The Cost.

The difference between the called, and the chosen. The writer penned in Numbers chapter eleven verse five:

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

The NIV commentates it this way;” We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. The writer tells us the Israelites were not enslaved the entire time in Egypt. This shows that this post isn’t misquoting the word of God. There is a scripture marking a new era in Egypt, the word of God says in Exodus chapter one verse eight:

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

This obviously started a horrible era for the Israelites with the Egyptians tasking and enslaving them. They tried to kill the young boys because of the multitude of Israelites in comparison to the Egyptians. (Exodus 1:15-22) This begins the origin story of Moses going from Goshen as a Hebrew, to the palace. When Moses tried to get the Israelites out of Egypt, the Egyptians actually made the tasks harder on the Israelites by taking the straw from them while still forcing them to make bricks. (Exodus 5:7)

God got them out through the plagues. God carried them out with divine direction (Cloud by day, Fire by night). He parted the red sea for the Israelites but closed it as the Egyptians were coming through. Now we recall the scripture first mentioned, Numbers chapter eleven verse five:

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely (or (at no cost); the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

I love how regardless of what God did for the Israelites they always had something to say. At this point in scripture, they had already experienced first hand: the manna falling every morning. They could gather only enough for the day except for the on the sixth day of the week. Then and only then could they gather enough for two days for the Shabbatt, or Sabbath as we know it. They had seen the mighty hand of God at the red sea. They had seen the divine direction of God with the cloud by day, and fire by night. They had seen the supernatural provision of God, and this isn’t even speaking of the manna, but more toward them not needing a doctor. (Deuteronomy 7:15) Nobody needed shoes. (Deuteronomy 33:25) Nobody needed clothes. (Deuteronomy 8:4) God even allowed them to drink good water out of a rock, not only the men, women, and children; but also the livestock had enough drink. At this point in scripture, they didn’t know yet, but God was going to call the wind to bring quail from the sea which isn’t even where quail live. He let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. (Numbers 11:31) Which means the quail was stacked about 3 feet high. It seems that regardless of what God did the Israelites were failing to acknowledge God.

In the same vein, we have been kept by the hand of God and delivered by the hand of God. We tend to discount our deliverance, and his provision based off of our comfort, and what we were familiar with. If you remember correctly God had delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians, took them out of bondage, saved many of their male children from getting killed by using two handmaids. (Exodus 1:28) They were paying all, their lives were consumed and taken by slavery.

This is a true story told from the church I was raised in. The story was of W. T. Hemphill, our founding pastor, being on the road. They were at the house during the great depression not having money to buy food. They prayed and all of a sudden they heard something outside. They checked and at the door, there was a bag filled with steaks, and leaving the yard was a dog. What we lived our life with such faith? You see, in order for us to have a dog feed us, we must first have to be hungry without money. Are you willing to let God give you a story?

The reason divine direction and supernatural provision is mentioned here is that in order to answer the call and pay the price to be chosen one must decide. Will I realize that regardless of the price I pay, not only has God already paid a higher price, but he will also keep me through the process. Often times we are reluctant to pay the price, or give all we have because we are scared then we will not have, but the writer says:

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalms 37:25)

What is the difference between being called, and being chosen?” I’d say the answer is pretty simple, the cost one is willing to pay. Matthew chapter twenty-two verse fourteen says:

For many are called, but few are chosen.

That difference being the cost one is willing to pay to fulfill the call.

The author says that presenting your body as a living sacrifice is a reasonable service. (Romans 12:1) Luke chapter eighteen verses eighteen through twenty-two says:

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”

So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

I believe this passage of scripture shows the difference between the called, and the chosen. The good thing and bad thing is it is all your choice.

I have good friends, and like myself, they too were raised in the church. They heard the same preaching went to the same altar calls, camps, and youth events. These friends have professed to me their desire for the things of God, and that they want to pursue the calling of God in their lives. As of now, these very same people are working in secular jobs in which God did not mean for them to ever work. Some people are called to work a secular job, and while there they are to be a light. Some will be called to the things of God specifically, but the separation between called and chosen is the price they are willing to pay to follow the purpose of God.

A. W. Tozer said in The Pursuit of God,” We are often hindered from giving up our treasures to the Lord out of fear for their safety.” Roy Lessin in As Unto Me says,” There may be times when you do your very best but still see your labors fail. You may even sacrifice time or money to help someone and receive no words of appreciation. Do it anyway, as unto me, for I am your reward.” It humors me that we as fragile beings asked to be used by God, but get our feelings hurt when we feel used. Ministry that costs nothing will accomplish nothing. In Leonard Ravenhill’s Meat for Men it says,” Recently, we visited an elaborate and opulent temple in the Far East. This experience reminded me of one Christian visitor who, overwhelmed with the ornate place and it’s static wealth, asked a heathen worshipper, ‘ What is the actual cost of erecting a temple like this?’ The Startled devotee in pained surprise, ‘ What is the cost? This temple is for our god, and for him, we never count the cost.’” We must never count the cost! Then Ravenhill Quoted this ancient prayer;

Teach us, good lord,

To serve thee more faithfully;

To give and not count the cost;

To fight and not heed the wounds;

To toil and not seek for rest;

To labor and not to ask for any reward,

Save that of knowing that we do thy will.

I quote an article written by Brother Bruce A. Howell , from Sensing God’s Direction written by James Poitras,” How much is biblically expected when it comes to contributing to the kingdom of heaven; making a kingdom investment? The answer contains three simple letters — ALL. “ In conclusion, a price will be paid to one side or the other. Jesus has paid the price for us to be rid of the death we deserve, but now it is up to each and every one of us. Will we be willing to give all? Will we be the ones that say,” I will give all to not only be called but to be chosen.” I believe we as the church are called, but the separation between the two is the price we are will to pay to pursue the things of God. No matter the price paid God has paid higher, and no matter the amount you give God will always sustain you. Let it be said you, and I gave all!