Week 41, Day 5: At Mount Sinai
Today’s Reading: Exodus 19:1-25
Some thoughts from the reading…
Israel has come to be camped by “the mount of God” (18:5). It has been about two months now since Israel left Egypt. The Lord declares at the mount that if Israel will obey His voice and keep His covenant then they will be His own possession and a holy nation. All the people respond that all the Lord has spoken they will do. Thus begins the process to complete the covenant with Israel. The people consecrate themselves. Then begins a series of journeys up and down the mountain for Moses and certain others with him to receive and confirm the covenant.
Question: Why do you think that it was so important that the people did not touch the mountain? Why do you think God displayed such power when He came down on the mountain (smoke, fire, the whole mountain quaked violently vs 18)?
Week 41, Day 4: Jethro’s advice
Today’s Reading: Exodus 18:1-27
Some thoughts from the reading…
Moses’ father-in-law comes to him at this time. He bring his wife Zipporah and their two sons. After seeing Moses judging over the disputes among the people all day long, Jethro tells Moses that this will wear him out. He advices him to appoint men who “fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain”. They were to judge over the minor disputes, leaving the major disputes for Moses to decide. I liked how it is recorded that Jethro says for Moses to do this thing if God so commands you (vs. 23). I am not sure if Jethro was a priest of God in Midian or if he was a priest to some idol before this time. But certainly after hearing of all that the Lord did for Moses and Israel he is convinced that Jehovah is the almighty God, vs. 11. His advice is wise and he expresses wisdom by advising that Moses do this if God wants him to.
Often times I think we do things and then later, looking back hope that it was the right thing to do. Certainly there will be many decisions that we make where there is not a passage of scritpure directly speaking of such a decision/ circumstance. But we do need to seek out doing what pleases God. Let us pray that we would honor God in our decisions. That we would do what will help us to be good servants to Him. Eph 5:10 says “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” Let us give diligence to counseling God’s word and to praying before we make decisions about what to do.
Question: What lessons can be learned from the aspect of Moses doing all the work by himself? Why would this wear him out? Think of direct applications that can be made for the church today.
Week 41, Day 3: The Waters of Massah
Today’s Reading: Exodus 17:1-16
Some thoughts from the reading…
Once again the sons of Israel complain about their condition. It seems that this is a very common theme for them. I do want this to serve as a warning for us though. Do we grumble and complain about how we are not getting what we want or “need”? How quick are we to only see the negative in life? I think we often fault Israel and rightly so for not seeing what all God has done for them and trusting that God will take care of them but how many times do we do the same in our lives? We are so richly blessd in this life. So often how we handle things or how we view things depends on our attitude. Do we have an attitude of thanksgiving and trust in God?
Did you notice a familiarity with this passage? Here we have Moses going with the elders before the people and striking the rock so that water will be brought forth. He also named the place Massah and Meribah. Meribah is the name that might stand out to you. In Num 20:8-13 we have a second time where Israel was complaining for water. That time they were at Kadesh and Moses was told to speak to the rock. After this waters of Meribah, Moses is told that he will not be able to enter the promise land because He did not believe God to treat Him as holy before the people. Just keep in mind that these are two different accounts and it will not be a point of confusion, even though they are very similar events.
Question: How can we help ourselves view things with thanksgiving and the right kind of attitude?
Week 41, Day 2: Manna & Grumblings
Today’s Reading: Exodus 16:1-36
Some thoughts from the reading…
Chapter 16 has Israel returning to grumbling. This is not very suprising considering that before the people had even crossed the red sea they were crying out about being taken away to die in the wilderness. The people had seen the miracles done by God and had been shown that Jehovah is the almighty God. Yet here they are out in the middle of the wilderness and are hungry. What do they do? They do not request food or petition that God provide for them. Instead they grumble against Moses and Aaron, thus grumbling against God. “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” What an accusation.
God provides for Israel the manna. But I like the way that He tests Israel through this to see if they will obey Him. They are given certain instructions about how much to gather and when to gather. At least two times we are told that they did not listen to Moses’ instructions. Some let some of the manna remain over night. It became foul and had worms in it. Some did not gather two days worth on Friday and went out to gather on the Sabbath. You can understand how frustrating this would be to see Israel complaining about not being provided for and then they will not follow simple commands. Sometimes people seem to shoot themselves in the foot. They want help but then seem to do everything to kick against those helping or against the help being continued.
Question: Israel has not yet come to Mount Sinai and received the Law of Moses. And yet we see a command here for them not to gather on the Sabbath but to rest. Why do you think this is?
Week 41, Day 1: The Song of Moses
Today’s Reading: Exodus 15:1-27
Some thoughts from the reading…
The song in chapter 15 is a song of deliverance and praise for God. Israel has just witnessed the destruction of Pharaoh’s mighty army. 600 chariots. A very formidable army has just been wiped out before their eyes. I can imagine that this song would have been very joyful and sung loudly. It is interesting to note that the Israelites mention how news of God’s deeds will affect the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. News of this mighty act would cause trembling, anguish, dismay, terrow and dread to fall on the enemies that lay before Israel. And thus we see when Israel comes to the land of Canaan that the people are terrified.
It is good for us to remind ourselves of the great deeds that God has done. He can control the elements of the earth and has power over all things in this world. We need to remember that all things are possible with God and trust in Him fully. Whether it is a formidable foe or a lack of water in the wilderness, God can deliver us. Let us not forget the mighty deeds God has done. “Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?”
Question: What miracle recorded in the scriptures stands out most in your mind? Is there one or a few that really impress you and stick in your mind?
Week 40, Day 5: Pharaoh’s end
Today’s Reading: Exodus 14:1-31
Some thoughts from the reading…
When will some people learn? We have seen in our Proverbs study verses that speak of how a fool will not receive instruction. Although he is struck repeatedly he refuses to learn (Prov 17:10). Pharaoh seems to fall into this category. He has received sign after sign. Repeatedly he has been shown through his suffering that he must yield to God’s will. But now he regrets having sent Israel away and goes off to pursue them.
God uses this occation as another time to demonstrate His power. Moses instructs Israel that God will fight for them while they keep silent. They will not have to do anything, God will do it all. And if there was any doubt that Pharaoh should have come to his senses earlier, you would think that a pillar of fire standing between your camp and Israel’s camp would reinforce that there is a power here that you cannot overcome.
Israel’s passing through the red sea is nothing but a miracle. No matter how peopel might want to explain it away. I think it is neat to note that they passed through on dry ground. Where a sea had been you would expect a great deal of mud. But God provided an easy pathway for them to journey through.
Question: Have you ever known of someone who it did not matter what you said to them or what happened, they simply would not believe or obey God?
Week 40, Day 4: Israel’s departing
Today’s Reading: Exodus 13:1-22
Some thoughts from the reading…
Chapter 13 introduces a concept that will come up in more detail later but states it now. Since God spared all of the firstborn of Israel in Egypt, they belong to Him. The firstborn of Israel, both man and beast, would have to be redeemed. A price was to be given to redeem them from the Lord. We will see later, in Num 3:11-13 & 3:40-48, that the Levites were taken to be the Lord’s instead of a redemption price having to be paid for all of the firstborn of Israel at the time of exiting Egypt. But from this time forward the practice of redeeming the firstborn was to be practiced. The firstborn of the people and of unclean animals would be redeemed with money but the firstborn of the clean animals were to be sacrificed to God (Num 18:14-17).
I think this aspect of redeeming the firstborn is interesting. They were now expected to redeem their firstborn from here on out. This does not appear to be some scheme on God’s part to gain money or to guilt Israel into feeling like they owed Him something. Rather we are told that it would serve as a reminder from this time forth to their children of what God had done for them (Exo 13:1416). This powerful deliverance would be brought to their remembrance from this time on through this practice.
Question: What practices do we have as Christians that is to call to our memory something that God has done for us? What actions come to your mind? Is there only one thing you can think of?
Week 40, Day 3: The Passover
Today’s Reading: Exodus 12:1-51
Some thoughts from the reading…
The Passover is instituted by the events of the last sign. The destroyer was going to be sent by God to kill all the firstborn of the Egyptians and the cattle. But because of God’s provisions, the blood of the lamb on the door posts and lintel would mark the house as needing to be passed over. Thus God provided a way for His people to be spared. It was His mercy that spared them but they were also commanded to complete this action or else the destroyer would come upon them.
The manner in which they were to eat this meal reflected the coming urgency for them to leave quickly. God knew the Egyptians would drive them out right away once the firstborns were killed. Thus Israel ate of the passover lamb dressed ready to go. They were driven out with such haste that they did not have time to leaven their bread or make preparations fo their journey. This is where eating unleavened bread during the passover comes. It reflects the haste in which Israel left Egypt. God provided the passover meal for them to have, I believe, strength for their long journey into the wilderness. Notice that not a bone of the passover lamb was to be broken. Also, the lamb could be a sheep or a goat (vs 5).
In the NT we see the Lord instituting the Lord’s Supper after He and His disciples had partaken of the passover feast together. The bread they would have had for this feast is known to be unleavened bread. A outside the church would not understand why the bread used in the Lord’s Supper is different until examining the commands for the passover.
It is interesting to look at the parallels between the passover and the giving of Jesus as our sacrificial lamb. The blood of the passover lamb was used to spare those inside the house. Not a bone was to be broken. The lamb had to be unblemished. All of these concepts are reflected in the death of Jesus. I find it fascinating to see such similarities in the scriptures. God has planned things so that we can understand the importance and significance of such events. And yet so many religious people today do not know about such things. Why? Because they are not people of the word. If all we talk about are stories that make people feel good or leave worship services saying that was an uplifting sermon, then people will not see the beauty of God’s word. There will always be more to learn from God’s word, but let us not be accused of failing to appreciate God’s word and desiring to meditate upon the things it contains. Many today will suffer because they have a lack of knowledge. But they are not lacking because they are incapable of learning. Rather it is a lack of knowledge because of no effort. Prove yourself a disciple who does not need to be ashamed.
Week 40, Day 2: The Last Plague
Today’s Reading: Exodus 11:1-10
Some thoughts from the reading…
Chapter 11 is very short, only 10 verses. And yet it announces the end of Israel’s stay as slaves in Egypt. I think the way things are stated in chapter 11 are a little confusing. Verse 8 tells us that Moses went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. This statement concludes the dialogue Moses had with Pharaoh at the end of chapter 10. Pharaoh had warned Moses that he would die if he were to come before Pharaoh again. We are told a few details at the beginning of chapter 11 that appear to be mentioned here but are not necessarily part of the final dialogue between Pharaoh and Moses. The details about speaking in the hearing of the people (vs 2) appears to be what Moses was told to do when he was instructed about the last plague. Moses tells Pharaoh at their final meeting about the last plague and then departs in anger.
It is amazing to consider the distinction God showed between Israel and Egypt. With several of the signs we are told explicitly that Israel was not affected by the signs at all. The Egyptians alone were suffering because of these signs. Can you imagine how the Egyptian people would have marveled at this. All of these things are happening to them and not a single thing happens to the Israelites? No flies (8:22), no cattle dying (9:6), no boils (9:11), no hail (9:26), no darkness (10:23) and no death of the firstborn (12:13). How could anyone doubt or question that Israel was God’s people and that these signs were directed toward Egypt? No one could.
Question: Why do you think that Moses was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt?
Week 40, Day 1: Pharaoh Tries to Negotiate
Today’s Reading: Exodus 10:1-29
Some thoughts from the reading…
In chapter 10 Pharaoh seems to be finally coming around to admitting he will have to let Israel go to worship Jehovah. But he still wants to not give in to everything that is required. We see a back and forth where Pharaoh tries to say that Israel can go but only part of the people can go (vs 10). Then he tries to say that they can go but they cannot take all of their flocks with them (vs 24). Pharaoh is still thinking that he is in a position to negotiate with what God has commanded. At the very beginning when Moses came to Pharaoh he had said who is Jehovah that I should listen to Him (5:2)? Now Pharaoh has begun to recognize that he has to listen to what Jehovah says but he is still stubbornly trying to only give in to part of what is commanded. God knew that Pharaoh would have to be compelled to let Israel go and now we are told that God has hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that He could perfomr these signs (vs 1-2). God would make a mockery of the Egyptians and they would know that He is Jehovah.
Any time that someone raises their will up against what God has commanded or directed to be done they will not prosper. No matter who they are, king or just a lowly servant, we must all be able to see from the signs performed in Egypt that God must be honored and His will must be obeyed. So many times man wants to get puffed up and resist what God says to do. We want to go our own direction. To ourselves we might not say who is the Lord that we ought to listen to Him but we might think along the lines of “well I don’t want to do that”. Either way the result is the same – we set ourselves in opposition to God’s will. Humble yourselves before God. Yield yourself to Him. We are blessed that God is patient with us and has not taught us in the same manner that He taught Pharaoh.
Question: What does it take for you to see that you are wrong? Pharaoh seems to finally be coming around but will not yet let go completely. What has to happen before you will say, “I’m wrong?”