June 19, 2008
Exodus 40:34-38
"Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys."
Chapter 40 of Exodus concludes the book Moses had written. In this chapter contains the order for setting up the tabernacle, and the placing of the furniture. It also gives instruction to Moses on how to anoint with oil the tabernacle and its vessels, along with Aaron and his sons. The chapter will conclude with God taking possession of the tabernacle by the cloud by day and the fire by night. Moses could not even enter the tabernacle at these times.
There are a few things that stand out to me this morning. The first is how cloud covered the tabernacle. I believe this speaks of God living among His people. Throughout this section we encounter two attributes of God. One is His great grace and tender mercy. The King of glory was in the midst of His people! The second is His indescribable holiness. The Lord filled the tent and no one could draw near!
Another thing that stands out to me this morning is how the glory of the Lord, which was among His people, also directed the Israelites' movement. The appearance of His glory is sometimes called the Shekinah or the Shekinah glory, from the Hebrew for "to dwell."
How wonderful that the Book of Exodus concludes with this image of the gracious God, hovering protectively over His people. We as Christians today emphasize the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives (see Acts 2). But God was also present with His people before Jesus came in the flesh. A faithful Israelite follower of God could see the tabernacle and realize that God was there in His splendor and power. And with Him the people advanced to Canaan, the land He had promised to them.
And so Exodus is the history of God's people during the year between their deliverance from Egypt and the erection of the tabernacle at Mount Sinai. The book is filled with beautiful pictures of Christ and His moral perfections. It is our responsibility to worship this Christ of glory and to live in the light of His holiness.
I conclude with this reminder: the Israelites were once Egyptian slaves making bricks without straw. Here they were following the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire, carrying the tabernacle they had built for God. Exodus begins in gloom and ends in glory. This parallels our progress through the Christian life. We begin as slaves to sin, are redeemed by God, and end our pilgrimage living with God forever. We can learn much from the book of Exodus.
I pray that you would be guided by HIS presences today.
Holiness Unto The LORD,
Alan
June 18, 2008
Exodus 39:42-43
"According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them."
In chapter 39 of Exodus we are given the account of the finishing of the work of the tabernacle and more specifically the clothes for the service of the tabernacle. The garments of the priests consisted of the ephod and it curious girdle, the breastplate and the putting of the stones on it, and the fastening of it to the ephod. Also we find the robe of the ephod, the coats, the bonnets, the breeches, and the girdle of fine linen. All of these items belonging to the tabernacle are brought to Moses for him to view. Moses acknowledges that all the belongings are done exactly according to the commandments of the Lord and blessed the people.
The tabernacle was finally complete to the last detail. We can see very clearly that God was interested in every part of the building. The Creator of the universe was concerned about even the little things. Matthew 10:30 says that God knows the number of hairs on our heads. This shows that God is greatly interested in details. Don't be afraid to talk with him about any of your concerns?no matter how small or unimportant they might seem.
One of the Hebrew words that stands out to me this morning is the word mela'kah, (mel-aw-kaw') It means properly deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally employment (never servile) or work (abstract or concrete); also property (as the result of labor) :- business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation, (+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work ([-man], -manship). This Hebrew word can be found in 168 occurrences:
work, 127
Gen_2:2-3 (3), Exo_12:16, Exo_20:9-10 (2), Exo_31:14-15 (3), Exo_34:21, Exo_35:2 (2), Exo_35:21, Exo_35:24, Exo_35:29, Exo_35:33, Exo_35:35 (2), Exo_36:1-8 (9), Exo_38:24 (2), Exo_39:43, Exo_40:33, Lev_11:32, Lev_13:51, Lev_16:29, Lev_23:3 (2), Lev_23:7-8 (2), Lev_23:21, Lev_23:25, Lev_23:28, Lev_23:30-31 (2), Lev_23:35-36 (2), Num_4:3, Num_28:18, Num_28:25-26 (2), Num_29:1, Num_29:7, Num_29:12, Num_29:35, Deu_5:13-14 (2), Deu_16:8, 1Ki_5:16 (3), 1Ki_7:14, 1Ki_7:22, 1Ki_7:40, 1Ki_7:51, 1Ki_9:23 (2), 2Ki_12:11, 2Ki_22:5 (2), 2Ki_22:9, 1Ch_4:23, 1Ch_6:49, 1Ch_9:13, 1Ch_9:19, 1Ch_9:33, 1Ch_22:15, 1Ch_23:4, 1Ch_23:24, 1Ch_27:26, 1Ch_28:13, 1Ch_28:20, 1Ch_29:1, 1Ch_29:5-6 (2), 2Ch_4:11, 2Ch_5:1, 2Ch_8:9, 2Ch_8:16, 2Ch_16:5, 2Ch_24:12-13 (2), 2Ch_29:34, 2Ch_34:12-13 (2), Ezr_2:69, Ezr_3:8, Ezr_6:22, Ezr_10:13, Neh_2:16, Neh_4:11, Neh_4:15-17 (3), Neh_4:19, Neh_4:21, Neh_5:16 (2), Neh_6:3 (2), Neh_6:9, Neh_6:16, Neh_7:70-71 (2), Neh_10:33, Neh_11:12, Neh_13:10, Pro_18:9, Pro_24:27, Jer_17:22, Jer_17:24, Jer_18:3, Jer_48:10, Jer_50:25, Eze_15:3-5 (4), Hag_1:14
business, 12
Gen_39:11, 1Ch_26:29-30 (2), 2Ch_13:10, 2Ch_17:13, Neh_11:16, Neh_11:22, Neh_13:30, Est_3:9, Psa_107:23, Pro_22:29, Dan_8:27
workmen, 9
2Ki_12:14-15 (2), 1Ch_22:15, 1Ch_25:1, 2Ch_24:13, 2Ch_34:10 (2), 2Ch_34:17, Ezr_3:9
workmanship, 5
Exo_31:3, Exo_31:5, Exo_35:31, 1Ch_28:21, Eze_28:13
works, 3
1Ki_7:14, 1Ch_28:19, Psa_73:28
goods, 2
Exo_22:8, Exo_22:11
thing, 2
Lev_13:48, 1Sa_15:9
cattle, 1
Gen_33:14
industrious, 1
1Ki_11:28
labour, 1
Neh_4:22
made, 1
Lev_13:48
occupation, 1
Jon_1:8
occupied, 1
Jdg_16:11
stuff, 1
Exo_36:7
use, 1
Lev_7:24
As we can see from this list, God is in to "Work". He is watching our "work" and will eventually inspect our "work". I close with a New Testament passage:
Rev. 22:12 (KJV)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I pray that your labor would not be in vein. I pray that all you put your hand to do today would be fruitful and beneficial. I pray that you would be confident of the very thing, that He which began a good "work" in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Blessings, Alan
June 17, 2008
Exodus 38:21-23
This is the inventory of the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the Testimony, which was counted according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.
22 Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord had commanded Moses. 23 And with him was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer, a weaver of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine linen.
In Exodus, chapter 38, we have a continuation of the building of the tabernacle and the things belonging to it. This chapter will give an account of the making of the brazen altar, the laver of brass, the preparing of the hangings for the enclosing of the court in which the tabernacle was to stand (pillars, sockets, hooks and pins), and then follows an account of the quantities of gold, silver, and brass that was contributed to the preparing of the tabernacle.
Because the Old Testament can be seen as a foreshadow of things to come, there is much we can glean from this chapter. For example:
The Altar of Burnt Offering (38:1): The altar of burnt offering represents the cross, where the Lord Jesus offered Himself to God as a complete sacrifice. There can be no access to God apart from His sacrificial death.
The Laver (38:8): The laver speaks of the present ministry of Christ, cleansing His people by the washing of water with the Word (Eph. 5:26). The priests were required to wash their hands and feet before performing any service. So our actions and our walk must be clean before we can serve the Lord effectively. The laver was made from the bronze mirrors of the serving women. Glorification of self gave way to service for God.
The Outer Court, Pillars, and Screen (38:9): The outer court around the tabernacle consisted of white linen hangings, fifty-six pillars with bronze sockets and silver hooks, and an embroidered screen at the gate. The white linen speaks of the righteousness which bars the unbelieving sinner from approaching God, but which also separates and protects the believer inside. The only entrance to the court was the gate, made of fine woven linen and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet thread. This suggests Christ ("I am the door," John 10:9) here as the only way of approach to God. The fine linen is a picture of His spotless purity; the blue, of His heavenly origin; the purple, of His regal glory; the scarlet, of His suffering for sin.
It is apparent that whenever God has a task to do, He raises up people to do it. In building the tabernacle, Moses laid out the steps, but Ithamar supervised the project. Also, for the tabernacle He called and equipped Bezalel and Aholiab to carry out the skillful building of the tabernacle and used Hiram to supply materials. For the building of the church, he used His chosen workmen, the Apostles and Disciples. This should remind us all that we all have different talents and abilities. I pray that God would help you define what it is HE has called you to do this very hour and that you would be found faithful to the task.
May the grace of God keep you in HIS service.
Love In Christ,
Alan
June 16, 2008
Exodus 37:1-2
"Then Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits was its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold all around it."
Chapter 37 of Exodus continues the account of the making of the tabernacle and the furniture found in it. More specifically this chapter describes how Bezalel, who was called by God, (Exodus 31:1-5 "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.") constructed the different furniture such as:
The Ark of the Covenant (37:1): The ark was a chest made of acacia wood ... overlaid ... with pure gold. It pointed to the humanity and deity of our Lord. It contained the tablets of the Law, a golden jar of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. If applied to Christ, these things speak of Him as the One who said, "Your law is within my heart" (Ps. 40:8b); as the bread of God come down from heaven (John 6:33); and as the Priest of God's choosing, risen from the dead (Heb. 7:24). If applied to the people of Israel, they were all memorials of failure and rebellion.
The Mercy Seat (37:6): The mercy seat was God's throne, the place of His dwelling on earth. As the golden cherubim looked down upon it, they did not see the Law (which Israel had broken) or the jar of manna and Aaron's rod, both of which were associated with rebellions by Israel. Rather, they saw the sprinkled blood, which enabled God to be merciful to rebellious sinners. The mercy seat typifies Christ as the One "whom God set forth as a mercy seat" (Rom. 3:25, lit. 32) ... . The mercy seat was the lid of the ark.The Table of Showbread (37:10): The table of showbread held twelve loaves, "typical of Israel's place before God in the acceptability of Christ, who as the true Aaron maintains them even now before God." 33 The loaves may also speak of God's provision for each of the twelve tribes.
The Golden Lampstand and Its Accessories (37:17): Some see the lampstand of pure gold as a type of Christ, the true Light of the world (John 8:12). Others prefer to view it as picturing the Holy Spirit, whose mission is to glorify Christ, since it illuminates all that speaks of Christ in the holy place. Still others see it as typifying Christ in union with believers. The middle shaft is unique because the other six branches come out of it, three branches on each side; yet they are all made of one piece of gold.
The Altar of Incense (37:25): The altar of incense speaks of Christ being a perpetual sweet aroma of God. It also suggests the present ministry of the Lord Jesus, interceding for us in heaven.
The Anointing Oil and the Incense (37:29): Oil typifies the Holy Spirit, and the incense speaks of the ever-fragrant perfections of our Lord, bringing delight to His Father
What stands out to me this morning is how God is given to detail. I pray that this chapter would help you to realize how involved God wants to be involved in every detail of your life. He has a plan and purpose for each one us. May you accomplish all that God has for you today.
Holing on to the promises,
Alan
June 15, 2008
Exodus 36:6-7
So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary." And the people were restrained from bringing, 7 for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done-indeed too much.
In chapter 36 of Exodus the work on the tabernacle has begun. Bezaleel and Aholiab, with all of the gifted artisan's whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, and whose heart was stirred came to do the work on the tabernacle. In this chapter we also see how the people's contributions need to be stopped because the workers had more than enough to build the tabernacle. Next an account is given of what the Israelites brought and how the tabernacle was to be built. Details such as the curtains, the boards, the bars, the partition veil, and the hanging of the door are all given.
What stands out to me this morning is how the people needed to be restrained from giving anymore to the building of the tabernacle. This is a sign of God's people being stirred in their hearts to give and to give with a willing heart. The previous chapter records: 20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the Lord (Exodus 35:20-22).
The beautiful lesson in all of this is that when God stirs the hearts of his people, there is always enough. I pray that we would all be able to give sacrificially and with a willing heart so that God's Kingdom would advance in the earth.
One last comment is that in this passage we also see a great example in a leader. Had Moses aimed to enrich himself, he might have continued to ask the people to continue to bring in their offerings; and when the work was finished might have taken the remainder to himself: but he also preferred the people before his own private interest, and was therein a good example to all in public trusts.
Again, I pray for a willing heart and that we would know the blessings of obedience and sacrifice.
Love in Christ,
Alan
June 14, 2008
Exodus 35:4-9, 21-22
And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying: 5 Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats' hair; 7 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; 8 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate..21 Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart,."
In Exodus, chapter 35, Moses is giving Israel the instructions he received on Mount Sinai, the second time. In this chapter Moses is gives instruction concerning the Sabbath, concerning the contribution that was to be made for the building of the tabernacle, concerning those who are gifted and concerning the framing of the tabernacle and the utensils needed.
One of the questions that should be asked is "Where did the Israelites, who were once Egyptian slaves, get all this gold and jewelry?" The answer is found when the Hebrews left Egypt, they took with them the spoils from the land?all the booty they could carry (Exodus 12:35-36). This included gold, silver, jewels, linen, skins, and other valuables.
Those whose hearts were willing and stirred gave cheerfully to the Tent of Meeting (also called the tabernacle). With great enthusiasm they gave because they knew how important their giving was to the completion of God's house. God did not require these special offerings, but he appealed to people with generous hearts. Only those who were willing to give were invited to participate. The word in Hebrew is nadiyb, (naw-deeb'); It is from the Hebrew 5068 (nadab); which means properly voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant) :- free, liberal (things), noble, prince, willing ([hearted]).
I am reminded by this chapter of the New Testament principle that God loves cheerful givers (2 Cor. 9:7). This chapter, in Exodus, needs to remind us that our giving should be from love and generosity, not from a guilty conscience.
May the LORD find you with a willing heart.
A Grateful Giver,
Alan
June 13, 2008
Exodus 34:5-7
"Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."
In Exodus, chapter 34, we have four instances where we see the return of God's favor with His people. First, God gives Moses the command to take two new tablets of stone and meet with Him up on Mount Sinai. Then, on the mount God proclaims His name to Moses. Third, the instructions are given to Moses over the course of forty days together. Lastly, the honor is given to Moses when God sent him down with his face shining. In this entire chapter God is dealing with Moses as a public person and mediator between him and Israel (which is a foreshadow and type of the Great Mediator, Jesus Christ).
In Exodus 33:18, Moses had asked to see God's glory and in this chapter God is responding. The question is often asked, "What is God's glory?" It is very clear from Exodus 33 that it is his character, his nature, his way of relating to his creatures. Notice that God did not give Moses a vision of his power and majesty, but rather of his love. God's glory is revealed in his mercy, grace, compassion, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice. God's love and mercy are truly wonderful, and we benefit from them. We can respond and give glory to God when our character resembles His.
The Hebrew verb translated passed is the same verb that describes Abram's journey through the land of Canaan (See Gen. 12:6). The name in Hebrew `abar, (aw-bar'); speaks of the "movement" of the Lord before Moses. As the Lord moved by Moses, He proclaimed the meaning of His name Yahweh, revealing His gracious character in an unforgettable manner. The words merciful and gracious convey the idea of "overwhelmingly gracious." long-suffering: is the idea of the Hebrew idiom in that God is very slow to anger. In our idiom, we would say He has "a very long fuse." The Hebrew word for goodness means "loyal love" or "steadfast love"; the word for truth means "faithfulness," "truth," and "constancy." When the Gospel of John introduces Jesus as the Word, there is celebration of the fact that He is "full of grace and truth" (John 1:14, 17). In this way John echoes the words of this Old Testament passage.
I pray that you would experience God's love today and that you would know the God who is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.
Thank Him for His mercy
Thank Him for His grace
Thank Him for His patience
Thank Him for His abounding goodness and truth
Take time to Thank Him
Blessings, Alan
June 12, 2008
Exodus 33:15-16
Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth."
Chapter 33 of Exodus informs us about Moses encounter with God in that He refuses to go with the people, only sending and angel with them. God instructs Moses to: "Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people." The Israelites are filled with concern and begin acts of repentance by taking off their ornaments (jewelry). Moses then places the tabernacle outside the camp and begins to talk with the LORD in a friendly manner in the cloudy pillar that stood at the door of it. As a result the people worshipped, every man at his own tent door.
What stands out to me this morning is how Moses is earnest with God in prayer and prevails. God promises His presence and reveals His glory to Moses. "Your Presence" means literally in Hebrew "My Face." Moses even dared to say that the Presence of the Lord in the midst of His people was the only acceptable condition for further advance. Moses felt that only the Lord's Presence would demonstrate to surrounding nations that Israel's deliverance was really the work of the true and merciful God. Moses recognized that the surrounding nations had their eyes upon them and it was only the grace (favor) of God that would cause them to fulfill the promises that were given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Hebrew word for "grace" is chen, ("khane"); It is from Hebrew 2603 (chanan); It means graciousness, i.e. subjectively (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) :- favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
Just as Moses understood his need for God's presence and His grace, so we should recognize today that without HIM we will fail. The good news is that God has provided everything we need, to experience HIS presence and power. I close with a wonderful New Testament passage: Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."
I pray that you would experience HIS power today to deny ungodliness and worldly lust. May you know the presence of God that will lead you to live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age. Keep looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Zealous for good works, Alan
June 11, 2008
Exodus 32:31-32
Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin-but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."
Chapter 32 of Exodus gives us the account of the Israelites idolatry when they made and worshipped the golden calf. Moses is still on Mount Sinai when the Lord speaks the following to him, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt! " As a result of the peoples actions the Lord makes this statement to Moses: "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! 10 Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation."
It is important to see that when God first wanted to destroy the people, he was acting consistently with his justice. When Moses interceded for the people, God relented in order to act consistently with his mercy. God had often told the people that if they changed their ways, he would not condemn them.
What stands out to me this morning is the words of Moses as he intercedes (stands in the gap) for the people (sinners). He makes the following statement: "Blot me out of your book": This is the most touching moment in Moses' leadership of the Israelites. Like Paul many centuries later, he could almost wish himself to be cursed, if by being so he could secure the salvation of his people (see Rom. 9:3). Moses' offer could not be accepted. But his selfless gesture also resembles the self-sacrifice of Jesus, which God accepted as the atonement for the sins of every generation of humanity (Mark 10:45).
One thing we can learn from this chapter is that idolatry can kill you. Orders were given to the Levites to slay ever man his brother, companion and neighbor who did not join the Lord's side. In other words, those who hung on to their idolatress ways, in this incident about 3,000 men, were put to death. Idolatry is a serious matter throughout the scriptures. The answer to avoiding idolatry is found in the golden rule: Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
I pray that you would know how much God loves you and desire a pure relationship with you. If you have fallen short of His glory, I pray that you would know the forgiveness of sin by confessing and receiving HIS grace and mercy. I John 1:9 reminds us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Remember this also; true confession involves a commitment not to continue in sin. We wouldn't be genuinely confessing our sins to God if we planned to commit them again and just wanted temporary forgiveness. We should also pray for strength to defeat temptation the next time we face it.
Walking in HIS Grace, Alan
June 10, 2008
Exodus 31:3
"And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship"
Chapter 31 of Exodus reveals some of God's final words to Moses upon Mount Sinai. Moses had now been with God for forty days and forty nights. In this chapter we see how God gifts and appoints the workmen that should be involved in building and furnishing the tabernacle. God also repeats the law of the Sabbath and delivers to Moses the two tablets of stone that are written with the finger of God.
The phrase "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God" is indicative of the work of the Holy Spirit during Old Testament times. In this case, the Spirit empowered and gifted Bezalel and Oholiab with abilities in artistic craftsmanship. Passages such as this one help us to see the continuity of God's work among His people through the ages.
Besides the call to obedience, the Sabbath had two purposes: It was a time to rest and a time to remember what God had done. The simple truth is that we need rest. Without time out from the busyness of life, we can actually loose out on the meaning of life. In our day, as in Moses' day, taking time out is not easy. But God reminds us that without Sabbaths we will forget the purpose for all of our activity and lose the balance crucial to a faithful life. Let this chapter be a fresh reminder to you that we must make sure our Sabbath provides a time of both refreshment and remembrance of God.
One of the words that stand out to me this morning is the Hebrew word mela'kah, (mel-aw-kaw'); It is the same as Hebrew 4397 (mal'ak); properly deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally employment (never servile) or work (abstract or concrete); also property (as the result of labor) :- business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation, (+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work ([-man], -manship). Again, I find it encouraging in seeing how God is the one who prepares us for good works. I close with a new testament passage:
Ephes. 2:10 (KJV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
I pray that you would know and experience the filling of God's Spirit today. He has work for you and me to do.
Blessings, Alan
June 9, 2008
Exodus 30:10
"And Aaron shall make atonement upon its horns once a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonement; once a year he shall make atonement upon it throughout your generations. It is most holy to the Lord."
In Exodus, chapter 30, we learn about Moses' instructions concerning the altar of incense, concerning the ransom-money which the Israelites were to pay when they were numbered, concerning the laver of brass which was set for the priest to wash in, concerning the making up of the anointing oil and use of it, and concerning the incense and perfume which were to be burned on the golden altar.
There are two Hebrew words that are used to describe the English word "atonement". The first is, kippur, (kip-poor)'; meaning expiation (only in plural) :- atonement. The second is the word, kaphar, (kaw-far)'; It is a primitive root; and it means to cover (specifically with bitumen); figurative to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel :- appease, make (an) atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile (-liation).
This once-a-year ceremony was called the Day of Atonement. On this day a sacrifice was made for the sins of the entire Israelite nation. This was the only day the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, the innermost room of the tabernacle. Here he asked God to forgive the people. The Day of Atonement served as a reminder that the daily, weekly, and monthly sacrifices could cover sins only temporarily. It pointed toward Jesus Christ, the perfect atonement, who could remove sins forever.
This Day of Atonement was later specified in Lev. 16. The "atoning" of objects such as this was a ritual cleansing to make these objects holy before the Lord. Since man was sinful, the things he came in contact with were associated with his sinfulness. Once a year, everything in the tabernacle that man touched had to be ceremonially cleansed as well.
I close with Hebrews 9:6-15 "Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience- 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."
Just think, the instruction Moses was receiving back on Mount Sinai were pointing to God's eternal plan that was to be reveal at the coming of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest. May this always remind you that God has a plan and that He works all things together for good of those who love HIM and are called according to HIS purpose for them.
God is so good! Boast in HIM today!!
Blessings, Alan
June 8, 2008
Exodus 29:38-42
"Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. 39 One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight. 40 With the one lamb shall be one-tenth of an ephah of flour mixed with one-fourth of a hin of pressed oil, and one-fourth of a hin of wine as a drink offering. 41 And the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; and you shall offer with it the grain offering and the drink offering, as in the morning, for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord. 42 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet you to speak with you."
In chapter 29 of Exodus particular orders are given concerning the consecration of the priests, and the sanctification of the altar. Also we see this significant command concerning the daily sacrifice to which gracious promises are made in regards to their services unto the LORD.
What stands out to me today is how every morning and evening, a lamb was sacrificed in the temple for the sins of the people. What is even more exciting is how we read in Isaiah 53:7 how it is prophesied that the Messiah, God's servant, would be led to the slaughter like a lamb. To pay the penalty for sin, a life had to be given?and God chose to provide the sacrifice himself. The sins of the world were removed when Jesus died as the perfect sacrifice. This is the way our sins are forgiven (1 Cor. 5:7). In John 1:29 we read, "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" The "sin of the world" means everyone's sin, the sin of each individual. Jesus paid the price of our sin by His death. We receive forgiveness by confessing our sin to Him and asking for His forgiveness.
One last comment about this chapter is how we can notice the overwhelming emphasis on the holiness of God. The priests, the clothes, the tabernacle, and the sacrifice had to be clean and consecrated, prepared to meet God. This should remind us today of our need not to take God for granted. It is important that we do not rush into worship so as to treat God with almost a casual disregard. HE is so worthy of praise all glory all the day (Psalm 71:8).
I close with the admonitions from 1 Peter 4:11 "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
Love in Christ,
Alan
June 7, 2008
Exodus 28:41
"So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests."
Chapter 28 of Exodus gives us some details about the priests. Because God was teaching his people how to worship, He raised up ministers to oversee the operations of the tabernacle and to help the people maintain their relationship. These men were called priests and Levites, and they could only be members of the tribe of Levi. Not only was a priest from the tribe of Levi, but he also was a descendant of Aaron, Israel's first high priest. Priests had more responsibilities than Levites. As high priest, Aaron was in charge of all the priests and Levites. The priests performed the daily sacrifices, maintained the tabernacle, and counseled the people on how to follow God. They were the people's representatives before God and thus were required to live worthy of their office.
There was a process in which God would call this representative into this sacred office of priesthood. It included the following: #1 mashach, (maw-shakh'); It is a primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication to consecrate; also to paint :- anoint, paint. #2 has several words from the original text. The first one is male', (maw-lay)'; or mala', maw-law'; (Esth. 7:5), It is a primitive root; It means to fill or (intransitive) be full of, in a wide application (literal and figurative) :- accomplish, confirm, + consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, ª draw, give in, go) full (-ly, -ly set, tale), [over-] flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a [hand-] full, + have wholly. The second word is yad, (yawd); It is a primitive word; a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from Hebrew 3709 (kaph), the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications. #3 is the Hebrew word qadash, kaw-dash'; It is a primitive root; Meaning to be (make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonial or moral) :- appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), ª wholly.
What is important to observe in this passage is how Moses has the authority by God to anoint, consecrate, and sanctify these priests so that they may minister to God. Again, this is a foreshadow of what Jesus Christ would do:
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
I pray that you would walk in authority that Christ has provided for you. The power to live and function can be found in no other resource that what is provided in Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Blessings, Alan
June 6, 2008
Exodus 27:1-8
"You shall make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide-the altar shall be square-and its height shall be three cubits. 2 You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 Also you shall make its pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels and its basins and its forks and its firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 You shall make a grate for it, a network of bronze; and on the network you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 You shall put it under the rim of the altar beneath, that the network may be midway up the altar. 6 And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 The poles shall be put in the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar to bear it. 8 You shall make it hollow with boards; as it was shown you on the mountain, so shall they make it."
In chapter 27 of Exodus we find the directions given to Moses concerning the brazen altar for burnt-offerings; the court of the tabernacle, with the hangings of it; and concerning the oil for the lamp, that was never to go out.
It is interesting to note from this chapter how the altar of burnt offering was the first thing the Israelites saw as they entered the tabernacle courtyard. Here sacrifices were constantly made. Its vivid presence constantly reminded the people that they could only come to God by means of the sacrifice. It was the only way their sins could be forgiven and taken away.
However, what stands out to me this morning in this chapter is how Moses had a model of this altar showed him, and he was to be careful to instruct the workmen, and see to it, that they built it exactly according to the model given to him. Let me remind you of Exodus 24:18 "So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights." It is because of this encounter that we have the following statements:
Exodus 25:40
40 "And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain."
Exodus 26:30
30 "And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain."
Exodus 27:8
8 You shall make it hollow with boards; as it was shown you on the mountain, so shall they make it."
Moses was instructed by God and he obeyed. However, the book of Hebrews makes it clear that this instruction was only a foreshadow of what is to come.
5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises (Hebrews 8:5-6).
I pray that this passage would remind you of some important elements of your Christianity. # 1 God's law has been written on our minds and hearts. This is in contrast to the Mosaic Law which was written on tablets of stone. #2 As believers we can have a relationship with God that is fulfilling the promise of Lev. 26:12 "I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people" (see also 2 Cor. 6:16). #3 All will know God. In other words no longer will Pharisees and scribes have to teach the intricacies of the Law to the people. And #4 God will forgive our sins and remember them no more. The continual sacrifice of animals for the atonement of sin is no longer the answer. The answer is JESUS!!!
We can thank God for what Moses was instructed in on Mount Sinai but we can fully rejoice in what was accomplished on a hill outside Jerusalem.
We have much to rejoice in!
Blessings, Alan
June 5, 2008
Exodus 26:31-33
"You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. 32 You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. 33 And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy" 34 You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy. 35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand across from the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.
In chapter 26 of Exodus we have a description of the tabernacle itself, and first of its inward curtains, and then of the outward curtains. These ten curtains were divided into two sets. The inner curtains were made of delicate fabric with brilliant colors and exquisite design. All of this was hidden from public view.
The English word tabernacle comes from the Latin tabernaculum, meaning "tent." The Hebrew word mishkan, (mish-kawn') means literally "dwelling place." Sometimes it refers only to the tent. In other places, it means the tent with the surrounding courtyard. The same Hebrew word is used for the later shrine in Shiloh (Ps. 78:60) and for the worship shrines in Jerusalem before and after the building of the temple (Ps. 26:8; 46:4; 74:7).
What stands out to me this morning is the curtain that separated the two sacred rooms in the tabernacle?the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The priest entered the Holy Place each day to commune with God and to tend to the altar of incense, the lampstand, and the table with the bread of the Presence. The Most Holy Place was where God himself dwelt, his presence resting on the atonement cover, which covered the ark of the Testimony. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place and he could do so only once a year (on the Day of Atonement) to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Now this is the exciting part for me: when Jesus Christ died on the cross, the curtain in the temple (which had replaced the tabernacle) tore from top to bottom (Mark 15:38), symbolizing our free access to God because of Jesus' death. No longer did people have to approach God through priests and sacrifices. Symbolically, the curtain separated the holy God from sinful people. So again, when Jesus died, the curtain was torn in two, showing that his death for our sins had opened up the way for us to approach our holy God. And it was torn from top to bottom, showing that God had opened the way.
I close with Hebrews 9 where we gain a more complete understanding:
"Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. 7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; 8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience- 10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you." 21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another- 26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation."
I pray that you would be filled with joy today knowing that God has made a way for you. May you eagerly wait for His return and while you are waiting may you lead many to Christ.
Blessings, Alan
June 4, 2008
Exodus 25:1-9
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. 3 And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; 4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats' hair; 5 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; 6 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. 8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it."
Chapter 25 of Exodus begins an account of the orders and instructions God gave to Moses upon Mount Sinai for the erecting and furnishing of a tabernacle. First God gives orders for a freewill offering towards various things for the worship and service of God. Then He gives particular instructions concerning the ark of the covenant, the table of showbread and the golden candlestick.
What stands out to me this morning is the phrase "who gives is willingly". God does not need the gifts of His people, but He receives their gifts as a part of their true worship of Him. Yet in this passage God asks His people for specific, voluntary gifts. This is because He wanted gifts that were given freely and gladly, not under compulsion.
The word "willingly" is translated from the Hebrew word nadab, (naw-dab'); It is a primitive root; to impel; hence to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously :- offer freely, be (give, make, offer self) willing (-ly). In other words whatever we do for the worship and service of God, we should do it freely, cheerfully, and willingly. 2 Corinthian 9:7 reminds us, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." Not only should the believer give what he purposes in his heart but he is to make sure that he gives without compulsion, and without regret.
My prayer this morning is that we would worship in Spirit and in Truth. I pray that we would give unto the LORD the glory due HIS name. I close with the words of the Psalmist (Psalm 96:7):
"Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, give to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts."
Giving without regret,
Alan
June 3, 2008
Exodus 24:1-8
Now He said to Moses, "Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. 2 And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him." 3So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the Lord has said we will do." 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. 6 And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient." 8 And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words."
In chapter 24 of Exodus we have the account of Moses being ordered to "Come up to the Lord" and specifically alone (v. 2). However, before he did go up, he related to the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments, which the children of Israel promised to obey. So a covenant was made between God and the people by sacrifice, and by the sprinkling of blood. In this ceremony described here, Moses sprinkled half the blood from the sacrificed animals on the altar to show that the sinner could once again approach God because something had died in his place. He sprinkled the other half of the blood on the people to show that the penalty for their sin had been paid and they could be reunited with God. Through this symbolic act God's promises to Israel were reaffirmed and lessons are taught to us about the future sacrificial death (or atonement) of Jesus Christ.
What stands out to me this morning is how the sprinkling of blood on the people brought them into a covenant - "the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made". As their houses had been "under the blood" at the time of the Passover in Egypt (chapter 12), now the people themselves were under the blood of the covenant of the Lord. This resembles so beautifully our own relationship to God that is made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. 1:2 reminds us, "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied."
I leave you with this thought: Our fellowship with God is dependent on walking in God's light, where sin is revealed. Such revelation enables us to see our sins and brings us to seek Jesus for salvation. The truth is only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from all sin, making it possible for imperfect believers to have fellowship with a holy God. 1John 1:7 puts it this way: "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
I am praying that you would experience "the blood of the covenant" so that you may walk in the victory and liberty that God has provided. As the old chorus say's "I am free to be a servant of the LORD", may you know that freedom today.
Blessings, Alan
June 2, 2008
Exodus 23:
"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. 22 But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. 23 For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. 24 You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.
Chapter 23 of Exodus contains several laws, chiefly judicial, relating to the civil structure of Israel. These laws are concerning being a false witness, following and fellowshipping with the wicked, perverting justice, showing partiality to a poor man in dispute. There are also laws concerning doing good to an enemy in case any of his cattle goes astray, or falls under their burden. Then follows other laws concerning the sabbath of the seventh year, and of the seventh day, with a caution against the use of the names of idols. Next are laws concerning the appearance of all their males at the three feasts, and concerning the slaying of the sacrifice of the passover, and bringing the first of the firstfruits of the land.
What stands out to me this morning, in this chapter, is the promise that is made of sending "an angel" to them to bring them into the land of Canaan. This being is described as "My Angel," an equivalent to the expression "the Angel of the Lord." The Hebrew word translated angel can mean a supernatural angel or a human messenger (the prophet Malachi's name means "My Messenger"). The Hebrew word mal'ak, (mal-awk') is from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) :- ambassador, angel, king, messenger. Who was this angel that went with the Israelites? Most likely the angel was a manifestation of God. God was in the angel in the same way he was present in the pillars of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22). "My Name is in him" means the essential nature and power of God were made known in this angel.
The question also needs to be asked, "Why the angel?", and the answer was "to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared". In other words, God had a plan to preserve the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness, from all their enemies that should set upon them. This plan also included bringing them safe at last to the land of Canaan, which he had appointed for them, and promised to them, and had prepared both in his purpose and gift for them. "An Angel" would make way for their settlement in Canaan by driving out the nations before them.
This passage of scripture also reminds me of the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 91:9-11:
"Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways."
I pray that you would experience the LORD'S provision and safety today. It is HIS desire to keep you in HIS way and to bring you into the place which HE has prepared for you. Remember the key will always be that you make the LORD, who is your refuge, your dwelling place.
Trusting in His Keeping Power,
Alan
June 1, 2008
Exodus 22:5
"If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard."
In Chapter 22 we see how God is teaching His people by taking practical situations and showing how his laws would work in the Israelites' everyday lives. The various laws were concerning theft, damage done to fields, and vineyards by beasts, and to corn in stacks or standing, by fire, concerning any thing or creature deposited in the hands of a neighbor, and they be stolen or lost by one means or another, concerning anything borrowed, and it comes to be damage, concerning fornication, concerning witchcraft, lying with an animal, and idolatry, concerning oppression, and affliction of the stranger, fatherless, and widow, concerning taking usury and pledges, concerning irreverence to a ruler, concerning the offering of firstfruits to God, and the chapter is concluded with a law against eating anything torn by beasts in the field.
These laws had several objectives: #1 to protect the nation, #2 to organize the nation, and #3 to focus the nation's attention on God. We also find throughout Exodus 22 examples of the principle of restitution?making wrongs right. For example, if a man stole an animal, he had to repay double the beast's market value. Some of the goals of restitution would be: #1 to help ease any pain one had caused, #2 help the person offended to be more forgiving, and #3 to make the offender more likely to think before he did it again.
The Hebrew word for "restitution" is the word shalam, shaw-lam'; It is a primitive root; to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figurative to be (causative make) completed; by implication to be friendly; by extension to reciprocate (in various applications) :- make amends, (make an) end, finish, full, give again, make good, (re-) pay (again), (make) (to) (be at) peace (-able), that is perfect, perform, (make) prosper (-ous), recompense, render, requite, make restitution, restore, reward, ª surely. As we read this Hebrew word we can't help but think of the word "shalom" which is translated in English to "peace". In other words, God's desire is to bring peace between the offended parties.
God's plan for restitution is good news when you consider the separation between man and God caused by sin. Romans 3:23 reminds us that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 say's "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord", and Romans 5:8-11 declares "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."
Take time to reflect on God's laws and precepts. In doing so I pray that you will always be able to see the "heart of God" that wants to bring restitution.
Walking in HIS shalam & shalom
Alan
May 31, 2008
Exodus 21:1
"Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them:"
In Chapter 21 we read about the various laws and precepts the children of Israel would be governed by. The laws were partly moral, and partly religious, but chiefly of a civil nature, respecting the commonwealth of Israel, and its political good.
The word translated here the judgments is one of several Hebrew words that describe the Law (the Torah). In Hebrew the word is mishpat, mish-pawt'; from Hebrew 8199 (shaphat); properly a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or [participle] divine law, individual or collective). This word describes God's response to a specific action, something like an umpire's call. Laws that appear in this section are responses to specific cases among the Israelites. Often the people would present critical or difficult disputes to Moses (see ch. 18). When Moses had to render a decision on an issue that he was not sure about, he would ask the Lord. The decisions that he gave became known as case law or casuistic law. Such laws differed from the Ten Commandments, known as apodictic law.
The laws in chapter 21, and the laws we will read in the next two chapters, can remind us that everything we do has consequences. It is vital that we think before we act and to consider the effects of our choices. However, as I have read these last two chapters (Ex. 20 & 21), I have been reminded of a new testament passage - 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 which say's "But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious." In 2 Corinthians three Paul is listing the contrasts between the Old Testament ministry and the New Testament ministry. First, the Old Testament ministry engraved on stones (a reference to the Ten Commandments) was glorious, but the ministry of the Spirit is more glorious, because the glory of the ministry of the Law given through Moses was passing away. Besides, though the Law itself is holy (Rom. 7:12), the ministry of the Law is the ministry of death, whereas the ministry of the Spirit is the ministry of life (v. 6). The Holy Spirit produces eternal life.
Paul is saying that if the old covenant had its glory (and certainly it did), just imagine how glorious the new covenant is. The law was wonderful because, although it condemned us, it pointed us to Christ. But in the new covenant, the law and the promise are fulfilled. Christ has come?by faith we can be justified (made right with God)!
Remember, God's "judgments which you shall set before them" are meant to lead us to Christ. I pray that you would see your need for daily bread today. I pray that you would continue to learn to feed upon HIS HOLY WORD. I pray that the HOLY SPIRIT would guide you into TRUTH, HUMILITY, JUSTICE, AND MERCY.
Enjoying His Sabbath,
Alan
May 30, 2008
Exodus 20:3-17
#1 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
#2 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
#3 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
#4 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: [10] But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: [11] For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
#5 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
#6 Thou shalt not kill.
#7 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
#8 Thou shalt not steal.
#9 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
#10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
In chapter 20 we have the account of the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. We refer to them as the "Ten Commandments" (also called the Decalogue). The Israelites had just come from Egypt, a land of many idols and many gods. Because each god represented a different aspect of life, it was common to worship many gods in order to have protection and get the maximum number of blessings. When God told his people to worship and believe in him, that wasn't so hard for them?he was just one more god to add to the list. However when he said, "You shall have no other gods before me," that was difficult for the people to accept, just as it is today. But if the people didn't learn that the God who led them out of Egypt was the only true God, they could not be his people?no matter how faithfully they kept the other nine commandments. God made this his first commandment and emphasized it more than the others.
All the commandments were designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness. In them, people could see the nature of God and his plan for how they should live. The commands and guidelines were intended to direct the community to meet the needs of each individual in a loving and responsible manner. The question often comes up: Do we have to keep the ten commandments? The answer is YES! However the good news is that because of what Jesus accomplished at the cross and because of the promise of the Holy Spirit, we have the law written in our hearts. We are to be love motivated. The Apostle John records Jesus' words: 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another. (John 15:12-17). How comforting and reassuring to be chosen as Christ's friends. Because he is Lord and Master, we owe him our obedience, but most of all, Jesus asks us to obey him because we love him.
True love will adhere to these 10 commandments. I pray that God's word would flow in and through you today. May God give you opportunity to boast in HIS friendship with you.
Love in Christ,
Alan
May 29, 2008
Exodus 19:3-6
And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."
In chapter 19 we have an account of the children of Israel camping before Mount Sinai. For the first time in Exodus, the term covenant is used to refer to the Lord's solemn arrangement with the Israelites at Mount Sinai, sometimes called the Mosaic Covenant. The word in Hebrew is beriyth, (ber-eeth'); from Hebrew 1262 (barah) (in the sense of cutting [like Hebrew 1254 (bara')]); It means a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) :- confederacy, [con-]feder[-ate], covenant, league. This same word is also used for binding treaties between Israel and other nations (see 23:32; 34:12, 15). Encamped before Mt. Sinai, the Israelites encountered their God, who had recently delivered them from Egyptian slavery (Gen. 12:1; Ex. 12; 13). God formalized his relationship with the Israelites with a covenant. That is, God came to the Israelites as the Great King and presented to them a binding treaty in which He would make certain promises to them and they would have certain obligations as his servants. It is important to mention that his was not a treaty between equals; it was a treaty between the superior King and his inferior servants.
We also see from this chapter that when Moses meets with the Lord from the mountain, God instructs him to communicate to the Israelites who He was and how He had acted on their behalf. He makes it clear that He was their deliverer who had snatched them from their oppressors. And if they covenanted with Him, God promised to make the Israelites His "special treasure" (v. 5). He would lavish special attention on them and make them "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (v. 6). On the one hand, Israel would become holy-or distinct and separate from all other nations-because of its special relationship with God. But on the other hand, Israel, in its separation, was to be the means by which the other nations would learn of the living God. This nation of priests would lead others to a correct worship of the true God (Ps. 117).
Why did God choose Israel as his nation? God knew that no nation on earth was good enough to deserve to be called his people, his "treasured possession." He chose Israel, not because of anything they had done, but in his love and mercy he chose Israel in spite of the wrong the nation had done and would do.
Why did he want to have a special nation on earth? To represent his way of life, to teach his Word, and to be an agent of salvation to the world. "All nations on earth" would be blessed through Abraham's descendants (Genesis 18:18). Gentiles and kings would come to the Lord through Israel (Isaiah 60:3). Through the nation of Israel, the Messiah, God's chosen Son, would be born. God chose one nation and put it through a rigorous training program, so that one day it could be a channel for his blessings to the whole world.
I pray that you would be encouraged today knowing that the LORD is a covenant keeping God. His promises are true!
Serving HIM,
Alan
May 28, 2008
Exodus 18:17-26
So Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace." 24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.
Chapter 18 begins with an account of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, with Zipporah his daughter and two sons meeting him in the wilderness. Moses shares the great things God had done for Israel and Jethro expresses his joy by giving thanks, offering a sacrifice, and keeping a feast with the elders of Israel. It is after this account that Jethro witnesses Moses intense schedule of judging the people from morning to evening. Jethro gives Moses advice to appoint persons under him to receive laws and ordinances from Moses so they could also make known the statutes of God and His laws. It is the counsel of Jethro for Moses to teach the broad areas of God's instruction, and others would deal with more mundane cases. Major matters would still be brought to Moses. Jethro listed only five qualifications for the men who would assist Moses. His list has some similarities to the qualifications for church offices in the New Testament (1 Tim. 3:1). #1 They were to be able men having strength, efficiency, and wealth (see Gen. 47:6; Ruth 3:11; Prov. 12:4; 31:10). #2 They were to fear God, showing piety, reverence, godly humility, and ready obedience (see Gen. 22:12). #3 They were to be men of truth, conforming to God's character (see 34:6). #4 They were to hate (turn from) covetousness, so they could not be bribed. #5 They were to be ranked, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. In other words, each man was to be accountable to someone else.
This chapter will end with one of the reason for Moses' success as a leader. He was willing to listen to others and to improve the way he was doing things. This was also a mark of his leadership ability and his lack of self-absorbing pride (see Num. 12).
May prayer for you this morning is that you would know where true counsel comes from. I close with Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper".
Learning Where True Success Comes From,
Alan
May 27, 2008
Exodus 17:2-6
Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that we may drink." So Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?" 3 And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" 4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" 5 And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink."
In Chapter 17 we find two significant stories are recorded. The first is how the children of Israel come to Rephidim desiring water to drink. In their want they contended with Moses. The word in Hebrew is riyb, (reeb); or ruwb, roob; It is a primitive root; properly to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figurative to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend :- adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, ª ever, ª lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, ª thoroughly. This verb is often used in the prophets to describe a judicial dispute (Mic. 6:2). Here it means a grumpy complaining. Moses judged this to be a challenge to God's faithful mercy, and evidence of unbelief in His provision. This was not the first time that the people had complained against Moses (14:11, 12; 16:2, 3); sadly, it would not be the last.
After the children of Israel contend with Moses and tempted the Lord, Moses cries out to the Lord, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" It is a result of this plea that God ordered Moses to strike the rock and it is at this rock that the presence of God came down in a unique way. Later Paul said, "that Rock was Christ!" (See 1 Cor. 10:4; compare also Deut. 32:30, 31, 37.) It is in Exodus 14:21 that Moses had been commanded to hold his rod over a body of water, and it became dry. It is here that he was to strike a rock in a dry desert so that water would come from it. The striking of the rock pictured the coming death of the Savior. Water to satisfy the people's thirst came from the rock that was struck. This encounter signified that one day, living water to satisfy spiritual thirst would come from the death of Jesus, our Rock.
The second story in this chapter is about the defeat of the host of Amalek. The victory was obtained by the prayer of Moses, the support of Aaron and Hur, by the holding up of his hands, and by the courage and leadership of Joshua. This is a wonderful example of team ministry.
I close with some background of the Amalekites, who were descendants of Amalek, a grandson of Esau. They were a fierce nomadic tribe that lived in the desert region of the Dead Sea. They made part of their livelihood by conducting frequent raids on other settlements and carrying off stolen goods. They killed for pleasure. One of the greatest insults in Israelite culture was to call someone "a friend of Amalek." When the Israelites entered the region, the Amalekites saw this as a perfect opportunity for both pleasure and profit. But this hostile tribe was moving in on the wrong group?a people led by God. For the Israelite slaves to defeat such a warlike nation was more than enough proof that God was with them as he had promised to be.
I pray that you would be reminded today that God is the one who brings victory into your life. May you be aware of HIS resources and may you be equipped with HIS faith, hope and love.
Rejoicing in the Living Water,
Alan
May 26, 2008
Exodus 16:2-5
Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. 3 And the children of Israel said to them, "Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 5 And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily."
Chapter 16 begins with an account of the journeying of the children of Israel from Elim to the wilderness of Sin, where they murmured for want of food. It is sad to observe how when the Israelites encountered danger, shortages, and inconvenience, they complained bitterly and longed to be back in Egypt. But as always, God provided for their needs. The Lord tells Moses that He will "rain bread from heaven to you." Difficult circumstances often reveal what is in ones heart. It is most likely that the Israelites didn't really want to be back in Egypt; they just wanted life to get a little easier. In the pressure of the moment, they could not focus on the cause of their stress (in this case, lack of trust in God); they could only think about the quickest way of escape. When pressure comes your way, resist the temptation to make a quick escape. Instead, focus on God's power and wisdom to help you to trust HIM in your stress. Remember it is HIS faithfulness to allow testing to come to reveal what is in your heart so that change can come.
One last thing to note is how "Manna" appeared on the ground each day as thin flakes like frost. The people gathered it, ground it like grain, and made it into honey-tasting pancakes. For the Israelites the manna was a gift?it came every day and was just what they needed. It satisfied their temporary physical need. In John 6:48-51 Jesus compares himself to manna. Christ is our daily bread who satisfies our physical, eternal, and spiritual need.
I leave you with the words of an old hymn:
"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust You.
How I've proved Him or'e and or'e.
Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus.
Oh for Grace to trust Him more."
I pray that you would position yourself for God to fill you with His grace. It is sufficient!
Love in Christ,
Alan
May 25, 2008
Exodus 15:25-27
"..There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, 26 and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you." 27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters.
Chapter 15 contains the first psalm (or song) of any length in the Bible. Other poetic sections in Genesis (for example, Gen. 1:27; 3:14, 17- 19; 4:23, 24) are too brief to be called psalms. On banks of the Red sea the Israelites celebrate their passage through the sea and the destruction of Pharaoh and his soldiers. In this chapter we are also given an account of the march of the children of Israel from the Red sea to the wilderness of Shur, and of the bitter waters found at Marah. It is here that we read how the children of Israel begin to murmur because of the lack of drinking water. Moses, after crying to the LORD, is instructed to cast a tree into the waters and the waters were made sweet.
This chapter will conclude with a promise from God that if the people obeyed him they would be free from the diseases that plagued the Egyptians. Little did they know that many of the moral laws he later gave them were designed to keep them free from sickness. "none of the diseases": As God had transformed the bitterness of the waters of Marah, so He promised to preserve His people from illness (see 23:25). The descriptive phrase "I am the Lord who heals you" testifies to the mercy and power of God. It is still true today: all healing comes from the Lord.
The chapter ends with their coming to Elim, where they found twelve wells of water, and seventy palm trees, and there encamped. Elim means "Place of Trees." The wells and palms of Elim were a welcome relief from the barrenness of the wasteland. Many times the Bible compares wells and springs to salvation and palm trees to blessing (see Ps. 1). Marah stood for the unbelieving, grumbling attitude of the people who would not trust God. Elim stands for God's bountiful provision. How easy it is to grumble and complain too quickly, only to be embarrassed by God's help!
I pray that you would have an Elim experience. That God would lead you to a place of bountiful provision and blessing. Keep singing and testifying about the mercy and power of God.
Continuing to be Healed and Delivered,
Alan
May 24, 2008
Exodus 14:10-14
And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness." 13 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Chapter 14 begins with the directions of God to Moses about the course they were to steer in their journey. Then a report was brought to Pharaoh that the Israelites had fled, and as the result of his hardened heart this caused him and his servants to get ready and pursue after them, as they did with a great army. When the Israelites saw Pharaoh and his men it put them in great fear, and set them to murmuring and complaining against Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. We cannot fault the people for being "very afraid"; fear itself is not a sin. However, the sarcastic remark to Moses that there were "no graves in Egypt" showed a lack of faith. This is just the first of a series of complaints that they leveled against Moses. With each one their grumbling grew into open hostility (see 16:2, 3; 17:2, 3). The statement "let us alone" refers to Israel's response to Moses and Aaron after their first, disastrous approach to Pharaoh (5:21).
It is interesting to note that despite their harsh words, Moses did not lash out against the complaining people. Instead he sought to encourage them with a promise that they would "see the salvation of the Lord". The Hebrew word for "salvation" is yeshuw`ah, (yesh-oo'-aw); it is a feminine passive participle of Hebrew 3467 (yasha`); it means something saved, i.e. (abstract) deliverance; hence aid, victory, prosperity :- deliverance, health, help (-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare. This "salvation" also comes from a term that has to do with room or space. The people were under great pressure, squeezed between the waters before them and the armies of Pharaoh behind them. Salvation would relieve the pressure in a most dramatic way.
Even though the people were hostile and despairing, Moses encouraged them to watch the wonderful way God would rescue them. Moses had a positive attitude! When it looked as if they were trapped, Moses called upon God to intervene. We may not be chased by an army, but we may still feel trapped. Instead of giving in to despair, we should adopt Moses' attitude to "stand still and see the deliverance the Lord.. will bring."
This is my prayer for you today - May "The Lord .fight for you, (so that) . you shall hold your peace."
Walking and Rejoicing In HIS Salvation,
Alan
May 23, 2008
Exodus 13:17-19
Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.
Chapter 13 begins with an order to sanctify or set apart the firstborn of man and beast to the Lord. The people of Israel are also charged to keep the feast of unleavened bread in its season, from year to year, when they came into the land of Canaan. When their children inquired the reason of it, they were to be told it was on account of the Lord's slaying the firstborn of men and beast among the Egyptians, and when Pharaoh would not let Israel go, the strength of the hand of the Lord was brought out towards Egypt.
Verses 17-19 observes how when the children of Israel went out of Egypt, they were not led by the nearest way, the way of the land of the Philistines, but a round about way, the way of the wilderness of the Red sea. The reason given is "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." I find this statement very insightful to God's knowledge of what man is capable of. We also read in these verses about the story of the last wish of Joseph and his death is found in Gen. 50:22. How wonderful to know that over four hundred years later this dying wish, which required great faith in the living God, was accomplished!
In the end of Chapter 13 God's presence with His people was made dramatically apparent in a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire (14:19, 20, 24; 40:38; Num. 9:21). God stayed with His people throughout the Exodus experience. By these and other wonderful signs He made Himself unforgettable! Because God is Spirit (John 4:24), it is a mark of His gracious character that He made His presence seen and felt among His people.
I pray that you would be able to see from this chapter that God doesn't always work in the way that seems best to you. Again, instead of guiding the Israelites along the direct route from Egypt to the promised land, He took them by a longer route to avoid fighting with the Philistines. If God does not lead you along the shortest path to your goal, don't complain or resist. Follow Him willingly and trust Him to lead you safely around unseen obstacles. The truth is God can see the end of your journey from the beginning, and He knows the safest and best route. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide today.
Standing In HIS Faithfulness,
Alan
May 22, 2008
Exodus 12:24-28
And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. 25 It will come to pass when you come to the land which the Lord will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 And it shall be, when your children say to you, What do you mean by this service? 27 that you shall say, It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households. " So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
Chapter 12 of Exodus gives an account of one of the most memorable ordinances recorded in the Old Testament. It is referred to as the "Passover" and it commemorated God's deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Because of this tenth plague every firstborn child of the Egyptians died, but the Israelite children were spared because the blood of the lamb had been placed on their doorframes.
For the Israelites to be spared from the plague of death of the first born, a lamb with no defects had to be killed and its blood placed on the doorframes of each home. What was the significance of the lamb? In killing the lamb, the Israelites shed innocent blood. The lamb was a sacrifice, a substitute for the person who would have died in the plague. From this point on, the Hebrew people would clearly understand that for them to be spared from death, an innocent life had to be sacrificed in their place. The Israelites were commissioned by the Lord to keep this "service" so that the children would learn of God's great deliverance. The word "service" in Hebrew is the word `abodah, (ab-o-daw'); or abowdah, (ab-o-daw'); It means work of any kind :- act, bondage, + bondservant, effect, labour, ministering (-try), office, service (-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, ª wrought. In other words the people of God are called to make this ordinances high priority.
The Passover also pointed to the coming Deliverer and Savior of all people. More specifically, the New Testament identifies the Passover lamb, the young lamb sacrificed in place of the family's firstborn, as a type of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Right at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, John the Baptist prophetically announced that Jesus was "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Furthermore, Paul wrote that "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Cor. 5:7). Finally, Peter identified Jesus as the "lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:19). All these New Testament references allude to the Passover lamb.
We understand from the Old Testament that the Passover lamb had to be #1 without blemish, #2 male, and #3 young. It also had to be #4 examined (four days from the selection to the sacrifice) and #5 it had to be slain in public, #6 none of its bones were to be broken and finally #7 its blood on the Israelites' doorposts was a sign that God should pass over and not destroy that family's firstborn (12:3, 46; Num. 9:12). Here is the good news, as we read the Gospels (New Testament) we see that Jesus fulfilled all the requirements for the "Passover".
I pray that you would be intimate with "Christ, our Passover" who "was sacrificed for us". May you always know the significance of HIS blood being shed for you. Thank God for the "lamb without blemish and without spot".
Rejoicing in Hope,
Alan
May 21, 2008
Exodus 11:1-3
And the Lord said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold." 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
Chapter 11 of Exodus introduces the final plague on Egypt. Moses receives instruction from the Lord that Pharaoh will let the people go after the death of the first born in the land of Egypt.
Another remarkable component of the Exodus was the Egyptians' favor (or grace) toward the Hebrews and admiration for their leader Moses. The Hebrew word for "favor" is çï chên (khane). It means to have graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): - favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
After all that had happened during the plagues, we might expect the opposite reaction from the people in Egypt. But the positive feelings for Moses were shared, amazingly enough, even by Pharaoh's servants. This, too, is a part of the great victory the Lord had won over His enemy Pharaoh (who represents evil, sin, ungodliness, and even Satan; see 15:3).
I would also like to mention that in some of the other nine plagues, the text specifically says that God protected His people from the effects (8:22; 9:4, 26; 10:23). Here too it states in Exodus 11 that none of the children of Israel would suffer in this last devastating plague. God serves notice that He recognized a difference between the Egyptians and Israelites.
What a beautiful story of how God can turn a situation from slavery to freedom, from bondage to liberty, from tragedy to triumph, and from despair to deliverance. God's distinction makes all the difference in the world. Hope will always arise out of a people who will believe God's Word. Let me remind you of the words found in the book of Hebrews: 24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (Heb. 11:24-28)
I am asking God to grant you favor and deliverance today. I pray that you would fight the good fight of faith and hold on to the promises of God.
Choosing to walk by faith,
Alan
May 20, 2008
Exodus 10:1-2
Now the Lord said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord."
Chapter 10 is introduced with giving the reasons why the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh (Ex. 10:1). Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh, and once more demanded in the name of the Lord the release of the people of Israel. The eighth plague is introduced at this time and the servants of Pharaoh plead with him to let the people go. Pharaoh at this time is only willing to release the Hebrew men and not answer the request of Moses and Aaron to release men, women, children, and flocks. In verse 11 Moses and Aaron are driven out of Pharaoh's presence and therefore as a result the locusts were brought on all the land.
For the second time, as a result of the devastation, Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron to acknowledge his sin, pray for forgiveness, and to desire Moses and Aaron to entreat the Lord to remove the plague, which they did, but still Pharaoh's heart was hardened (see comments from yesterday's devotion).
Then follows the ninth plague of thick darkness over all the land for three days, which brought Pharaoh to yield that all should go with them excepting their flocks and herds; but Moses not only insisted that not a hoof should be left behind, but that Pharaoh should give them sacrifices and burnt offerings. Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he refused to comply, and Moses was told to be gone, and take care never to see his face any more, and which Moses agreed to.
The question needs to be asked "why was Pharaoh so reluctant to let the people go?" Part of the answer is that the Hebrews were Egypt's free labor?the builders of their great cities. As Egypt's leader, Pharaoh would not easily let such a great resource go. However, even greater still is that God wanted to reveal to the people of God and to the whole world, this simple and yet profound truth: "for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the Lord."
God told Moses that his miraculous experiences with Pharaoh should be retold to his descendants. You and I are also called to declare the powerful works of God. I pray that you would know HIS power and presence today. I pray that God would reveal to you that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is only doing wondrous things!
Blessing His Name,
Alan
May 19, 2008
Exodus 9:27-30
27 And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. 28 Entreat the Lord, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." 29 So Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the Lord; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the Lord's. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the Lord God." 31 Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops. 33 So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the Lord; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses.
In chapter 9 we have an account of three more of the plagues of Egypt. Plague # 5 was the livestock diseased; plague #6 was the boils upon man and beast; and plague #7 was the hail, with thunder and lightning.
During this 7th plague Moses stretches out his hands, when ordered by the Lord, and the storm begins. Everything that is left in the field throughout the land is destroyed, except in the land of Goshen. It is after this plague that Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, acknowledge his sin, the justice of God, and the need for intercession. But even after this Pharaoh's heart was still more hardened, and he refused to let the people of God go.
The scriptures record, "he sinned yet more, and he hardened his heart, he and his servants." So instead of giving glory to God, who had heard the prayers of Moses and Aaron, Pharaoh and his people sinned yet more. This reminds me of the Book of Revelation that records: "And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great."(Rev. 16:21).
You would think that a person, who witnesses God's judgment, acknowledges their sin, and asked for prayer, would start flying straight. As we can see from this chapter, and in the book of Revelation, it is not so. I believe we can find the answer to the problem in Jesus' teaching on the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (see Matthew 13). It all comes down to a "heart" issue.
I pray that your heart would be open to God's word living and abiding in you today. Remember, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth does speak. I close with the Psalmist prayer:
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart- these, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:10-17).
Rejoicing in HIS Salvation,
Alan
May 18, 2008
Exodus 8:29-32
25 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land." 26 And Moses said, "It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the Lord our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us? 27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the Lord our God as He will command us."
28 So Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me." 29 Then Moses said, "Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the Lord, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord."
In chapter 8 Pharaoh and his people experience three more plagues: frogs, lice, and flies. These plagues were troublesome to Pharaoh that he promised to let the people go, and to sacrifice to God, if they removed them. Moses prayed to God for there removal, however each time Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not let the people go.
We also see in this chapter how Pharaoh wanted a compromise. He would allow the Hebrews to sacrifice, but only if they would do it nearby. "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land." that is, in the land of Goshen, in the place where they were; he was willing to allow them the liberty of sacrificing to their God, but then he would not consent they should go out of the land to do it.
God's requirement, however, was firm: The Hebrews had to leave Egypt. Moses also brings out to Pharaoh that the Israelites would be sacrificing animals that the Egyptians regarded as sacred, and this would be offensive to them. Moses was concerned about a violent reaction to sacrificing these animals near the Egyptians.
Sometimes people urge believers to compromise and give only partial obedience to God's commands. But commitment and obedience to God cannot be negotiated. When it comes to obeying God, half measures won't do. Also, I believe it is important to bring out the danger we have in our society that church and state cannot mix. Some how it is OK to worship God inside the four walls of our church building but worship outside this context is proselytizing. We need to continue to pray that the church would not be silenced by the Pharaohs of our day. The hardness of men's heart is real but remember God has an eternal plan that will be accomplished with or without us. I choose to be a part of it. Can you say Amen!
Being freed up to worship,
Alan
May 17, 2008
Exodus 7:1-5
So the Lord said to Moses: "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land. 3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them."
In chapter 7 Moses and Aaron are ordered to go to Pharaoh, and require the freedom of the people of Israel. However, they are told before hand that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened, and would refuse to let them go, until the hand of the Lord was stretched out, and great judgments were brought down upon Egypt. Through God's power Moses and Aaron work a miracle, but Pharaoh's magicians do something similar in appearance and so Pharaoh's heart is hardened.
It is interesting to note that God allows Pharaoh's heart to be hardened so that the Egyptians would "know", which is the Hebrew word yada`, (yaw-dah'); and it means to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figurative, literal, euphemism and inference (including observation, care, recognition; and causative instruction, designation, punishment, etc.) [as follow] :- acknowledge. What the Egyptians will "know" is that the Hebrew God is Yehovah, (yeh-ho-vaw'); which means (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah.
This is beautiful when you put this together because what is being declared is the eternal plan of God. The Egyptian way is temporal, it will be judged against the eternal plans of God. In other words, God's great judgments will reveal the weakness of man and demonstrated the power and love of Yehovah.
I pray that you would rejoice in knowing that God is all powerful and in the end every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.
In Hope,
Alan
May 16, 2008
Exodus 6:1-9
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land." And God spoke to Moses and said to him: "I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord I was not known to them. 4 I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord. " 9 So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.
In chapter 6 of Exodus we find the Lord encouraging Moses with hope for success from His name Yehovah, (yeh-ho-vaw)'; which is from Hebrew 1961 (hayah); and means (the) self-Existent or Eternal. In this chapter Yehovah orders Moses to assure the children of Israel that He would deliver them from their bondage and burdens, and bring them into the land of Cannan. Moses is sent again to Pharaoh to demand the freedom of Israel, to which he seems unwilling. Next follows a genealogy of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, which seems to be given for the sake of Moses and Aaron, and to show their descents.
What stands out to me this morning is that despite God's powerful words to Moses, the people were still unwilling to believe. It appears that their cruel suffering overwhelmed them and Hebrews didn't want to hear any more about God and his promises because the last time they listened to Moses, all they got was more work and greater suffering. "Because of anguish of spirit": the word in Hebrew for "anguish" is qotser, (ko'-tser); it is from Hebrew 7114 (qatsar) and means: shortness (of spirit), i.e. impatience :- anguish.
The truth is sometimes a clear message from God is followed by a period when no change in the situation is apparent. During that time of testing we will either press deeper into the things of God or turn away from wanting to hear more about God. The good news is that the Jewish people would eventually believe! They needed to experience the reality of the living God (see Exodus 14:31).
I would like to close with a reminder of the battle we face today. There is a war going on, a test of endurance. Again, the good news is that Yehovah has spoken provision and power.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage....16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:1, 16-26)
Love In Christ,
Alan
May 15, 2008
Exodus 5:4-9; 22-23
Then the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor." 5 And Pharaoh said, "Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!" 6 So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, 7 "You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. 9 Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words.".....22 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all."
In Chapter 5 Moses and Aaron take their message to Pharaoh just as God directed: "Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness. " However the test comes when this message causes Pharaoh to make things even worse for the Hebrews. The people are accused of being idle and are forced to produce their own straw. Mixing straw with mud made bricks stronger and more durable. Pharaoh had supplied the slaves with straw, but now he made them find their own straw and keep up their production quota as well.
"Let more work be laid on the men.." Instead of lessening it, let it be increased, or "laid" upon them. The Hebrew word is kabed, (kaw-bade'); and it comes from the Hebrew 3513 (kabad), which means heavy; figurative in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid) :- (so) great, grievous, hard (-ened), (too) heavy (-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick. Why does Pharaoh do this? That it may oppress and afflict the Hebrew people and keep them down, and weaken their strength and their spirits, and diminish them. This strategy continues to be modeled in our present generation as people spend more time with things that do not have eternity in mind.
"Why is it You have sent me?" Moses has the difficult challenge of reconciling in his mind the difference between what he sees and what has been promised. We can only imagine what he must have gone through. Questions like, "How is this God coming down to deliver Israel? Must I who hoped to be a blessing to the Hebrews become a sneer to them? Why is it that You have sent me - Pharaoh has done evil to this people, and not one step seems to be taken towards their deliverance?" We can also see that this alludes to Moses' initial reluctance to be the Lord's agent of deliverance (4:10).
The truth is sometimes hardship comes as a result of obeying God. Be encouraged to cry out and remember that in the end obedience will always produce the deliverance that is needed. I pray that you would know endurance today.
Blessings, Alan
May 14, 2008
Exodus 4:27-31
And the Lord said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him. 28 So Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. 29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. 30 And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.
Chapter four is a continuation of the discourse that passed between Yehovah and Moses. In this chapter Moses will make more objections to his mission. The first one is taken from the idea that the people of Israel would not believe him, which is removed by giving Moses power to work miracles. There are three miracles that Yehovah reveals to Moses. #1 turning the rod in his hand into a serpent, and then into a rod again; #2 putting his hand into his bosom at one time, when it became leprous, and again into the same place, when it became sound and whole, and #3 turning the water of the river into blood.
Another objection is formed from Moses because of his lack of eloquence, which is answered with an assurance, that Yehovah, that made man's mouth, would be with his mouth, and teach him what to say (Ex. 4:10).
Having obtained leave of his father-in-law to depart from Midian, Moses took his wife and his sons, and returned to Egypt (Ex. 4:18). It is here that he received some fresh instructions from Yehovah on what he should do before Pharaoh, and what he should say unto him (Ex. 4:21).
The precise meeting in verses 24 & 25 are unclear to me but most likely, Moses had kept one of his sons uncircumcised in order to please his Midianite wife and family. (Historians say that the Midianites practiced circumcision on a groom right before his marriage instead of circumcising male infants.) Moses' neglect was a crime deserving of death, especially for the future leader of God's people. For this reason God met or "seized" Moses and sought to kill him.
The chapter is closed with the account of Moses and Aaron meeting, and their gathering with the elders of Israel, in which signs were done before them. It is here that we have these beautiful words: "He had looked on their affliction" (v. 31). It is no wonder that the people responded the way they did. Remember this word is coming in a time of great desperation.
Be encouraged today that Yehovah still looks upon the affliction of His people and sends deliverance. Many of us could share story after story about God's grace in rescuing us from evil. Take time today to say "Amen" to the will of God being done on earth as it is in heaven, and to bow your head and worship. He is worthy!!!!!
One who has been rescued from affliction,
Alan
May 13, 2008
Exodus 3:12-15
So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain." 13 Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is His name? what shall I say to them?" 14 And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. " 15 Moreover God said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.
In chapter 3, of Exodus, we find Moses tending the flock of Jethro and we learn how he led the flock to Mount Horeb, another name for Mt. Sinai, which means "Desolate Place." This desolate place would become the place where God would give the people his revealed law. This desolate place would become holy, the mountain of God (see also chs. 19, 20). It is also in this desolate place that God promised to be with Moses. Not only had God come down to deliver (v. 8), but now He promised to be present (This is a beautiful picture of the Incarnation, where Jesus would come down to deliver us from our sins and be with us).
God gave Moses a sign, the Hebrew word is 'owth, (oth); probably from Hebrew 225 ('uwth) (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literal or figurative), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc. :- mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token. In other words this is proof that this experience was a divine manifestation and not a dream. Here the sign is a reminder, memorial, or symbol (see also 8:23; 12:13). But the word can also mean a miracle of God-a wonder that demonstrates His power and presence (as in 7:3).
God reminded Moses of his covenant promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15; Genesis 17), Isaac (Genesis 26:2-5), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13-15), and used the name I AM to show his unchanging nature. Yahweh is derived from the Hebrew word for "I AM." What God promised to the great patriarchs hundreds of years earlier he would fulfill through Moses.
God called himself, I AM, a name describing his eternal power and unchangeable character. Isn't good to know that in a world where values, morals, and laws change constantly, we can find stability and security in our unchanging God? The God who appeared to Moses is the same God who can live in us today. Hebrews 13:8 says God is the same "yesterday and today and forever." Because God's nature is stable and trustworthy, we can find peace knowing that Yahweh is faithful to all generations.
I leave you with this reminder: 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Blessings, Alan
May 12, 2008
Exodus 2:23-25
"Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. 24 So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them."
In Exodus, chapter two, we read about the birth of Moses, and his preservation in an ark. We see the divine plan of God being worked in and through the child's mother and sister. This chapter also relates how the condition of the Israelite people had reached a devastating period during the time of Moses' absence. Four different Hebrew words-translated groaned, cried out, cry, and groaning-are used to describe the Israelites' complaint. However, corresponding to the four terms for the people's distress, four wonderful verbs are used to describe the Lord's response to His people: heard, remembered, looked, and acknowledged.
God heard = shama`, shaw-mah'; a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causative to tell, etc.)
God remembered = zakar, zaw-kar'; a primitive root; properly to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication to mention.
God looked = ra'ah, raw-aw'; a primitive root; to see, literal or figurative (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative) :- advise self, appear, approve, behold, ª certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed,
God acknowledged = yada`, yaw-dah'; a primitive root; to know (properly to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figurative, literal, euphemism and inference (including observation, care, recognition; and causative instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
It is interesting to note how it is said of the Israelites: "and they cried, and their cry came up unto God"; they not only sighed and groaned inwardly, but so great was their oppression, that they couldn't help crying out loud; and such was the greatness of their cry, that it reached up to heaven, and came into the ears of the Almighty, as deep and vehement cries are said to do. The beauty of all of this is reading how God response. He is a covenant keeping God and He remembered that he would bring their seed out of a land not theirs, in which they were strangers, and were afflicted, into the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession.
The truth is God's rescue doesn't always come the moment we want it. God had promised to bring the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt (Genesis 15:16; Genesis 46:3-4). The people had waited a long time for that promise to be kept, but God rescued them when He knew the right time had come. God knows the best time to act. When we feel that God has forgotten us in our troubles, we must remember that God has a time schedule we can't see. He is trustworthy!
Serving the One who Rescued me, Alan
May 11, 2008
Exodus 1:15-22
"Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; 16 and he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live." 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, "Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?" 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh, "Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them." 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. 22 So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."
In the book of Genesis we learn how Joseph brought his family to Egypt and protected them there from the 7 years of famine. Now in the book of Exodus we learn that after Joseph's death, as they multiplied into a nation, they were forced into slavery. One of the acts of this new ruler in Egypt, who did not know Joseph, was to kill every new male child that was born. This new Pharaoh was afraid the Israelites were becoming so numerous that they would organize and threaten his kingdom, so he made them slaves and oppressed them to kill their spirit and stop their growth.
The passage that stands out to me this morning is about these two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. These Hebrew midwives helped women give birth and cared for the baby until the mother was stronger. When Pharaoh ordered these two midwives to kill the Hebrew baby boys, he was asking them to do the opposite of what they were gifted to do. Midwives were committed and gifted to helping babies be born, not to killing them. These women showed great courage and love for God by risking their lives to disobey Pharaoh's command.
The Hebrew term for fear, yare', is the word regularly used for piety, obedience, and the true worship of God (see Gen. 22:12; Ex. 20:20). The midwives would not obey the evil commands of a human ruler, even when their own lives were at risk, because they wanted to please the God of heaven. Their faith in God gave them the courage to take a stand for what they knew was right. The Bible is filled with examples of those who were willing to sacrifice their very lives in order to obey God or save others. Whenever we are ordered to disobey God's Word, we must "obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
Remember the role of the midwife: To help give birth, to care for others, and help others get strong. Now go and do likewise, walking in the Fear of God.
Blessings, Alan
