Welcome to Tuesday! On April 9th of 2019 (goodness that seems like a long time ago) Tuesday's Musical Notes embarked on a journey through the great story that is the Bible. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Beginnings" (Chicago)) We began this travelogue as a response to a disparity, even among those who profess Jesus as their Savior, in Biblical illiteracy and application. This trend seems to have cultivated in the past 50 years as we have allowed a variety of distractions to take up the time we once devoted to Bible consumption.
As we traveled we encountered some familiar history (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Rainbow Connection" (Kermit the Frog)) and perhaps some narratives that we didn't know as well. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Alcohol" (Brad Paisley)) Regardless of how well we knew the facts, it is the Notes' hope that we have allowed God to change us by becoming more familiar with what His Word has to say.
While some of the stories in the Bible are a mite complex, many of them exhibit a simplicity that exudes the charm and comfort we need in today's world. They are much like today's feature song. Ready to visit an underwater garden in the shade?
In many ways, Ringo Starr is the unsung hero of the Beatles. He did not contribute as many songs to The Beatles' libraries like Paul McCartney (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Wonderful Christmastime" (Paul McCartney)), or John Lennon, nor does he show the guitar and songwriting prowess of George Harrison (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Got My Mind Set on You" (George Harrison), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Light that has Lighted the World" (George Harrison)), but Ringo adds stability in the simplicity of his drumming and songwriting and at times in the relationships amongst The Beatles. One could even argue that Ringo has been a more consistent performer over the years as he continues to draw musicians together to tour with him at his All-Starr Band concerts. Furthering this consistency, Ringo Starr has also had an extensive film career. (appearing in a variety of 47 films and television episodes which include 6 Beatles films, concert films and a host of documentaries)
There is no better showcase, in the opinion of Tuesday's Musical Notes, of Ringo's likably simplistic songwriting and the consistent stability of his music than "Octopus's Garden". Here's a bit more info on today's song:
Egypt's economy was decimated. Their water had been contaminated, their crops were destroyed, and they had lost a generation of people through the death of all firstborn. Pharaoh's stubbornness had resulted in the destruction of a world superpower. Because of all of this, He relented and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt as Moses and Aaron had been requesting. Many Egyptians left with them.
As they departed, there are a couple of things to notice before the children of Israel get to their opportunity to see an Octopus's garden. Let's look at today's Bible passage:
First, when Moses leads the Israelites from Egypt, they didn't go straight to the Red Sea crossing. The Israelites were a brand new nation, struggling to get their freedom. God knew that it was not the time for them to be tangling with the Philistines, which they would do if they took a collinear trajectory to the Promised Land. (Remember the Philistines, they are major players later on) God also knew that they would ultimately disobey and He needed them in a position to be able to wander a few years while they found themselves and understood their relationship to Him. Based on this, the Bible records the journey to the point of the Red Sea crossing taking significantly longer than what is depicted in any of the film adaptations of today's passage. Context and perspective. Read and study the Bible first, then watch your favorite movie about Moses or do your internet queries. Always verify by what the Bible says.
Second, to complete the destruction of Egypt, God needed to eradicate one more point of Egyptian pride, its military might. The Red Sea Crossing accomplishes this. Pharoah took every chariot in Egypt in pursuit of the Hebrews. Leading the way were 600 of his finest military officers. Exodus 14:6-7 NASB/The Message/KJV
Finally, The Israelites upon reaching the Red Sea and seeing God's power, they crossed on dry ground as the Bible says. The place of the Red Sea crossing is a point of controversy. A variety of theories have been postulated about the location of the Israelites passage on dry ground through a few Octopus gardens. In debating its location, the point of this miracle is missed. God is all-powerful. He can control what we understand are the elements of this world and manipulate them to His will.
Mankind attempts to prove what can only be believed by faith.
The Bible has an entire chapter devoted to faith. It proves interesting reading:
The filmography of the Red Sea crossing goes to prove how difficult the parting of the waters would have been and provides some fascinating context of the event.
This passage of Scripture, regardless of where you think it may have happened, has to be accepted like so many other passages of the Bible. By simple faith.
Oh and yes, there is a high probability of Octopus gardens in the Red Sea...
Let's face it, one of the reasons folks don't consistently read and study the Bible is that it has a reputation for having some really difficult to understand passages. But in reality, the Bible is a simple book. God created mankind to have a relationship with Him. Mankind broke the relationship with his lack of trust in and disobedience to God. To repair the relationship, God sent Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice. This sacrifice restores the broken relationship if mankind believes in its premises. Mankind gets reunited with God through Holy Spirit dwelling in him. God, through Holy Spirit, works in mankind's life in this reality making him more like Jesus. Mankind receives the ultimate restoration upon his departure from this reality as he is united with God in heaven after a life of shaping himself in Jesus' likeness.
"...He'd let us in, knows where we've been..." Are you ready to take a simple step of faith? "...I'd ask my friends to come and see..."
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
randy
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