A lesson from 5 onions!

Since the isolation of the pandemic we are in the habit of ordering groceries etc. on- line. Our routine is that Pauline prepares a list of requirements and I do the on-line order. The other week I did the order as normal which included the request for 5 onions. When the order was delivered, Pauline asked why I had ordered 15 onions. My mistake was that I hadn’t noticed that the onion item I had ordered 5 of was, in fact, a pack of 3. So we received 5 of those packets making 15 in all! The lesson was, although I thought I knew it through familiarity, still ‘READ CAREFULLY WITH UNDERSTANDING’!
 
This is a good discipline for reading the Bible. Rev. David Richardson, a previous pastor of BRBC, advised asking 3 questions when reading the Bible. These are, What did it mean at the time? What does it mean me now? What does it tell me about God ?
The Bible is God’s LIVING word. Because it is alive, it always speaks to us if only we approach it with open ears, eyes and hearts.
 
The Old Testament is often regarded by church goers as a bit irrelevant for us today as it reflected past times and cultures so very different from our own. I was following Bible Society’s readings in Exodus as part of my Lent preparation; in particular, the instructions given to Moses for the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness so that the Israelites could have a focus of worship as they travelled the desert places. When it had been completed to the exact requirements and excellence, God showed His presence to them by filling it with a dark cloud. As long as the cloud existed they were to stay put where they were. When it lifted, this was the sign to move on.
To those at the time it was a reassurance that the God who delivered them miraculously from slavery in Egypt was always present with them and guiding them to the promised land.
 
To us today it reminds us of the privilege we have of walking in step with God’s presence, giving us clarity for choices and direction as His Spirit directs. It also reminds us that God isn’t some remote power, distant from us; but He wants a close relationship with us, being present by the Spirit of Jesus to guide us through life’s journey, if we keep our eyes on Him and follow!
 
May His Spirit help us to follow His guidance!
Ian Jepps