Boolean logic is a type of algebra used for computer programming. In Boolean logic, ‘Truth Statements’ and, or, and equals help to determine outcomes on more complex programming. Codes are input as Boolean expressions; they are tested to confirm their accuracy and mobilise action in response. The simple description for the tests is if … then statements. Ever so often when I read a clause or condition in covenants, I wonder whether there’s a connection.
(I’ve made peace with it not being called God’s algebra because God’s grace often overrides conditionalities, as we’ll see in our reflections later).
Can you hear the Boolean IF … THEN conditionality in the text as you consider Today’s Holy Nougat?
Exodus 15:23, 26 AFV
[23] And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah because it was bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.
[26] And he said, “If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God, and will do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His laws, I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am the Lord Who heals you.”
Terms and Conditions 4
Siblings, it is hard to believe that computers can process such complex formulae so speedily. Yet they do. Permit me to digress for a bit as I note that obviously YHWH operates at mega-supercomputer speed to the other power. And our God, YHWH, calculates several truth determinations about us long before we even realise we thought of an action. More on that some other time.
As the Children of Israel moved out of Egypt, they faced prescribed conditions. The Test would prove TRUE if they met all 3 conditions as previously discussed. Read in coded terms we see:
IF the Children of Israel would
diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord [their] God
AND
do that which is right in [God’s] sight
AND
heed [God’s] commandments,
AND
keep all [God’s] laws
THEN God would
put none of these diseases upon [them], which [God] brought upon the Egyptians
Straightforward isn’t it? And fairly easy to ‘test’.
Self-Check
Now all the conditions are put in the Boolean format, would God have reason to positively follow through with keeping us healthy? (Ouch)
Question
Does this mean that God sent illness on them by making the waters bitter?
Deeper Dive
Whether we believe that this is how God acted or ought to act, these are the terms presented in this covenant under our consideration. It is also the root of the question posed to Y’shua by His disciples about the man born blind in John 9. The logic behind this text has also fuelled a wave of false righteousness among believers toward others facing disasters and calamities.
If we operate however, with the statement at hand, we note that after naming YHWH as sovereign,
A. The Children of Israel had a problem. They couldn’t find water in the wilderness
B. In response, they complained bitterly to Moses
C. Water was found – it was bitter (poisonous perhaps)
D. YHWH intervened by using a tree to effect the water’s healing and the people’s salvation (sic)
E. After YHWH intervened, YHWH established a covenant that offered perpetual healing provided the Children of Israel kept the terms.
They agreed to the terms of the covenant.
It means they felt they could manage the terms.
They couldn’t.
They didn’t (see Numbers 20-21 to see a major infection that led to illness)
There were grave consequences
BUT…
YHWH offered redemption through a new covenant, prophesied about in Jeremiah 31:31-34; and Ezekiel 36:26-27.
It was extended through prophecy to us naturalised Israelites in Isaiah 56:6-12; then affirmed in Luke 22:20; Mark 14:24; and Matthew 26 by Y’shua Himself.
Not only did God’s promise extend to the direct children of Jacob; but through the symbolic and literal blood, that was shed on a tree by Y’shua, you and I are included.
(Did you notice the significance of the tree passing through the waters? It gives me goosebumps)
Wow! What a covenant
Action Point
Is this the time to send the praises up? I think so. Let the praises ring
—
May all we seek be found in Christ
