It’s Ash Wednesday and I’m excited to report that I made it through another month! It’s been a challenge, constantly trying to catch up on the reading plan, but it has been extremely fulfilling and quite entertaining!

I finished Genesis and I’m almost through Exodus. I also finished Proverbs, the Book of Job and  the Gospel of Matthew, and I’m currently reading Mark’s account.

God tries to kill Moses (Exodus 4:18-31)
I really don’t understand this part but it says that “in a camping place on the way to Egypt, the Lord met Moses and tried to kill him.” God doesn’t have to try to do anything. He just does. Then it goes onnto say that “Zipporah, his wife, took a sharp stone, cut off the foreskin of her son, and touched Moses’ feet with it.” which I think is quite disgusting. Because of the rite of circumcision she said to Moses, “You are a husband of blood to me.” And so the Lord spared Moses’ life.
This would imply that God can be stopped or disuaded?  I don’t know. If you can explain this to me, kindly let me know in the comment section below.

God Changed his Mind (Exodus 32)
Now God was upset with the Israelites and says “I will not go with you myself, because you are a stubborn people, and I might destroy you on the way.” which is valid. The Israelites were quite annoying. But Moses pleaded with the Lord and says, “Lord, why should you be so angry with your people, whom you rescued from Egypt with great might and power? Why should the Egyptians be able to say that you led your people out of Egypt, planning to kill them in the mountains and destroy them completely?” Basically, Moses “syked” God up. “Stop being angry; change your mind and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember the solemn promise you made to them to give them as many descendants as there are stars in the sky and to give their descendants all that land you promised would be their possession forever.” So the Lord changed his mind and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.
So, I’m thinking that with the right prayer or for His glory, God’s mind can be changed and His decision swayed.

Elihu and Job (Job 32:1-37)
“I am young, and you are old, so I was afraid to tell you what I think. I told myself that you ought to speak, that you older men should share your wisdom.  But it is the spirit of Almighty God that comes to us and gives us wisdom. It is not growing old that makes us wise or helps us to know what is right.  So now I want you to listen to me; let me tell you what I think.”
The story of Job was interesting at first but his lamentations dragged and dragged. Nevertheless, this I liked this verse because too often older people (particularly in our Nigerian culture) need to be reminded that wisdom is not only acquired with time.

Moses Sees God’s Back (Exodus 33:19-23)
“I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive, but here is a place beside me where you can stand on a rock. When the dazzling light of my presence passes by, I will put you in an opening in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.  Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back but not my face.” This was magnificent, although I wish Moses had told us if he saw God’s back and what it looked like.

Jesus spitting and Healing (Mark 7:33)
“So Jesus took him off alone, away from the crowd, put his fingers in the man’s ears, spat, and touched the man’s tongue.” This is well, another disgusting situation. Had me saying “Eeeeew!”. If anyone spat to perform a miracle today, it would be in the news!

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus (Matthew 26)
Now Saint Matthew says “Then one of the twelve disciples—the one named Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?” Note that he WENT! It is one thing to have been asked, headhunted or approached to betray your friend or brethren as they are often called. It is another level to go there unsolicited! There’s something unforgivable about unsolicited betrayal, and I feel like I understand why Jesus said “But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

Jesus Anguish and Despair (Matthew 27)
Now, I have heard this verse many times but this time it made new meaning. Jesus is the Son of God but even Him experience despair. Saint Matthew says that after hanging on that cross for 3 hours “Jesus cried out with a loud shout, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why did you abandon me?”. This question is one that has crossed my mind often especially in difficult situations. It is reassuring to know that even Christ came to a point where the burden of life was too great and He questioned God’s presence in His life.

Summarily, this February is a spiritual milestone for me. I feel like I’m actually getting to know God, if not in that deep personal way born-again” folks talk about, at the very least, it feels like falling in love with the main character in a really good book.

God is very detailed. When He wants something done, He will tell you how. He loves to give you specifications, even when He is feeding His people or clothing His priests, He gave with instructions to follow.

God is also majestic and quite flamboyant in His actions, example would be the pillar of fire by night and parting the Red Sea, and the gold and silver for the Ark of the Covenant. He loves to show-off and earn His praise. I think it is why he gets angry when we disobey Him. God is not lukewarm, He is quite dramatic, passionate or emotional. In fact, in my humble opinion God is always extra. He loves opportunities to put up a performance that will bring him glory.

I hope this gives Him glory however little, and I pray for the strength to get through March and Lent.

P:S: I don’t understand this “Happy Ash Wednesday!” y’all keep sending me. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of lent, a period of solemn repentance, fasting and prayer. Please explain to me what is “happy” about it in the comment section below!