Exodus 19-20
It’s quite awe-some and awe-ful to read Exodus 19 before reading Exodus 20!
I mean, of course, that we’ve heard and learned and often memorized the Ten Commandments (the BIG TEN) in some form or another again and again. But it’s important to remember that how God delivered these commandments and the setting in which God sent them. No, God didn’t send an email, post a memo, or scribble them on a napkin.
God led them back to Mount Sinai (where God had first appeared to Moses in the burning bush). God called Moses up the Mountain to warn him about what was next: the dense cloud of God’s presence was coming! The people needed to ready themselves. And on the third day…
It must have been like July Fourth, a massive thunderstorm and the Chicago fire all wrapped up in one. This put the proverbial “fear of God” into the people of God, and did a mighty fine job of getting their attention, too.
Now let’s re-read Exodus 20, as though we had just been stunned by an exploding mountain!
Until Monday,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
DAY 24 EXODUS 16-18
Exodus 16-18
Yesterday, I said: Don’t you love it when people’s complaints are turned into songs of victory?
Today, I might say: Don’t you hate it when people’s songs of praise turn into grumbling and complaints?
The glitz and glamour of the great escape from Egypt is over; reality of desert life sets in. Where will they go? What will they drink? What will they eat? And when the answers are not readily available, look out; the tongues will wag! Just count how many times Moses uses the words grumbled and quarreled in this narrative. But praise God for the log that sweetened the water! Praise God for “bread from heaven!” Praise God for water from a rock! (Paul tells us: “That Rock was Christ!” 1 Corinthians 10:4)
And praise God for a wise father-in-law, to whom Moses pays attention. Without Jethro (Exodus 18), Moses just might have burned out!
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Yesterday, I said: Don’t you love it when people’s complaints are turned into songs of victory?
Today, I might say: Don’t you hate it when people’s songs of praise turn into grumbling and complaints?
The glitz and glamour of the great escape from Egypt is over; reality of desert life sets in. Where will they go? What will they drink? What will they eat? And when the answers are not readily available, look out; the tongues will wag! Just count how many times Moses uses the words grumbled and quarreled in this narrative. But praise God for the log that sweetened the water! Praise God for “bread from heaven!” Praise God for water from a rock! (Paul tells us: “That Rock was Christ!” 1 Corinthians 10:4)
And praise God for a wise father-in-law, to whom Moses pays attention. Without Jethro (Exodus 18), Moses just might have burned out!
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, January 23, 2014
DAY 23 EXODUS 13-15
Exodus 13-15
Yesterday, I said that this wasn't the climax of the story, but, O my, isn’t it climactic?
Trapped! Their backs to the sea! Their eyes on the enemy! Their hearts fainting! They turn on Moses, “Were there no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (Exodus 14:11)
Only Moses keeps his head: “Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord…The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14) These are the words of a man who knows the power of God, and, who possibly, has a clear vision of what’s coming!
Miracles: the pillar of cloud moves between them and the Egyptians, Moses stretches out his hand over the sea, the wind blows all night, the people cross over on dry ground. And here is, perhaps, the biggest miracle of all: the Egyptian army is destroyed in the collapsing sea.
That, you see, is the subject of the song they sing at the victory celebration on the other side: “I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously, the horse and the rider he has thrown into the sea!” (Exodus 15:1)
Don’t you love it when people’s complaints are turned into songs of victory?
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Yesterday, I said that this wasn't the climax of the story, but, O my, isn’t it climactic?
Trapped! Their backs to the sea! Their eyes on the enemy! Their hearts fainting! They turn on Moses, “Were there no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (Exodus 14:11)
Only Moses keeps his head: “Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord…The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:13-14) These are the words of a man who knows the power of God, and, who possibly, has a clear vision of what’s coming!
Miracles: the pillar of cloud moves between them and the Egyptians, Moses stretches out his hand over the sea, the wind blows all night, the people cross over on dry ground. And here is, perhaps, the biggest miracle of all: the Egyptian army is destroyed in the collapsing sea.
That, you see, is the subject of the song they sing at the victory celebration on the other side: “I will sing unto the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously, the horse and the rider he has thrown into the sea!” (Exodus 15:1)
Don’t you love it when people’s complaints are turned into songs of victory?
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
DAY 22 EXODUS 11-12
Exodus 11-12
It is impossible for me to read this without thinking of the Passover Seder and, of course, the Lord’s Supper.
I know what seems like the climax of the story. It’s in Exodus 14:13, when Moses says to the people who are trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today!” The sea parts, the Israelites escape, the Egyptians pursue, and the sea swallows them up.
But that’s tomorrow’s reading, and just seems like the climax.
In actuality, the battle had already been won. For every family that had painted the doorposts of their homes with the blood of the lamb walked across the sea on dry ground. The Egyptians weren't the ultimate enemy; that enemy is “death,” which, the apostle Paul says, is “the last enemy to be destroyed.” (1 Corinthians 15:26) The real enemy had passed over Egypt and taken the firstborn of any home NOT covered by the blood of the lamb.
The lamb of Exodus 12 is God’s down-payment and promise of the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) God sent His firstborn, His only-born Son to bear sin’s penalty for us.
Here’s a “what if:” What if there was an Egyptian family, so sensitive to the message of the plagues, so enamored with the Hebrew people, so curious about their God, that they found faith. Seeing what the Jews were doing that night, they imitated them, killed their own lamb, and painted their own doorposts with the lamb’s blood. Would they have been saved form the angel of death? Would they have left with the Jews?
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
I know what seems like the climax of the story. It’s in Exodus 14:13, when Moses says to the people who are trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s army, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today!” The sea parts, the Israelites escape, the Egyptians pursue, and the sea swallows them up.
But that’s tomorrow’s reading, and just seems like the climax.
In actuality, the battle had already been won. For every family that had painted the doorposts of their homes with the blood of the lamb walked across the sea on dry ground. The Egyptians weren't the ultimate enemy; that enemy is “death,” which, the apostle Paul says, is “the last enemy to be destroyed.” (1 Corinthians 15:26) The real enemy had passed over Egypt and taken the firstborn of any home NOT covered by the blood of the lamb.
The lamb of Exodus 12 is God’s down-payment and promise of the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) God sent His firstborn, His only-born Son to bear sin’s penalty for us.
Here’s a “what if:” What if there was an Egyptian family, so sensitive to the message of the plagues, so enamored with the Hebrew people, so curious about their God, that they found faith. Seeing what the Jews were doing that night, they imitated them, killed their own lamb, and painted their own doorposts with the lamb’s blood. Would they have been saved form the angel of death? Would they have left with the Jews?
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
DAY 21 EXODUS 7-10
Exodus 7-10
In my other devotions today—I am doing MAPS through the gospel of John—I re-learned this truth: Jesus knew what was coming. He knew, ahead of time, that he would be arrested, mistreated and murdered. He also knew that he would rise from the dead and ascend to the Father. Foreknowledge might not always be a bad thing, even if it includes foreknowledge of bad things.
Similarly, when God forewarns Moses of Pharaoh’s stubborn heart in Exodus 7:1-5, Moses now knows what it is coming. And knowing that it won’t be easy can sometimes be strengthening.
So, it took ten plagues. Ten! They are fun to analyze and categorize. Which ones could the Egyptian magicians imitate? Which ones did NOT touch the Israelites in Goshen? Which seem to soften Pharaoh’s heart? Just remember, God sent these plagues, not just to set His people free, but so that the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord! (Exodus 7:5) Because of this, each plague was designed to debunk one or more of the Egyptian pantheon of gods. Read about this in any good commentary.
I’ve often wondered why Pharaoh wanted “one more night with the frogs.” Moses asks him, “When should I plead for you and your servants, that frogs be cut off from you?” (Exodus 8:9) And Pharaoh says, “Tomorrow.” Maybe, the frog god was one of his favorites!
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
In my other devotions today—I am doing MAPS through the gospel of John—I re-learned this truth: Jesus knew what was coming. He knew, ahead of time, that he would be arrested, mistreated and murdered. He also knew that he would rise from the dead and ascend to the Father. Foreknowledge might not always be a bad thing, even if it includes foreknowledge of bad things.
Similarly, when God forewarns Moses of Pharaoh’s stubborn heart in Exodus 7:1-5, Moses now knows what it is coming. And knowing that it won’t be easy can sometimes be strengthening.
So, it took ten plagues. Ten! They are fun to analyze and categorize. Which ones could the Egyptian magicians imitate? Which ones did NOT touch the Israelites in Goshen? Which seem to soften Pharaoh’s heart? Just remember, God sent these plagues, not just to set His people free, but so that the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord! (Exodus 7:5) Because of this, each plague was designed to debunk one or more of the Egyptian pantheon of gods. Read about this in any good commentary.
I’ve often wondered why Pharaoh wanted “one more night with the frogs.” Moses asks him, “When should I plead for you and your servants, that frogs be cut off from you?” (Exodus 8:9) And Pharaoh says, “Tomorrow.” Maybe, the frog god was one of his favorites!
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Monday, January 20, 2014
DAY 20 EXODUS 3-6
Exodus 3-6
Yesterday, my sermon was based on Hebrews 3-4, where Jesus is described as the One who can help us
enter God’s “rest.” Though Moses couldn't lead the people of God or himself into the Promised Land
(God’s “rest”), I took great pains to show how great he was.
But reading these chapters reminds me that God does indeed call flawed people.
• Moses feels inadequate (who doesn't?), and says, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and
bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.” (3:11)
• Moses sounds confused when he asks the Lord, “Whom shall I say sent me?” (3:13)
• Moses sounds skeptical as he says, “They will not believe me!” (4:1)
• Moses is aware of his weaknesses when he complains, “O Lord, I am not eloquent!” (4:10)
• And Moses betrays his reluctance with, “Please send someone else!” (4:13)
After his initial conversation with the Lord, we learn that Moses had not obeyed God by circumcising his
son. Had not his wife, Zipporah, stepped in, Exodus would have had a different protagonist! (4:24-26)
Though, by the end of today’s reading Moses has stepped up to the plate—he (and Aaron) have made
their first contact with Pharaoh and have endured Pharoah’s first harsh response (Make brick without
straw!)—he is still having issues: “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”
All this goes to show that God is a God who can use anybody, even a reluctant, self-doubting,
disobedient, confused man with a low self-respect like Moses…or me.
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
Yesterday, my sermon was based on Hebrews 3-4, where Jesus is described as the One who can help us
enter God’s “rest.” Though Moses couldn't lead the people of God or himself into the Promised Land
(God’s “rest”), I took great pains to show how great he was.
But reading these chapters reminds me that God does indeed call flawed people.
• Moses feels inadequate (who doesn't?), and says, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and
bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.” (3:11)
• Moses sounds confused when he asks the Lord, “Whom shall I say sent me?” (3:13)
• Moses sounds skeptical as he says, “They will not believe me!” (4:1)
• Moses is aware of his weaknesses when he complains, “O Lord, I am not eloquent!” (4:10)
• And Moses betrays his reluctance with, “Please send someone else!” (4:13)
After his initial conversation with the Lord, we learn that Moses had not obeyed God by circumcising his
son. Had not his wife, Zipporah, stepped in, Exodus would have had a different protagonist! (4:24-26)
Though, by the end of today’s reading Moses has stepped up to the plate—he (and Aaron) have made
their first contact with Pharaoh and have endured Pharoah’s first harsh response (Make brick without
straw!)—he is still having issues: “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”
All this goes to show that God is a God who can use anybody, even a reluctant, self-doubting,
disobedient, confused man with a low self-respect like Moses…or me.
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
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