Life Of Moses: Part 7 Series

There was once a woman, so infamous that history never even gave her a name. In this story, she was recognized immediately by her reputation. For a woman like her, there was really no hope of changing how she was perceived. At her time, there were no social programs, no welfare checks, no ways to come back. She had been marked by society and that was the way she would remain. And most everyone was fine with that.

In that society, little girls were taught from early on how important proper etiquette was. Things simply had to be done a certain way. So for a woman like this, with such a bad reputation, no one could really afford to reach out to her. If another woman tried to reach out, there was a good possibility that she too would be labeled as an outcast and a woman of ill repute. If a man tried to reach out, his name would become as good as mud.

This woman, though, was bold. And at least in this specific instance, she comes off as being fearless. Because on this day, there was a certain party being held. A dinner party with a number of bigwigs and prominent religious leaders. And although she had no invitation she barged into the event. She made a beeline for the goal she had in mind, for this one man who was there. While standing in front of him, she pulled out an alabaster jar of perfume. Something that had to be quite expensive. Something so expensive that it probably would’ve caused everyone around to speculate about the manner in which she was able to afford such a gift. You could imagine the shock that this already created in the atmosphere. But, her boldness didn’t stop. She then unwrapped her hair, another big no-no, pours the perfume on this man’s feet, kisses those feet, cries on them, and wipes them with her hair that had been let down.

If this man were you, how would you have reacted? If it were you sitting there in front of pastors or your parents or elders of the church, how would you have been feeling as a prostitute continued to kiss your feet over and over again? Fear? Disgust? Embarrassment?

Yet, how did this man react? He held her up in front of all these religious leaders as a symbol of faith and love. For this man was Christ. And he was unafraid of dealing with sin and with sinners and what that would do to him or to his reputation. In fact, it was people exactly like her that he came to this earth. He didn’t come to save the sinless, but those who were most obviously sinners.

So what does this have to do with our lesson today? It has everything to do with our lesson. Because what happens here is God lays it out nice and neat. He said, “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Doesn’t this look wonderful? So much good is offered here! The people had a chance of remaining God’s own. In a world filled with other nations, they had been singled out as being his, and they could remain that way! Just think of what God had done for them already. He said it this way, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” They would be able to retain this gift of God!

On top of this, they would be labeled as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. They would be seen by God and by all as people who really had it together. As people that were on top of their game and who had their lives figured out. So, it’s no wonder why the people all agreed to this. This is a sweet deal! They said, “We will do everything the Lord has said.”

Don’t you sometimes wish that this is how we had it too? There aren’t many feelings better in this world than when we work hard, make sacrifices, overcome struggles, and witness the success that follows. Wouldn’t it be nice to look back at your life as you’re standing before God’s throne in heaven and admire the work you did to accomplish such glory? Oh, absolutely it would.

That line of thinking right there is why God had to introduce his relationship with the people in this way. He saw the wisdom in laying out his covenant, or treaty, with them in ways that they would approve of immediately. Because all of us by nature want to deal with God like this. We want to stand before him based, at least in part, on our own merits and hard work. This is the initial beauty of the law! It’s so picturesque, so clean, so bright. We want to be those Pharisees sitting with Jesus and receive the honor of him dining within our own homes because we are such good people.