Exodus 18

 Exodus 18 is a real story in gaining wisdom.  Moses father in law Jethro “heard the report of all that God had done” and shows up with Moses’ wife Zipporah and sons whom he had been caring for.  Moses is glad to see them and invites them into his tent where he tells Jethro the “story…and how God had delivered them”.  It was a time of celebration and remembering God’s goodness and impact.  They sacrificed and worshipped and ate together.  The next day Moses went about his business of  “judging the people” when they came to him with issues from “morning to night”.  He was one busy guy.  The lines were long and people waited for him to make a decision. 

 

Jethro had just waltzed into camp as you may recall a day or two ago.  He sees what Moses is doing and immediately says “why are you doing all this, and all by yourself”?  Hello Jethro – this is Moses you are talking to.  He is God’s chosen leader so that is what he is supposed to do.  Can you imagine a father in law coming into camp and telling his son in law who has just set the Israelites free from Pharaoh, led through through the sea, turned a stone into water and on and on – now this old man comes to town and tells Moses he is doing it all wrong.  “This is no way to go about it”.  That is pretty much in your face telling Moses he is screwing things up.  Not doing his job right.  Jethro does explain why “you’ll burn out and the people right along with you”.  So maybe he has a point but it seems a bit out of school to me – waltz in and tell Moses he is wrong.  Jethro doesn’t just tell him he is leading incorrectly – he goes the extra step of telling him now he should be doing it.  “Keep a sharp eye out for competent men….appoint them as leaders over groups…they’ll be responsible for the everyday work”.  Moses was told his job was to solve the tough cases and let the rest be handled by his selected men.  What an amazing thing to happen.  Moses the leader of the whole nation being told to do it differently.  But an amazing thing happens.  “Moses listened to the counsel of his father in law and did everything he said”.  No argument, no questioning – he just did it.  And guess what – it worked just like Jethro said it would.  As Moses listened and acted on wise counsel, he was blessed with fantastic results.  He got his life back.  Oh how different things would have been had he not heeded the wisdom.  How often do you resist the wise counsel of another?  God puts people in our lives to give us counsel.  Sometimes we need to seek those folks out.  But there is much wisdom in listening and heeding godly counsel.  Scripture tells us to do it.  This shows us how.

Exodus 17

Exodus 17 continues the journey of the Israelites.  They are moving along and again fall into the complaining mode because they are thirsty.  They complain to Moses, which is ultimately complaining to God because Moses can’t make water.  Moses is a bit worried and “cried out in prayer”.  He says “what can I do with these people?  Any minute now they’ll kill me”.  Things are a bit tough for him leading.  He knows he can’t make water either.  So the One who can, who never really got asked, comes through as usual and tells Moses to take his staff and go “strike the rock” at Horeb.  Guess what happens?  Water comes a gushing.  The people were asking “is God here with us, or not” and God gave His answer.  Yep – always have been, always will be.  So why do we continually question that.  God doesn’t move – if He doesn’t seem close it is because we have move away from Him.  I love to be reminded of the little saying: If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved.  It wasn’t God.  He doesn’t ever leave nor forsake us. 

 

While on their trip the naughty Amalekites show up to do battle.  God tells Moses to send Joshua and the boys out there.  He goes up on the hill to watch along with Aaron and Hur.  When Moses held his hands up, the Isrealites were winning, when he let them down it went the other way.  So they got a stone and Moses sat down and “Aaron and Hur held up his hands”.  This is really important to grasp.  There is no way Moses would be able to hold his arms up all day so his army could win the battle.  Had it not been for Aaron and Hur coming along side him, to lift him up, they would have gone down to defeat.  We all need folks that will come along side us to lift us up.  And we all need to be someone who does that for others – that comes along side and helps them be victorious.  That is the purpose of the body.  That is why Jesus created the church.  We need one another.  We need to come along side and lift each other up.  We need to go to battle together.  Who are you lifting up?  Not just thinking about, but really coming along side of and making a difference?  Who do you let fill that role in your life?  We all have to get with the program here.  That is God’s task for us in the body!

Exodus 16

   Exodus 16 tells the story of God’s provision for His people in the wilderness.  They have been moving toward the Promised Land and are struggling to find enough food.  So guess what?  “The whole company complained against Moses and Aaron there in the wilderness”.  What a surprise.  These guys lead them from captivity, have rescued them from sure destruction, and how quickly are now the problem since tummies aren’t filled and expectations aren’t met.  Leadership has its privileges doesn’t it?  I am sure you have experienced it many times yourself, even if you are only leading one other person.  That may be your spouse or family, someone you are mentoring, church something (this is really common for some reason in churches – the complaining) or any number of spots God may have given you a role of leading someone or some group.  This program wasn’t Moses’ at all – it is God’s plan.  So two key things are pointed out here:

1. God says he will “test them to see if they will live according to my teaching”.
2. Moses points out “you haven’t been complaining against us, but against God”.

God uses our circumstances to test us and grow us to maturity.  Life will not be without some struggles.  That is reality.  And we shouldn’t constantly look for someone to blame when things get a little tough.  It will happen and it is by design.  We could camp on this for a long while, but you need to understand that God is in the business of growing us up.  That means some difficult lessons must be learned.  We also need to remember that when we complain about any leadership that is God appointed and annointed, we are really complaining about God.  That may not sit well with some of you, but there is a big difference between complaining and constructive feedback.  Complaining is whining without any intent of getting involved to help make things better.  It is done to tear down and destroy, not build up and go further.  It is all about the complainer, not the situation or the leader.  There is no place for it and God is clear in scripture He really dislikes it a lot.

 

The second thing that happens here is God’s provision of manna and meat.  Miraculous – measured – daily.  Of course some try to hoard it, some are not motivated to gather enough – but God provided exactly what was needed.  He also dealt with provision of extra for the Sabbath.  We could spend a lot of time on this area too, but suffice it to say we need to figure out God’s plan for that day in our lives.  He has some strong words and I for one am not sure I have it right today.  How about you?

Exodus 15

 Exodus 15 tells us what happens after the miracle of crossing through the sea.  In a word, they “sang”.  In fact they were “singing my heart out to God”.  As I read this chapter it brought back a song that I sang a long time ago about the “horse and rider into the sea”.  Did you sing it?  It happened right here in Exodus as Moses led his people to freedom.  The Egyptians “sank like a rock” and God set His people free.  I love the three things they call out as truths about God:

1. “God is my strength”
2. “God is my song”
3. “God is my salvation”

Is that true in your life?  Is God your strength, song and salvation?  Do you have that kind of relationship with Him?  Same God today as Moses served.  It is all about the relationship.   Here is a key that scripture tells us.  It says the Israelites were “telling the world” about what God had done.  They were telling the world about the fact they were “the people God redeemed”.  They didn’t just enjoy and savor it themselves.  God acted, they told.  Do you do that?  When God moves in your life, do you tell people?  Or are you just quiet about it, keeping it to yourself so no one knows you are a Christ follower and God believer?  We need to tell the story.  We need to express our thanks and give God the glory.

 

Interestingly, they move on and spend three days wantering in the desert “without finding any water”.  That is quite a while to go without water, but it amazes me, although in honestly I probably would have been right there with them, “the people complained”.  They were frustrated with Moses and God because there was some discomfort in their life.  Moses does another God thing and throws a stick into the bitter water and makes it drinkable – no big deal for a God who just parted the sea.  So why do we struggle to remember that God can not only handle it, He is in control?  My we have short memories.  It is also interesting that “God set up rules and procedures” at this place and told them to “listen obediently”.  There is a concept we all need to latch on to – actually a couple things.  We need to listen to God – not spend our time trying to tell God things.  We then need to be obedient.  God doesn’t tell us things for us to consider whether we should take action.  God’s word and truth demands action.  It is not optional.  That is where so many times we miss it.  God’s Word requires our obedience and action.  It has to be done.  It is not up to us to decide whether it fits our needs or desires.  If God said it, we better do it.  That is what obedience is all about.

Exodus 14

Exodus 14 tells the story of one of the big events in the Bible.  Moses has led the people from captivity and is on the road to the Promised Land.  Back in the city, Pharaoh and his advisors have awakened to realize that their labor force just walked out of town.  They will have to work again.  That is not what they want.  So they “changed their mind” and asked “what have we done”.  They have no intention of returning to a life where they have to actually work again.  This is all part of God’s plan to “put my Glory on display” by yet again seeing a hard hearted Pharaoh resist God’s plan.  Pharaoh takes 600 of his best chariots and a bunch of other chariots and foot soldiers and takes off in pursuit of the Israelites.  They have set up camp by the sea.  They hear the Egyptians coming and “they were totally afraid”.  Rightfully so if you are depending on your own strength to do battle.  They have been slaves for the last 430 years so were far from a fighting machine.  And as you might expect, they immediately blame Moses.  “What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt”?  Human nature always looks for someone to blame.  Never mind he has just freed the people from 430 years of slavery.  Never mind he is leading them to the Promised Land – has just completed 10 miraculous plagues – is God’s chosen leader.  No – when things get tough – all people whine and blame and these folks are no different.

 

Moses tells them “don’t be afraid.  Stand firm and watch God do his work….God will fight the battle for you”.  My how we all need to heed these words.  So often when things are tough, we take on the fight all on our own.  Yet we serve the same God as Moses did.  He wants to do battle for us as well – if we will just get out of the way.  To often we hang on to things and prevent God from putting His glory of display in our lives.  But not this day – Moses holds up his arms – spreads the sea – and the people walk across on dry ground.  Of course the Egyptians follow them in and end up getting really wet to the point “not one of them survived”.  I love how scripture says it – “the Israelites walked right through the middle”.  A few moments earlier they were complaining how Moses had led them to certain death.  Now God has moved and they are walking through the sea to safety.  Of course then attitudes change and “the people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses”.  My how a little miracle changes everything.  Not long before they were wanting to string him up – now Moses is the hero.  Do you trust God?  Will you let Him do battle for you?

Exodus 13

Exodus 13 tells the story of the trip toward the promised land.  Pharaoh has let the people go and Moses is leading them to their new homeland.  It is interesting that along that long road he takes time to deliver this message from God.  “Always remember this day”.  More and more I am noticing how God is very consistent in telling us to remember.  We need to recognize what He does in our lives and not only remember “because of what God for me” – we also need to “tell your child” the story of God’s touch in our lives.  Remember and tell – God’s command to the people as they leave Egypt.  God also instructs them to set aside a “day of observance” on which to focus their remembering “year after year after year”.  This is not a short term request – God wants the people to set aside time each year to spend a day remembering their past and looking forward to the future.  This is a big deal to God, and needs to be to us as well.  They have just been freed from 430 years of slavery.  They are on the road to the promised land with everything thing own.  God is focused on the message that they need to remember.  Seems pretty quick to come – but God knows just how short our memory is.  And scripture sure verifies that the people quickly forget all that God does for them just to fall into sin and mess it up immediately.

 

The other thing that God does as the people move down the road is to provide them “the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night”.  It “never left the people”.  I watched a bit of the “10 Commandments” movie this weekend and saw the reenactment of this story.  What an amazing thing God did as He secures the release from Pharaoh and then moves the masses of people, livestock and stuff to the promised land.  We serve an amazing God and these pillars are so important as God never left the people for a moment.  I find it interesting that “God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea”.  It wasn’t the shortest route to the new land.  It was God’s route and Moses followed where God led.  God knew that if they people ran into resistance they would turn and go back.  He knew the story before it happened.  So God leads them His way in a way that will lead to His Story.  Would you have argued that there was a better way to go?  Would you have followed through the wilderness road or wanted to do it your own way?  God had a plan, and Moses led the people there but it wasn’t without some resistance and challenge.  Yet God continues to show Himself strong and the people travel day and night.  They are moving toward the promised land!

Exodus 12

 Exodus 12 gives the story of the last plague that God executed on Pharaoh and all of Egypt.  The plague was the death of every firstborn, children and animals.  God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to prepare for this pending doom.  They had to follow very specific instructions with detailed timelines to brush the blood of a sacrificed lamb on their door posts so they would be spared the result of God’s plague.  The blood is important because that was the sign that they were of God’s family.  God said “when I see the blood I will pass over you”.  It is important to note that Moses was clear that any deviation would turn out badly.  Scripture tells us “they did it all”. Not bad for a guy who said he couldn’t communicate.  He has delivered the message clearly to Pharaoh and now also his entire people.  The day comes, the people prepared as God had instructed through Moses, and death makes its mark. 

 

“At midnight GOD struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt….There wasn’t a house in which someone wasn’t dead”.  Have you stopped to consider that?  A firstborn may be someone who is very old.  It isn’t dependent on age, but birth order.  This plague affected all, including Pharaoh.  There was widespread death and wailing.  “The Egyptians couldn’t wait to get rid of them”.  Pharaoh calls for Moses and Aaron and tells them to get out and take all their stuff with them.  They hastily pack and hit the road.  They had been there “430 years, to the day”. Long time of captivity.  Lots of them had never known any other way of life. God clarifies the rules regarding the Passover and sets up that pattern for the years ahead.  “All the Israelites did exactly as God commanded”.  Did you catch that?  “ALL” did what they were supposed to do.  Of course they have just witnessed 10 plagues from which they were mostly spared.  They have seen Moses and Aaron consistently lead them in God’s ways.  They now are leaving the place they have lived for 430 years and taking all their stuff to go to a new land.  Change is in the air – rapid change – with little warning.  Yet they all participate and obey.  They all do what they are commanded.  We can learn much from their example!

Exodus 11

 Exodus 11 brings us to the final showdown between God and Pharaoh.  In review, there have been nine different plagues to this point:

1. Water turns to blood
2. Frogs
3. Gnats
4. Flies
5. Animals die
6. Boils
7. Hail
8. Locusts
9. Darkness

 

Now we are to the 10^th and final plague that God will use to set His people free.  Moses goes “one final time” to deliver God’s message.  This time “every firstborn child in Egypt will die”.  God is really pretty much down to the last straw here.  We have moved to the most precious territory – kids.  It is really hard to imagine how Pharaoh can still be hard hearted after these nine plagues, yet if we are honest and look in the mirror, we probably can identify some things in our own lives we just refuse to let go that we know need to be gone.  Why do we let it go so far before we submit our will and walk in obedience to God.  It really is a battle of wills here.  Pharaoh refuses to give in and allow his own pride to be defeated.  This time thought it will become very personal for him.

 

Moses is getting tired of it too.  Scripture tells us he was “seething from anger” as he left Pharaoh after delivering this last message.  Can you imagine being the one who has to deliver the message and then put the plague in action by doing a simple sign as God directs.  Moses is frustrated that Pharaoh won’t give in.  But God tells him that Pharaoh is “not going to listen”.  God knows it ahead of time.  God moves forward with all these things so that the “signs of my presence and work are going to multiply in the land”.  God will make His presence known.  God does win in the end.  God is in control.  The sooner we figure it out and get lined up with His plan the better for all.  Pharaoh is “more stubborn than ever”.  How about you?  Are you walking with God, or against Him?  Are you seeing His hand and walking in obedience?  If you don’t you will move from seeing His hand to feeling it.  Much better to make the first choice!

Exodus 10

 Exodus 10 reveals two more plagues on the land of Egypt as Pharaoh continues his stubbornness and hard heart against letting Moses and the people go.  First come the locusts which eat everything in sight – to the point there was “not a sign of green” left anywhere.  I love how scripture tells us that “God let loose an east wind” and viola – here they came.  God has at his disposal an arsenal of every kind that is beyond our imagination.  We serve an amazing God.  We serve a God who has no limitations.  So after Pharaoh still refuses to give in, the ninth plague comes and it is three days of darkeness – “a darkness so dark you can touch it”. That is pitch black.  Scripture tells us they didn’t move for three days except for the Israelites – it was “light where they were living”.  Pharaoh still resists God and won’t let them go although he continues to creep closer.  After number eight he offers to let the men go, and after this one he offers to let the people go without their stuff.  He wants them to come back as they are his work force and his kingdom has been built on their backs.

 

But the key thing I want to point to in this chapter is why all this is happening.  We see two reasons God gives us:

1. “So I can force him (Pharaoh) to look at these signs”
2. “So you’ll be able to tell your children and grandchildren”

And the underlying reason is the real key – “so that you’ll all know that I am God”.  It is so obvious that God wants us to know Him.  God wants a relationship with us.  He wants us to recognize the power of His hand and to know that He is the great I Am.  God wants us to experience that but also to tell our kids and grandkids about Him too.  Have you done that recently?  Have you shared who God is and how He has been part of your life?  Have you remembered the past and shared the way God has been active in your life?  Have you talked about the present and what you are doing to walk with Him moment by moment?  Have you shared the picture of the future and all God’s glory that is coming?  We have a responsibility and an opportunity to tell God’s story – the story of His power and hand in our lives to all around us.   Are you talking?

Exodus 9

 Exodus 9 continues the saga of Pharaoh and Moses.  It is a showdown of God’s power unleashed through Moses and Pharaoh’s stubbornness to hang on to the people and his sinful lifestyle.  Moses lets go with the 5^th plague which is “severe disease” that kills all the livestock.  Then comes the plague of the boils.  This time the magicians weren’t exempt as “they were covered with boils just like everyone else”.  Number seven is the hail.  God caused it to hail to the point that “everything exposed in the open…..will die”.  That is some serious hail falling from the sky.  Of course there was “no hail in Goshen” where the Israelites lived.  So now we have seen seven different plagues result from Pharaoh’s response to God’s request delivered through Moses. 

 

Scripture tells us “Pharaoh stayed stubborn”…. “God hardened Pharaoh in his stubbornness”….. “Pharaoh’s heart turned rock-hard”.  Are you seeing a pattern here?  I sure am.  Pharaoh gets close to giving in until the pain stops and then he digs in his heals again.  He just won’t let go.  He is intent on hanging on to what he thinks he owns.  That is how sin works.  Scripture tells us that in spite of all the bad things that have happened – and in his case there is no question that the circumstances are directly related to his refusal to obey – “he kept right on sinning, stubborn as ever”.  When I read this section of scripture I ask my self how dumb can one guy be?  Once maybe, even a second time just to make sure the connection between disobedience and pain really exist, but c’mon, we are at plague number seven and he still doesn’t get it.  Sound like anyone else you know?  When I look in the mirror I see myself pretty clearly.  Far too often I don’t make the connection that disobedience brings results that are not what I want.  There is a connection – a very direct one.  When we disobey God – which is called SIN – we will pay a price.  Left as is that price is eternal separation from God.  Thankfully for us, God provided a way for us to pay the price of sin through the death of Jesus on the Cross.  But that only happens if we choose to make Him Savior and Lord of our life.  It isn’t some blanket coverage for anyone who breathes.  It is based on a personal relationship with the Savior upon recognition that our sin has separated us from God.  Pharaoh hasn’t connected the dots yet.  Have you?  If you have, are you helping others make that same discovery?  We all are stubborn and hard hearted.  Jesus is our only solution.  Don’t miss that!