When the LORD instructs us, when He asks for our obedience in a matter, there is no way to evaluate just how far our choice will go…no way to know who or what circumstance will be affected.

We think our choices are small. In reality, they are not. Each and every choice points us in some direction. And the next choice either carries us down that path or changes our course.

While we have been hanging the Jesse Tree Ornaments, I’ve been thinking about the people. Those Old Testament heroes who prophesied the Messiah or whose lives were a type or picture of Messiah. How much did they realize?

Adam and Eve…They knew God told them they would die if they ate from the tree, did they know the spiritual DNA of mankind would be forever mutated? That it would take Messiah to redeem them and their offspring?

Abraham. God told him to leave his home and family. He did. When Father God told him He would give Abraham the Promised land ….decendants too numerous to count… did He realize the Messiah would come from his descendants?

Issac. This young man could never know as he submitted to Abraham and was placed on the altar, he was giving the world a picture of Messiah being raised from the dead.

Jacob. Did he realize his 12 sons would become the 12 tribes of Israel?

Joseph. Every time Joseph chose to remain a man of integrity, he could not be sure he was going to be elevated in the Egyptian government or that he would have the means to save his family. Thus, the family line of Messiah would continue through Judah.

Joshua. Rahab. Ruth. Jonah. David. Solomon. Isaiah. Micah … .until the young Mary and the man Joseph believed God…were obedient…and Messiah became flesh…lived among us…paid our sin debt…rose from the dead…ascended to Heaven.

All of time moving forward to the birth of Messiah and the work He would finish. Giving mankind salvation. Restoring relationship with the Father. Offering men eternal life.

This Advent season, let’s stop. Consider our own obedience. Consider who and what our choices influence, for good or bad. Our Father created us all for a purpose. Let’s fulfill the purpose He created us for.