My first trip over the bump included displeasure and strained credulity (look it up!) over the necessity of the mountain in my path. It rattled all the loose items in my van! I now go out of my way to avoid that speed bump! I know there is a purpose for these instruments of torture, I mean, traffic calming measures (really?). Here is what the Automobile Association says: “Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps are designed to slow traffic down and are usually used in residential or busy pedestrian areas. Successful speed limits should be self-enforcing through both good road design and clear signs. Traffic calming measures like humps and bumps can help enforce lower speed limits.” Needless to say, I’m not the only driver avoiding the main, direct entry to the store’s parking lot. I guess the speed bump has achieved its purpose.
The Automobile Association gives some advice for navigating those annoying speed bumps. “How should I drive over speed bumps? Slowly. Driving over speed bumps too fast can potentially cause damage to your car. If you drive over them slowly, you shouldn’t see any damage to your car at all, but over time, regularly driving over cushions (speed bumps, traffic calming measures) can increase the wear on the inner shoulder of your tires. Take the time to check your tires every now and then.” Sound advice, don’t you think?
If the purpose of a speed bump is to slow us down, proceeding with caution, then there are “speed bumps” in every part of life, aren’t there? Railroad crossings, stop signs, traffic lights, posted “Rules of the pool”, dietary restraints, classroom procedures, family household rules, and on and on and on. Each speed bump is designed to keep us from doing something that could cause harm to ourselves, our lives or others. They are boundaries for living safely and wisely.
God placed a “speed bump” in Eden. Genesis 2:15- 17 “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, ‘You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—17 EXCEPT the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.’” Navigation of that speed bump - failure! All of mankind is still dealing with the damage caused by that one!
Then God gave Moses and the Israelites the ten commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6 - 21 saying “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.” (Vs 6)
- You shall have no other gods before me. (Vs 7)
- You shall not make for yourself a carved image. (Vs 8)
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Vs 11)
- Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Vs 12)
- Honor your father and your mother. (Vs 16)
- You shall not murder. (Vs 17)
- You shall not commit adultery. (Vs 18)
- You shall not steal. (Vs 19)
- You shall not bear false witness. (Vs 20)
- You shall not covet. (Vs 21)
For centuries these commandments (laws) have caused people to stumble. We either don’t want to follow the command (which is rebellion) or we don’t fully appreciate the consequences enough to avoid breaking them. Speed bump navigation - failure each time we break a commandment.
Hundreds of years after Moses, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of a stone that causes people to stumble, a “speed bump” if you will, in Isaiah 8:14 “… a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall,” That stone is The Lord Almighty, “the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear (or reverence), he is the one you are to dread. He will be a holy place (a sacred, indestructible shelter for those who fear and trust Him).” And in the very next chapter Isaiah foretells the birth of Jesus, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6
More than seven hundred years later, Jesus was born fulfilling every one of the prophecies about his coming, including the stumbling. The religious leaders of his time questioned his teachings, his methods, and his authority to do what he did (Mark 11:27- 12:12) They tried to discredit him but in the end, they could only kill him, fulfilling yet another prophecy (Isaiah 53).
The commandments given through Moses thousands of years ago still hold the power to bless and preserve our lives. When we keep and follow the commands, they carry the promise that when we “do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, it will go well with us” (Deuteronomy 6:18) and we will be able to do the good things God planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10) These are the actions that promote peace, rest and health. If we could just slow down and appreciate the reason for these speed bumps, we could all find peace and quit damaging our lives because we failed to navigate the “speed bump” properly.
After Moses taught the commandments to the Israelites he told them, “In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ 21 “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand. 22 The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. 23 He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors. 24 And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. 25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.’ Deuteronomy 6:20 - 25
Romans 9:33 from The Message says it this way; “Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can’t get around. But the stone is me (Jesus)! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me on the way, not in the way.”
God knows us and understands our questions of “why?”. He knows we are self-centered and lack compliance by nature. He knows we hate rules and have trouble believing His promises.
The Meaning of the Stone
Isaiah 28:16-17 MSG “But the Master, God, has something to say to this:
‘Watch closely. I’m laying a foundation in Zion, a solid granite foundation, squared and true.
And this is the meaning of the stone: a trusting life won’t topple.
I’ll make justice the measuring stick and righteousness the plumb line for the building.
A hailstorm will knock down the shantytown of lies, and a flash flood will wash out the rubble.’”
God’s speed bumps have true purpose, to bring us life and not harm. His ways give hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Righteousness (doing things the right way, following the rules, slowing down for the speed bumps and precautions) only comes by faith and believing in the reason for the rules. We can be doers of the rules, living in legalism, but have grumbling hearts which robs us of the joy of fulfilling the law! God wants us to know His purpose for the commands, rules, laws, boundaries - to bless us and preserve our lives. He loves us so much, He sent Jesus to be the stone that is to be found, through faith and trust, and not just an annoyance. “And the one who believes in him (Jesus) will never be put to shame.” Romans 9:33 NIV
Isaiah 26:7 & 8 NLT “But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. 8 Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.”
I hope the next time I encounter a speed bump I’ll remember it was placed there to protect me, my car, and the people around me from harm. I might even enjoy the journey!
Song: Faithful Then, Faithful Now
Vertical Worship - Faithful Now (Live)
In case you’d like more information about Speed Bumps - Automobile Association Article: https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/speed-bumps#:~:text=Traffic%20calming%20measures%20such%20as%20speed%20bumps%20are,and%20bumps%20can%20help%20enforce%20lower%20speed%20limits.
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