God the Father

We wrapped up the first series of the Exchange Class this past week and Shelly began a new study focused on deepening our understanding of who God is and the type of relationship He desires with us. Please see Shelly's thoughts on this past week's discussion.

This week we took a look in Genesis and Exodus at God as the “spiritual father” of Adam, Eve, and Moses.

In Genesis, we read the account of Adam and Eve after they sinned in the garden. Our discussion was about how God used rhetorical questions to bring out Adam and Eve’s confession. Q: How can you relate to that parenting strategy when you were growing up? (Some of us are now using that strategy as we currently find ourselves in a parenting role.) We looked at God’s sequence of questioning, giving consequences, and His loving provision for Adam and Eve, even though they sinned and made mistakes.

In Exodus, Moses reminded us that obedience to God can be “so simple”, yet “somehow so difficult”. We looked at the account of God walking Moses back through presenting the Ten Commandments to the Israelites a second time.( Moses broke the first set of tablets he and God made when he became angry at the Israelites worshiping a golden calf they’d made in Moses’ absence.) Q: Have we had to repeat tasks to model the importance of obedience to our parents or God? Q: Do we ask our own children to repeat tasks to walk in obedience?

We read further how God would not allow Moses to cross over the river Jordan with the Israelites because of another disobedient act. (Moses had become weary of listening to the Israelites complain while in the dessert. Moses had been instructed by God to speak to a rock to bring forth water for the Israelites. Instead, Moses struck the rock twice and scolded the Israelites for their constant complaining.) We discussed how God remains consistent in giving His consequences and Moses is only allowed to “look” at the other side of the Jordan, to the land that had been promised to the Israelites. Q: Did our earthly parents remain consistent in the giving of consequences and punishments? Q: Am I consistent, fair and loving as a parent?

Through His actions, God repeatedly showed Himself to be a consistent, caring, compassionate parent. He still is today! Even though God is: creator of Heaven and Earth, all powerful, holy and glorious…He remains a perfect role model of the parent we all need and aspire to become.

May God’s blessings continue to fall on all of His children!

Shelly