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?

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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?

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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?”

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Week 39, Day 5:

Today’s Reading:  Exodus 9:1-35

Some thoughts from the reading…

The signs that God has Moses perform in Egypt intensify in chapter 9.  Three more signs are given to Pharaoh.  The livestock in the field are killed, the boils on man and beast, and the great hailstorm.  Some confusion is generated from what is said in the first sign.  This severe pestilence killed “all the livestock of Egypt”.  And yet later in this chapter we see it mentioned that those Egyptians out in the field with their livestock were killed by the hailstorm.  Some have pointed to this as a contradiction.  How can all livestock have died and yet there are still some to be killed by the hail?  Let me make some suggestions to explain why this is not a contradiction.  1st – the pestilence was going to kill all the livestock “which are in the field”.  This could indicate that those livestock NOT in the field would be spared from the pestilence.  Just like in verse 19, where the livestock not “brought home” would be killed by the hail.  Only the livestock out in the field were killed by the livestock.  So not every single last livestock was killed but ALL of those who were out in the field were.  I think this is the most reasonable explanation.  2nd – The time from the pestilence until the hail storm is not mentioned.   Could it not be that the Egyptians acquired more livestock from the Israelites after their’s had been killed?  Those who jump to saying there is a contradiction here have not considered that clearly there are logical explanations that can be given. 

Another observation: I think that in chapter9 we begin to see some indicators that Moses is beginning to “develop” into a leader.  Earlier we had seen his hesitance to go to Egypt and speek to Pharaoh.  Aaron was given to him to aid him and remove his excuse for not going.  So far we have seen that when a sign was performed that Aaron was the one told to do some action to bring about the sign (strike the dust (8:16), stretch out his hand over the rivers (8:5)(7:14), and take his staff and throw it down (7:9).  But in chapter 9 God says “let Moses” throw the soot into the sky to bring about the boils (9:8) and Moses is told to “stretch out” his hand toward the sky to bring the hail (9:22).  Again, I think that what we are witnessing is the developing of Moses into a spiritual leader.  It makes me think of what Paul said in Philip 3:12-16 & 4:13.  Paul speaks about pressing on toward the prize of the upward call of God.  And he says that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  I may not be who I want to be – yet.  But with God’s help I will be who I ought to be.  Let us be shaped by God to be the people He desires.

Question:  When someone says that there is a contradiction in the scriptures how should you handle it?  How do you investigate it to find out the answers?

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Week 39, Day 4: The signs continue

Today’s Reading:  Exodus 8:1-32

Some thoughts from the reading…

God continues to “convince” Pharaoh that he needs to heed His commands by sending additional signs.  We refer to the signs as plagues because of how they afflicted Egypt.  These were not only miraculous events brought about but were also designed to inflict some level of annoyance to Pharaoh and his people.  Alright, you want to be stubborn, here is something to help you think about what you have decided to do.  Frogs everywhere.  In your bed, in your ovens, in your kneading bowls, in your houses and on you.  Lice or gnats all over everything.  Flies all over everything.  It would be enough to drive you crazy.  If you have every stepped into a swarm of little gnats and had them all in your face, you can imagine how annoying and frustrating it would be to not be able to get away from them. 

We see again that the magicians were able to imitate the sign of the frogs.  But when it came to the gnats the magicians were not able to repeat this.  They have now been convinced this is the work of God.   Slowly but surely the Egyptians are beginning to yield and admit that they must submit to God.  Pharaoh begins to go back and forth.  He begins to try to bargain to let Israel worship God but wants to negotiate what they will be allowed to do. 

Question:  What signs would have to be performed before we would obey God’s command?  Can you think of a time where you had a hard time accepting or doing a command from God because you believed differently or grew up thinking something different.  What did it take before you yielded to God’s will?

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Week 39, Day 3: God begins His signs

Today’s Reading:  Exodus 7:1-25

Some thoughts from the reading…

God begins to multiply His signs and wonders in Egypt.  Pharaoh has been told to let Israel go and now begins the signs that He does to compel him to drive them out of his land.  Pharaoh will stubbornly want to keep Israel as slaves but God will afflict Egypt and force him to finally “drive them out”.  It will be a complete change in Pharaoh.  He will go from wanting to keep them and thinking who is Jehovah that he should listen to his voice to finally bending his will because of all the signs and wonders performed.

The first sign is the staff thrown down and turned into a serpent.  It is remarkable to see that the magicians of Egypt did likewise also.  I imagine they were the David Copperfields of the day.  Trickery and cunning deceit has been around for a long time.  The second sign all the water being turned into blood.  Again the magicians repeat this to some extent.  Notice that in both cases the magicians were still out done.  Aaron’s serpent consumed their serpents and the magicians could not reverse the water turned into blood.  They could imitate these signs but they could not outdo or overcome the signs.  And still Pharaoh’s heart was stubborn and hard.  He went away unconcerned about any of this.

God allows seven days to pass.  Seven days to think about these things, relent and obey.  Seven days of struggling to get water for the Egyptians.  We will see the power of God through these miracles.

Question:  Is God’s will ever going to be overcome?  Does God ever change His mind about what He is planning to do to a nation or people?

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Week 23, Day 2: The Raising of Lazarus

Today’s Reading:  John 13:1-14:31

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

I am impressed with the response that Jesus gets from raising Lazarus from the dead.  The group of Jews that accompanied Martha, Mary and Jesus to the tomb bare witness to the miracle.  A man dead for four days, decay has begun and the smell would’ve been strong.  At Jesus’ command this man comes forth alive, still bound in burial cloths.  Wow!  Certainly this would be enough for all to believe.  But, some of those eyewitnesses go off to the Pharisees.  The wording in 11:45-46 leads me to believe that these men did not believe in Jesus even after the miracle and went to report and plot with the Pharisees.  I have met at least one person while door knocking who said he would not believe in Jesus unless he saw Him coming down the street riding a donkey’s colt.  Others have said that what we need today is the working of miracles to instill faith in people.  If the Jews who witnessed this miracle first hand did not believe, how can people think that miracles automatically bring forth faith? 

Also, when you consider the crowds in Jerusalem, they had heard about Jesus raising Lazarus and sought to see Jesus and Lazarus.  The crowd welcomed Jesus (at first) as the king of Israel.  But when Jesus’ teaching does not match what they think the Christ is going to do (He says He will be lifted up) then they are troubled and do not believe in Him (12:32-34, 37).  Again, we see that even though Jesus did the miracles that should have been proof for everyone to believe and accept His words, they were not willing to let go of their own concepts in order to follow Him.  Miracles neither forced someone to believe nor made someone accept the teachings of Jesus.  The miracles simply provided the evidence needed to those who would be willing to consider these things and acept them from an open heart.

Today we do not have the miracles, but we still have the evidence and are still looking for those who would consider these things and accept them from an open heart.

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Week 1, Day 5

Today’s Reading:  Luke 9-10

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

In this reading, one thing that stuck out to me was how many miracles Jesus did.  Going back into Luke 4, we see Jesus telling the people that he was not going to do miracles among some of them.  Consider:

He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’ ” Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”
–Luke 4:23-27

This seems to indicate that Jesus was going to be selective (for various reasons) with the miracles that He would work.  However, in our current reading, we see Jesus working a very wide variety of miracles:

• The Centurion’s  servant is healed without Jesus even going to him.
• A dead man, in a funeral procession was raised.
• Jesus stilled the sea by speaking to it.
• A man cursed with demons was healed–the demons were cast into a flock of swine
• The woman with a hemorrhage for twelve years was healed by touching Jesus.
• Jairus’ daughter was raised from the dead.

There is much that I think is shown through these various miracles.  We learn a lot about not only the purpose of miracles, but a lot about Jesus Himself from these miracles.  We know that the Hebrew writer tells us that the purpose of miracles was to confirm the word that was being spoken:

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
–Hebrews 2:1-4

But, we see even more than that in these miracles.  Not only is Jesus proving who He is, and confirming the message He was delivering, but He reveals His own character as well.  He was not going to work miracles just to be some kind of a “sideshow” for the pleasure of the Pharisees, but when He was struck with compassion, He used His miraculous powers to help.  Several times throughout the reading, we are told that Jesus had compassion for someone, and at other times, though it is not stated, Jesus’ actions show His compassion.

Think of how different this is from the “faith healers” that we see today.  We don’t see people using their (fictitious) power for expressing compassion, but rather for profit.  Jesus could have certainly used His true power for profit, but He wasn’t going to do that.  he used His power to help people who needed help, and He used His power to prove who He was.

Finally, today I would like you to consider some of the lessons that can be learned from some of the miracles that Jesus worked in Luke 7-8.

• The healing of the centurion’s servant. In this miracle, Jesus was able to heal a person who was not even within sight.  This demonstrated Jesus’ control over space.  Jesus didn’t have to see someone to be able to work a miracle on him.  This is certainly a display of power, not only in healing the servant, but exhibiting power over the natural world.
• Raising the dead. At least twice in this reading Jesus raised the dead.  With all of the fake miracles that take place now (and took place then), this type of miracle stood out.  There was no faking this.  Jesus raised a man that was in a casket in a funeral procession.  No one doubted what they had seen!  This displays Jesus’ power over life and death–something no one else could claim at this point!
• Stilling the sea. Jesus was able to stop the tumultuous seas, which displayed His power over the natural realm.  He was able to speak to the seas, and they obeyed His voice.  We will see other instances of this as we continue with our studies.  It is important to understand how Jesus had power over all of the natural realm.  That is the very nature of the miraculous–it is not natural.  However, when we see Jesus calming the sea, we see Him showing power over what we call “nature” itself.
• Healing the woman with the hemorrhage. This is a most amazing miracle, because Jesus was able to heal this woman simply by having her touch Him.  I don’t believe that everyone who touched Jesus was healed.  However, this woman was healed, and Jesus knew that she was healed.  I believe that Jesus knew who it was that was touching her, and why she was touching Him.  He asked who it was to draw her out, to show that she had been healed, and to praise the faith that she had.  This miracle shows Jesus’ control over all His surroundings.  With all the people pushing against Him, and touching Him, He was still able to heal this one woman who touched the hem of His garments.

All miracles are amazing.  It is so interesting (at least to me) to consider the purpose for each of these miracles, and to see just how much power Jesus was exhibiting.  I’m sure that there is more that you can add to this discussion, or you can jump in with other things that you saw in this reading…there is a lot of good stuff in these chapters!

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