galatians 1:10. Apparently, this decision made God jealous and upset. God was so disappointed by Moses’ lack of spiritual leadership that He sought to take Moses’ life. Based upon the subtle hints in the passage above, God appeared to Zipporah with only one option to save Moses’ life. While she eventually went through with this circumcision, Zipporah was afflicted with a deep soul spirit wound. May this passage inspire couples to work on their differences in private so that public scenes are limited in the future.

by Jay Mankus

What if you were given a present for Christmas, but you were told you had to wait until next year before you could open it? Directions allowed you to hold this gift and bring this with you if you traveled, but you couldn’t open this gift under any circumstances. This is essentially what happened to Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. You can marry Mary, but you won’t be able to consecrate your marriage until Jesus is born.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these circumstances: When His mother Mary had been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant [through the power] of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her [promised] husband Joseph, being a just and upright man and not willing to expose her publicly and to shame and disgrace her, decided to repudiate and dismiss (divorce) her quietly and secretly, Matthew 1:18-19.

According to Jewish law, Joseph could have Mary stoned for committing adultery. Rather than ending Mary’s life and making a scene, Joseph decided to move forward with a divorce in private. However, one night while Joseph was asleep, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The lesson that God was trying to teach Joseph is imagine what God can do in your life through one moment of obedience because of this dream.

But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of (from, out of) the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from ^[a]failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. ²² All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, ²³ Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us. ²⁴ Then Joseph, being aroused from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him: he took [her to his side as] his wife. ²⁵ But he had no union with her as her husband until she had borne her firstborn Son; and he called His name Jesus, Matthew 1:20-25.

From a human perspective, it’s nearly impossible to fully understand how God can work through one moment of obedience. Thanks to instant gratification, often by using credit cards to get what you want now, waiting for God’s blessings has become a lost art. Yet, when you cling to God’s promise like Joseph in this dream, blessings will come in various forms. In view of Joseph’s act of faith, don’t cut corners this Christmas season. Rather, hold fast to faith by being open to God’s calls for daily obedience in life.

by Jay Mankus

A mouthpiece is a part of something that is pieced between or near your lips. Two common mouthpieces are found on a trumpet and telephone. Yet, in recent years, becoming a mouthpiece has a negative connotation, often in the context of politics. Rather than being a free and independent thinker, mouthpieces communicate the beliefs, values and worldviews of a specific group or party.

And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say. ¹³ And he said, Oh, my Lord, I pray You, send by the hand of [some other] whom You will [send], Exodus 4:10-13.

In the passage above, Moses is introduced to God’s will for his life. The Lord wants Moses to be the mouthpiece for Israel. Part of Moses’ responsibilities includes confronting Pharoah, king of Egypt on behalf of the elders of Israel. Apparently, Moses either has a fear of public speaking or was born with some sort of a speech impediment, resulting in stammering and stuttering when nervous.

And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit ^[g]we have our life in God, let us go forward ^[h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] ²⁶ Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another, Galatians 5:24-26.

From a New Testament perspective, becoming a mouthpiece for God requires the ability to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. When the world attempts to overwhelm you, Galatians 5:16-18, God calls Christians to put on acts of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. This isn’t easy, especially when God turns up the heat, 1 Peter 1:6-7. Therefore, as you take the good with the bad, James 1:2-4, don’t forget to be a mouthpiece for the Holy Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

In this age of a lack of accountability and passing the blame, sometimes in life it’s important to be reminded of God’s nature. As the Lord was laying out God’s will for his life, Moses began to second guess God’s power and strength. Subsequently, God provides a simple lesson into His nature. This lesson starts with the basics: the source of hearing, seeing and wisdom.

And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say, Exodus 4:10-12.

Like a parent reprimanding a disobedient child, the Lord reminds Moses of the nature of God. Similar to the rant of Job in the wake of the trials he endured, God turns to His Creator 101 class. “Didn’t I create and give you a mouth? Don’t you realize that I possess the power to make the dumb wise and stutters speak clearly?”

For God’s [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative. ¹⁹ For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. ²⁰ For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification], Romans 1:18-20.

In a first century letter to the Church of Rome, the apostle Paul points that the invisible qualities of God’s nature. While Paul doesn’t directly mention a rainbow or sunrise, these attributes are visible to those who take to time to be still, Psalm 46:10. As Americans transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas, may your eyes and mind be open to the nature of God this holiday season.

by Jay Mankus

The apostle Paul dedicates an entire chapter of the Bible to highlight God’s agape love, 1 Corinthians 13. Yet, the author of one New Testament book suggests that discipline is also a sign of love, Hebrews 12:4-6. As God was preparing Moses to become the mouthpiece for Israel, he rejects God’s initial call, coming up with an excuse to avoid this responsibility. According to Moses’ own words, this is when God went off.

 And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say. ¹³ And he said, Oh, my Lord, I pray You, send by the hand of [some other] whom You will [send]. ¹⁴ Then the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses; He said, Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? I know he can speak well. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed, Exodus 4:10-14.

According to the author of Hebrews, God disciplines those who He loves, Hebrews 12:5-6. When you focus on this aspect of love, those who let you do whatever you want as a child aren’t necessarily concerned about your long-term well-being. This is what King Solomon means about training a child in the way that they should go, Proverbs 22:6.

Therefore let us go on and get past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ (the Messiah), advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. Let us not again be laying the foundation of repentance and abandonment of dead works (dead formalism) and of the faith [by which you turned] to God, ² With teachings about purifying, the laying on of hands, the resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgment and punishment. [These are all matters of which you should have been fully aware long, long ago.] ³ If indeed God permits, we will [now] proceed [to advanced teaching]. ⁴ For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, ⁶ If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace, Hebrews 6:1-6.

Another reason that might cause the Lord to go off is when a mature Christian regresses by showing behaviors of their former sinful way of life. The illustration above points to a lukewarm believer who has decided pray for forgiving just prior to indulging into sin once again. Touch love may require intervention so that an addict will be coached back to good health and victory in Christ.

by Jay Mankus