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I just saw a PBS presentation about the Bible. Parts of it frustrated me. But the last statement in it really penetrated me. The point of our existence is to know God. It is interesting that the word "Israel" means several things, including "to wrestle with God"/"Prince of God"/"fighter for God".
Looking at it from that viewpoint, I suddenly I got a new deeper understanding of the whole concept of Israel, because every believer, through Messiah Yeshua, automatically becomes a part of Israel. In order to get to know God properly we sometimes wrestle with Him, just because His ways are not our ways. But, He wants to walk the long journey with us and He endures through all our rebellion and earthly "stuff". I believe that the destination is the journey. I know that seems weird but, if it is in the journey that we get to know God deeper and deeper, then the journey really is the destination.
I have struggled with the vagueness that I sometimes experience with God's Word. I now think the reason that God is vague sometimes is so we will have to come to Him and wrestle with Him for the answer because, when we struggle for something (as opposed to having something handed to us on a silver platter), we get to really KNOW and UNDERSTAND and APPRECIATE.
And the answer is always Him.
I wonder. In the Garden was the "knowledge" that Satan offered to Adam and Eve knowledge that could be gained without wrestling in relationship with God? Independent knowledge. No walking with God in the cool of the evening and asking tough questions. Is that the knowledge we still want today?
Look at our world today. We want answers instantly. No struggle. Sexual gratification now with no kids as by-products. And in our relationship with God (if you can call it a relationship) we want one perfect little doctrinal box that we can put Him in, press the right spiritual buttons and all our religious needs are met. How sad!
I think I am starting to understand that the closer we walk with God the more subtle He becomes. That is the still small voice that Elijah heard. The closer we walk with God the gentler He whispers to us. Wow! Now I see why it is impossible to please God without faith!
Peter
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