The Old Testament Events Are Our Examples

I love the feasts and seasons of the Old Testament because they offer so much insight into how New Testament truths apply.

... all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
— 1 Corinthians 10:11

I like to observe these seasons not religiously or technically, but by following the heart of each season's purpose and message. Who knows, maybe there are seasons in the Spirit when life might work more in harmony with us as we cooperate with what God is doing in each one.

Tradition

Traditionally, for the season we are studying, the 1st of Elul (August/September) on the Hebrew calendar marks the start of a 40-day season of repentance. This period leads up to the "High Holy Days" of Rosh Hashanah (the start of the new year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, or covering), also known as the "national day of repentance." The Jewish people regard Yom Kippur as the holiest day of the year.

Moses cast down the first set of tablets God gave him after discovering the children of Israel were worshiping a golden calf.

Historical Root

This tradition is based on the Biblical story of Moses's second ascent of Mount Sinai and his return 40 days later with the second set of tablets. Remember that the first tablets were destroyed because the children of Israel were disobedient and unfaithful to God while Moses was away receiving them.

... when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” ...

— Exodus 32

Aaron then made a golden calf for them to worship, leading the people astray.

... they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play
— Exodus 32

The New Testament application is that Jesus, our deliverer like Moses, will return on a day we do not know. Yet, sadly, like the children of Israel, we are tempted to rise up, play, and be distracted by the things of this world as His coming is delayed.

"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

— Matthew 24:45-51

This season of repentance is an excellent invitation for all of us to reflect on our lives, examine ourselves, and seek the Lord about what may not be right or pleasing in His sight.

Examine me, God! Look at my heart!
Put me to the test! Know my anxious thoughts!
Look to see if there is any idolatrous way in me,
Then lead me on the eternal path!

— Psalm 139:23-24

The High Priest performs the ritual duties of the Tabernacle as God prescribed.

The Day of Atonement

The Day of Atonement, which falls 40 days after the first of Elul, is considered the most solemn day of the year by the Jewish people, as it is the one day when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies to atone for his own sins and those of the people. Confession (acknowledgment of sin) and repentance are at the core of this season. Tradition holds that sins not repented of, confessed, and forsaken are subject to judgment in the following year. This thought applies to our Christian life: when we come to faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, we are made right with God, yet sin doesn't cease to be a problem.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

— I John 1:8

He remains our high priest, interceding for us. He was both the sacrifice for salvation and the sacrifice for atonement. We would do well not to take either lightly or to trample His shed blood underfoot by continuing in known sin and remaining unrepentant. Is it possible that we subject ourselves to God's judgment by choosing to do so?

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

— Hebrews 10:26-29

Atonement represents God's requirement that we grow up and reciprocate to Him by putting away those things that stand between us and prevent us from moving forward in the successful spiritual life His sacrifice for sin was meant to grant us.

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
— Hebrews 6:1

One translation reads, "Let us move on to maturity."

In the passage above, we see that these "elementary principles" are like the "Passover" (the born-again things and experience) and "Atonement" ("let's get on with it!").

"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"

Ready Set Run

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

— Hebrews 12:1-2

During a challenging time, the Lord led me to start running. I wasn't sure why, since I'm not athletic at all and walking is about as aerobic as I get. At that point, a sneaky temptation caught me off guard. I was troubled that, so far into my walk with God, I was still so vulnerable to such things and that they could slip in so easily. My new activity was about to teach me a few lessons. When I read the verse above, the first thing that caught my attention was the phrase "the sin which so easily ensnares us." We deceive ourselves when we think we are immune to temptation because we are Christians. The writer of Hebrews is addressing a Christian audience.

According to the Gesenius Lexicon, the Greek word "ensnare" means "to skillfully surround and encircle or cleverly entangle and prevent running." It's as if the temptation is tailor-made to fit our weakness, need, or desire, yet, working behind the scenes, it's trying to trip us up. We will learn a little Greek today and look a little deeper into the smooth moves of temptation. I don't know Greek, so we'll look at a clip from Rick Renner's book, "Sparkling Gems."

... "the phrase 'easily entangles' (or 'beset' in some translations) is from a Greek word euperistatos, which is a compound of three words: eu, peri, and statos ... The word eu usually means 'well,' but in this case, it conveys the idea of something that feels good or is comfortable. The Greek word peri means around or being completely surrounded. The word statos is derived from the root istimi, meaning 'to stand'. When these three words are compounded, the new word describes something that comfortably stands all around you, such as a comfortable environment."

In other words, it fits. It might even look like the perfect solution and a great idea.

In Hebrew thought, there is something called the "Yetzer Hara." In English, it means the "evil inclination." This inclination is rooted in a legitimate need that is fulfilled illegitimately through indulgence, and I might even call it entitlement. We deceive ourselves when we justify indulgence on the grounds of a perceived need.

And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.”

— Numbers 15:39-41

"To follow" in this verse means to meander, reconnoiter (scout in enemy territory), explore, and seek out. The passage of Scripture above shows what we do when we indulge in temptation: we end up meandering into enemy territory, scouting for solutions and satisfaction.

Run From Temptation

We might be tempted to think that resisting the ultimate distraction, temptation, is too difficult, but Paul informs us of the following.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

— 1 Corinthians 10:13

Rest assured, nothing will come to us for which God has not provided a way out. Nothing will come to us that someone before us has faced and been unable to overcome.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
— Hebrews 4:15

Paul encourages our race to consider Jesus once again, knowing that He did so in the face of complications beyond our imagining.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.
— Hebrews 12:3-4

Sin Is Heavy

Sin is also described in Hebrews chapter twelve as a weight. One reason many people like to jog is to lose weight. Indulgence in food and inactivity causes weight gain. Sin is a spiritual weight brought on by indulging the flesh and inactive faith, which makes us spiritually lazy and weak. We become spiritually lethargic, unmotivated toward the things of God, and weighed down. Sin can slow a spiritual journey to a complete halt or, at best, to a crawl.

"But Jeshurun (upright one) grew fat and kicked;
You grew fat, you grew thick,
You are obese!
Then he forsook God who made him,
And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
— Deuteronomy 32:15

Cholesterol

One health benefit of jogging is that it lowers triglycerides and bad cholesterol (basically, fat floating in your blood) and raises good cholesterol. The analogy is similar: just as a sedentary, inactive lifestyle that isn't healthy leads to the buildup of harmful compounds that cause blockages in the arteries and cut off the flow of oxygen-rich blood, so an inactive spiritual life that isn't focused or active can also cause a buildup of sin that blocks the flow of God's Spirit within us.

... the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
— Mark 4:19

Newton's Law of Motion

A law of motion discovered by Isaac Newton applies to this topic.

"A body in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted on by an outside force."

From a spiritual perspective, the outside force is sin. Our Christian lives can lose their motion and ability to move forward unless we resist it.

Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
— James 4:7

The Word tells us to lay aside the sin; in other words, put it down. Don't play with it, look longingly at it, or linger on it. Put it away.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
— Philippians 4:8

And

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
— 2 Timothy 2:22

The next thing we are instructed to do in Hebrews chapter twelve is to "run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Secretarit
Rennett Stowe

An Example From Secretariat

Secretariat, the horse that "ran the greatest race ever run" in the 1974 Belmont Stakes, had a heart that weighed 22 pounds, 2 1/2 times larger than average, which gave him a greater capacity to run. His victory has never been matched since.

Endurance

When we have laid aside our weight of sin, we are instructed to "run with endurance the race that is set before us." An essential goal for runners is to build endurance.

I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.

— Psalm 119:32

A condition known as "Athletic Heart Syndrome" is a normal adaptation in people who engage in intense aerobic activities such as jogging. It occurs when the heart enlarges and its walls thicken to pump more blood and work more efficiently. The heart is learning to endure more and more activity.

Jogging strengthens the heart, relieves stress, and boosts the immune system. It also increases muscle strength. 3. Strength and endurance are common themes in jogging and resistance training. Building strength and performing various exercises generally require some form of resistance, as James 4:7 states above.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
— Jude 1:20-21

I listened to a message from Dee Duke, senior pastor at Jefferson Baptist Church in Jefferson, Oregon, on endurance and perseverance, and it blessed my heart. It is so relevant to this lesson that I will share it in the next section.

Dee Duke's Lesson on Endurance and Perseverance

When Dee was twelve, about two months before his father retired from the Navy, his family lived in Alameda, California, home to a naval base. They lived about six blocks from the base, and in the evenings, he and his dad walked down there and fished from the dock.

One night on the dock, there was no breeze, and the water was as smooth as glass. Dee's dad walked over to one of the large Navy ships, toward its middle, and stood with his feet a little over the edge of the dock. He leaned out, placed his hands on the side of the ship, and began pushing, mindful that it was a huge vessel. Dee's dad pushed so hard that the veins stood out in his neck. Dee stood behind him, thinking his dad had lost it. But his dad kept pushing with everything he had for 15 or 20 minutes. Finally, the ship started to move. This giant vessel began to pull away from the dock. Dee saw the ship moving and thought his dad was Superman. After it drifted away from the pier, his dad sat next to him and explained what had just happened. Dee's dad said he wasn't sure how it worked, but he thought some law meant the energy he put into pushing the ship somehow got stored in the boat. He also explained that if he had stopped 5 seconds earlier, the ship wouldn't have moved, and all the effort he exerted would have been wasted.

A relatable quote from Louie Zamperini, a World War II prisoner of war survivor, inspirational speaker, and former American competitive runner, from "Runner's World" magazine:

"Never give up, no matter what. Even if you get last place—finish"

What is the key? Stay focused.

"... looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame..."

Runners always have a goal. It could be to reach the finish line, complete a marathon, or beat a certain time or distance. Sometimes, when faced with temptation, we forget that a race is set before us. God has plans and goals for each of us. Every race has a destination in mind. God has specific purposes for our lives: the race we run and the goal we aim to achieve. Sin tries to trap and distract us from following the plan and purpose He has for us.

For I know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts (plans) of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.(parentheses mine based on word study)
— Jeremiah 29:11

Follow the Son

One thing I often see on my walks or jogs in the fall is wild sunflowers. When a wild sunflower is in the bud stage, it always faces the sun. It faces east in the morning; by evening, it has tracked west, following the sun's path. I can't help but think that temptation appears just as something good is about to bloom in our lives. We should learn a lesson from the sunflower—to follow the Son and keep our eyes on Him.

So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
— Deuteronomy 28:14

Hold your head high.

Heads Up

One tip for running is to keep your head up and look forward, which also relates to focus.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

— Colossians 3:2

A head-down position can add weight and slow us down. Temptation begs us to keep our heads down. Hence, we see only this earthly life and its temporary satisfactions, never realizing that these satisfactions come at the expense of the eternal ones.

Fasting

One observance of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is fasting. Fasting is the temporary abstention from food to focus on spiritual matters. It reminds us that our physical existence is temporary and that it is a practice of saying no to our flesh and desires. Through fasting, I have learned that one meal only satisfies me for that meal, and then I will be hungry again. It reminds me that sin offers only temporary satisfaction, leaving me hungry again and again and again.

The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus endured the cross because of a joy set before Him. His eyes were on the prize, and He exemplified an obedient, disciplined life, showing how a life of faith that expects eternity is disciplined and obedient. Paul gives this analogy.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
— 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

More insights on focus and discipline related to a race from Rick Renner in his book "Sparkling Gems," a devotional exploring Greek words used in Scripture;

"The main goal of all believers should be to find God's plan for their lives and then to pursue it with all their might and strength ... The primary reward (in the ancient games) was not material wealth but the honor given to the winners. These individuals could only achieve victory in the Olympic games by being disciplined, balanced, and committed to excellence ... our task is to discover the divine plan for our lives: to get in shape so we can start running our race ... You need to eliminate all distractions and dedicate yourself to a life of discipline, balance, and devotion."
What allowed Paul to keep going when he was being attacked so fiercely? How could he maintain such a victorious attitude? How is it that he never gave in to weariness, exhaustion, or the devil's attacks? ... That one day he would hear Jesus say to him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
But none of these things move me; nor do I consider my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus—to testify to the gospel of God's grace.
— Acts 20:24

Jesus showed us the way to overcome the temptations of this life. Through death to what our flesh desires, we can be resurrected to run.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
— Romans 8:13

He also told us to

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
— Matthew 26:41

Marathon runners keep their pace.

Pace: Keep Constant

Another important feature of running for the long haul is maintaining a steady pace. I like what Rick Renner says in "Sparkling Gems" about this, too:

" ... it takes full concentration and a stride that is paced for a runner to run a long distance ... if we are going to run our race as God expects, it will require 100% of our attention and mandate that we learn how to run at a constant and consistent pace ... we are to run until we obtain"

More From Dee Duke on Focus

Continuing from Dee Duke's account above, he said that later in life he had gained some weight, and a doctor's visit convinced him to change his lifestyle to improve his health.

He tried several things unsuccessfully until a friend suggested he run. He told his friend he hated running, but his friend talked him into signing up for the church relay team for the "Hood to Coast" race anyway. It was the largest relay race in the world, totaling 180 miles. Each team had 12 runners, so each person ran 3.5-mile legs.

He said he hadn't run more than 100 feet in the past 20 years and was quite out of shape. He and his friend began practicing in the church gym, where a mile was 20 laps. He ran one lap, complained it sounded like an injured sea lion, and said he was about to keel over. Each night, he added another lap. After building up his strength and endurance, he measured off 2.5 miles near his home and ran the entire distance out and back.

He completed the church relay, finished all three legs later that year, and ran a marathon. He asked himself how he managed it, and his conclusion was this: one lap at a time. It's a journey we all take. Having a goal in mind and taking it one lap at a time means putting aside laziness, thoughts of quitting, and all the distractions that pull us away from our target—distractions that are constant and require consistency.

Sin can disqualify us from the race, as Paul informed us in 1 Corinthians 9 above. Staying focused is essential.

"Now, if you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, at noon, and at night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

— George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

Resh ר

The Hebrew word for "run" is "rutz רוץ." It includes the Hebrew letters "resh ר," "vav ו," and "tsaddiq צ," which offer interesting insights from a pictographic perspective. In its earliest form, each letter of the Hebrew alphabet was represented by an image that helped define the word it spelled.

The Hebrew letter "resh ר" is depicted as a person's head profile, symbolizing forward motion, and can also represent the forebrain and its conscious activity. Running is usually a deliberate action unless we're being chased by a bear, in which case it becomes instinctive.

Running has also been found to promote the growth of new brain cells and gray matter and to enhance memory recall. Jogging has also been shown to alleviate depression by increasing the production of natural endorphins (feel-good hormones) in the brain.

Ancient Foundation Nail

Vav ו

"Vav ו" is illustrated by a nail and, conceptually, connects things.

Tsadiq צ

Tsadiq (צ) can represent a man kneeling with his hands raised to God and is associated with righteousness. Running to God in humility and away from sin connects us with God's righteousness and helps us be made right in Him.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
— 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Therefore, my beloved, flee (run) from idolatry.
— 1 Corinthians 10:14

To conclude this message, we see that, from a spiritual and life-application perspective, running the race of life requires a deliberate decision to move forward in ways that please God, while staying connected, humble, and focused on Him.

Concluding Application

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 3:13-14

It is good for us to reflect on these things and examine ourselves, even if it is uncomfortable, so that we might live this precious life He has granted us to the fullest.

Other Health Benefits of Jogging

Guards against osteoporosis by building new bone tissue.
Regulates blood pressure,
improves digestion,
lowers the risk of some types of cancer, including breast cancer,
and promotes better circulation

Sources

(2) http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec01/ch006/ch006b.html Last full review/revision September 2007 by Brian D. Johnston.

(3)http://ezinearticles.com/?Cardiovascular-Workouts:-An-Introduction-toJogging&id=313457http://www.electrictext.com/Art/291719/231/4-Fantastic-Fitness-Benefits-of-Jogging.html

(4)http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jan/18/running-brain-memory-cell-growth http://jcmalek.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/the-day-of-atonement/

(5) "Runner's World" Magazine, January 2011 edition, "Life According to Louie" by Christine Fennessy. Excerpted from Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand. Copyright 2010 Random House. runnersworld.com/zamperini, unbrokenbook.com

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Old Testament Observances

Running: A New Testament Reflection on Yom Kippur