Malcolm Cox

My old friend Johnson sent me this question all the way from India (I have rephrased it slightly).

"Why did God ask Moses to make a bronze snake in Numbers 21:8? In Exodus 20 he gave ten commandments and Exodus 34:17 warned them against making idols. Was God asking Moses to make an idol? Later we see Israel worshiping the bronze snake. King Hezekiah only got round to destroying it in 2 Kings 18:4."

Let’s look at the passage in question:

“The people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”     

Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 

The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” 

So Moses prayed for the people.     

The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 

So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. 

Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.” (Numbers 21:4–9 NIV11)

Now let’s think about what this means.

God does command his people to not make, amongst other things, images of animals: ““You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God,” (Exodus 20:3–5 NIV11). This is not an arbitrary command, but, as the context reveals, one connected with the dangers of his people turning such physical representations into something to be worshipped instead of himself. 

“Do not make any idols.” (Exodus 34:17 NIV11). This command is given with the recent incident of the worshipping of the golden calf in the background (Exodus  32:4-5). The problem there was not that the people of Israel had made something out of metal, but that they worshipped it as the representation of Yahweh.  As the Tyndale commentary says about this passage: "to worship a statue while calling it YHWH is not to worship YHWH.”*  The bronze snake is not worshipped. Therefore it is not an idol.  It is a source of God’s power for healing given by God to his people.

It is very sad that the Israelites forgot the purpose of the bronze a snake and turned it into an idol. Hezekiah took drastic action in destroying it. Whether this was the best solution or not, at least it prevented the Israelites from worshipping it as an idol: “He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan. )” (2 Kings 18:4 NIV11)

In summary

The whole incident is surprising and somewhat confusing. Why a snake? Snakes are universally feared and despised - especially by Israelites, considering the serpent's role in Eden. Why made of bronze? It must have taken Moses quite a while to make it while the plague was still raging. Why not something quick made of wood? Why the instruction to look at it? What about the inherent dangers of it becoming an idol that could be worshipped?

We can only speculate about God’s reasoning. However, perhaps this is an illustration of God calling his people back to trust in him. In the context of Numbers 21 they have demonstrated a lack of faith and trust. Sometimes the way God works is by calling us to act in ways which don’t seem humanly logical. Consider Peter in Acts 10 and 11 as he receives the vision of the animals which God has now called clean and the commission to preach the gospel to the Gentile Cornelius. I imagine Moses and Peter may have felt similarly about the strange requests God was giving them.

I hope this makes sense, Johnson, and answers your questions. If not, let me know. Please continue to send me questions about the Bible, worship, quiet times and anything else you would like me to consider.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) .

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

*Cole, R. Alan. Exodus: An Introduction and Commentary. TOTC 2. IVP/Accordance electronic edition, version 2.3. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1973. https://accordance.bible/link/read/Tyndale_Commentary#2604

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching,  coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

What is the usefulness and relevance of movement and posture in corporate worship? This is the Fourth in a series on this topic inspired by a chapter in “Participating in Worship” by Craig Douglas Erickson. Today we look at the issue of raising our eyes.

We continue our series today based on the book, “Unloading the Overload: Stress management for Christians” by Chris Powell and Graham Barker.

Today we explore the issue of setting Did Jesus set limits? What is the place for prayer in this challenge?

Barnabas is brilliant. But what is it that makes him so “effective” as a speaker (Acts 14:1)? We don’t know much about his technique, but we know a lot about his character and his spirituality. In this series we will investigate brilliant Barnabas in the book of Acts and beyond. In doing so I hope we will all gain insights which will help us to be as effective as him.

We move on today to Galatians 2.

1. Enabled by God, vv1b-3

A. Belief

B. Opposition

C. Perseverance 

God enabling you - ‘didomi’

How?

Discussion……

Prayer - “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29 NIV11)

Suppression of ego: “for the Lord”, v3

Focussed on preaching a person, not a religion: “for the Lord”

Preaching a positive message - “his grace”, not negative one

Results of perseverance....

2. The results of god’s enablement, vv4-6

A. People make a choice

B. Opposition

C. Moving on

Discussion

Cynics - pigs simply devour - ““Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6 NIV

When other opportunities present themselves - “Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”” (Mark 1:38 NIV11)

Summary

Expect people to choose

Expect the negative people to oppose you

Move on when to stay would prevent the gospel being spread

Conclusion, v7

Unstoppable zeal

Neither poisoning nor plots were enough to deter them

Starts with “as usual”

Ends with “continued to preach”

Fully convinced of their message

Fully convinced of God with them

God:

Confirmed the message of His grace

Empowered his messengers

Affirmed his bold ambassadors

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) .

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching,  coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

Three Big Questions

Class 3: “Why would a good God allow suffering?”

Introduction

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect….” (1 Peter 3:15–16 NIV11)

Before you begin

Note: this is a sensitive and difficult topic - avoid simplistic answers

Ask what it is about this topic that interest them

Ask what kind of evidence they would need in order to trust in a good God

Ask if they would be open to revising their opinion if convincing evidence/arguments were presented to them

Do not trivialise suffering

Introduction: deal with your elephant

If we are going to help people with their questions about suffering, it presupposes that we have worked through our own and found our own perspective on suffering that makes sense to us.

You have to make peace with your own suffering if you're going to help other people understand suffering and God.

Questions needing an answer

God could have created a world without suffering. Why didn’t he?

Suffering is pointless

The fact God allowed suffering shows us he is not a God of love

Positive aspects of suffering

It’s how we g……..

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb 12:11

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Rom 8:28–29

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10–11

It’s how we find t…..

It points us towards G…

“We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” CS Lewis, “The Problem of Pain”

It m…………….. us to make a difference

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV11)

““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”” (Luke 4:18–19 NIV11)

Conclusion

How do these thoughts affect your view of God?

How do these thoughts affect your view of Christianity?

Would you like to know more?

Scripture to share: “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”  John 7.17

Resources

https://preparetoanswer.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/why-does-god-allow-suffering/ 

“A grief observed”; “The Problem of Pain”, CS Lewis

“Walking with God through pain and suffering”, Tim Keller

“Baffled to fight better” - a commentary on Job, Oswald Chambers

“When God is silent”, Douglas Jacoby, and, https://www.douglasjacoby.com/

The Psalms of communal lament: Psalms 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 85, 90.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) .

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching,  coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

What is the usefulness and relevance of movement and posture in corporate worship? This is the third in a series on this topic inspired by a chapter in “Participating in Worship” by Craig Douglas Erickson.

Today we look at the issue of praying with uplifted hands. 

I’ll admit it, this one makes me uncomfortable. I occasionally lift my hands during private prayer-when I’m confident no one else can see me. I understand that it is a biblical posture for prayer. But the something about it which I find resistance. To which I find myself resisting. Why is this? Perhaps it is something to do with vulnerability. Nonetheless, let’s examine the relevance of uplifted hands in corporate worship.

First of all, the Biblical perspective:

1\. A gesture of invocation - Exodus 9:29

2\. A plea for God’s help - Psalm 27:2; 87:9; 142:6

3\. A blessing of the Lord’s name - Nehemiah 8:6; Psalm 62:4; 133:2.

4\. A blessing of others - Luke 24:50.

5\. Dedicating things into the Lord’s service - 1 Kings 8:22.

6\. Indicating the offering of one’s own self - Psalm 140:2.

The early church appears to have prayed in this way:

“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” (1 Timothy 2:8 NIV11)

Tertullian (an early Christian writer) commented that such a posture recalled Christ on the cross: “Not only do we raise them (our hands), we even spread them out, and imitating the passion of our Lord, we confess Christ as we pray.”

To quote Eriksson again, “Through the uplifting of hands the body urges the opening of one’s spirit to God’s blessings. When the palms are directed forward, it expresses and evokes a reverence before the presence of God. With arms lifted high there is a suggestion of surrender, not as that of a vanquished person but of one who freely submits to the kingdom of God.”

These gestures are common in charismatic Christianity and some similar traditions. Not so much in my background or current practice. However, perhaps not only our congregations but I myself should consider the value of this posture in corporate prayer.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: [http://www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org).

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer,

How do we handle the twin pressures of praise and criticism? What is the healthy spiritual response? What inspiration can we derive from Jesus and the scriptures?

We delve into my teenage memories and an old appraisal…...

“Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.” (John 6:15 NIV11)

More Scriptures referred to in this episode: Luke 4.1-11; John 2.25; Proverbs 27.6; Jeremiah 31.3; John 13.35; Revelation 3.9.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: [http://www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org).

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, time, energy, faith,

Barnabas is brilliant. But what is it that makes him so “effective” as a speaker (Acts 14:1)? We don’t know much about his technique, but we know a lot about his character and his spirituality. In this series we will investigate brilliant Barnabas in the book of Acts and beyond. In doing so I hope we will all gain insights which will help us to be as effective as him.

We move on today to 1 Corinthians 9.6.

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist. 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: [http://www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org). 

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

God bless,

Malcolm 

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer,

Three Big Questions

Class Two: “Did Jesus Rise?”

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15–16)

Before you begin

Ask what they think of the resurrection of Jesus

Ask what kind of evidence they would need in order to believe Jesus rose from the dead

Ask if they would be open to revising their opinion if convincing evidence were presented

Reminder: Something happened or we would not have 2,000 years of Christendom

Why this matters 

Jesus: Matthew 12:38-41 

Church: Acts 1.3, 22; 2.24, 31, 32; 3.15, 26; 4.2, 10, 33; 5.30; 10.40; 13.30, 34, 37; 17.18; 23.6; 24.21; 25.19 

Faith: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 

See also 1 Peter 121; Psalm 16.10; Matt 17.22-23; Rom 1.4; Acts 17.31; Rom 4.25; 6.4-5; 1 Thess 4.14; Heb 7.24-25; Matt 12.38-41

Objections

Tomb Occupied

Wrong Tomb: John 20:15; 4-6

Hallucination: 1 Cor 15

Tomb Empty 

Jesus not dead (swoon theory) John 19:34 

Jesus dead but body removed by: 

Disciples: 1 Pet 1:16; Jn 13:36-37; Jn 20:9; Mk 14:50; 1 Cor 4:9-13, 2 Cor 11:22-33; Luke 23:50-56; Matthew 26:62-66; Luke 24:1. Also, Acts 12:19, 16:27

Romans, Matthew 28:11-15

Jews, Matthew 28:11-15

Robbers; Gardener; Worms; Aliens

Positive Evidence

Emergence of the church

Conviction

Conversion of sceptics

Growth of the church

Change from Sabbath to Sunday

Opponents of Christianity

The unlikeliness of the doctrine

“criterion of embarrassment”

“evidence against interest”

Women

Variations

Messianic expectations: Jews; Disciples; Women

Numbers: 1 Cor 15

Jerusalem 

Conclusion

Reminder why this matters: The resurrection declares Jesus as worthy in his authority to teach us about life, death and what lies beyond

Suggested questions for your friend…

How does this evidence affect your view of Jesus?

How does this evidence affect your view of Christianity?

Would you like to know more?

Scripture to share:

“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”  John 7.17

Motivation for us:

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Resources

https://www.douglasjacoby.com/ 

https://biologos.org/resources?query=resurrection 

Simon Dinning: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155826035563183&id=689233182

“The Evidence for Jesus” (Hodder Christian Essentials), R.T France

“More than a carpenter”, Josh McDowell

“The Case for Christ”, Lee Strobel 

“The Resurrection factor”: Josh McDowell 

“Easter Enigma”: John Wenham

“The case for the Resurrection”: Lincona & Habermas

Torrey, R. A. - “Evidence for the Resurrection” - CrossReach Publications. Kindle Edition.

Wright, N. T. - “The Resurrection of the Son of God” - SPCK

Morison, Frank - “Who Moved the Stone?” - Hauraki Publishing. Kindle Edition.

Gilbert West LLD (Oxford) - “Observations on the history and evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1747)” - 486 pages, scanned copy available on Google books

Douglas Jacoby – “True and Reasonable”, chapter 9 – Discipleship Publications International

“Is the resurrection beyond belief?”, D. Instone-Brewer, Premier Christianity magazine, Apr 2019

"Difference in Resurrection accounts?”, Simon Dinning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEIkpqWAW0M 

Reasonable Faith - “Did Jesus Rise From the Dead: https://www.facebook.com/reasonablefaithorg/videos/343587733010141/ 

Next week

“Why would a good God allow suffering?”

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) .

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching,  coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, resurrection,