#166 Banner Exodus 17

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.”

15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against[c] the throne of the Lord,[d] the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” Exodus 17:8-16 NIV

Israel must have seemed an easy target to Amalek, like refugees or border people. Joshua assembles an army to meet the threat, and Moses moves to a place high above the battle. He will hold up his staff to heaven, in view of the army. I often hear of the troubles of people, and I look through my arsenal, and find it insufficient to help. If only I could explain the truths of God better, then they would see. If only I had more money, then I could relieve the pressure of their financial situation. If only. When it is in my power to help, I should, but it is always within my grasp to pray, and yet that is where I have been the least diligent. I use to think God should fix all these problems, disease, poverty and every other physical defect, then I could believe in Him. It is a short sighted approach, and tied to my flesh, and as I now approach Him to pray, I ask His will be done and that He be glorified in this. You see, there is One who prays on my behalf and makes intercession for me. His perspective of these matters is eternal, and while I may look at my situation as a battle for which I am not fit or prepared, He has already been there, and He will not leave me. It is with up stretched hands that we start to see things differently, and trust the One who is Sovereign in all. The Amalekites made an enemy of the living God, and when Moses' hands were down, for a time they thought they might just win the battle, but the battle belongs to God. 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. 23rd Psalm

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

2He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“ ‘Father,a

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.b

3Give us each day our daily bread.

4Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.c

And lead us not into temptation.d ’ ”

5Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacitye he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks forf a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

#165 Rock Exodus 17

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

4 Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

5 The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” Exodus 17:1-7 NIV

Massah, because they tempted God, and Meribah because they quarreled. Who is more patient than God? Has He not demonstrated both His desire and ability to help them? I use to say that God was not for me, because of pain, suffering, and all the injustices I saw in this world. So much I tried His patience, it was almost to my own demise. There was justice here, but I refused to call it such. The word tells us that the whole world is under this judgement, that justice is being served most naturally as sin's wages. We do not logically make that connection to sin, and choose rather to go after God for being just. If we feel that God is not listening or responding, at the speed or in the way that we would like, then we say He does not exist, and then we seek to take out our anger on the messenger. It is good news he brings to a dying world, but we would rather cling to the very cause of what we complain about. There is a Rock, in the midst of all of this though, and the water that issues forth can quench the deepest of thirsts. It can cleanse a man's soul and open his eyes. 

For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said, "I love You, O LORD, my strength." 2The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.…Psalm 18:1&2

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Revelation 21:6

#164 Rest Exodus 16

19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”

20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers[b] for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’”

24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”

27 Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you[c]refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

31 The people of Israel called the bread manna.[d] It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’”

33 So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the Lord to be kept for the generations to come.”

34 As the Lord commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved. 35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.

36 (An omer is one-tenth of an ephah.) Exodus 16:19-36

The manna must be eaten, it must be gathered early in the day. There comes a point where it can no longer be gathered, and it cannot be saved against that day of hunger. It has expired, but on that sixth day there is preparation enough for the miracle of the seventh. Many went out looking on the seventh day, and as He said, there was none of the bread to be found. It was the day of the Lord, the day of rest for man, the contemplation of food spiritual, rather than material. Resources are a funny thing with men, worthy of greed, violence, and disobedience to the voice of God. What is truly my own? My house was never, it carried a property tax with it as long as I was there. I love my wife, but I have no desire to claim ownership, she is her own person, and a part of me by choice. Though a practitioner of procreation, I merely played a part in a process I did not design. My children are in my care, and they are truly a blessing from the Lord, but they belong to Him. I am very guilty of acknowledging the things I don't have, but very slowly I am becoming grateful for the least thing. It is not even my life, and so I thank God for the breath and mostly that He has seen fit to change my heart, to speak to me through His word.

how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?" 27Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28"So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:26-28

But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." 16And He told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive.…Luke 12:14-16

#163 Food Exodus 16

The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”

9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

11 The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. 16 This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer[a] for each person you have in your tent.’”

17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. Exodus 16: 1-18 NIV

They murmur, how horrible their lives have become. The provisions of the trip have run out and no one wants to admit dependence upon God. It would have been better to have died in Egypt. They remind me of myself as a teenager, everything was so unfair, and later as an adult, new, different problems, yet still so unfair. As I watch the bass from the shore, breaking on schools of bait, I miss my kayak, and I am tempted to think, how unfair. It is not even useful at this point, to compare my life to another. This is the life I was granted, with every opportunity to seek and know God. The word of God is my manna, or "what is this?" Everything becomes dependent upon the word of God whether by judgement of the plagues, or sustenance of the quail and bread. I could store this up for myself and find, in the morning, an inside full of decay, corrupted by worms. The most basic of needs, resources, shall often keep a man from helping his neighbor. He sees the man hungry, but he has stored up for himself provisions through the week. I will need those, and so, as if they belong to me, I will watch you starve. If I am a child of God, and it is in my care, but I am also in ear shot of my neighbor's empty belly, then I should take them some of the Lord's provision. 

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10: 25-37

And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" 5Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,…Matthew 4:3-5

#162 And not a drop to drink Exodus 15

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.

24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.

27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. Exodus 15: 22-27 KJV

I would like to laugh at these people who have witnessed the parting of great waters, but I fear it would be vane on my part. My stomach is full and I am at rest today. I have already drank a glass of water to start my morning, and there is a cup of coffee beside me as a write. When the canteen is full, the urgency to find a spring is not there, and at that point, a man's thirst will remind him that he cannot live without the water. The waters of Marah are bitter and undrinkable in their present state, yet there is life there, but it will require an act of God. They cannot take of the life giving water until the tree is thrown in. We are often tempted to complain, and we are ruled by our bellies and our thirst. When my comforts are removed for a time, and I am stuck in the Ramen noodle wilderness, or I have gone a period without casting a line, it easy to become disgruntled. No one has promised me steak and lobster tails, but my mind has become so fixed upon the thought of them, that I cannot eat what is before me. I cannot laugh at these people, the water was undrinkable, but if God were to give us everything we want, would we ever learn what it is that we need?

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 13Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.…1 Cor. 6:12-14

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." 15The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw."…John 4:13-15

#161 Freedom's Song Exodus 15

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.

4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

18 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.

19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Exodus 15: 1-21 KJV

It is said, that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. All glory belongs to Him from whom all creation originates. There is a certain peaceful logic in this too, our eyes would fall quickly upon material possessions, chariots, horses and the faith of our own might. Even the best and mightiest of men falls to entropy. They had just been saved by the unlikeliest of means, and did not lift a hand to fight for themselves. God controlled the wind, stood between them and their enemy, and brought them to the other side. They had whined, and would complain more, but the victory belongs to God. I think this is the first time I have seen a song recorded since I started this Bible study. It would be interesting to know what it sounded like then; it is difficult to hum along to in the English language. Their enemy sought to take them back, because without them they were not so magnificent, and it would appear as defiance to all other lands. It was more valuable to them than their own lives, for their comes a time when the patience of God is done, and the righteousness of God must be met. In this song they recognize this as God's mercy to them. All men deserve the same in regards to sin, so I will beg for mercy, and not just my own, but for that all those who do not yet believe. I praise you God, you are much greater than my understanding, more Holy than my mind can conceive, and that you would extend your love to me, in pain and humiliation no less, more gracious to me every day. 

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11

#160 Closing Water Exodus 14

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.”

19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground,with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”

26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.”27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward[c] it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

29 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Exodus 14:13-31 NIV

There is much going on here that would apply to both Israel, at the birth of the faith of those enclosed by the sea, and the body of believers, who have by faith in Christ been grafted in. "Do not be afraid, stand....and see." After the wonders they have seen in Egypt, they have much reason to listen, but there is a man, coming with his army, and he has seen all these things as well. In his mind, he is a god, his way is better, and so he defies all logic and reason, and now the pillar of cloud and the angel of the Lord move between Pharaoh's army and Israel. Surely a man will repent at this point, but no, I fear not so, for I have heard too many times the battle cry of those that hate the word of God, that love their slavery. The emotional arguments, the shouldering of those heroes of contradiction and delusion, and they would call good evil and evil good. There are those Christians in other places that suffer for what they believe, but where I live you are just deemed politically incorrect. It is a small cross to bear, barely a prick on the finger, but many succumb to it. We would choose to run away, to fit in, to deny the words of God, instead of standing firm upon them. Which God do you believe in, the one approaching with his army, or the One that says stand and see My deliverance? This is the Creator, the God of the Bible, the One who also claims that there is only one way. He is a stumbling block to my social life, a wall at times to my career, and the more I know of Him, the less good I see in myself. The Lord tells Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and for a whole night the wind blows against the sea, and for a whole night the Egyptians may still ponder the sanity of this. Israel passes through the sea on dry ground, and the armies of the god of Egypt pursue. 

2 Peter 3:1-18:1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen

The sea floor is not a place for men, horses or chariots, and there is only one way to enter and pass through. Some tried to follow, but the angel of the Lord could not be found among them. Instead they entered the sea with an Antichrist, the god of their choosing. Maybe today, with what we "know" and all our technology, we could make a stand, united as men, against the God of creation. Maybe we will get to that place, where our knowledge so increases, that we can explain away this God, find our own answer to this problem of evil, possibly legislate it away. Maybe we can evolve, become gods ourselves, the thing made and playing with the ingredients that were already here, right? I don't think I shall join your army, I shall just stand here and wait. 

#159 The Holidays Exodus 14

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.

5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?

6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:

7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.

8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.

10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.

11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. Exodus 14:1-12 KJV

He directs them to a place where they cannot run. It is a position of military suicide, but must have first appeared like a holiday at the beach. Everything is grand until there is turmoil; how quickly we forget God in times of good, and yet, once we are aware of Him, how quickly we place the blame upon Him. He has directed them there, but it was by His mighty hand that they are now out of Egypt. Is it distrust? Did He guide them thus far, only to turn His back upon His chosen? The glory of God is worth the exhausting of the mind. A man can put upon God those characterizations that relate to himself and those of rulers, but I should think not rightly so. The glory of God is not in arrogance, for no one has made Him. The pride of men is so fraught with delusion since they did not make themselves, yet feel entitled to so much. This place by the water would be the position of a fool, if you knew there was a pursuer, but this place of entrapment is of God's choosing. It is the doctrine of His glory, delivered to a people that have no where to turn or hide. They are surrounded, and as the Egyptians close in upon them, fear settles in and some look up for their deliverance. There is only one way, it is up. Others go after the messenger, "I told you so, why did you bring us to this, where is God now?" In a strange way, Pharaoh has become an idol to them. So great is their fear of him and the sight of his army, that they cannot see God in this. I shall have to ponder this, who is my Pharaoh? Who has become bigger than the Lord in my mind? 

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call. Psalm 20:7-9 KJV

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.…Philippians 4:10-12

9 m“For my name’s sake I defer my anger,

for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you,

that I may not cut you off.

10 Behold, I have refined you, nbut not as silver;

oI have tried1 you in the furnace of affliction.

11 pFor my own sake, for my own sake, I do it,

for how should my name2 be profaned?

qMy glory I will not give to another. Isaiah 48:9-11

#158 Pillars Exodus 13

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.[a] The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.”[b]

20 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:17-22 NIV

It would have been the shorter route, through the land of the Philistines, but this was a people not yet fit for battle. Their faith was still in it's infancy, and therefore not only would they have run back to captivity, they would have run away from the promise land. We would so much rather the direct route, and that all in our way be trampled before our arrival. We would have a faith untested and call it gigantic, but God would make us tested and true. He would set us in the land of trial, and those that persevere will one day look back and see that it was only by His hand, His might, and that all glory belongs to Him. They will also count their present suffering as small. 

So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Hebrews 13:13 & 14

The picture of the wilderness and battle comes head long against our own infantile faith. I would rather pretend that I am the good guy, than stand face to face with those who hate my Lord, bearing His mark to the sounds of their laughter. And now, you tell me that my battle is not a physical one, that it is against darkness, that I am the biggest obstacle to myself. So now they laugh and I plead with God on their behalf, lest I forget that I was one of the mockers. 

Joseph was a visitor to Egypt, and no matter how high his rank there or what luxuries it afforded him, it was not his home. Moses takes the bones of Joseph with them. 

By day they were lead by the Lord's presence in a cloud; it also was a shield from the harshness of the sun. In darkness there was a pillar of fire, by which they could see and know where to set up camp. Now it is by faith, and faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. We treat the Bible with disdain and disinterest, a people much preferring to remain in the dark, and ignoring the direction of the cloud for our own way.  

From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Nun. 105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.…Psalm 119:104-106

#157 The Substitute Exodus 13

Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.”

3 So Moses said to the people, “This is a day to remember forever—the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. Today the Lord has brought you out by the power of his mighty hand. (Remember, eat no food containing yeast.) 4 On this day in early spring, in the month of Abib,[a] you have been set free. 5 You must celebrate this event in this month each year after the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites, and Jebusites. (He swore to your ancestors that he would give you this land—a land flowing with milk and honey.) 6 For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. Then on the seventh day, celebrate a feast to the Lord. 7 Eat bread without yeast during those seven days. In fact, there must be no yeast bread or any yeast at all found within the borders of your land during this time.

8 “On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the Lord did for me when I left Egypt.’ 9 This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord: ‘With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt.’[b] 10 So observe the decree of this festival at the appointed time each year.

11 “This is what you must do when the Lord fulfills the promise he swore to you and to your ancestors. When he gives you the land where the Canaanites now live, 12 you must present all firstborn sons and firstborn male animals to the Lord, for they belong to him. 13 A firstborn donkey may be bought back from the Lord by presenting a lamb or young goat in its place. But if you do not buy it back, you must break its neck. However, you must buy back every firstborn son.

14 “And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery. 15 Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, so the Lord killed all the firstborn males throughout the land of Egypt, both people and animals. That is why I now sacrifice all the firstborn males to the Lord—except that the firstborn sons are always bought back.’ 16 This ceremony will be like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. It is a reminder that the power of the Lord’s mighty hand brought us out of Egypt.” Exodus 13: 1-16 NLT

The spiritual implications are strong here. A day to remember forever, and as Israel is now freed from it's physical captors, they are told of this time, not to eat that which contains yeast. There is a slavery that men do not recognize as such, and the picture should lead us to inquire of this state. 

They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You will become free '?" 34Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35"The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.…John 8:34

On the seventh day, it must be explained to the children. The story does not end here, and it is profitable to all generations. It is the message of sin, God's Sovereignty, and His provision of a Lamb. The first born of all men and animals were to be dedicated to God, and that in sin is death, all first born humans must be bought back by substitution. It is before the tabernacle or the Levitical priesthood. Those firstborn would be set apart to do God's work, and they would be, for a time, the priest unto their families. What do you tell the children? Do you tell the children? So many years later, as I reflect upon this story, I see the end of it, the Lamb of God that Israel could not then see. The story of Messiah and the need of a Savior was long ago established, before He ever took the cross. There, on that cross, He set me free, God's first born, the substitution, but on the third day He arose and so on Sunday, we now celebrate. It is a day to be remembered for all time, a day to tell the children. At the beginning of the week we explain the way and the reason for the rest of the week. Every day belongs to God.

I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.21Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.…Romans 6:19-21

#156 Of Gentiles Exodus 12

43 And the Lord said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:

44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.

45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.

46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.

47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.

48 and when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. Exodus 12: 43-51

It is not a mere token ritual, this is not membership to a club. A stranger may not for cultural experience, curiosity or by any other means than one, partake of this covenant remembrance. When offered entry by removal of the foreskin, a person is forced to consider, and the explanation of a God, Who is the Creator, the fall of man, the covenant with Abraham and the promise of Messiah may not be enough to want to participate. It is often that the ritual becomes the doctrine, in the minds of men that seek a sign or a rite. Some may hold this participation higher than that of a contrite spirit or a mind after God. However harsh or narrow it may seem, it does not exclude, for all men need the same. All are born in sin, all fall short and all need Messiah's sacrifice in order to be reconciled to God. So from the beginning was this way, and none other, from the fall was this problem and none other. Whoever would eat of this Passover, let him eat with the understanding.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.…Galatians 5:16-18

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" 6Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7"If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."…John 14:5-7

#155 Please Leave Exodus 12

31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said.32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”

33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.

40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt[a] was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. Exodus 12:31-42 NKJV

Pharaoh is now truly afraid, for death has visited his house, and he cannot recover what was lost. The fear death is not quite the same as humility, honest remorse; he does ask of Moses to bless him, but likely because he wishes for this to end. There is little left to take, and when ever we see a soul pass from this life, we our reminded of our own inevitable end. You make think yourself wise or comfort yourself that there is only sleep after this life, but it is better to fall upon the rock and be broken, then to be crushed underneath. You will never be so hard as to break the mind of God. He does not need to change, He hasn't, He won't.

"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.44"And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust." 45When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them.…Matthew 21:44

The Egyptians are now all too ready to send the Hebrews away; please leave, take whatever you like, just leave. "We shall all be dead," for that is all they know, they are still blind and this was manifest by the darkness of the plague that proceeded death. They are in the dark about life, for they love sin and they do not see the wages of it. They are a people that believe in an after life, but not the one of God's design. How much will it help or comfort a man to say, "well the God I believe in isn't that way?" Or, "I interpret the Bible differently, I am a good person, I was born a part of this belief, there is no God, if God is like that then I shall have nothing to do with Him, and I would rather be in hell with my friends than in heaven with a bunch of boring saints." It says that it was a mixed multitude, and so it would appear that others left Egypt with the Hebrews. Maybe they had come to fear God, maybe they wanted out of Egypt for fear that it would come to ruin, I am not certain. 

So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON." Matthew 2:14 & 15

He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. Psalm 111:9&10

# 154 Covered Exodus 12

While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the Lord gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: 2 “From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. 3 Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. 4 If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat. 5 The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.

6 “Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. 7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. 8 That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal—including the head, legs, and internal organs—must be roasted over a fire. 10 Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning.

11 “These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed,[a] wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord’s Passover. 12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! 13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

14 “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the Lord. This is a law for all time. 15 For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast. On the first day of the festival, remove every trace of yeast from your homes. Anyone who eats bread made with yeast during the seven days of the festival will be cut off from the community of Israel. 16 On the first day of the festival and again on the seventh day, all the people must observe an official day for holy assembly. No work of any kind may be done on these days except in the preparation of food.

17 “Celebrate this Festival of Unleavened Bread, for it will remind you that I brought your forces out of the land of Egypt on this very day. This festival will be a permanent law for you; celebrate this day from generation to generation. 18 The bread you eat must be made without yeast from the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day of that month. 19 During those seven days, there must be no trace of yeast in your homes. Anyone who eats anything made with yeast during this week will be cut off from the community of Israel. These regulations apply both to the foreigners living among you and to the native-born Israelites. 20 During those days you must not eat anything made with yeast. Wherever you live, eat only bread made without yeast.”

21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. 22 Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning. 23 For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down.

24 “Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. 25 When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. 26 Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ 27 And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.

28 So the people of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron.29 And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. 30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. Exodus 12: 1-30 NLT

This is the beginning of a new life, marked by this passover as a new beginning to their year. Each year will be started in such a manner that all Israel may remember, and that the story of Messiah be amplified to all generations. We may ask why the strict of observance, but it is a life and death message. Every physical element of this feast portrays, in it's part, the gospel message. Remove every trace of yeast, for it takes only a little of such thinking to blind men to the truth, accept only the pure and unbleshished lamb, the bread of heaven, and let the blood be upon your outer door, to mark that you belong to Him who shed it. Let it say, that I am not ashamed of the gospel, and let it cover me from the all consuming fire. 

6 [About the condition of your church] your boasting is not good [indeed, it is most unseemly and entirely out of place]. Do you not know that [just] a little leaven will ferment the whole lump [of dough]?

7 Purge (clean out) the old leaven that you may be fresh (new) dough, still uncontaminated [as you are], for Christ, our Passover [Lamb], has been sacrificed.

8 Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened [bread] of purity (nobility, honor) and sincerity and [unadulterated] truth. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

 It is here so spelled out, but the fortitude of the message does not come merely by hearing, for men are deaf, and it is in the taking of the life of the Lamb that one becomes separated. When one receives Christ as Lord, it is the beginning of a new life, and he is now sharing also in His cross. Pharaoh, the Egyptians, your friends, family and all else who do not believe, will like the Pharisees demand a sign. They will not accept the sign given, the sign of the coming of God, the sacrifice of the unblemished for those dead in their trespasses and sin. There will be weeping, and the anger of men will be against those who believe, but hold fast and love them that hate you, for is that not what God has done for us? Paint the door of my life, oh God, and let my actions and my words reflect Your glory. All belongs to You, so let me not be afraid, let me not be ashamed, and do not let the leaven of greed or malice enter my heart. I thank you for the body and the blood of Your Son, please open the hearts of my friends and my family to receive it. 

Easter