Can’t Get No Satisfaction: Exodus 2:21

Exodus 2:21 reads “Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.” 

As you read the following, you’ll have to hum the tune and imagine Mick Jagger’s voice singing the chorus from one of The Rolling Stones’ greatest hits:  “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (lyrics below courtesy of http://www.lyricfind.com)

“I can’t get no satisfaction, I can’t get no satisfaction
‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
I can’t get no, I can’t get no”

The gist of the song is one familiar to most people.  No matter how hard someone tries in their own power, they can’t get the satisfaction they crave.  Whether it be power, money, fame, influence…it’s all in vain.  Solomon spoke of this in Ecclesiastes “All is vanity (vain)”.  I mused about the word “content” one day not too long ago.  When one thinks of being content or contentment, I think of the image of the sheep…content as long as it has food, water, and protection.  I felt led to research the word “content” in the Holy Bible and see where and how it was used. Now, this is not every use of the word, but the ones I felt led by God to think on.  So I hope He blesses you in these thoughts and that…you’ll be content. 🙂 

So, let’s start with Exodus and the story of Moses.  After he had been banished by Pharaoh and had wandered the desert, he came to the aid of some Midianite shepherd women.  When they told their father of what he had done, he bade them go get him and bring him to their house. Exodus 2:21 reads “Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.”  Moses had gone from regal surroundings to bare survival, and now had found welcome by this man’s family.  He now had food, water, shelter, and even a wife and later a son.  I think I’d be happy, too, to come off that roller coaster better off than how I’d been.

How about you, Christian?  Are you happy with what God has given you?  No matter the quantity, all we have comes from the Lord Himself.

Something to think about!

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Jesus: I am the Good Shepherd

John 10: 11, 14: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”
1 Peter 5:4: “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

Our pastor used to live in Wyoming, and among his many encounters, he got to know a local shepherd and wanted to learn about his occupation of caring for sheep. One morning, while the shepherd was rousing the flock to wake up, our pastor saw the shepherd tend to some sheep that had rolled over on their sides. Sheep are similar to turtles; if they fall over sleeping, they need help getting up. They can actually die from asphyxiation if they’re not righted, because they cannot get up on their own. The shepherd would help right the sheep, massaging their legs until they could stand and move on their own. This puzzled our pastor; he asked the shepherd why did he keep those sheep, for all the trouble they caused him. Why didn’t he just get rid of them?

The shepherd looked at our pastor in amazement. He told him he wouldn’t get rid of them; those were some of his best sheep! They were incredibly loyal, and would never wander away from him. They knew the sound of his voice.

(Now, our pastor told us this tale in his own sermon series recently on Jesus: I Am; so, if I’ve quoted the story incorrectly, I’m sure he’ll set me straight. :-) )

We are sheep, and we need a Good Shepherd. Jesus is that Shepherd. He cares for us, protects us, and even corrects us when we stray. Jesus contrasted the Good Shepherd with hirelings who don’t take care of sheep, who run at the first sign of trouble. Jesus isn’t that way; we know the sound of His Voice, and are dependent on him.

Peter writes in 1 Peter, chapter 5, verse 4, that those who care for God’s flock will receive that crown of glory from the Chief Shepherd…and this Shepherd is also Jesus.

Something to think about!

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Proverbs 19:15-19

verse 19: “A man of great anger shall bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.”

A sheep and a billy goat tried to escape through the fence
Through a hole in the boards, so I’m told.
The sheep got stuck because it wasn’t very smart
The billy goat, because it didn’t have any control.

Sheep are dumb animals, and they will wander into trouble. A billy goat is stubborn; I’ve seen one continue to butt its head against a wall, even though it couldn’t break through. Its bad temperament always causes it to get into scrapes and bad situations.

Some people are like that goat, such as the one in the verse. Even when their anger gets them in trouble, they don’t see to learn their lesson. When left to their anger, they’ll get in the same trouble again, and need rescuing.

The change Jesus brings to our hearts is the only remedy for sinful habits and attitudes that continually get us in trouble. We can’t change ourselves, only Jesus can. So, are you tired of butting your head against the wall?

Something to think about.

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