Higher Orders

Acts 13:17-19

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

My, look closely with me at this text here. We see it all started out with God in the beginning. He chose our forefathers. As a people together, they lived in Egypt for a short time. Notice they did not grow comfortable living there, being yet strangers. Then, in the fullest time, he also delivered them from it. The text speaks of his high arm. With it he reaches man even to fulfill his office. See, God has already an appointed role seen here. It is even that of deliverer. We call God Savior so easily today. But how many know that word only describes his role in the office of the priesthood. He has such control over time and events, that he may as well own them. For so he does in Hebrews 1, seen forever throughout all time as God and Lord thereof. As such he made the angels of Heaven under him. Then he appointed his children from the firstborn among men. To them, along with his higher order, he made to be ministers and prophets which spoke of himself. Just as the angels were strange ministers unto the people of God, so also were his Israelites as people-not-at-home in Egypt. My, this is rich indeed. It is almost like Paul is on a mission to prove how it all fits together. Indeed, he so does, as we will soon see. To think that the God of all time understands us all so well. Yet so has it been since the very beginning. Mankind has not yet begun to sense it for the things they endured. Unless, of course like the people of God, they kept their eternal perspective.

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

Ah yes, now God has begun to bring the children of Israel out. But there seems to be some disorder in the house. Paul mentions something about their manners. Oh my friends, but this was more than that. Hebrews 2 tells us, that it was even for the people's rebellion in the house. For this cause suffered he them. But as with any family, either angelic or mankind, there is bound to be some sort of trouble. For this cause also the law was given. It showed the sinfulness of man and the need for God. But in the Father's house, how many need a moral code to tell you what not to do. But should you not already know such things. Love should tell you not to sit there, stand there, nor yet treat your family so. Thus, the good Father divides their portion as did the priests of the covenant. He himself kept his own place and portion unto himself. For their service, the angels also were granted their eternal blessings. See, God has no slaves within his house. Neither do you serve him for nothing, as some think. Yet to give the children of Israel their portion, he had to remove some others from the house. Maybe these had been disobedient like the children of God; maybe they also had neglected the message of salvation when it was preached unto them. Yet God still stands in his place, ready always to offer those of the house their blessing. From this place, we see him going between the houses of Heaven and earth. There seems to be an element of pride seen here. But how many know that there are no step-kids in the house of God. Like those of Abraham's house and of God's before him, you either are or you are not. If you remain in the house peacefully, well he has a blessing for you. If not, there is sure to be trouble.