I started writing this because I am at a point in my life where I feel like I am wandering in the desert, and never quite getting to the promised land. Something drastically changed in my life, and I need to break from the past and move toward the future God is calling me to. But I feel stuck in the desert. For this reason I decided to look again at the Israelites journey. The book God Chasers talked about the pilgrimage being necessary for God to change the Israelites into a nation. That fascinated me. I wanted to look at the steps God took in their lives and see what application there could be to mine. Maybe then I can fast forward the forty year journey and get to my promised land much quicker.
Chapter 13 says that when they first left Egypt God took them in a round about way rather than along the direct route. Taking the direct route would bring them into Philistine territory which could have caused a battle. God knew the Israelites were not prepared for battle and would have run back to the familiar ways of slavery before pushing on.
It is not new to me that following God rarely takes us on the well traveled road. I guess I've always thought of it as a way of testing our faith. To follow him despite common sense. To be willing to endure. To strengthen us. I never really imagined it as him saving us from something that might make us run. However, when I think about the emotional state I've been in and out of for the past year or so, I must say that I'm sure that would be a useful strategy to get me through. I am not the warrior chick that I wish I was. I needed time to follow safely and not be crushed like a bug. I'm grateful that he was looking ahead and guiding me as only he would know to do.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Exodus 12
Wow, this is a long chapter, and there is a lot in it. There is a lot to be said about the angels destroying the Egyptian gods. It's been somewhat of a theme throughout the plagues and speaks to His jealousy and possessiveness. There is more to say about the rituals of the Passover. But what I choose to focus on is how God is paving a new way for the Israelites.
The first instruction is that they are going to change their calendar so that their new year starts in spring. I suppose that the Israelites are hopeful and doubtful at the same time. They've been stuck for so long. Time after time Pharaoh has been stubborn. Why would they believe that this time would be any different? Being commanded to change their calendar makes a very significant statement that things will be different from here on out. This, along with the detailed instructions for Passover would be constant reminders to them of what God has done for them. Not only that, but they were serving him, no longer subject to the power of Pharaoh. I can imagine that the tendency would be to fall into the rituals of their lives of slavery, knowing nothing else. But God gave them a new path, a new calendar, new traditions. I think this is an important example for us. When we leave an old habit or season of life, it's important to change some things and replace some things in order for us to move forward. We need to be intentional, not just suppose that our lives will move forward because we will them to or think they should. A clear and detailed plan for a new path needs to be made and followed.
The first instruction is that they are going to change their calendar so that their new year starts in spring. I suppose that the Israelites are hopeful and doubtful at the same time. They've been stuck for so long. Time after time Pharaoh has been stubborn. Why would they believe that this time would be any different? Being commanded to change their calendar makes a very significant statement that things will be different from here on out. This, along with the detailed instructions for Passover would be constant reminders to them of what God has done for them. Not only that, but they were serving him, no longer subject to the power of Pharaoh. I can imagine that the tendency would be to fall into the rituals of their lives of slavery, knowing nothing else. But God gave them a new path, a new calendar, new traditions. I think this is an important example for us. When we leave an old habit or season of life, it's important to change some things and replace some things in order for us to move forward. We need to be intentional, not just suppose that our lives will move forward because we will them to or think they should. A clear and detailed plan for a new path needs to be made and followed.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Exodus 11
This had to be the last time Moses spoke to Pharaoh. Pharaoh had already threatened his life. Through Moses, God spoke about the final plague, the death of every first born.
I almost skipped over the part about the Israelites demanding silver and gold from their Egyptian neighbors. In reading a commentary it said that the Israelites were so happy to leave under any terms that they would not have had any problem leaving without demanding their wages. But God did take issue with that and ordered them to demand it. It said, "One way or the other, God will give redress to the injured, who in a humble silence commit their cause to him." I don't know about you, but I have many times, whether at work or in relationship, have accepted my lot as someone taken advantage of or unfairly treated. I just accepted it as if there were no other choice. Maybe even as something that a "good christian" does. But God says no. He will fight for us. He will see that the wages are paid one way or the other. Exodus tells us that the Israelites found favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and that Moses was considered "great." I love a good underdog story.
Moses tells Pharaoh of the plague. At midnight the next night the first born of every household will die. It is not something that Moses needs to raise his staff over and declare. The Lord himself will do it. Nothing can stop it. Can you imagine what that would be like as a parent? Pharaoh couldn't hide it. His advisers respect Moses. They would have spread the word. You would have known the fate of your child and you would have spent every moment watching and waiting. I'm sure every Egyptian that could get to Pharaoh to beg for their child's life tried, but Pharaoh's heart was hard. Their fate was sealed.
I almost skipped over the part about the Israelites demanding silver and gold from their Egyptian neighbors. In reading a commentary it said that the Israelites were so happy to leave under any terms that they would not have had any problem leaving without demanding their wages. But God did take issue with that and ordered them to demand it. It said, "One way or the other, God will give redress to the injured, who in a humble silence commit their cause to him." I don't know about you, but I have many times, whether at work or in relationship, have accepted my lot as someone taken advantage of or unfairly treated. I just accepted it as if there were no other choice. Maybe even as something that a "good christian" does. But God says no. He will fight for us. He will see that the wages are paid one way or the other. Exodus tells us that the Israelites found favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and that Moses was considered "great." I love a good underdog story.
Moses tells Pharaoh of the plague. At midnight the next night the first born of every household will die. It is not something that Moses needs to raise his staff over and declare. The Lord himself will do it. Nothing can stop it. Can you imagine what that would be like as a parent? Pharaoh couldn't hide it. His advisers respect Moses. They would have spread the word. You would have known the fate of your child and you would have spent every moment watching and waiting. I'm sure every Egyptian that could get to Pharaoh to beg for their child's life tried, but Pharaoh's heart was hard. Their fate was sealed.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Exodus 10
Before I started this devotional on Exodus I found the numerous plagues fascinating. Now, having to write about them I find myself saying, "Come on, already! I get it. Pharaoh is stupid. A plague comes, people suffer, Pharaoh begs, Pharaoh makes promise, Pharaoh breaks promise, and the cycle starts again." Just as I'm thinking that though, the Lord reminds us that this is about something bigger. He is creating a story that will be remembered and told forever.
At this point we also see Pharaoh's officials appealing to him and trying to get him to see that his actions are leaving Egypt in ruins. Pharaoh starts to give concessions to the Israelites. First he tells them they can go, but they cannot bring their children. Moses stands his ground, stating they will not leave their children. Pharoah says no. So the plague of locusts comes. Next he says they can go, but they need to leave their livestock. I probably would have taken that deal and ran, I'm not a very good negotiator. But Moses says no. Pharaoh gets angry and kicks them out, telling them that the next time he sees Moses' face he will kill him. Hmmm, what do you think will happen next? Seriously, what did Pharaoh think would happen?
How often do we do that to God though? His Word clearly speaks about actions and consequences yet I know we all have times that we think that we can get away with something if we just refuse to acknowledge the truth. The truth is that our actions, or lack thereof, will catch up to us.
At this point we also see Pharaoh's officials appealing to him and trying to get him to see that his actions are leaving Egypt in ruins. Pharaoh starts to give concessions to the Israelites. First he tells them they can go, but they cannot bring their children. Moses stands his ground, stating they will not leave their children. Pharoah says no. So the plague of locusts comes. Next he says they can go, but they need to leave their livestock. I probably would have taken that deal and ran, I'm not a very good negotiator. But Moses says no. Pharaoh gets angry and kicks them out, telling them that the next time he sees Moses' face he will kill him. Hmmm, what do you think will happen next? Seriously, what did Pharaoh think would happen?
How often do we do that to God though? His Word clearly speaks about actions and consequences yet I know we all have times that we think that we can get away with something if we just refuse to acknowledge the truth. The truth is that our actions, or lack thereof, will catch up to us.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Exodus 9
We see three more plagues in this chapter due to Pharaoh's stubbornness. The first is the plague against livestock. Certain livestock were worshiped in Egypt. Apparently temples were even built for them. So, not only did the death of these livestock cost them financially, but it was a great blow to their superstition.
The second was the plague of boils. Even the magicians were plagued with this one. Nothing could be done, but Pharaoh still would not relent.
The third was the plague of hail. Now, imagine you are one of the Egyptian people. You've seen the river turn to blood, you put up with frogs and flies and your livestock is dead. You're recovering from boils. You are told another plague is coming and you really need to bring your livestock and your servants inside or they will die. What would you do? On one hand, a storm like this in Egypt is unheard of, so maybe you can say there is some lack of comprehension on their part. Still, after everything you have experienced hasn't "unheard of" defined this entire experience? Yet some ignored the warning and left their livestock and servants out to die.
As foolish as I believe these Egyptians were, I do recognize a similar foolish streak in myself. When my heart and mind are set in a particular direction and I hear that heavenly warning to change course something rises up in me against that voice. For just a moment my spirit turns to say, "Oh, yeah, what are you going to do about it?" Luckily I've never taken it too far, but I recognize the defiance in me just the same. I know that same foolishness that the Egyptians are showing here is inside me and inside all of us. We've all been warned against something and chosen our arrogant foolishness instead at some point. We have a way of spinning our tales of woe and interweaving our emotions through them that allow people to side with us, but if we stopped camouflaging the situation and just presented it as it is - choice, action, consequence - then we would have to hang our head in shame at our own foolishness and we would be grieved at how prevalent it is around us. Our heart would ache at how avoidable so much suffering is allowed into this world because of our own foolishness.
The second was the plague of boils. Even the magicians were plagued with this one. Nothing could be done, but Pharaoh still would not relent.
The third was the plague of hail. Now, imagine you are one of the Egyptian people. You've seen the river turn to blood, you put up with frogs and flies and your livestock is dead. You're recovering from boils. You are told another plague is coming and you really need to bring your livestock and your servants inside or they will die. What would you do? On one hand, a storm like this in Egypt is unheard of, so maybe you can say there is some lack of comprehension on their part. Still, after everything you have experienced hasn't "unheard of" defined this entire experience? Yet some ignored the warning and left their livestock and servants out to die.
As foolish as I believe these Egyptians were, I do recognize a similar foolish streak in myself. When my heart and mind are set in a particular direction and I hear that heavenly warning to change course something rises up in me against that voice. For just a moment my spirit turns to say, "Oh, yeah, what are you going to do about it?" Luckily I've never taken it too far, but I recognize the defiance in me just the same. I know that same foolishness that the Egyptians are showing here is inside me and inside all of us. We've all been warned against something and chosen our arrogant foolishness instead at some point. We have a way of spinning our tales of woe and interweaving our emotions through them that allow people to side with us, but if we stopped camouflaging the situation and just presented it as it is - choice, action, consequence - then we would have to hang our head in shame at our own foolishness and we would be grieved at how prevalent it is around us. Our heart would ache at how avoidable so much suffering is allowed into this world because of our own foolishness.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Exodus 8
The next plague is the frogs. The Egyptian god Ptha has the face of a frog. Coincidence?
First, I have to laugh, because the magicians solution to proving they were just as powerful was to bring more frogs. Ha! Yup, that's proving your point. Problem solved. Not!
I've always understood how gross the plague was. Yup, they would be everywhere. I can imagine having to watch where you step. How unsanitary your kitchen would suddenly be. Trying to sleep knowing that you are going to be hopped on. What I didn't think about before now was the noise factor. It must have been pretty loud with all of that croaking. No one would have slept. This brings it from gross inconvenience to a crisis situation. Pharaoh begs Moses, and promises to let the people go. The plague is lifted and Pharaoh has a change of heart. The solution? Gnats. The magicians finally admit that this is an act of God, but Pharaoh's heart remains hard.
Next comes the flies. This time God spares the Israelites. Flies are everywhere except in the land of Goshen as proof of God's power. Pharaoh again calls to Moses. They negotiate and Pharaoh agrees to his terms. Moses calls on God and the flies are removed.
I wonder how Moses is feeling at the point. I doubt he feels victorious. He must be getting a good read on the situation. I'm sure he is fully expecting for Pharaoh to change his mind, but what about the relationship between Moses and the Israelites. They can no longer deny that something is happening. There were probably rumors that the Egyptian magicians had admitted defeat. Plus, the Israelites were spared the latest plague. Are they warming up to Moses? Are they starting to ask questions rather than hurl insults?
First, I have to laugh, because the magicians solution to proving they were just as powerful was to bring more frogs. Ha! Yup, that's proving your point. Problem solved. Not!
I've always understood how gross the plague was. Yup, they would be everywhere. I can imagine having to watch where you step. How unsanitary your kitchen would suddenly be. Trying to sleep knowing that you are going to be hopped on. What I didn't think about before now was the noise factor. It must have been pretty loud with all of that croaking. No one would have slept. This brings it from gross inconvenience to a crisis situation. Pharaoh begs Moses, and promises to let the people go. The plague is lifted and Pharaoh has a change of heart. The solution? Gnats. The magicians finally admit that this is an act of God, but Pharaoh's heart remains hard.
Next comes the flies. This time God spares the Israelites. Flies are everywhere except in the land of Goshen as proof of God's power. Pharaoh again calls to Moses. They negotiate and Pharaoh agrees to his terms. Moses calls on God and the flies are removed.
I wonder how Moses is feeling at the point. I doubt he feels victorious. He must be getting a good read on the situation. I'm sure he is fully expecting for Pharaoh to change his mind, but what about the relationship between Moses and the Israelites. They can no longer deny that something is happening. There were probably rumors that the Egyptian magicians had admitted defeat. Plus, the Israelites were spared the latest plague. Are they warming up to Moses? Are they starting to ask questions rather than hurl insults?
Monday, July 13, 2015
Exodus 7
As much as I did not like Chapter 4, I LOVE Chapter 7. The Lord has just revealed a new name for himself to Moses as a way to underline that He will make good on His promise to their ancestors. Now he tells Moses that He will make him like a god to Pharaoh. Think about it! Here Moses has been quaking in his boots (sandals) in front of the Israelite slaves, he's whined that he can't face Pharaoh, and God tells him in no uncertain terms that it is not Pharaoh who holds the power, but Moses. Sure, if you are willing to be ruled by the circumstances of this world then, yes, Pharaoh holds all the power, but the circumstances mean nothing to our God. Pharaoh only holds the power that God allows him to have, and God says that Moses will be like a God to Pharaoh. That gives me goosebumps. Moses, who has run away and cowered, Moses, who has given excuse after excuse, Moses who won't even speak to the man, Moses, who is 80 years old, yes, that Moses will become like a god to Pharaoh.
Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh. As the Lord said it would be, Pharaoh's heart is hard and refuses to listen, so the plagues start. I was curious about whether or not there was any meaning behind the specific plagues. The first plague was turning the water into blood. It seems that one of Egypt's most revered god was the god of the river. A plague hitting the river would be a show of power over this particular god. It seems it's not just a plague, but a strategy. Of course. :)
Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh. As the Lord said it would be, Pharaoh's heart is hard and refuses to listen, so the plagues start. I was curious about whether or not there was any meaning behind the specific plagues. The first plague was turning the water into blood. It seems that one of Egypt's most revered god was the god of the river. A plague hitting the river would be a show of power over this particular god. It seems it's not just a plague, but a strategy. Of course. :)
Friday, July 10, 2015
Exodus 6
The Lord promises deliverance from Pharaoh to Moses once again, and then he reveals a new name for himself. Depending on what version you are reading that name can be different. Never one for particulars I care less about the actual name, and more about what it means that He is revealing a new name for himself. Later in the in the chapter the bible lists the ancestors of Moses and Aaron. Taking these two things into account, plus reading some commentaries, my take on it is that the new name was to say that He had not forgotten His promises to their ancestors and that He was going to fulfill it through them. God is the same yesterday, today and forever, yet there is a time and a season for everything. To their ancestors He was who made a promise and gave them purpose. To this generation He was the God who would fulfill that promise. Same God, same promise, but a different role, hence a different name.
God tells Moses to pass the message along to Pharaoh. Moses still protests that he cannot, he is too clumsy of a speaker. God still has work to do in Moses. This is a reminder that even though Moses has been chosen, is currently committed to the role, and has gotten himself in so deep that there is no way of going back...he is still doubting and God is still molding. The great Moses is still a work in progress when he is in this deep. And yet we know how mightily God used him. That tells me that there is hope for us!
God tells Moses to pass the message along to Pharaoh. Moses still protests that he cannot, he is too clumsy of a speaker. God still has work to do in Moses. This is a reminder that even though Moses has been chosen, is currently committed to the role, and has gotten himself in so deep that there is no way of going back...he is still doubting and God is still molding. The great Moses is still a work in progress when he is in this deep. And yet we know how mightily God used him. That tells me that there is hope for us!
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Exodus 5
In this chapter Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh. Pharaoh mocks them and then punishes the Israelites stating that they must not be busy enough if they have time to complain. He stops providing straw for them to make bricks, yet demands that their quota remain the same. The Israelite foreman is beaten because the quota is not being met. The foreman then confronts Moses and Aaron and says, "May the Lord judge and punish you for making us stink before Pharaoh and his officials. You have put a sword into their hands, an excuse to kill us!"
The easy thing to say here is that things get worse before they get better and you have to stick it out. That's the "obvious" lesson here. From the Israelites perspective that is accurate as far as I can see. Although God has been working behind the scenes for them, they haven't seen it. They've been oppressed for a long long time. They've been enslaved, their sons have been killed, they've been beaten, but to some extent they've gotten used to it. They cry out to God, but they don't have the Holy Spirit. They don't know how to intercede on their own. They can't offer sacrifices. They cry out to God, but they are really helpless to do much more.
Moses' perspective is quite different. I think that he needs to confront and conquer a fear from his past. Years ago Moses confronted an Egyptian guard and tried to intercede in Israel's behalf. Things didn't go the way he intended. The Israelites turned on him and he ran away. God can't have him lead the Israelites and run away when things get tough. Moses needs to confront his past and stick it out. He needs to trust God to bring the victory. So once again he finds himself trying to help his people and feeling like the bad guy. His best intentions are making things worse. What is he going to do? Run again? This time he turns to God. He's going to have to do this again and again, plague after plague, to reinforce this stance because God knows he is going to need it leading his people and turning them into a nation. Moses needed his own wilderness experience and he needed to see it full circle before he could lead the Israelites through theirs.
I think when we find ourselves in our own wilderness experience we need to look at what got us into it and ask God what He needs us to confront to get out of it.
The easy thing to say here is that things get worse before they get better and you have to stick it out. That's the "obvious" lesson here. From the Israelites perspective that is accurate as far as I can see. Although God has been working behind the scenes for them, they haven't seen it. They've been oppressed for a long long time. They've been enslaved, their sons have been killed, they've been beaten, but to some extent they've gotten used to it. They cry out to God, but they don't have the Holy Spirit. They don't know how to intercede on their own. They can't offer sacrifices. They cry out to God, but they are really helpless to do much more.
Moses' perspective is quite different. I think that he needs to confront and conquer a fear from his past. Years ago Moses confronted an Egyptian guard and tried to intercede in Israel's behalf. Things didn't go the way he intended. The Israelites turned on him and he ran away. God can't have him lead the Israelites and run away when things get tough. Moses needs to confront his past and stick it out. He needs to trust God to bring the victory. So once again he finds himself trying to help his people and feeling like the bad guy. His best intentions are making things worse. What is he going to do? Run again? This time he turns to God. He's going to have to do this again and again, plague after plague, to reinforce this stance because God knows he is going to need it leading his people and turning them into a nation. Moses needed his own wilderness experience and he needed to see it full circle before he could lead the Israelites through theirs.
I think when we find ourselves in our own wilderness experience we need to look at what got us into it and ask God what He needs us to confront to get out of it.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Exodus 4
Ummm...I don't like Chapter 4! LOL.
Ok, so here God walks Moses through some of the miracles. Moses freaks out thinking about having to be God's mouth piece. This angers God, but he is prepared for it and has already sent Aaron on his way to meet Moses. Personally I get convicted over this because I hate speaking and shy away from it. Sometimes I worry that I am limiting God's influence through me because of it. I wonder how the story might be different if Moses would have stepped up and done it on his own. Aaron and Miriam did cause trouble for the Israelite's down the line. Maybe this undermined Moses' authority and the road would have been less rocky along the way? Maybe this watered the seed that led to the sin that ultimately cost him seeing the Promised Land with his own eyes. We will never know, but I'm sure that there was a price to pay.
So, what I really don't like about this chapter is that one night, while Moses is taking his family back to Egypt, the Lord confronts Moses and is going to kill him! YES! Kill him!!! What? His life is spared because Moses' wife circumcises their son and touched his feet with the foreskin. I looked it up in Bible commentaries and it seems that it was a sin for Moses to have not circumcised his son. The explanation is that God needed to find and confront the sin in Moses' life before he would be allowed to do what God had called him to do. Sigh. I think this is an area where I get in trouble. I mean if God were a human and we were talking about the situation I would totally call him a drama queen and tell him off for grossly over reacting.
I think we all need to be taken by the shoulders and shaken until we remember the importance of the bigger picture and the price of God's plans not being fulfilled. Sin is sin and separates us from God. We cannot fulfill anything God sized without following God's perfect will to the letter. Remember, Moses was groomed for this whether he knew it or not. There was no back up plan. How many of us are walking away from what we have been groomed for because we didn't want to do something uncomfortable or something that we deemed silly or inconsequential? I'm guessing most of us. And because it's the norm, no one even thinks about it. This is sad and scary. I feel like we are all like the slaves in Egypt, but instead of it being the Egyptians enslaving us it's comfort. Most people know that there is more to life and that they were called to something greater. We have hopes and dreams, but it's uncomfortable taking a risk. It's uncomfortable being different. It's uncomfortable when someone makes fun of us for not doing such and such or when we have to sacrifice something we love. It's exhausting to swim upstream. It hurts to fight against the norm. It's easier to just accept our routine and hope something will change or that the tide will work in our favor at some point. It doesn't work like that, and someone is going to have to go to the burning bush, work through their issues and follow God into the fight.
Ok, so here God walks Moses through some of the miracles. Moses freaks out thinking about having to be God's mouth piece. This angers God, but he is prepared for it and has already sent Aaron on his way to meet Moses. Personally I get convicted over this because I hate speaking and shy away from it. Sometimes I worry that I am limiting God's influence through me because of it. I wonder how the story might be different if Moses would have stepped up and done it on his own. Aaron and Miriam did cause trouble for the Israelite's down the line. Maybe this undermined Moses' authority and the road would have been less rocky along the way? Maybe this watered the seed that led to the sin that ultimately cost him seeing the Promised Land with his own eyes. We will never know, but I'm sure that there was a price to pay.
So, what I really don't like about this chapter is that one night, while Moses is taking his family back to Egypt, the Lord confronts Moses and is going to kill him! YES! Kill him!!! What? His life is spared because Moses' wife circumcises their son and touched his feet with the foreskin. I looked it up in Bible commentaries and it seems that it was a sin for Moses to have not circumcised his son. The explanation is that God needed to find and confront the sin in Moses' life before he would be allowed to do what God had called him to do. Sigh. I think this is an area where I get in trouble. I mean if God were a human and we were talking about the situation I would totally call him a drama queen and tell him off for grossly over reacting.
I think we all need to be taken by the shoulders and shaken until we remember the importance of the bigger picture and the price of God's plans not being fulfilled. Sin is sin and separates us from God. We cannot fulfill anything God sized without following God's perfect will to the letter. Remember, Moses was groomed for this whether he knew it or not. There was no back up plan. How many of us are walking away from what we have been groomed for because we didn't want to do something uncomfortable or something that we deemed silly or inconsequential? I'm guessing most of us. And because it's the norm, no one even thinks about it. This is sad and scary. I feel like we are all like the slaves in Egypt, but instead of it being the Egyptians enslaving us it's comfort. Most people know that there is more to life and that they were called to something greater. We have hopes and dreams, but it's uncomfortable taking a risk. It's uncomfortable being different. It's uncomfortable when someone makes fun of us for not doing such and such or when we have to sacrifice something we love. It's exhausting to swim upstream. It hurts to fight against the norm. It's easier to just accept our routine and hope something will change or that the tide will work in our favor at some point. It doesn't work like that, and someone is going to have to go to the burning bush, work through their issues and follow God into the fight.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Exodus 3
Chapter 3 is the beginning of Moses' conversation with God at the burning bush. What first struck me was that what God is calling Moses to do is exactly what Moses has a heart for. Not only what he has a heart for, but in an area that Moses had previously tried to intervene and had failed. God speaks to the suffering of the slaves in Egypt and states that he has come to rescue them. Remember, Moses had to run away from home because he was trying to rescue a slave. This ended in him murdering a guard and enduring the wrath of the very people he was trying to rescue for doing it. So God speaks to the heart of what Moses wants to do, but also to what has caused him pain and rejection. I think this is cool, because not only does it affirm Moses' purpose in life, but it brings restoration. Restoration to him, his family, his people.
The next thing I noticed is how much God does not tell Moses. Okay, I say that's the next thing that I noticed, because it's what I saw, really. I read the passage and was like, "Oh, nice. So you promise him a victory and make it look like he's just going just waltz in there and come out the hero. You don't tell him that the magicians are going to make him look fool and everything he's going to have to go through." But as I read it again I realized that God did tell him that the king wouldn't let them go unless he is forced to. That there will be many miracles to strike down the Egyptians, which means it will take more than just one. My first impression, that God make it look easy, was just how I heard it and/or chose to interpret it the first time around. That made me wonder, do I hear just want I want to when God speaks and then get hurt or angry when he doesn't come through the way I think he should?
The next thing I noticed is how much God does not tell Moses. Okay, I say that's the next thing that I noticed, because it's what I saw, really. I read the passage and was like, "Oh, nice. So you promise him a victory and make it look like he's just going just waltz in there and come out the hero. You don't tell him that the magicians are going to make him look fool and everything he's going to have to go through." But as I read it again I realized that God did tell him that the king wouldn't let them go unless he is forced to. That there will be many miracles to strike down the Egyptians, which means it will take more than just one. My first impression, that God make it look easy, was just how I heard it and/or chose to interpret it the first time around. That made me wonder, do I hear just want I want to when God speaks and then get hurt or angry when he doesn't come through the way I think he should?
Monday, July 6, 2015
Exodus 2
God knew exactly what it would take to rescue the people of Israel so he put his plan in motion. This plan came in the form of a baby named Moses. Moses could have been born earlier, but then his mother would not have been forced to give him up and his plan would not have been fulfilled.
God could have protected the Israelite's from the atrocities of the Egyptians, but sometimes God needs to allow things to happen so we are moved to a place where we will do things we never would otherwise do. This makes me wonder, did they have the opportunity to move toward the Promised Land earlier and avoid slavery all together? Had God been whispering the the leaders that they needed to pack up and move on for decades? Did the people ignore the promptings and stay where things were nice and easy until it was too late?
Whatever the case, they were now at a place where their baby boys were being killed and a mother was forced to hide her pregnant belly and not share what would otherwise would have been joyous news. When the baby was born she had to hide her baby, fearing the day his cries could no longer be muffled and he would be found and killed. She must have cried out to God every hour of every day. Finally the day came where she did the best she could do for her son. She wove a basket and made sure it would float. Camouflaged it so that it would not be easily found, and sent it down the river, praying that God would send it to just the right person to save her baby boys life, raise him, and give him a future.
She sent her daughter to watch over the basket. No doubt this little girl had helped her mother care for the boy and weave the basket. They would have spent hours talking about all the what if's and dreamt about the family that would eventually take care of the boy.
As the girl watched the king's daughter and her servant come to the river she must have been panicked. Was this the best or worst scenario? There is no way this woman could have had a reputation of saving baby boys. The young girl must have held her breathe in fear, waiting for what would happen next and worrying about what she would possibly tell her mother. Had she failed? Would her mother blame her? But God gave the little girl wisdom and orchestrated the entire event so that the baby could be raised by his mother (and get paid for it!) until he was old enough to live in the King's palace. This allowed the young boy to become familiar with the Hebrew ways, learn to love his people, and gave him a unique perspective into the plight of the Israel people.
When he moved into the palace his heart would stay with his people. He was able to learn the ways of the Egyptians, had their education, learned how to carry himself and speak to them in a way they would listen, but he was still who his mother raised him to be. He grew angry enough with the treatment of the Israelite's that he eventually killed an Egyptian for beating a slave. This put him on the run. Taught him how to survive in the wilderness where he earned favor with his future father-in-law, a very wise man who taught him how to lead.
Now Moses had a very eventful life, may of these events must have seemed unfair to Moses. He must have had many "Why God" moments. We don't know the dreams he had for his future, but whether they were dreams of living with his birth family, or dreams of the palace, they were thwarted. He couldn't go back. He followed his heart and did what he felt was right and here he was on the run, alone, and he could never go back. In the meantime, God was putting together the perfect resume for the man who could lead His people to the Promised Land.
God could have protected the Israelite's from the atrocities of the Egyptians, but sometimes God needs to allow things to happen so we are moved to a place where we will do things we never would otherwise do. This makes me wonder, did they have the opportunity to move toward the Promised Land earlier and avoid slavery all together? Had God been whispering the the leaders that they needed to pack up and move on for decades? Did the people ignore the promptings and stay where things were nice and easy until it was too late?
Whatever the case, they were now at a place where their baby boys were being killed and a mother was forced to hide her pregnant belly and not share what would otherwise would have been joyous news. When the baby was born she had to hide her baby, fearing the day his cries could no longer be muffled and he would be found and killed. She must have cried out to God every hour of every day. Finally the day came where she did the best she could do for her son. She wove a basket and made sure it would float. Camouflaged it so that it would not be easily found, and sent it down the river, praying that God would send it to just the right person to save her baby boys life, raise him, and give him a future.
She sent her daughter to watch over the basket. No doubt this little girl had helped her mother care for the boy and weave the basket. They would have spent hours talking about all the what if's and dreamt about the family that would eventually take care of the boy.
As the girl watched the king's daughter and her servant come to the river she must have been panicked. Was this the best or worst scenario? There is no way this woman could have had a reputation of saving baby boys. The young girl must have held her breathe in fear, waiting for what would happen next and worrying about what she would possibly tell her mother. Had she failed? Would her mother blame her? But God gave the little girl wisdom and orchestrated the entire event so that the baby could be raised by his mother (and get paid for it!) until he was old enough to live in the King's palace. This allowed the young boy to become familiar with the Hebrew ways, learn to love his people, and gave him a unique perspective into the plight of the Israel people.
When he moved into the palace his heart would stay with his people. He was able to learn the ways of the Egyptians, had their education, learned how to carry himself and speak to them in a way they would listen, but he was still who his mother raised him to be. He grew angry enough with the treatment of the Israelite's that he eventually killed an Egyptian for beating a slave. This put him on the run. Taught him how to survive in the wilderness where he earned favor with his future father-in-law, a very wise man who taught him how to lead.
Now Moses had a very eventful life, may of these events must have seemed unfair to Moses. He must have had many "Why God" moments. We don't know the dreams he had for his future, but whether they were dreams of living with his birth family, or dreams of the palace, they were thwarted. He couldn't go back. He followed his heart and did what he felt was right and here he was on the run, alone, and he could never go back. In the meantime, God was putting together the perfect resume for the man who could lead His people to the Promised Land.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Exodus 1
Ok, so I'm going to try this online devotional thing about the Israelite's journey to becoming a nation. I was going to start when they were released from Egypt, but then it really started with the plagues, right? But wait...there was the persecution before that and their initial impression of Moses. Or was it when their baby boys started being murdered? So, I decided to just start at the beginning of Exodus and do a chapter at a time and see where that takes us.
Today's deep thought is from Exodus Chapter 1. It talks about how Joseph's family was brought to Egypt because of what Joseph had done for the Egyptians during the famine. The Israelite's grew in number and when a new king came in power he felt that the Israelite's were becoming more powerful than the Egyptians. The people had forgotten what Joseph had done for them by that point.
To solidify their power the Egyptians put slave bosses in charge of the Israelite's. Even still, the Israelite's grew in numbers and obtained more land. This is when the Egyptians became more cruel, made their lives miserable, and decided to kill their sons. Even through all of this God's hand was with them. He sent two women to ignore these orders and let the baby boys live. No matter what they came against, God was moving in their favor. No matter how they were oppressed, God was interceding for them. No matter how broken they felt or what was taken away from them, God had a plan of blessing and restoration far better than they could have imagined. When they must have felt forgotten, God was very aware and working behind the scenes to create a story that would be told until the end of time.
How does that parallel our lives?
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
No matter who we are or what we are going through, God has created us, we are his children, and he does have a purpose and a plan for us. The Israelite's were persecuted because someone saw the fruit of God's favor on them and they were afraid and/or jealous. They tried to put a stop to it. For every action they took against the Israelite's, God countered it. At this point in the story the Israelite's didn't see it. They must have been quite broken. But now that we know what happened, since we get to peek behind the curtain and see what's really going on, we know that they were never forgotten and that God was very invested in their situation. I think that's what we can pull from this. That no matter how we feel and what we see, God is there. He is doing battle for us whether we see it or not.
Today's deep thought is from Exodus Chapter 1. It talks about how Joseph's family was brought to Egypt because of what Joseph had done for the Egyptians during the famine. The Israelite's grew in number and when a new king came in power he felt that the Israelite's were becoming more powerful than the Egyptians. The people had forgotten what Joseph had done for them by that point.
To solidify their power the Egyptians put slave bosses in charge of the Israelite's. Even still, the Israelite's grew in numbers and obtained more land. This is when the Egyptians became more cruel, made their lives miserable, and decided to kill their sons. Even through all of this God's hand was with them. He sent two women to ignore these orders and let the baby boys live. No matter what they came against, God was moving in their favor. No matter how they were oppressed, God was interceding for them. No matter how broken they felt or what was taken away from them, God had a plan of blessing and restoration far better than they could have imagined. When they must have felt forgotten, God was very aware and working behind the scenes to create a story that would be told until the end of time.
How does that parallel our lives?
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
No matter who we are or what we are going through, God has created us, we are his children, and he does have a purpose and a plan for us. The Israelite's were persecuted because someone saw the fruit of God's favor on them and they were afraid and/or jealous. They tried to put a stop to it. For every action they took against the Israelite's, God countered it. At this point in the story the Israelite's didn't see it. They must have been quite broken. But now that we know what happened, since we get to peek behind the curtain and see what's really going on, we know that they were never forgotten and that God was very invested in their situation. I think that's what we can pull from this. That no matter how we feel and what we see, God is there. He is doing battle for us whether we see it or not.
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