In the Lord's love we have the greatest exaltation
In the Lord's love we have the greatest exaltation
A wandering Aramean was my ancestor; he went down into Egypt and lived there as an alien.
Something to think about
How do we think of ourselves? I am surprised by the number of people who in their heart of hearts do not think their reputation matches their true selves. People sometimes admit, ‘I am surprised no one has found me out yet’. It can be a heavy burden to carry.
Before God we can face the truth. Christians know that ‘while we still were sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). In today’s passage, the Israelites knew something similar: ‘A wandering Aramean was my ancestor’ (Deuteronomy 26:5).
This confession was supposed to guide them through the whole time of the settlement in the promised land and their life there and elsewhere. Scholars tell us that this passage, like much of the Old Testament, only took its current form after the people had been chastened again through the experience of exile.
God tells us not to think more highly of ourselves, because in the Lord’s love we have the greatest exaltation possible – and that is to be shared with others. Even when wandering or in exile our identity is secure. We are all children of God.