Ephesians 2:1-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. – Ephesians 2:19
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One important insight from reading the book of Numbers is that it deepens our understanding of human nature. In the first ten chapters, we see a picture of harmony between God and His people: whatever the LORD commanded, Israel obeyed and carried out according to His instructions. But in Numbers chapters 11 and 12, that picture of obedience disappears. The Israelites begin to complain in the wilderness. They grow tired of the manna and crave meat. God disciplines and punishes them. Sadly, it is not only the people who rebel. Chapter 12 also shows the leaders, Miriam and Aaron, speaking against Moses’ leadership. God again brings discipline and punishment, and Miriam is struck with leprosy.
When the Israelites faced God’s discipline, they at least recognised their sin. They turned to Moses and pleaded with him, and Moses prayed to the LORD. The LORD answered Moses’ prayer (Numbers 11:2). However, the Israelites did not truly learn their lesson. Influenced by some troublemakers among them, they began demanding meat. They said, “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” (Numbers 11:5–6).
But was it really true that the Israelites ate fish and meat every day when they were slaves in Egypt? In that moment of hardship, they completely forgot the misery of slavery and instead romanticised the past. They could not see God’s gracious purpose in rescuing them from Egypt and leading them toward Canaan, the promised land. Indeed, when we face difficulties, if we do not intentionally trust God, we will begin to doubt His goodness and faithfulness. Are we not often like this as well?
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1–3, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air… All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”
This describes the hopeless condition of believers before they were born again. Before coming to Christ, people were physically moving toward the grave, and spiritually separated from the life God gives. They could not have fellowship with the God who created them and knew them, nor could they produce saving faith on their own.
Paul continues in verse 13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ”. And again in verses 19-20, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone”.
We who have passed from death to life have moved from darkness into light. Yet sometimes, while living in grace, we may begin to take God’s grace for granted and fail to treasure it.
During this Lenten season, it is good for us to reflect on our lives before and after we came to faith. How has Jesus Christ transformed your life? When the Israelites faced hardship, they forgot the misery of slavery in Egypt and even began to glorify those days, unable to see the grace of God’s redemption. Our own journey of faith also contains many challenges—perhaps persistent struggles, long-term illness, broken relationships, or dreams that remain unfulfilled. May it be that before our glorious God, who knows us completely, we never develop the desire to “return to Egypt.”
Reflection:
“Growth includes remembering what life was like without God, living in grace with a grateful heart, and learning to walk in unity with God’s people.” Reflect on this and write down what you sense God is teaching you and what action you will take.
Prayer:
Dear Abba Father, as we read about Israel’s journey from slavery, through the wilderness, and toward the promised land, we repeatedly see the weakness of human nature. Yet in Your discipline, we also see Your unfailing love for Your people. Help us not to take Your grace lightly. Teach us to live in Your grace, to treasure it, and to respond faithfully to Your call. We pray in the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Click to read passage
One important insight from reading the book of Numbers is that it deepens our understanding of human nature. In the first ten chapters, we see a picture of harmony between God and His people: whatever the LORD commanded, Israel obeyed and carried out according to His instructions. But in Numbers chapters 11 and 12, that picture of obedience disappears. The Israelites begin to complain in the wilderness. They grow tired of the manna and crave meat. God disciplines and punishes them. Sadly, it is not only the people who rebel. Chapter 12 also shows the leaders, Miriam and Aaron, speaking against Moses’ leadership. God again brings discipline and punishment, and Miriam is struck with leprosy.
When the Israelites faced God’s discipline, they at least recognised their sin. They turned to Moses and pleaded with him, and Moses prayed to the LORD. The LORD answered Moses’ prayer (Numbers 11:2). However, the Israelites did not truly learn their lesson. Influenced by some troublemakers among them, they began demanding meat. They said, “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” (Numbers 11:5–6).
But was it really true that the Israelites ate fish and meat every day when they were slaves in Egypt? In that moment of hardship, they completely forgot the misery of slavery and instead romanticised the past. They could not see God’s gracious purpose in rescuing them from Egypt and leading them toward Canaan, the promised land. Indeed, when we face difficulties, if we do not intentionally trust God, we will begin to doubt His goodness and faithfulness. Are we not often like this as well?
Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1–3, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air… All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”
This describes the hopeless condition of believers before they were born again. Before coming to Christ, people were physically moving toward the grave, and spiritually separated from the life God gives. They could not have fellowship with the God who created them and knew them, nor could they produce saving faith on their own.
Paul continues in verse 13, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ”. And again in verses 19-20, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone”.
We who have passed from death to life have moved from darkness into light. Yet sometimes, while living in grace, we may begin to take God’s grace for granted and fail to treasure it.
During this Lenten season, it is good for us to reflect on our lives before and after we came to faith. How has Jesus Christ transformed your life? When the Israelites faced hardship, they forgot the misery of slavery in Egypt and even began to glorify those days, unable to see the grace of God’s redemption. Our own journey of faith also contains many challenges—perhaps persistent struggles, long-term illness, broken relationships, or dreams that remain unfulfilled. May it be that before our glorious God, who knows us completely, we never develop the desire to “return to Egypt.”
Reflection:
“Growth includes remembering what life was like without God, living in grace with a grateful heart, and learning to walk in unity with God’s people.” Reflect on this and write down what you sense God is teaching you and what action you will take.
Prayer:
Dear Abba Father, as we read about Israel’s journey from slavery, through the wilderness, and toward the promised land, we repeatedly see the weakness of human nature. Yet in Your discipline, we also see Your unfailing love for Your people. Help us not to take Your grace lightly. Teach us to live in Your grace, to treasure it, and to respond faithfully to Your call. We pray in the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.