Enjoy the title change
Exodus (23) Enjoy the change (Exodus 9:13-35)
< Don't be stubborn >
If we look at the 10 plagues that came upon Egypt, we can see that Pharaoh's evil stubbornness was great, but God's good stubbornness was also great. Even in the sixth plague of boils, when Pharaoh did not let the Israelites go, God sent the seventh plague of hail (verses 13-26). In the end, Pharaoh could not endure the seventh hail plague, so he said that he had made a mistake and that he would let the Israelites go if the hail plague would stop (verses 27-28). So Moses allowed the hail to stop, but Pharaoh broke his promise and did not let the Israelites go (verses 33-35).
In life, sometimes good persistence is necessary. There are two types of ministry. One is ‘political ministry’ and the other is ‘artisan ministry’. A political ministry is a ministry that matches the popularity by carefully examining public opinion. Artisan ministry is a ministry that insists on pursuing a good vision. Craftsmanship is not necessarily good. Artisans are usually hungry and unpopular. Still, each age needs a craftsman.
The Apostle Paul also had absoluteness regarding the gospel and said, “There is no other gospel! If you preach another gospel, you will be cursed!” He did not yield even a single word. However, besides the core principles of the gospel, he made concessions as much as he could. There are a lot of people living backwards in the fortress, so they easily yield what they shouldn't give up, and they are useless in what they can. So wisdom and discernment are needed.
In fact, how many believers are stubborn about useless things? Some people have become accustomed to condemning others by clinging to customs and traditions. However, when we see people who adhere to customs and traditions like that, they often keep one value but break other important values. Why do you insist on keeping things that are not very important? In many cases, they do so as a psychological expression to cover up their inferiority complex. So how suffocating is it when you insist on bad habits and traditions?
< Enjoy the change >
When people live together, don't neglect your efforts to show creative change. People are attracted to creative change. So we have to move forward and grow and progress. Life like a squirrel spinning around is boring and painful. Without change, you get bored. Marriage is also disappointing if it doesn't change as much as we expect from each other.
Sometimes some spouses and children live unchangingly and stubbornly. Then how painful is life? On the other hand, even though it is painful right now, it is getting better little by little, and how happy are you with the hope of change? Now don't be stubborn about things that don't really matter. Be as creative as possible and enjoy change. Pray like this. "God! Remind me of what I need to change and change me!” This prayer is a powerful prayer that overcomes the world and environment.
It is because of insignia consciousness and excessive pride that a person is bound by traditions and customs. You have to throw away the badge of pride, but you can't receive grace because your pride is too strong. Now discard the badges of age and also the badges of stubbornness and face. If such an insignia is attached like a medal, it is a big obstacle to creative change.
During guerrilla training in the army, both generals and field-level officers are trained with rank badges removed. At the guerrilla field, the Private said to the General, “Get down!” If you do, the general must also bow down. If the insignia is attached, the privates are stuck on the generals, but when the insignia is removed, the general is of no use. In order to receive God's grace and become the protagonists of creative and good change, we must remove the badge of rank.
Why did Pharaoh ignore the words of Moses from God so much, and further, why does he turn away from God's Word even though he suffered great suffering from the repeated blows of great calamity? It is because of excessive pride, a sense of rank, and a selfish and calculating attitude. If these things stick together, you cannot become the protagonist of change, and if you do not change when you need to change, you cannot create a reversed life. Prepare for tomorrow's blessings by always removing your badge of rank in the truth and letting go of your pride.