Exodus. I am one of those people who, when all else fails, finally reads the instruction manual. That is, until it comes to putting together a somewhat complicated piece of equipment or furniture. Some time ago that was the case with a fairly large, complex exercise machine. It arrived in something like seven different boxes! I suddenly became very particular about taking inventory of all the tiny parts before I followed the construction steps to the letter.
I think of that experience when I read today's Scripture in Exodus. This is not a fun passage for me because it doesn't fit the way I think. Over the years, though, I have noticed that people have taken this set of instructions a built a reproduction of the Tabernacle.
What does this passage say to you?
Monday, February 7, 2011
February 7, Day 38
Sunday, February 6, 2011
February 6, Day 37
Exodus. God gave very specific instructions about how to handle property disputes. They had been slaves their whole lives. Personal property wasn't much of an issue. Now they had to learn how to live as owners.
Three Festivals were held each year to celebrate God's provision for His people. Each of them marked, not only an important agricultural season, but a reminder about the character of God.
God promised to go before His people when then entered the Promised Land. Next, God called key leaders near to show them some of His work and validate Moses as their leader. They were about to be tested; Moses would disappear into the cloud with God and be gone a long time. Would they remember this event and stand strong? Or would they give in to the desires of the people?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
February 5, Day 36
Exodus. What a picture of God's holiness! First, Moses alone (later, with Aaron) could go up on the mountain. The people were unholy and would be destroyed if they went. Then there were the commandments themselves. I like things simple and love it that Jesus boiled them down to two: love God supremely and love your neighbor as yourself.
How about the chapter on the treatment of slaves? That's a stretch for us, because we can't imagine such a culture. Slavery, however, was part of the human condition for most of history. Thank God that He has opened our eyes about this issue!
Friday, February 4, 2011
February 4, Day 35
Exodus. Chapter 16 tells the story of the manna. The word, which can be translated "what is it?" was a depiction of its significance. Manna gave them the ability to sustain life, but it is far off-base to consider it the food of spiritual giants. The manna was only for the time they were in the wilderness and God's original plan was for that time to be short. They ate the spiritual equivalent of baby food for 40 years!
"Strike the rock and water will come gushing out." (Exodus 17:6 NLT) Hundreds of years later, Jesus -- our rock -- was struck making it possible for us to receive rivers of living water which would flow from our innermost being.
Chapter 17 also includes graphic picture of spiritual war. Joshua was down in the valley leading the physical army to do everything possible to defeat the enemy. Meanwhile, Moses was up on the mountain waging the spiritual side of the battle. You might be interested to note that Amalek does reappear throughout the Old Testament as a force against God's people. Like other elements of this story, Amalek was a historical reality, but also had symbolic significance. In the New Testament, Paul wrote about how (for the Christian) our flesh sets its desire against the spirit. Amalek always symbolizes the flesh -- a constant battle.
On a personal note, I have at times discovered what it means to be lifted up during spiritual battle. A year ago at this time, our extended family was going through a great trial. I received an email from a lady who takes her role as intercessor very seriously. She had started to fast and pray for me and other leaders just before this battle heated up. Her act of service greatly strengthened me.
Before you leave the story of the battle with Amalek, notice another name for God. Remember, He reveals His character through His names.
What do you think of the counsel Moses received from Jethro? What about God's stringent requirements that the people stay away from the mountain while God and Moses met?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February 3, Day 34
Exodus. Our reading today begins with the dedication of the firstborn. This act of "redeeming" the firstborn was a powerful symbol that we must bring our best (our first) to God. If your view is that God is a mean, demanding deity who sucks the life out of people, this will seem abusive to you. However, when you understand that God is a loving dad who provides us with everything we need, it's a joy to bring our best to Him.
The portrayal of the Red Sea crossing is breathtaking. I want to interject this one truth: the deliverance from Egypt (which, in Scripture, symbolizes the power of the world) was all the people needed. God had set them free! However, God provided a second event to make them completely aware of their freedom. That second event, crossing the Sea, was used to make them fully aware of what God had done in the first event.
Both events are pictures of something that becomes clear again in the New Testament. Deliverance from Egypt is like what happens to us when we give our hearts to Christ -- we are set free from our slavery to the world and its sin. Jesus was clear in His commands, though, that we participate in a second event -- passing through the waters of baptism -- in order to seal the power of the first event in our hearts and minds. That is why we (at SRC) stand firm on the fact that New Testament baptism always occurred after someone chose to receive Christ and was always by immersion in water.
Notice the celebration of the Hebrews. What does it bring to mind?
Today in Exodus 15:26 we discover another name for God. Remember, He revealed Himself to Moses as Jehovah, or Yahweh -- literally "I am that I am" -- from the burning bush. Now He joins the name Jehovah with the word Jireh, which means healer or healing. Jehovah-Jireh: I am your healer.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
February 2, Day 33
Exodus. As I read today's passage, I noticed the words: Pharaoh’s officials now came to Pharaoh and appealed to him. “How long will you let this man hold us hostage?" Isn't it amazing how God turned the tables on the situation? At the beginning, it was Israel who was hostage. Systematically, God tore down the power structure of the enemy. I think He does the same for us when we sincerely cry out to Him.
If you are new at this, notice that they were delivered from the angel of death by faith; they trusted God's word and placed blood on their doors. The blood had the power to stop the death angel, but they had to believe in order to place their homes under the protection of the blood.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
February 1, Day 32
Exodus. The battle between good and evil heats up in today's passage. The powers of darkness had long kept people captive in Egypt. One by one, God had Moses take on the spirits. Pharaoh kept hardening his heart. After all, his nation had built their whole economy on slave labor. Sounds like some countries in our world today.
One verse jumped off the page at me. "But this time I will spare the region of Goshen, where my people live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the LORD and that I am present even in the heart of your land." Exodus 8:22 (NLT) Whoa! Here was the mightiest nation on the planet, steeped in various kinds of black arts and pagan worship and God makes it clear that He is present. I take heart in that promise, especially when my world seems to be falling apart.
