Reflection
I don’t like watching violence on TV. I shield my eyes at even the slightest glimpse of blood or gore. So, I have to admit, watching the first episode of The Bible was a bit difficult for me because, if you haven’t noticed…
The Bible is violent!
Abraham and Isaac – Image source: http://www.facebook.com/BibleSeries
There’s more to Noah’s Ark than cute animals that go marching two-by-two (hoorah, hoorah). It’s about people perishing. People drowning. People dying because they had turned their backs on God.
Abraham’s sacrifice is about a father tying up his son and laying him on an altar, knife in hand and ready to take the next, unthinkable step.
The Passover is about an angel of death sweeping in a killing the firstborn male of every household.
Death. Judgment. Violence.
Not only is it hard to watch, it’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that God was behind it all.
But, the full story becomes easier to understand when you see that behind every act of violence, judgment, and death, God provides a way for life to continue.
Behind the judgment of Noah’s time was an ark, and then a rainbow. An escape. A new beginning. A promise.
Behind Abraham was a ram caught in the thicket. A substitutionary sacrifice. A way out.
Behind the angel of death was a Passover. A divine covering. An exemption from death.
Violent, yes. But redemptive, absolutely.
So while it’s hard to watch God’s judgment sometimes, and it’s easy to scream, “Unfair! How could you? Why?!”, it’s also so refreshing to remember that God never judges without also providing grace. Because of our sin, we all deserve the death and destruction we see in the Old Testament stories. But God, in His infinite love for us, sent grace through Jesus instead.
Theme – From Death to Life
“Where is the lamb?”
Such a simple question that Isaac asked his father, Abraham. And when Abraham answered, “The Lord will provide,” I bet Isaac never imagined that he would be the original sacrifice.
But God did provide. He provided a way out for Isaac and Abraham both.
In an instant, arrested by the voice of an angel and the apprentice of a ram in a nearby bush, Isaac was delivered from death and given a new life.
Finally.
Just in time.
Not a moment too soon.
Many years later, a similar scenario took place. The Bible says, “When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son.” (Galatians 4:4). In the nick of time, like the ram God sent to Abraham, Jesus appeared. Like the ram, his coming was announced by an angel. Like the ram, tangled in a thicket, Jesus wore a crown of thorns. And, like the ram, he died as a sacrifice…
As the ram in the thicket took Isaac’s place, Jesus took your place… Your lamb among thorns, however, was God’s own son. Your substitution was the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. “[God] did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all” (Romans 8:32a), so we can escape death and enjoy life – ever lasting and abundant. The Bible 30-Day Experience Guidebook (pp. 33-34)
Discussion (answer one or more in the comments)
- Which scene(s) from this week’s episode was/were the most difficult for you to watch?
- Which character’s story spoke to you the most – Noah, Abraham, Isaac, or Moses? Why?
- Read John 5:24. What does it say about God’s judgment?
- How do you see death in the Old Testament pointing towards life through Jesus Christ?
Coming Up
- If you’re using The Bible 30-Day Experience Guidebook, complete days 1-6 this week.
- Tune in again next week for Week Two: The Homeland/The Kingdom. We’ll see Joshua, Samson, Judges, David, Saul and Solomon.
- As you watch, consider next week’s theme: From Slavery to Freedom.
- Join us next Tuesday here on the blog for more discussion!
Related Posts:
Week One: From Death to Life
Week Two: From Slavery to Freedom
Week Three: From Victim to Victor
Week Four: From Religion to Relationship
Week Five: From Darkness to Light
So… Satan looks like Obama? What does that mean?
God’s judgment IS sometimes difficult to deal with or to understand. But, God gives us guidelines and He gives us “rules” by which we should live. What is always amazing to me is that when we fail to follow God’s guidelines, He is always the first one we want to blame when things go wrong. The first show Sunday night showed me again how important it is to trust God and keep my faith in Him so that when things go wrong (and they will!) He has promised to never leave me, to walk with me through the storm, and to give me a better tomorrow. I just have to keep believing in His promise!
That is such a good point, Vickey! God’s not secretive about how He works – Obedience leads to blessings. But when we’re not being obedient, we still tend to blame Him when we have to face the consequences of our own actions.
God’s judgement is complete and final but, it is always fair and just. I agree with Vickey in that we should trust God because he will deliver us if we stay in faith with him and walk in His love. I praise the Lord every day for his love and wisdom in my life. This weeks episode of The Bible showed me that I should keep reverential fear in my heart for Him. What I mean by that is while I am loving Him and rejoycing in Him I should always respectfully remember that He is the sovereign God of the universe.
Amen, Robin! So true!!
1. Could you, (I), do it…go that far to the death of a child. I cannot even, ever, answer that AND I PRAY I’ll never be brought, even remotely, to that.
2. Noah…because, for almost 8 years, I had people pushing me down telling me that my marriage would never be restored & that I was dreaming & that it would ALL end in a MESS………PRAISING GOD every moment of EVERY DAY & smiling….laughing….living…loving……(;~0) because GOD had a plan & I KNEW it……albiet I grieve for those left behind that wouldn’t see or hear.
3. That I might ever be that forgiving, compassionate & loving. Everyday we can read stories of babies being harmed, (Sandy Hook), but by Grace now SAFE in the arms of Jesus……..God’s hand in it all.
4. As a parent, I can think God is looking down in utter frustration at His kids STILL today. What WILL it take for eyes to see & ears to hear? But in His Omnipotence, knowing the end yet, continuing to give us His free will. TRUE freeedom……………..John 5:24
Which scene(s) from this week’s episode was/were the most difficult for you to watch? I think it was the destruction of Sodom. The city was destroyed because just about all of the people chose sin over God.
2. Moses’ story spoke to my heart