Sunday Evening Message - 19.7.2020

'Fellowship of God's Children'

by Deacon Crimson

--------------

First Reading - Numbers 32:1 – 12

Second Reading - Ruth 15: 15 – 18

Gospel Reading - Matt. 24: 28 – 31

----------------

Matt. 24: 28 – 31

²⁸ Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He ^[a]indicated that He would have gone farther. ²⁹ But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

³⁰ Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

Dear Brethren,

Greetings to you from Church of Christ the King, Libya.

Last week, we noticed that the 'book of Numbers' is a record of counting of different materials and hence its name- Numbers. Moreover, it also records a lot of other incidents which occurred during the exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt mainly while traveling through the wilderness.

There is a sad instance to note in Numbers chapter thirty-two. We find a 'Spirit of Separation'. And this occurred amongst the people who had started their journey with one accord. Before entering into the land of Canaan, Moses sent his envoys to Sihon the King of Amorites and also to Og the King of Bashan. Moses just wanted a safe passage through their land but they waged war against Moses. And Moses defeated them. And the Israelites were poised to pass through into the land of milk and honey that the Lord had promised to them .

But the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half of Manasseh felt that particular area was so attractive with its beautiful green pasture. And they were now flush with the plunder from the recent war and with the possession of their numerous cattle. They justified their cause to disregarded the Lord’s plan for them to move in the promised land. They wanted to settle there. They did not want to get into trans Jordan. Moses warned them not to make any rebellion of this kind. But they determined themselves with an oath that they would support their brothers to inherit Canaan with their muscle power but would not give up the land that was recently won. Moses agreed for that (certainly with a broken heart). And they got the possession of the large, lush green and bushy landscape.

Dear brethren, many a time, we make a decision of separation. It may be in the family, church or community because certain things seem so promising and enchanting. But remember, it might not be the will of God.

However, the passage in the book of Ruth, we find that she was determined to abide with the children of God despite her gentile background. Even though she had lost all her future and fortune. Yet, she continued to believe that the Lord of Israel would provide everything more than she needed. And so she entered into the land of Canaan with her mother in law. We know that there was a great blessing awaiting for her as she preferred to be with the Lord’s people. Her widowhood changed as she was married to the richest landlord Boaz. She became the great grandmother of King David. And later, we know, the genealogy of Jesus records her name too. What a great blessing she earned. This was because of her stern decision to follow the Lord and get into fellowship with his people.

Now let’s come back to the story of the two and a half tribes who left the congregation and were bewitched by the beauty of the landscape. They had to battle with many enemies. And, alas at one point, they were defeated and taken captives.

I Chronicles 5: 26

So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, that is, Tiglath-Pileser[a] king of Assyria. He carried the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh into captivity. He took them to Halah, Habor, Hara, and the river of Gozan to this day.

All were taken captives because of the spirit of separation that in fact troubled the entire congregation by their forefathers. ( “All that glitters is not gold, and often you heard that ever told”) Even in our lives, let us not be carried away by the external beauty and attraction. These will become a snare one day and there would be no escape. If we are still in such stronghold, let us seek the help of God to be united with his people. It is in the fellowship of God's people, we find the bounty of blessings, encouragement and protection. May the Lord richly bless us with the fellowship of His people.

Look at those disciples who always wanted to be in fellowship with Jesus even when their eyes were closed. And what a great privilege that they could see the risen Saviour. They looked for the unity and fellowship and thus enjoyed the heavenly blessings.

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.

Prayer

Loving Lord heavenly Father, help us to abide in your love and fellowship and help us not to be carried away by the external beauty. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.