Exodus 19:1-14 Preparing for a Wedding with the Divine

©1998-2015
Fellowship @Cross Creek
Life of Moses
Preparing for One’s Wedding with the Divine…
Ex 19:1-14
7/6/3; ed. 5/31/15

Introduction…What does it take to get into or find the presence of God… His real, intimate presence? Is there a bit of holiness or Spiritual cleansing that needs to take place? And if so, what does that look like?

Within this account of Yahweh and his bride Israel’s wedding, there is a sense of sacred awe surrounding God’s holy mountain.

Does God’s Spirit still do this with us, either the very first time, by faith, when we enter into an eternal covenant with God or even on a daily, seasonal or moment by moment basis? Do we the church, the bride, still need our dirty feet washed to enjoy intimacy with our Groom?

If so, what could or does this look like right now? Today? What does it take for you to feel or enjoy the presence and power of God? Worship? Music? A song? Prayer? Confession? His word? The community of the faithful? Perhaps different things at different times? But what works most of the time? How does it feel? Do you like this feeling? Would you like it more often? How might you better prepare to be in the presence of your Divine Love?

Your servant,

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Exodus 18:1ff Sustainable Shepherding 5-17-15

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©1998-2015
Fellowship at Cross Creek
Life of Moses
Lesson 31
Sustainable Shepherding…
Ex 18:1ff
5.17.15

Introduction…At first glance this study do-over from 2003 didn’t seem to connect with me much until the application at the end, and then it was like being hit with a bullet right between the eyes—deadly convicting. Why the sudden impact? Because we all have lots to do, or it seems that way at times. Well, so did Moses as he was leading the Children of Israel from their former Egyptian bondage and persecution through the wilderness to their Promise Land destiny. Can you imagine all the logistical nightmares and conflicts between three million people attempting to migrate from one corner of the world to just around the block? The task had to be daunting, and there was NO current leadership or management structure in place. No doubt there were tribes and families, and enough organizational structure to fight battles with, which they had just done with the Amalekites, but apparently, something more was needed—a system of administrative courts or judges or leaders where tasks could be meted out and problems resolved.

Is this not our lives, perhaps not so much with younger children, but certainly as they get older and have assignments to finish, chores to get done, problems and conflicts to solve, desires to fulfill and goals and dreams to ponder? And how does one manage all this? I am a perpetual list maker. I have lists on my marker board at church, on my marker board at home, in my little notebook that I carry with me and in my larger notebook that I carry in my backpack. I can make a list of fifty to hundred things to do in minutes. Sometimes, my lists overwhelm me and I want to run away from them because they seem never to get done. Some of the things on my list are overwhelming. I write them down like they are no big deal, and then over time come to realize that these desires or tasks may take years, even decades, to accomplish, as some have taken, and still others are still waiting to be checked off my list. Thus, I am not always so discerning about my lists. And my lists are not just about accomplishing impersonal things. In fact, many of them have to do with people, which may include difficult questions or conversations—some of these conversational approaches I must prayerfully incubate for days, weeks, months, even years.

So why do I think in endless lists and conversations with people that may take years to accomplish, if ever? Because I live. In fact, we all live… in what is now an imperfect world. Things break. People are broken. Relationships are broken. And as God’s redeemed and maturing ministering spirits or sons, this IS our task in a post-Eden fallen culture. It was once to manage a perfect garden with a helpmate, which I am not sure how all this looked or took shape, but that has now all changed.

Now we fight; now we work, and then rebel, sneak, lie, cheat, as well as, attempt to build productive coalitions that hopefully attack the never-ending, viral and devastating effects of evil or sin unleashed on a foolishly, naïve culture. In fact, I had a public defender, a very good one, tell me recently that if he could take away alcohol and drugs, there would be no need for public defenders. Almost all crime can be traced back to this slippery pursuit of immediate. short-term pleasure. Well, we tried taking away the alcohol for the very same reason several generations ago, and well, that was certainly an experiment in rearranging life’s moral clutter.

Bottom line: we all can have a lot to do because the world and people need managing and attending to, and if we are to do it well or with passion, we will have a lot to do, and if we have any hope of enduring, as we do it, we will need help.

And as his children, we have been given the basis for that help in our Spiritual Nanny or Tutor of sorts, His Spirit, but no doubt both within Israel’s vast journey within the Old Testament and the Church’s within the New Testament and beyond, the Holy Trinity of Relationship, the Godhead, Three in One, has determined that its children will perform their task of subduing or managing a fallen creation and culture—as brothers and sisters, learning to die to our sin an and selfishness, and, with the help of the Spirit, learning to work together as a team for a common Spiritual good in Christ.

A part of this study is about learning how to manage that Spiritual team of energy, vision, mercy, hope, love and passion effectively. Thus, whatever purpose God’s Spirit is leading you to shepherd, serve or grow with, don’t discount the purpose or value of Jethro’s wisdom to his son-in-law because whether you realize it or not, you are Moses in a fall world…with a whole lot to do, and if you think about it, probably more than you could ever imagine.

Your servant,

General Introduction: Moses, led by God, is leading the children of Israel, perhaps as many as 2-3 million strong, away from Egypt and closer to the land promised to the forefathers many centuries before. But their journey is not without its problems. Last week God via Moses’ staff delivered the Israelites from two enemies: a lack of water and the fierce Amalekites.

This week Moses while attempting to solve all the Israelites problems is given a great piece of wisdom from his father-in-law who has brought out Moses’ wife and children to meet him.

Recent Studies…

Israel sing out its praise to Yahweh of Yahweh God’s delivering Israel from utter annihilation at the hands of Pharaoh’s massive army. Ex. 15:1ff.

After healing Marah’s bitter waters, Yahweh tests Israel with a lasting ordinance—if you keep my laws, I will keep you safe from all the things that the Egyptians feared. Ex. 15:22ff.

Now, with their backs seemingly up against another wall–the wall of daily sustenance in the desert, the whole community rises up to turn its collective fear and complaint towards God’s servants. Ex. 16:1ff.

In turn, along with the introduction of the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest, Yahweh meets his complaining children’s desperate needs with the remarkable daily provision of manna. Ex. 16:19-36.

Via the staff Yahweh had provided Moses with, God delivers Israel from two fierce enemies; a scarcity of water and the Amalekites. Ex. 17:1ff.

Israel has her first ally on her way from Egypt to her Promise Land, Moses’ father-in-law, apparently an important Midianite priest. Ex. 18:1ff.

Pray for Insight…

Read Passage several times…

Ask Questions…

18:13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening.

Why was Moses judging the people by himself? Isn’t it strange? Why we would not think that 2-3 million people living and traveling together in the desert would not have a myriad of problems? After all they were people just like any other people. What kind of problems were they bringing him? Note: they had no law at this moment in time. They also had no organizational structure outside the tribal leadership.

14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

This could not have been fun to sit in this line all day—about like waiting in line at an amusement park on or West Highway 76.

15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.

At least this is God, if they want to know God’s will. Why would Moses know the answer to every situation? Did he pray? Did God answer? Why didn’t God tell him that there was a better way or was God doing that through Moses’ father-in-law?

16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.”

How did Moses know God’s decrees and laws? After all just a short while before, he was just a nomadic shepherd tending his sheep in the desert when he saw the burning bush.

17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good.

18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.

19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.

20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

A huge principle…teach them the decrees. Don’t keep them dependent upon you. Teach them how to think spiritually.

21 But select capable men from all the people –men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain –and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Just like in the army—brigades, regiments, companies and platoons. Why both the hundreds and fifties? This sounds a little redundant.

22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you.

Just like our court system today with its smaller courts and it supreme courts, both state and federal. I like the concept of sharing the load.

23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

You won’t crash and they will go home satisfied. For one reason they won’t have to wait all day for a small decision.

24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

Why? Why had he not thought of this before? Or had the courage to implement it?

25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

Who? Moses, judge, the people, father-in-law, God, the parties, representative, capable men, men who fear God, trustworthy men, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens, judges, capable men, all Israel, leaders of the people, Jethro.

Where? Around him, to me, home, from all Israel, on his way, to his own country.

When? The next day, morning till evening, whenever, now, at all times, at all times, then Moses sent his father-in-law.

What?

• Moses takes his seat to judge the people who waited the entire day.

• When Moses’ father-in-law sees this very inefficient and staggering load he asks Moses why?

• Moses responds that the people come to him seeking God’s will in their disputes, and he informs them of God’s decrees.

• Moses’ father-in-law challenges Moses that what he is doing is not good. They will both wear out.

• Moses’ father-in-law suggests to him to teach the people’s God’s laws and show them how to live.

• But first he must select capable, trustworthy men who are not corruptible from the power that they are about to receive.

• Men from all over the nation and appoint leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

• Let them decide the simpler cases and those they can’t, then have them bring them to you.

• You will be able to stand the strain and they will not grow frustrated and tired for having to wait so long.

• Moses implanted his father-in-law’s advice and then sent his father-in-law back on his way home.

Summary…When have one of our first great leadership lessons in the Scriptures: the selection of capable, honest leadership and administration of God’s kingdom. Teach people the law and how to apply it; then select very capable, godly, non-corruptible men to manage the decision making among the Israelites.

Why? (What truths do I learn about God, man, people, myself, life?)

• People are imperfect and not objective and therefore need leaders, rulers, judges, etc. to arbitrate their differences. In other words, as much as we hate to admit it, we need the referees.

• Sometimes we and even good leaders will try to do way too much, rather than delegate or ask for help, perhaps fearing people will turn us down or will not do as good a job as we would.

• There are more problems than we can imagine in the world. People are sinners.

• Jethro affirmed Moses’ ultimate responsibility to represent the people to God. He just gave him a better way to do it.

• Jethro advised and Moses followed through with the selection of capable, godly, non-corruptible men.

• This also has to be built on the foundation of Godly teaching, or a teaching of the underlying principles and foundations. The truth + capable leadership.

• Jethro and Moses also built a pyramidal appellate system for the more difficult cases.

• Jethro stayed long enough to see the system working fine.

• God had a purpose in bringing Jethro to his son-in-law. God uses people to give good counsel to other people.

So What?

2003 Application…

Struggle? Getting all the new Bermuda grass planted, watered and established properly, rocks and all.

Truth? God’s word teaches that via a combination of the theory and delegation, I should be able to accomplish a difficult task.

Application? I have used this system with respect to Sunday mornings, worship, home churches, the Learning Center and constructing our church. Now I am trying to make it work with respect to our Youth, Outreach, Visitor follow-up and assimilation into our Body, Facilities and Grounds, teaching and writing.

Show me how, Lord. Show me how. Show me the way. Give me my Jethro. Show me the light. Send me the help as well as the capable men to help me accomplish your goals for our church. I ask this mercifully in your son’s name.

2014 Update and Application…This is good to reflect back because so often we don’t. We just ignore or forget, but this forces me to ask and answer what did I learn in the intervening twelve years? Are things different? Did things change? How have I changed? Did I change or am I, as I have been noted of saying from time to time, just rearranging the same old furniture or clutter, or did things because of my faith, study and attempt to apply what I was learning change me or my life?

With respect to the grass, it did get planted, and it has been maintained over the years. Without water, the cool season has struggled mightily, and I mean mightily. And actually the warm season Bermuda appears like a motley mess right now. It’s been fertilized, but I am experimenting with NOT killing all the clover, henbit and chickweed, among other intruders. My assumption is that as things heat up, those varieties will die out, and the Bermuda may have more of a chance. But there does seem to be a threaded theme in much of what I do and that is without enough of the resources to get the job done, we get by. It’s not the best, and it’s not the worst. It could be much better, but it ain’t bad. So we continue on, in hopes of one day, who knows? And if not, then it was a great run, and by process of elimination, we learned a lot…a whole lot. Perhaps those behind us will do a better job.

As far as applying all this to my administering the church’s many tasks, I would say it is about the same as my managing the grounds. It could be much better, but it ain’t bad. At least it’s real. There are so many good people taking the initiative to do so many good things, within the body, the community and within their own families, and yet we still have our ministry holes, but at least what we do and who we are is for the most part NOT FAKE. It is the Real McCoy, and as far as heaven is concerned, I think that is far far more important. Our Father knows our maturity and immaturity, and he is present through his Spirit. We are dynamic, meaning NOT static, and what God wants to do with us, is his business and for his glory and purposes. Our responsibility is to seek Him and be obedient to his Spirit’s leadership as best we can. We leave the results and the bigger picture up to God. Amen.

So have I or we changed? Yes. Still making mistakes? Yes. Still learning the fine art of growing healthy sod or sheep? Absolutely. And thank God for his grace, blood, mercy and forgiveness because without it, we would be one self-condemned mess, but with it, we persevere…we grow…we learn…we love…we hope…we strive…we trust…we cry, laugh, grieve, believe, confront, teach, challenge, listen, serve, inspire, forgive, seek to understand and Spiritually influence and our certainly disciplined…we are. We are his beloved children, not based on our own righteousness, but his, and still growing up…

Thanksgiving…Seemingly a wonderfully productive day yesterday. Lots of variety… writing in the morning, pastoral visitation, listening to and loving on older people, finding and figuring out, with some prayerful help, believe it or not, how to get a new mowing belt on the church’s lawnmower, which was not easy due to the belt’s tension, then finishing up mowing the church’s grounds, then coming in late, and after taking a much-needed shower, watching an old tear-jerker WWII propaganda movie, the White Cliffs of Dover, with my wife, and then just having some special time with my wife as we ended our day, as well as, getting to read a chapter of the Washington biography that I am currently reading on…very slowly, which is so incredible, both in research, composition and subject matter. Last night, among other things, I was reading about Washington’s siege of Boston in 1775, with little to zero ammunition and countless obstacles to overcome, including short-term enlistments and a poorly trained New England-militia-based Continental Army. It was good just to read about how even Washington whined privately and how Martha overcame harsh traveling conditions to be with her husband every winter he was away from home commanding a very stretched military, which was every winter. They were two very special individuals. Thanks, Lord, for our day yesterday, and by the way, there have been many special ones here lately. And by the way, I need a lot more of them. There seems to be no end in sight of all that needs constantly attending to. Not only continue to multiply me, make me and those whom you do multiply into your Spiritual workforce better than me…for your kingdom and glory, NOT mine. Heaven forbid!

Struggle…At first, I was wondering how I might reapply the core of this study’s truth? How stupid! This is my life, and I am NOT shepherding three million people through a hostile desert with little tangible provisions in order to reclaim lands from hostile tribes that are NOT going to want to give up what they are currently occupying, and doing all this with very imperfect, stubborn people. Wait, a second! THIS IS MY LIFE!

Truth… It seems nothing has changed. If you want to do something good, you will encounter obstacles, whether by the sheer number as Moses was dealing with or the overwhelming task assigned George Washington in 1775-76 or my life today. You can’t do it alone. But finding, inspiring, recruiting, empowering, shepherding, training, teaching, forgiving, being forgiven, caring for this leadership is still an incredible Spiritual balancing act. Jethro’s main point to Moses here—you can’t do it alone, so organize it, and then and only then, play your much more necessary final appeals role, much like our Supreme Court seems to be the final arbiter legal matters with respect to our own country. Secondly, in a fallen world, mixed with Evil, there will be no shortage or problems or complaints, therefore it can’t be about solving all those completely, but simply managing them fairly and in a timely manner. But as far as problems go, they will never ever completely go away, so therefore, one might as well accept them and seek the Lord’s leadership in dealing with them appropriately, and this includes bringing others along with you in this fight, in this management, in this struggle, and this is how they too grow up and realize their purpose.

Application…As I sit here for just one moment and prayerfully analyze my own leadership style, I find both the good and the bad in it. I think for the long term, I am probably not to bad. In fact, I think I have nurtured, revealed, taught a bit, encourage and empowered lots of potential leader types over the years. And in fact, I would speculate that this really is the church or the shepherds of the flock’s final responsibility…to raise up leaders…people who will make a difference in this world. I know this is how I have felt about my kids, even my wife, and much of my flock. Having a purpose; growing up; making a Spiritually healthy difference in a culture that is quickly and vastly retreating from much of an allegiance to or dependency upon its Maker.

So in the long run, not so bad. But I fear, in the short-run I give too much latitude…that I need to be checking on my undershepherds and leader types more. Why don’t I? Laziness? Fear of finding out things are worse than I thought? Or that someone is done or burned out and I have to go and find their replacement? Not wanting to bother people? Trying to do it by myself? All the typical avoidances and excuses. On the one hand this works out good because it allows people to struggle through challenges without being rescued too quickly. It also exposes people and especially servant-leader types rather quickly. On the other hand, I have got to wonder if some of my sheep or undershepherds are wondering where is this guy? Why is he NOT checking on me? Is he going to check on me? What do I do, if he doesn’t? Do I like this freedom or do I want more accountability, encouragement or help?

God, you know my many pastoral shepherding weaknesses and flaws. I stand open to your correction…your teaching. Lead me to those who need what you want to give them through your servant, including a little extra time and attention.

Your servant,

Joseph M. Cross

Your struggle?

Truth?

Application?

Your struggles?

Truth?

Application?

Scripture quotations, unless noted otherwise, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version‚ NIV‚ Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. All rights reserved.

Exodus 18:1ff Becoming a Friend Indeed 5-10-15

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©1998-2015
Fellowship
Life of Moses
Lesson 30
Becoming A Friend Indeed…
Ex 18:1ff
5.10.15

Introduction…Who is your best friend? Ever had one? Ever lost one? Where did that friend come from? Why were they your best friend? Were you their best friend? What did they bring to the table? What did you bring to the table? Did they help you? How and why? Did you help them? Are you still friends? If so, why? If not, why? Did something occur to damage the friendship? Some betrayal of friendship? Were you sure there was a betrayal or did you presume a betrayal? Or were you the one to betray the friendship? Isn’t it interesting how most typically, it is always someone betraying us that ends the friendship, but if that is true, and we are all the victims, then who are the betrayers? Is betrayal, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder? Where is God in this divinely-inspired relationship?

Before Jethro can fully help Moses and Moses’ stewardship, he must demonstrate his complete Spiritual loyalty and allegiance to Moses. There is nothing better than two friends who both have a deep reverence for God, or his Son, Jesus Christ. If both love God, then they will act God-like and resolve differences, and as they resolve differences, the Spiritual whole of the relationship will be greater that the sum of its individual parts separated. The Spirit seeks to build unity…true unity, and true unity is no easy thing to achieve, but once achieved, it is difficult to undo.

General Introduction: Moses, led by God, is leading the children of Israel, perhaps as many as 2-3 million strong, away from Egypt and closer to the land promised to the forefathers seven centuries before. But their journey is not without its problems. Last week, God via Moses’ staff, delivered the Israelites from two enemies: a lack of water and the fierce Amakelites.

Recent Studies…

Israel sings out its praise to Yahweh of Yahweh God’s delivering Israel from utter annihilation at the hands of Pharaoh’s massive army. Ex. 15:1ff.

After healing Marah’s bitter waters, Yahweh tests Israel with a lasting ordinance—if you keep my laws, I will keep you safe from all the things that the Egyptians feared. Ex. 15:22ff.

In turn, along with the introduction of the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest, Yahweh meets his complaining children’s desperate needs with the remarkable daily provision of manna. Ex. 16:19-36.

Last Week: Via the staff Yahweh had provided Moses with, God delivers Israel from two fierce enemies; a scarcity of water and the Amalekites. Ex. 17:1ff.

Pray

Read Passage several times…

Ask Questions…

18:1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.

What do we previously know about the father of Moses’ wife from Ex. 2:16ff? In 2:18, he is called “Reuel” (which means “friend of God’), and in 3:1, he is called “Jethro” (which means “his abundance”), as he is here? Why two different names? Both descriptions have him being a priest of Midian. Who did the Midianites worship or serve? How did they view Yahweh? Did they worship or serve other gods?

2 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away, 3 and her two sons, of whom one was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

Does Gershom mean “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”?

4 The other was named Eliezer, for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

Does the same apply here to “Eliezer” also… does “Eliezer” mean “my father’s God was my help”? So Moses named both his sons after his past experiences…

5 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God.

So is Moses being reunited with his family?

6 He sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

Why such a formal reunion? Was Jethro unsure about Moses now that he had defeated Pharaoh and was leading this incredible expedition away from Egypt and towards the Promise Land? Was he unsure whether Moses would reclaim his wife and children?

7 Then Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent.

With this action, Moses leaves no doubt that he is receiving his Midianite wife and children back.

8 Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had befallen them on the journey, and how the Lord had delivered them.

What a story to have heard…

9 Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians.

10 So Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people.”

So Jethro is certainly in sympathy with all that Yahweh has done for and with Moses and the children of Israel, which means that in contrast to the fearful and threatened foreign powers, such as the Amalekites, who have just attempted to wage war against Israel, but were defeated, Jethro is clearly throwing in his lot with Moses and the Israelites.

12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

A spiritual treaty between Israel and the powerful Midianite priest Jethro in the presence of God has just been ratified. Israel has her first ally.

Whos?

Wheres?

Whens?

Whats?

• Moses’ father-in-law hears about the incredible and miraculous delivery that Yahweh God has performed for Israel and Moses and clearly decided to reapproach Moses and Israel with Moses’ Midianite family.

• Jethro, after hearing Moses official recounting of all that God had done for Moses and Israel, rejoices in this deliverance, recognizes Yahweh God as the source of this miraculous salvation and celebrates a feast in Yahweh’s honor and in the presence of the elders of Israel and in which Jethro offers a sacrifice to Yahweh God.

Bottom line…Moses’ father-in-law, apparently an important Midianite priest, becomes Israel’s first ally on her way from Egypt to her Promise Land.

Whys? (What truths do I learn about God, people, life or myself?)

• This passage sets the scene for the very next passage in which God will use Jethro to advise Moses on how to more effectively manage his people since one man can’t do a very good job with perhaps millions. It would seem God is validating that God can and does use people we would not necessarily consider insiders to reveal his practical wisdom, but first Jethro must demonstrate his alliance with Moses and Israel and his reverence for Israel’s God, Yahweh, and Jethro, by returning Moses’ children and wife to Moses, as well as listening to Moses’ accounting of God’s deliverance and offering a sacrifice to Yahweh with Israel’s leadership present is clearly Spiritually and politically aligning himself with Israel and his son-in-law. Jethro will pose no threat to Israel. He will not side the pagan foreign nations whose land Israel must travel over to get to their Promise Land, nor the pagan nations in the Land. Jethro is choosing sides and is proving to be a practical and faithful ally to Moses and Israel, something both desperately need as Israel is about to enter, via her mediator, Moses, into her symbolic marriage covenant with her deliverer, Yahweh God. Thus one treaty precedes another.

A nation is being birthed and prepared for her homeland…her place in history and among the earth’s inhabitants. God is doing something very special here, and in Jethro, Yahweh provides for Israel her first and very much needed ally and friend.

So what do we do with this? Loyal friends are important and God can provide them from anywhere. How do we know that they are loyal? Do they come to us? Do they take the time to hear our story? Do they genuinely rejoice in our story of special deliverance and so much so that they worship with us? If so, then you might want to listen to their practical wisdom, as Moses is about to do, because they are the real deal. They are God’s messengers or angels sent to support us.

So What?

Thanksgiving…What a week. Last weekend was amazing with our friend Nancy singing and her willingness to share her very powerful, new and fresh story. It was everything I had hoped for initially six months ago, and then several months ago, when I learned of her Spiritual disability of sorts, much more. Nancy waited and trusted me. I trusted God, and God came exploding onto the scene. After that, lots of counseling, some unexpected. It seems more and more, my job, my gift and my ministry is to help untangle conflicted and confused thinking. I listen, I pray, I help untangle so that people, even if only momentarily, have rest or peace. I also got to write more, finishing up my first draft of the contribution of the general Hebrew word for “love.” I also got some special time with my wife, which I was indeed thankful for. My love, devotion and honor for her grows daily. I am a blessed man.

Struggle…Something is bugging me; not quite sure what it is. Trying to sort through my own conflicted pieces of a God’s divine puzzle. The truth. What does God have in store for me? For Fellowship? For my people? How are we to abide in the vine by trusting the Son’s atonement and learning to love, and especially pray, and allowing the Spirit to shape our consciences as we pray, for others. If our ministry…our abiding, begins with prayer, as Jesus seems to indicate to his disciples in John 15:7 and then John himself reiterates in his letters, then what form should those prayers take, and where will those prayers lead us—all of us?

Truth…We can’t do it alone; we need help. Who will help? Who, how and where will God Almighty raise up others to help us through the massive Spiritual undertaking of learning how to love and pray for others as Jesus loved and prayed for us? He will send us allies. Genuine allies. Those we can trust. If they come, listen, rejoice, worship and throw in their lot with us, especially in the face of constant foe, then they just may be of God, and therefore, invaluable in their wisdom. Such was the case for Moses; may it be the case for us. Send us Jethro’s, Lord. Send us, your Jethro’s.

Application…You have brought help from the unlikeliest of sources, God. Thanks for surprising gifts. Help us to be discerning, but when that discerning is complete, let us more effectively shepherd your desperately needy and searching flock.

Your servant,

Joseph M. Cross

Your struggle?

Truth?

Application?

Exodus 17:off When the Foes Keep Coming 5-3-15

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©1998-2015
Fellowship
Life of Moses
Lesson 29
When the Foes Keep Coming…
Exodus 17:1ff

Introduction…What’s on your heart right now? Now? Are you at peace? Or are you burdened down with fear and worry? Are you arms lifted up and outstretched to heaven’s eventual triumph or are they fallen in fear and discouragement?

In both these divine rescues, Moses will be directed to use the rod or staff that God had given him to shepherd his people to deliver them, despite their lack of trust that indeed they will be delivered. Has God given you a staff? Something by which he will use to prove his deliverance in your current predicament?

Our hope or desire is never to be in stress or challenge, but without the stress or challenge, there is no dependence, no cry out to God for his deliverance, no hope of his love and no strengthening of faith or trust that he will provide because he has provided in the past. If you want to be freed from being an abused serf in someone else’ abundance to owning a piece of your own heaven, then be prepared for constant, challenge, risk and danger in getting there. But with that risk-filled journey comes a divine Deliverer—God—and that my friends, is the real journey…trusting the Invisible, the Divine.

General Introduction: Moses led by God is leading the children of Israel, perhaps as many as 2-3 million strong, away from Egypt and closer to the land promised to the forefathers many seven centuries before. But their journey is not without its problems.

Recent Studies…

After healing Marah’s bitter waters, Yahweh tests Israel with a lasting ordinance—if you keep my laws, I will keep you safe from all the things that the Egyptians feared. Ex. 15:22ff.

Last Week… First the People are commanded to gather and keep enough manna only for that day; Second, they are told to gather twice as much on the sixth day and to save a portion of it for the seventh day because this day is to be a day of rest that belongs to the Lord. And yet despite God’s clear commands, some will still disobey God, attempting to gather too much manna or gathering it on the Seventh day. Both attempts fail, angering both Moses and Yahweh. Finally, Israel is told to set aside into perpetuity one daily sample so that generations to come may know how Yahweh God provided for his people during on their way to the Promised Land. Ex. 16:19-36.

Pray

Read Passage several times…

Ask Questions…

First Story…

Exod. 17:1 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.

Where is the Desert of Sin? Why was it called Sin? Was it a bad place? Is this where we get the biblical word “to sin,” as “to miss the mark” from? How far did they travel at any one time? Ten miles? Twenty? I can’t imagine how far over two million people can travel in a day, and how far of a line would the traveling caravan have stretched? Each new embarking had to be fraught with the peril of finding little to no water. What a seemingly impossible and desperate journey of trust, faith and courage. You can’t go back to Egypt. There are nations living in the land you are traveling to and there are so many people traveling there under harsh, desert conditions. It was certainly a journey of trust and dependence.

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?”

Why did they quarrel? Were they about to die of thirst? Why does Moses ask, “Why do you put the Lord to the test”? Did this represent Israel’s doubting that the Lord would provide for them?

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?”

On the one hand this is understandable. Why would God do this? On the other hand, he has always provided before. Why would he not now? Is this “putting God to the test”? Oh, the struggle…to trust, based on previous provisions, or to doubt and panic?

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

Because they can see you. They can’t stone a cloud. Been there and done that.

5 The LORD answered Moses, “Walk on ahead 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.

Crazy faith?

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.

Horeb? Is this also Sinai, where the Children of Israel will receive the Law? Is this the place of their wedding with God, where they will receive their covenant and Law? How did this water come out of a rock? Was it like a spring?

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?”

Second Story…

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim.

Are we at the same place or have we journeyed further? And who are the Amalekites? Were they fierce or were they just threatened? And how many? And is word out and the nations lining up to defend their lands?

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.”

Finally, a military force. And once again, the supernatural staff that turns into a snake and that smote the Nile, the Red Sea and now a rock to deliver water, is about to figure into the Children of Israel’s deliverance once again.

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.

That’s a long time to hold up one’s arms. Why attach the battle’s success to Moses’ raised arms?

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.

A most logical and ingenious solution…keep the hands up anyway you can…

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 memory of Amalek from under heaven.”

Who were these people? Why did God want to wipe them out?

15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.

16 He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

Is God using the Children of Israel’s sojourn to judge pagan nations?

Who? (1^st) Israelites, LORD, Moses, our children, elders of Israel, (2^nd) in addition to the first story: Amakelites, Joshua, Aaron, Hur

Where? (1^st) from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place, Rephidim, out of Egypt, on ahead of the people, the Nile, rock of Horeb, in the sight of, Massah and Meribah, (2^nd) at Rephidim, go out, on top of the hill, in my hands, held up, under him, on one side, one on the other, under heaven, the throne of God

When? Tomorrow, as long as, whenever, when Moses’ hands grew tired, then the Lord, from generation to generation

What?

• The Israelites travel to Rephidim where there is no water.

• They begin to doubt and quarrel with Moses because of the lack of water. 2-3

• Moses cries out to God because they are about to stone him. 4

• The LORD directs Moses, along with the elders, to walk ahead of the people and to strike the rock of Horeb. 5-6a.

• Moses does and water comes gushing out. 6b

• Moses called this place Massah and Meribah because the people grumbled and doubted God’s presence. 7

• Then the Amakelites come out and attack them. 8

• Moses tells Joshua to go out and fight them. Moses will take the staff of God to the top of the overlooking hill. 9-10

• As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning, but when he would drops his hands they began to lose. 11

• So they provided a rock for his to sit on and they held his arms up until sunset. Eventually the Israelites defeated the Amakelites. 12-13

• The Lord commanded Moses to write this down. 14

• After which he built an altar and named it “The Lord is my Banner.” 15-16

Summary…Via His staff, God delivers Israel from two fierce enemies; a scarcity of water and a fierce foe.

Why?

• People doubt quickly, even when God has provided many times before. In other words, people have short-term memories, and they panic. Been there and seen that.

• When desperate, the mob will point its finger or focus its blame on visible leadership. Someone has got to take the fall. If we can’t fix it, then the nation must have blood. It can’t be just to cry out to God for help.

• God is faithful. He delivers and protects his people, his charge…his responsibility.

• It is God who is our source of power and strength.

• God allows life’s different dangers to threaten us in order to see if we will trust in him.

• Leadership can’t do it all by themselves; they need those whom they lead’s support.

• It is appropriate and good to commemorate God’s deliverance.

• In delivering one person or set of people God may be judging or disciplining another person or group of people. God is multitasking in his purposes.

So What?

2003 Application…

Struggles…a busy day, finishing up this lesson, participating in a wedding at our church, finishing up the message. Sunday evening. Next week, Jordan has a college baseball tryout; I am trying to find a tractor, plant some grass on the ball field and prepare for the Carpenters’ return to our church, as well as Father’s Day, etc.

Truths…Don’t panic in the midst of a fierce foe; trust God even up to the last second.

Application…Keep walking ahead with the staff of God in my hand. The staff today, I would assume would be God’s Spirit—his power becoming my power—as particularly manifested via prayer and his word. I am going to trust God to get me through this next crucial week or so, walking by faith that indeed he will see me through.

On an average day, 288 million gallons of water, enough to fill St. Louis Cardinal’s Busch stadium in 33 hours, will bubble up from the earth beneath at Big Springs near Van Bure, MO.

2015 Application…

Thanksgiving…God has been faithfully gracious to me on so many levels here lately. My life is a thanksgiving. People have helped me at just the right moment too many times to mention; I had an amazing afternoon with my Spiritual daughter, who went to sleep that night dreaming of the Spiritual story that I had been waiting to tell her for ten years—that her safety and security is NOT in a guy, but eternally secure in her kinsman redeemer, Jesus. I am indeed blessed.

Struggle…trusting God that as he has so often delivered in the past, that he will deliver again and that it will be his weekend with our college friend Nancy, the most interesting person on the planet, here to sing and share at Fellowship this weekend. I want it to be a good weekend for her, for us and for Fellowship.

Truth…That as God has always provided for us in the past, he will continue to provide for us on our journey home. And yet, without hardship or stress, there is no provision, no trust, no deliverance. The world can be a very difficult place. Leaving Egypt, traveling to Canaan, and going through the desert to get there are all threats. Can we trust his provision in the midst of little being like heaven or perfect?

Application…Today, this weekend, Sunday, this season in my life…these past thirty years at Fellowship, or almost forty years of deeply growing in my faith, or almost fifty since I trusted his sacrifice as an atoning payment for all my sinful imperfections, which is much, all represent my journey of having left the enslaving security of my own personal sinful Egypt and traveling through this world or life’s dangerous desert journey to my heavenly promise land, saturated with milk and honey. And with each trial or trying adventure is the moment in which I can panic, grumble and rebel because I see threat or to cry out to my Redeemer and trust his eventual deliverance. Each moment…Nothing has changed, except that with each trial and corresponding desperate trust comes greater confidence, hope, love and trust. I accept the journey. I want the Promise Land without the struggle, but I accept the journey. I accept the dangers. I accept the threats, but I also accept your deliverance…

Your struggles?

Truth?

Application?

Exodus 16:19-36 Sustainable Bread 4-25-15

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©1998-2015
Fellowship at Cross Creek
Life of Moses
Lesson 28
Sustainable Bread
Ex 16:19-36

Introduction: How would you feel if you skipped a meal? Okay, not the biggest loss in the world, but what about two meals? Now that is starting to push the envelope a bit? What about an entire day? Not the easiest thing to do, but it can be done, for some, is sadly the case? What about multiple days? Can you imagine fasting, perhaps just on juice and water, for an entire week? What about forty days? We take our daily food provision of food so for granted, so that even if we skip a meal or two or a few days worth of food, we can get very, very cranky, do we not? Now let me ask you another question? What about your daily Spiritual food allowance? Can anyone really imagine going very long without some thought or interaction with God or Spiritual truth? And yet some do it all the time. Some do it their entire lives. I can only imagine. My real concern is what kind of filter does that leave one for living life and making daily decisions? Where do ones ethics, values and morals arise from? Can this type of person really be trusted when it is all said and done? How do we know that when the chips are down, that in the end, this person won’t cut and run? We don’t. And yet, God’s children do. Why? Not enough Spiritual food. Not enough God. Not enough Spiritual nutrition. Want to have a reasonably healthy body, then eat well, sleep well and get plenty of exercise. Want to have a healthy mind, then Spiritually eat well, rest well and get plenty of Spiritual exercise in as you seek to fulfill your redeemed purpose in Christ—learn to love others well.

In the end, do you believe and trust that God’s Spirit will not only provide for my physical needs, but my Spiritual as well?

So here is my question: why might Yahweh be preparing his people for receiving his larger law in later chapters of Exodus via connecting their provision of daily manna with his Sabbath rest? Just something to think about, because that is what is just about to happen. The Spiritual and the physical are about to join. A legitimate resting from one’s labor…that is one in seven…is paramount to resting in God for one’s ongoing daily provision. Think about it.

This is an interesting section. Twice God seeks to meet his people’s needs and gives them specific directions how they are to do this? Twice some test him and fail to follow those specific directions. Twice someone gets angry. The first time, Moses; the second time, God. This chapter lays the powerful groundwork for the universal truth that God will meet our daily needs, while at the same time asking us for one day a week, set aside solely for enjoying him and his provision for those needs.

General Introduction: Moses, led by God, is leading the children of Israel, perhaps as many as 2-3 million strong, away from Egypt and closer to the land promised to the forefathers nearly seven centuries before. But their journey is not without its problems.

Recent Studies…

The sons and daughters of Israel sing out their praise to Yahweh because in what Yahweh God has just done in not only delivering Israel from utter annihilation at the hands of Pharaoh’s massive army, but in utterly annihilating Pharaoh’s army, Israel’s future, including her travel to and then being planted within her promised land is also secure. Ex. 15:1ff.

After healing Marah’s bitter waters, Yahweh tests Israel with a lasting ordinance—if you keep my laws, I will keep you safe from all the things that the Egyptians feared. Ex. 15:22ff.

Pray

Read Passage several times…(if more than 12 verses, I would read only twice).

Ask Questions…

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

What are they supposed to do this? Eat it all during the day and perhaps through the night, but by morning is the manna decayed or rotten? So for some reason, this food is highly perishable? Interesting, would refrigeration have kept it fresh? Was this to show that God would and could meet their daily needs? Why not store it up? (This seems huge to me…)

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.

Isn’t there always some who will try to cheat or bend the rules, test the limits? What are maggots? Fly larvae? Even if they had baked it, did it still go bad?

21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away.

Like dew on the ground that disappears with the morning sun? Does this mean, like water, it was highly volatile, turning from a more liquid dew to water in the atmosphere? Amazing…

“My first frost flower…..kind of a heart shape.

Perfect.” by Nancy Jesser Halsey (Posted on Facebook on November 13, 2014).

22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much –two omers for each person –and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses.

Why did the leaders feel this necessary to report this to Moses? Was this what they were supposed to do? Were the leaders concerned that the people should not have done this, just as they shouldn’t have on the other days when the manna had become rotten with fly maggots or larvae? And why did it work on the sixth day, but not any other day? Was this a miracle of God? How much is an omer? And notice, somehow divinely, much like your cell phone bill depends upon how many cell phones one has, the gatherable manna is pro-rated for the number of people per family, so that on that sixth day, if you had 6 people in your family, you were allowed to gather 12 omers for two days worth of manna, but if you had seven people, one could gather 14 omers, and if you gathered 15 omers, or one omer too much, then I suppose that extra omer would rot? So, in essence, much as the cell phone companies can track a persons calls and call minutes, texts and data usage, God, who created the laws of physics to do this kind of tracking to begin with, was able to do this with Israelite manna collection, even on that sixth day? Amazing…

23 He said to them, “This is what the LORD commanded: `Tomorrow is to be a day of 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.'”

So a person could both bake and boil manna?

Was this their first Sabbath because obviously, Yahweh had NOT given Moses Israel’s Laws or entered into a covenant with her yet? There was about to be a Law for Israel, but not yet. So the need to rest on the Sabbath is more important than the need to gather manna daily, not that gathering manna had to be necessarily difficult, which does beg the question, how long did it take to gather manna, and was it difficult or time consuming or easy? This says a lot about the importance of the Sabbath.

24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it.

So, almost like a test, gathering twice as much manna on the sixth day did not result in the manna’s becoming full of maggots on the morning of the seventh day? Another miracle? A weekly suspension of natural laws related to the manna? What is God trying to teach Israel? Trust me? Listen to me? Worship me and I will meet your daily needs? I can make the bread rot one day and not the next.

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.

The manna didn’t even appear. Again amazing. So with the gathering of the daily manna, gathering too much of it that it became rotten with maggots, gathering twice as much on the sixth day and it not rotting with maggots on the seventh day and there being no manna to gather on the seventh day now clearly anchors or establishes the Sabbath in the minds and hearts of these early Israelites. The Sabbath was real. God was resting, and so should they. A precedent had been set—a day to recharge the batteries…and someday, a day to worship.

26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”

What does Sabbath mean? Why did they call it Sabbath? Because it was the seventh day or a day of rest, when one ceases from their labors?

27 Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none.

Just as there were some who had to test gathering too much on a normal day, some had to test gathering manna on the seventh day?

28 Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?

This testing of God’s commands now provokes Yahweh who asks their leader and soon-to-be mediator of the covenant a question.

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 he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out.”

Wow! Not even go out and play? Not even go out and worship? What was God trying to teach the people? Do our bodies, minds and souls need this kind of rest? I feel like mine does from time to time. Done; no juice; empty…

30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

Did they just sleep? Lie around? Play games inside? Talk? What did they do?

31 The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

What is coriander seed? Honey…so it was sweet?

According to the book of Exodus, manna is white, like Coriander seed, (although modern-day coriander seed is yellow/brown).

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 desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'”

What is an omer? A quart? Why did God want to do this? To prove to later generations that this was not a myth? That it really was true?

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.”

Clay jar? Why would it not rot? Another miracle? I wonder how long it did last? Where did it eventually end up–lost with the ark (or box) of the covenant ? Did they keep it in the ark (box) containing the covenant (treaty/contract) that God and Israel are about to sign (or agree to)—that he will be their God and they will be his people?

34 As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept.

But what is the Testimony? The ark? Did they have it yet? Wasn’t this later?

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.

That is a long time. So despite their eventual disobedience at Kadesh Barnea which turned a short journey into a forty year wandering, God still provided for their daily needs…interesting? Did they grow tired of the manna?

36 (An omer is one tenth of an ephah.)

What is an ephah?

Who? Moses, them (Israelites), No one, some of them, everyone, he, each person, leaders of the community, LORD, some of the people, everyone, no one, the people, people of Israel, Aaron, Israelites

Where? On the ground, went out, stay where he is, go out, in the desert, in front of the Testimony, came to a land, the border of Canaan

When? Then Moses said, until morning, began to smell, each morning, when the sun grew hot, on the sixth day, tomorrow, a day of rest, a holy Sabbath, until morning, eat it today, today, six days, seventh day, the Sabbath, seventh day, then the LORD, how long, Sabbath, sixth day, two days, seventh day, seventh day, generations to come, when I brought you out of Egypt, then place it, generations to come, forty years, until they reached

What?

The Gathering of Just Enough Manna for Each Day

• Moses commands the people to not keep the manna until morning…or a whole day…use it up or throw it out that night (because God is going to provide again tomorrow). 19

• However Moses becomes angry because some test God anyway and keep it until morning; it becomes full of maggots and smells. 20

The Gathering of Twice the Daily Amount on the Sixth Day

• Each gathered as much as he needed each morning until the sun melted the dew away. 21

• Then the leaders of the community reported that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much. 22

• In contrast to every other day, Moses tells them that this seventh day is to be a day or rest which is sacred or belongs to the LORD. Therefore, they are bake or boil it on the sixth day and save it to the next day. 23

• They did this and sure enough, unlike the other days when some tried to save it, and it rotted, this day the manna does not spoil. 24

• Moses then told them to eat it that day because not only would it not spoil, but more importantly there would be none to gather in the morning in the first place, thus making this next day a special day of the week. 25-26

• But again we have people who test the Lord and fail to follow his clear instructions. They went out on the seventh day, and there was no manna, much like many businesses feel that they can’t afford to close on a Sunday. 27

• This time the LORD gets angry and asks a prophetic question to Moses: “How long will you refuse to keep my commands?” 28

• He goes on to say that I want you to keep in mind that I have given you the Sabbath…as a day or rest. That is why you are to gather twice as much on the sixth day (presumably Friday) and not go out on Saturday. 29

• So the people did rest on the seventh day (Saturday). 30

The Saving of a Sample for Generations to Come

• Ultimately the people called the bread manna. It was white and tasted like sweet wafers. 31

• Moses then said that the LORD had commanded them to take a jar, put about the same amount of manna they gathered everyday in it and then place it before God for generations to come. So Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony to be kept. 32-33

• Israel ate the manna for forty years until they reached the Promised Land (note: had they obeyed at Kadesh Barnea and takend the Promise Land as originally commanded, eating of manna might have only been for a few months. Instead due to their disobedience, their dependence upon manna lasted for over forty years).

Summary….

This Week…First the People are commanded to gather and keep enough manna only for that day; some disobey. Their extra manna spoils, and Moses becomes angry concerning their testing of Yahweh’s commands. 19-20.

Second, they are told to gather twice as much on the sixth day and to save a portion of it for the seventh day because this day is to be a day that belongs to their Deliverer, Yahweh God, and they are to rest in his provision. Again, a few test God by going out to gather manna, and there is no manna. This time God becomes angry. 21-30.

Third, Israel is told to set aside one daily sample before Yahweh so that generations may know how Yahweh provided for his people. 31-36.

Bottom line…God provides in a very unique manner. And make no mistake about it, it is God meeting the need. Why else would the manna rot every other day they attempted to keep it overnight, but on the seventh day, it did not rot and was not on the ground. God had a purpose: for the nation to not only trust that God would provide for his people on a daily basis, but that one day in seven they were to recognize this daily provision by not going out to gather the bread.

Tissot The Gathering of the Manna (color)

Why? (What truths do I learn about God, man, people, myself, life?)

• Obedience and trust matter to the Provider; details count as well.

• God can and does provide for his children daily.

• God desires some form of worship or recognition. Some ceasing from the normal or daily activities to recognize that he is the one that is ultimately meeting and providing for our needs.

• Some people will test the limits or the boundaries of God’s provision regardless.

• That much like Moses, God too will express his feelings about his children’s lack of trust and obedience.

• That God didn’t just make plain bread, but made it desirable by ensuring it was also sweet to the taste. My family once had a maid who also cooked and who added a little sugar to turnip greens and squash to make them more desirable to us younger kids. Thank God!

• God knows and understands our need to rest and recuperate. Life is not all about work. Though work does provide for our needs, and there are some who like to work and some that don’t like to work. In the end, there must be a balance. Too little is costly and so is too much. Too much may sound good in theory, but in the end, it leads to burn out. Therefore there is a portion of our life’s budget that should be devoted to taking a break…resting. The grind should not go on forever, and in so doing, this should prevent the burnout that so many so often feel, especially concerning their labors.

• In the end, God is a good, kind and fair employer. He provides just enough work to keep us out of trouble, but not too much to turn us into slaves to our desires or insecurities.

• It is important to remember things—especially important moments of God’s provision We do this in baptism and the Lord’s Supper—we remember not only how our Lord was baptized or immersed and observed that last Passover with his disciples, but we commemorate both our new birth in Christ as well as his sacrifice to atone for our sins until his Return.

So What?

2003 Application (one year after we moved into our new church home)…

Struggle? My seemingly trivial concern made large.

Major concern for the moment…only for this moment…is my grass. This may seem trivial to some. But it is important to me for the following reasons. I over-seeded and fertilized the Bermuda seed over the rye grass in the outfield just over a couple of weeks ago. Therefore the seed did not have as much access to the soil as it normally would have. The seed is so light and would have landed softly on the rye grass. So we mowed it to further spread the seed. Then the rains stopped and we just had to depend upon our in ground water system (thank God for that).

Now I have to go on vacation for two weeks. Which is not too bad, except for the fact that I have the sides/ foul lines and in front of the church to plant as well and will have to manually water these sections.

Because the seedbed needs to be lightly water 3-6 times a day, this is a lot of work and water management, moving hoses and sprinklers. It will require all most constant attention until the seedbed is established, which should take about three plus weeks.

Add to this that the ground has to be prepared/scratched and, at some point in time, some rocks will need to be picked up.

Finally all the seed needs to be planted by the end of July/the first of August. The reason for this is that the seed needs 70 degree nights to properly germinate and this has been the coolest summer in quite some time (hardly any 70 degree night so far through June).

So bottom line, I have a seedbed that needs to be properly prepared, and I have seed that needs to be critically constantly watered. I need heat—warm nights. I need lots of water…and water moved around properly. Or it all waits again until next year…which can happen. That’s why giving up two weeks in July for vacation is tough, but this is the only time Rhonda can go because of her work. She would stay, but I can’t do that to her nieces and nephew, since we rarely get to see them because they live in California. We really need to go.

Truth? Joe, God knows your need. He will provide your daily needs and not before.

Application? Can I trust him? Can I trust him with respect to my vacation or a momentary season of Sabbath (rest)? We have not taken any time off in two years besides an occasional weekend—which I am trying to do better at, utilizing my associate pastor to teach more in my place.

It is time to go. Trust me, Joe. No matter what happens. Can you trust me with almost blind faith? Can you rest in me? No matter what happens? Whether the grass grows or not, whether the seed germinates or not? Whether the rocks are picked up or not? Whether there is any rain or not? Whether it is warm enough at night or not? Whether there is enough water or time or help or not? Can you trust me?

Yes, Lord. I can and must. I place this field, its preparation, its seed, its water, its temperature in your hands…succeed or fail. It belongs to you. I hope to achieve my objective within the timetable I desire, but if you see fit not to, I will accept your will. It’s your field LORD, not mine. And you know when you want the family of God to play on it and not a moment sooner.

Note: I have learned a lot over the years with respect to planting, watering and fertilizing grass. I have also made tons of mistakes. The grass is still there, at least on the ball field. It appears to be a variegated mess of both cool and warm season grass, along with lots of broad leaf weeds, but it survives. Not having a consistent watering source for the cool season grasses under the trees and around the church has been more of a nightmare. I have replanted on more than one occasion. Attempting to allow it to go dormant during the hot summers has been for the most part a failure. But I was such a novice and so nervous 12 years ago when we last studied the Life of Moses. In the end, life has moved on, along with lots of hard work and with some successes and many failures. That’s just life. With just about every thing there is a learning curve, a preserving and surviving. We have survived, this much I can say. How well have we done is much more to difficult to measure.

2015 Application…

Thanksgiving…It feels like for the most part it has been a productive week. Last Sunday went fairly well. I think I made my point, though slightly rushed near the end. My flock was thinking about the depths and honesty of prayer, including asking for what we need and why we are asking it. In the end, if we really understood we were talking to the Creator of the Universe, we might stop lying to ourselves, because we are certainly not fooling God (1 John 3:18ff), for God knows all and is greater than our hearts according to John. Ineffective, shallow prayers only dull the specificity, truth and power of what we are asking, not only on our own behalf, but on behalf of others, which is perhaps much much more critical to sustainable, Spiritual fruit bearing.

Also did some intense, but hopefully profitable counseling, a lot of much-needed mowing, and enjoyed some intimate time with my wife this weekend. It was a good week.

Struggle…While I am being held accountable to finish up some holes in Sustainable Love, which is really, really wonderful, I feel like there are a lot of people I need to pastorally check on. Regardless of how well a pastor attempts to study, compose, teach, write, counsel, manage and pastor, just like a patient probably needs an annual checkup or physical, the sheep need periodic checkups or check-ons by those who have been tasked the responsibility of watching over them. In other words, it still takes one-on-one to make sure that they understand and are applying what is being taught or valued.

Truth…More effort or work to fully secure or satisfy one’s future needs is a futile canard. It can all be, and quite often is, taken away in a moment, either by death or by personal or historical ruin. Nothing is for sure. Nothing–except God, and Evil, as the Scriptures teach, until the Creator judges this fallen world and replaces this corrupted world with his New Heavens and Earth. But God has promised to meet our daily needs (Matt. 6:25ff), and in so doing, when we do focus, work, trust, seek his leadership, care for others and rest in him, what we are supposed to have for our ultimate good, regardless of the times (Romans 8:28ff), be they blessing or persecution, will be graciously provided for us, and that my friends, you can take to an eternal bank where there is never a shortage of peace of mind that one can draw upon at any moment of any given time or situation. Amen. Amen.

Application…It is not about getting everything done. That will never never never ever happen. Why? Because it can always be better, and there will always be needs…wants, desires. This is NOT and never will be a perfect world, not until Christ returns, and even then, despite the King of Kings presence, it will have its sinfully, flawed corruption. What does all this mean? I work for a King, and I take his orders. Much like was the case when I worked on a farm as a young boy, if he wants me to work in one field one day and somewhere else the next day, that is his divine prerogative….because I have the promise that he works everything out for my…our…good and that he will never leave me, nor forsake. What else is there? I have God. End of story. I have my reward…my provision…my comfort…my hope…my joy…my strength…my pleasure…my purpose…my stewardship. And much like my imperfect attempts to grow and maintain the church’s grounds and grasses, so will be my pastoring and anything else I attempt to do. Whether I like it or not, I am in process, even at the ripe old age of 58, even after having pastored the same essential flock for almost thirty years. We will survive, and it will be far less than perfect, and that is okay. Very imperfectly, I am about my Father’s business, and as I am about it, he has promised to meet my daily needs, and so far – for more than thirty, in fact, all of my life, he has. What more is there really? Peace of mind? He has given me that too, but not based on the outward circumstances, but His Spirit who is constantly teaching me God’s truth. Provision, purpose, peace of mind…I am blessed. We are blessed.

Sincerely,

Your servant,

Joseph M. Cross

Your struggle?

Truth?

Application?

Your student’s struggles?

Truth?

Applications?

Exodus 16:1-18 A New Kind of Daily Bread 4-19-15

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©1998-2015
Fellowship
Life of Moses
Lesson 27
A New Kind of Daily Bread: Manna from Heaven…
Ex 16:1-18
4.19.15

Introduction: Have you been hungry lately? Are you a bit hungry now? Have you ever felt like what it truly is to be hungry? Anyone ever fasted before? When you are hungry, you are….. Grouchy? Whining? Irritable? What is your first thought? And then when you have satisfied your hunger, then what? Do you get hungry again? Why? How do you know that you are hungry? What is hunger’s function to the human body? What about Spiritual food? Just like real food, do you think that the soul needs Spiritual food everyday or as often as we need physical food? What do you think happens to the soul when not fed Spiritually? What about starving the soul over a long period of time? How do you think the human soul compensates? And what would satisfy the soul like no other food?

Background Introduction: Moses led by God is leading the children of Israel, perhaps as many as 2-3 million strong, away from Egypt and closer to the land promised to the forefathers seven centuries before. But their journey is not without its problems.

Recent Studies…

After healing Marah’s bitter waters, Yahweh tests Israel with a lasting ordinance—if you keep my laws, I will keep you safe from all the things that the Egyptians feared. Ex. 15:22ff.

Now, with their backs seemingly up against another wall–the wall of daily sustenance in the desert, the whole community rises up to turn its collective fear and complaint towards God’s servants…

Pray

Read Passage several times…

Ask Questions…

Exod. 16:1 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.

Is this a month later, because didn’t they come out on the fifteenth day of the first month or Passover?

2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

The whole community…all several million?

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.”

Did they really think that God who had done all these great miracles would let them down now? Were they completely out of food?

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.

Why are the instructions so important? Don’t most people fail to follow instructions? Why? An easier way? Too lazy too read. Think they can figure it out on their own?

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.”

Why just the sixth day?

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?”

So their grumbling is not really against Moses, but God?

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.

Like a tornado? Bright light? Lightning? Fire?

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: `Each one is to gather as much as he needs. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.'”

How much is this?

17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little.

18 And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.

How did this happen?

Who? (Just hit the main characters…) The whole Israelite community, Moses and Aaron, LORD, Who are we (v. 7), each one, person (v. 16), some, he who had gathered much, he who gathered little…

Where? Set out from Elim (if anyone has a map in the back of their Bible this might be worth looking up; in fact drawing a larger map for the next year would be very helpful), Desert of Sin, between Elim and Sinai, out of Egypt, there we sat around pots, in the desert, from heaven, go out, bring in, before the Lord, toward the desert (v. 10), in a cloud, covered the camp, around the camp, on the ground appeared on the desert floor, in your tent

When? on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt, then the Lord said, each day, for that day, on the sixth day, the other days, in the evening, in the morning, when he gives, while Aaron was speaking, at twilight, in the morning then you will know, that evening, in the morning, when the dew, when the Israelites, when they measured it.

What?

• At Sin the nation grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 1-2

• Did you bring us out here to die? In Egypt we had food, but now we are starving. 3

• God tells Moses I will rain down bread from heaven; Gather only enough for that day; in this way I will test their ability to follow directions. 4

• On the sixth day they are to gather twice as much. 5

• Moses and Aaron tell the people what God had said. 6

• They also tell them they will see the glory of God because you really grumbled at God, not them. 7-8

• Moses tells Aaron to tell the people to bring their complaint to God. 9

• While Aaron spoke, they saw God’s glory in the desert. 10

• God said to Moses to tell the Israelites I have heard your grumbling; At evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread, and then you will know that I am God. 11-12

• That evening quail appeared and the next morning dew appeared. 13

• When the dew was gone, thin flakes were left, and the Israelites asked what is it? 13-14a

• They were told by Moses it was the bread of God. Each is to gather only as much as he needs. One omer per person. 14b-16

• No mattered how much each gathered, it came out exactly as God had said. 17-18

Summary….The people complain; God tells Moses he will meet their need; they are to meet God out in the desert; they see the glory of God; God answers their complaint; quail appear in the evening and manna, the next morning; they are only to gather what they need; it works out this way.

Bottom line…While the people take their complaint to Moses before taking it to God, God wants to meet them in the desert. There he displays his power and tells them he will meet their need. That evening and the next day, God did indeed.

Why? (What truths do I learn about God, man, people, myself, life?)

• People can tend to doubt quickly; I mean super quickly. We want to see our future salvation now. We want no threat, and there better be no threat on the horizon either. That is why it is difficult for man ever to be safe or rich or secure enough. For human nature it is never enough, and never enough leads man to idolatry, or trusting the things or the gifts over the giver of the gifts in the first place, that is God, again because after all, human nature is quite often at war or in denial with our spiritual nature. What is seen is secure, even if only momentary, until whatever it is runs out, and then we want more. To trust the Spiritual first can be a difficult counter-intuitive

• Humans tend to view life rather quickly through their stomachs. No food, or perhaps even the threat of not having food or something to eat can push people to do things that they might not ordinarily do, like fight for food, or in this case, quickly turn on the human version of the divine leadership that has miraculously bought them their freedom, something they have not enjoyed for perhaps quite some time, and protection. It’s the old adage, what have you done for me lately, God?

• In seeking human solutions first, people tend to complain to man before God. After all, what can a spiritual being that sometimes I believe in and trust, and sometimes doubt, do for me in a real crisis?

• For many, they tend to usually assume the worst, in any given situation, and sometimes this is true, but certainly NOT with God. With God there is always hope. God is hope, even if, we are only rescued from this sinful, evil existence to be with him forever.

• The future or what people don’t know about it is very scary or frightening to them.

• People would rather have the familiar, though of lesser quality, than the unknown, though of a potentially greater, more Spiritual and sustainable quality.

• God’s instructions as to exactly what to do to experience his daily deliverance and provision seem very important to God. In other words, some of the details within boundaries, in this case, do matter.

• God wants us to outright confront him when we have a problem. He is big enough to take it…in this case, even out in the desert.

• In the end and whether we would like to admit it or not, though it looks as if it is directed at the human or human leadership, when we do complain, there is an implied element to our complaint being directed at the divine.

• God is powerful and can do anything, including feed three million people in the desert, and if God can do this, he can do ANYTHING that I truly need, ask or desire to fulfill my godly function in Christ.

• Though seemingly invisible, God is always there with us, ready to step in and meet our needs, whether we think so or not.

• God met the complaining Israelites’ need exactly–not too much, not too little, but fairly.

• God tests or examines his children to see if they will be obedient. Probably, God tests his children to expose them and where they are Spiritually.

• God values a day of rest for his Creation and his Creatures—what an interesting, paradoxical and intriguing thought…one day in seven. Trust me on the other six days and I will provide for you on that seventh. Can you trust me? Can you let go? Can you do what you need to do—rest? Rest, recharge, reflect, think, pray, ponder, enjoy–just be?

So What?

2004 Application…

Struggle? Will God provide for me with respect to finishing my message today—illustrations and applications? Will God cause my Bermuda experiment to work—planting over the rye on the outfield? Will I be able to plant more areas and have them watered even while Rhonda and I go on vacation? I could go on an on…but that is enough.

Truth? God knows my need; God will provide.

Application? Today, my Bermuda grass and all my other needs in the future. Don’t look back to Egypt; look forward to the Promise land. At the same time, trust God’s daily provision, rather than building up huge storehouses. God wants me trust him that the manna will be there everyday.

2o15 Application…

Thanksgiving…That I am here, alive and hopefully still being used by God to affect Christ-like Spiritual development in the lives of others. That is nothing to take for granted. It is a gift of God. Thanks, God. Thanks for still seeking to refine and use me to Spiritually love others and inspire others to Spiritually love others. It is the greatest calling. Nothing greater. Nothing more valuable. It is life itself—our reason for taking up space on this planet; our reason for birth; our reason for Spiritual rebirth. Thank you, God for your daily provision. Thank you for YOU!

Struggle…Navigating my time, thoughts, efforts and actions through life’s dangerous coral reef over the next few hours and days.

Truth…Of course, I will complain. Of course, I will get to moments when I don’t see the solutions or God’s imminent provision, but that is okay. It is okay to take my complaint, my need, my struggle to God and allow and wait for his answer, his solution, his provision…his daily provision…

Application…Help me finish this lesson now, Lord? Am I to mow before it rains? What direction do I take for tomorrow’s teaching? 1 John 5? Matt. 6? Romans 8? Along side the summary of Christ’s empowering words to his disciples about the readily available resources we have through his Spirit, if we only ask, having had our hearts purged of impure motivations and desires and asking according to what you know to be in our best interest? Can you help me nail it down a bit more specifically, God? What is it that you want me to teach? To say? And what about tomorrow at Bill’s memorial? It’s your words, your moment, Lord. Allow me to bring glory to you only. Hone my thoughts and words, Lord. Speak and teach through your servant…

Your Thanksgiving?

Your Struggle?

Truth?

Application?

Your servant,

Joseph M. Cross

Exodus 15:22ff Trusting the Cure! 4-11-15

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Fellowship

Life of Moses

Lesson 26

Trusting the Cure!

Ex 15.22ff

4.11.15

Introduction… Have you been tested lately…in school? At your work? In life? At the doctor’s office?

How do you think you did on the test? What did the test reveal about you? About others? Was it good or bad or both?

What makes for a good test? What about a bad test? What is the purpose of testing?

Isn’t it to reveal the truth or some approximation of the truth…either what I know or don’t know about a certain subject or am I up to some task, skill or responsibility? And the purpose for this testing is either to make sure I do know what to do or how to respond, and if I don’t, then to learn it?

So are tests good for us or not? What if we were never tested?

What did your last test of any kind reveal about your relationship with God? Regardless of your test results, is God your cure?

Previous Lesson… The sons and daughters of Israel sing out their praise to Yahweh because in what Yahweh God has just done in not only delivering Israel from utter annihilation at the hands of Pharaoh’s massive army, but in utterly annihilating Pharaoh’s army, Israel’s future, including her travel to and then being planted within her promised land is also secure. Ex. 15:1ff.

General Overview…Exodus 1-14…

What were the devastating costs required for Yahweh God to redeem (buy back), his chosen people, the Children of Israel, via their miraculous Exodus (way out) from harsh Egyptian enslavement?

Moses makes 12 appearances before Pharaoh, with 39 mentions of Israel being “released” or “delivered” to celebrate a festival to Yahweh God in the desert. 7 times Yahweh accurately predicts to Moses that Pharaoh will not listen to Moses.

But in order to motivate Pharaoh to release his enslaving grip of Israel, Yahweh unleashes 10 pervasive and devastating curses upon Egypt. And 10 times the text clearly says that Yahweh God distinguishes between Israel and Egypt with respect to unleashing the plagues’ devastating affects upon Egypt.

Neither Pharaoh’s diviners nor his gods are any match for Yahweh’s mighty hand. In delivering Israel from Egypt, Yahweh God could be defeating as many as 118 Egyptian deities.

It is also interesting to note that Yahweh’s last and greatest curse against Egypt–the curse of Egypt’s firstborn–is not only painfully directed against the firstborn of both man and beast, but also “against all the gods of Egypt” (Ex. 12:12).

Under intense national pain and pressure, Pharaoh is finally and momentarily contrite 3x, while admitting his sin 2x and asking Moses 4x to prayerfully intercede on his behalf of Pharaoh. Once even, Pharaoh asks for forgiveness.

And in fact, 7x Pharaoh will declare that Israel can go and sacrifice (after plagues 2, 4, 7, 8, 9 [2x]; 10), but because of the hardening of his heart, Pharaoh will change his mind and recant his promise 4x. Of the 17 references to the “hardening” of Pharaoh’s heart. 9 references are attributed directly to Yahweh’s divine intervention, 6 are neutral occurrences, which could be inferred to as being attributed to Yahweh, and 3 more credit Pharaoh and his servants with the “hardening” of their own hearts.”

In addition, 4x Pharaoh unsuccessfully attempts to bargain with God or Moses so that not all of Israel may go and worship, but for God, there is no compromise. All of Israel must go. No one is to be left behind. No compromise. God will not bargain with nor share his glory with a earthly king who claims divinity.

The Big Picture…

Thus with one protracted drama, acted out on history’s grand stage, God reveals the painful, but obvious and clear truth concerning himself and his broken creatures–God is big; the creatures are small.

And though for a time, it may seem that the creature is capable of being or imitating God, when the creature attempts to play or challenge God, the creature is ultimately crushed by God himself—the Creator will not be robbed of his true glory–and those who chose to keep God…God, and man… man…or those that, through trust and obedience, ally themselves with their Creator, will not only be delivered or saved from the corruptness of other creatures attempting to rob God of his glory, but the righteous will also be rewarded for their trust in God, no matter what!

In other words, despite the temptation to only see life through the visible–but limited–salvation is recovered in a fallen, imperfect world via trusting the holy invisible Creator of the Universe!

Life is about faith…regardless of how man attempts to portray it…

Pray

Read the Passage two-three times…

Ask Questions (no answers)…

Ex. 15:22 Then Moses led 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.

(Did Israel have water to begin with? I can only imagine how much water it takes the meet the needs of several million traveling pilgrims. No doubt since the Red Sea’s water is salty, any water they possessed had to have come from wells, rivers, springs or marshes. The Children of Israel being three days in the desert with little to no water reserves was a catastrophe of immense proportions, perhaps as great as what they could have faced back at the Red Sea. It would seem that this journey is just one catastrophe after another just waiting to occur. And it is interesting to note that Moses is leading Israel away from the Red Sea. Is this because God or the cloud is leading Moses or Israel in this direction by design? And “three days” into the wilderness certainly bears some similarities to God’s original command to Moses back in Ex. 3:18, and repeated in 5:3; 8:27 and Numbers 10:33; 33:8 in which the journey out into the desert to worship God or celebrate a feast unto Yahweh (7:16; 8:1, 21; 9:1, 13; 10:3, 9, 26) is always three days. Now Israel is three days out into the wildnerness.

Ex. 3:18…and you with the elders of Israel will come to the king of Egypt and you will say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. So now, please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. 20 So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go. 21 I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. )

23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah.

(Finally, water, but it’s bitter. Could it still be drunk or did the “bitterness” presume the water was unfit to drink, perhaps spoiled by sulfur? Doesn’t “Marah” mean bitter, and doesn’t the proper name “Mary” derive from this Hebrew word for “bitterness”?)

24 So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?”

(Doesn’t “grumble” mean to “speak beneath one’s breath or hushed tones,” suggesting that the people were not speaking directly to Moses, but instead were passively aggressively gossiping and grumbling among themselves, something just as deadly for not only for the leadership…i.e. Moses, but for the nation itself? Note: it is much easier to complain behind someone’s back in order to create a mob mentality that it is to speak about concerns openly and honestly.)

25 Then he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet.

(Much as the people cried out to Moses when their backs were up against the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s chariots were bearing down on them, once again, the people cry out to Moses, who in turn is forced to cry out to God for relief. What’s a tree got to do with things? It should be noted that more than likely for the people this appeared to be the end of the road because bitter waters are not de-bittered in a moment. Rather, a new source of water must be found. Instead, God is about to demonstrate that once again, he can do all things, including making bitter water sweet.)

There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them.

(God anchors his deliverance here with a new law or statue, no doubt a foreshadow of a much greater and extensive national covenant that the Children of Israel are about to enter into with Yahweh God at Mt. Sinai. What was the test—the bitter waters…to see if they would cry out to or trust God for their deliverance? Did they past the test because they cried out not to God, but God’s human representative?)

26 And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.”

(Yahweh-Rapha…I AM the Healer? I healed the bitter waters and I will protect you from the deadly diseases that you rightly fear? Their cure…listen and faithfully carry out the commandments and statues that God is about to give them. Worship me and you will remain healthy.)

27 Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.

(An oasis? New waters? More waters?)

Who’s?

Where’s?

When’s?

What’s?

• Having witnessed Yahweh deliver the Israelites from their most eminent threat, Moses now leads the Israelites three days away from the Red Sea into the desert. There is now no turning back.

• After that third day into the Desert of Shur the Israelites find themselves at a location with water, but the water is bitter and undrinkable, thus it was called Marah with means bitter.

• The people begin to “murmur” or “grumble” what water can we drink? A possible rebellion against Moses’ questionable decision to lead them into the desert is beginning to build and swell.

• In response, Moses once again, as he did when Israel had their backs up against the Red Sea, cries out to Yahweh, and Yahweh shows Moses a tree, which Moses tosses into the waters, making them no longer bitter and therefore drinkable.

• In that critical moment, Yahweh begins to test Israel by laying the foundation for the covenant he is about to enter into with Israel. He makes a binding ordinance with them—if they listen, pay attention to, guard and keep his commands, then the Israelites will never have to fear the constant and growing set of plagues and diseases that the non-believing Egyptians were forced to endure and suffer. As I healed these bitter waters before you today, I can also keep you safe from all harm. You just have to remain faithful to the commands or laws that I am about to give you. I am Yahweh your healer.

• Shortly after this, they come to the oasis at Elim where there is plenty of water, so they camp there.

Summary… After healing Marah’s bitter waters, Yahweh tests Israel with a lasting ordinance—if you keep my laws, I will keep you safe from all the things that the Egyptians feared.

Why’s? Why did God include this passage in his timeless word? Or What do I learn about God? Life? People? Myself?

• God has a purpose. We may not always understand it and seldom agree with it, but why would we? Our natural intention is not to put ourselves in positions of stress, not necessarily or intentionally. No doubt many of our foolish decisions do put us in very difficult and sometimes stressful situations, but it is not always by design. Human nature is to, quite often, take the path of least resistance rather than the more difficult and less-traveled road or path. In this case, instead of remaining close to a momentarily-humbled, but still mighty and civilized Egyptian culture, one in which Israel had existed within for most of their seven hundred year history as a people. Moses now does something many great leaders, as well as, insane leaders–he makes a radical, almost suicidal turn straight into the desert for three days. It is as if he is leading Israel straight down the gangplank, only instead of a ocean of water, this gangplank leads into a dry ocean of sand with little water. Is this God’s plan? Could God, via his Spiritually-chosen and prepared leadership, lead his people on such a seemingly suicidal journey? Yes, he can, does and is. With God all things are possible. They key is is God in the venture. If God is, there is no impossible.

• And now the test or lesson begins. There is water, but the water is bitter. So close and yet so far away. Water, but major disappointment when the water is discovered to be undrinkable. Can you imagine the people’s disappointment. Once again, it seems that God has delivered us, only to leave us hanging again. What is going on? Why isn’t his deliverance secure? When do we get to rest—in the Promise Land? But first we must make this testing, trying, faith-proving journey. There must be repeated threat after repeated threat, but in those threats, can and will God deliver? If so, what is God trying to teach Israel? That they can depend up on him no matter what? And why is this so so important? Because, even when they get into the Land, Israel needs to be firmly convinced that their salvation is not in themselves, their leadership or their comfortable situation. Rather it is in God and God alone. Worship, love, obey, listen to God, and Israel will thrive—leaving Egypt, in the desert and in their Promised Land.

• It’s not only human nature to whine, complain and grumble when things do go perfectly or the way in which we want them to go, but much like a contagious disease, grumbling is also quite contagious. Once it begins, its momentum is difficult to arrest. Just witness modern day’s social media mob lynchings. There is a rush to judgment, with little pause to get all the facts. The crowd wants blood. It is human nature. Beware. The same forces were marshaled to turn a crowd that had been highly supportive of Jesus as Israel’s promised Messiah into a mob screaming for his crucifixion. Bizarre, but real, and it has something to do the crowd’s contagion. I mean who wants to risk going against the mob. Like the sudden immenseness of a earthquake-caused tsunami wave, a quiet crowd seems incredibly susceptible to being transformed into an unruly mob. In this case, it was the disappointment of having discovered bitter water as opposed to non-bitter water, but for billions of others, it can be million other things.

• It is interesting that shortly after that Marah’s bitter waters were healed, Israel comes to the oasis of Elim. Isn’t that so often the case. There is the test, and then there is the relief. Relief was just around the corner, but disappointment of unmet expectations combined with the whining of many others can be a deadly contagion in and of itself, no less deadly that the plagues which God had used to redeem Israel from their bondage in Egypt. Be patient. Don’t freak out when the water is bitter. Stay calm. God’s immediate healing, as well as, more longer-term sustainable relief may just be around the corner. Are we going to trust through the disappointment or, like children, are we going to throw our Spiritual temper tantrum? God you were supposed to…

Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve near Palm Springs, CA

So What’s? How does this truth personally apply to one of my life’s struggles?

Thanksgiving… Finished a major section of SLove—the frailty of the Greek concept of eros or sexual or romantic love. I say finished. Is anything ever really finished? But in general, what I was wanting to say, I said it, though it did take 4,000 plus words, which can be a lot, but at the same point, it is a start. It’s an important concept, whether in the end, I make it in fewer words or not. And the reason that this is a praise, is because I had really struggled in finding a reasonable window of time to be able to remember even where I was so that I could continue my thought stream, so Shelly and I came up with another plan to hold me accountable…smaller goals on a shorter time scale. This time it worked. Thank God!

Also, after less than two weeks since Rhonda’s mom broke her hip and having surgery to repair it, she returns to her apartment today! Her memory struggles cold be a real wild card though.

Struggle… Depending upon how I view it, I may have a lot to do with not a lot of time to do it in over the next two days. It’s been a productive week, but it would seem it needs to get even more productive. Time is precious, but perhaps more important is God’s will and desire within these precious moments. He knows me; he knows my tasks and purposes; he knows my time and he knows any obstacles that are about to appear in my path. The key is to do what he wants, not what I want.

Truth… God’s unpredictable and seemingly counter-intuitive testing and leading, followed by his lessons, truth and longer term relief in contrast to his children’s contagious whining when expectations are not immediately met.

Application… I want to whine. I want to panic when things are not going my way or I anticipate the pressures. I may not be a crowd or a restless, impatient and disappointed mob, but my mind often acts that way.

In fact, I am watching golfers at the Masters Golf Tournament do it right now. They miss a few shots, lose a few strokes to par, miss a put, and you can see the disappointment, the let down, the defeatism within their body language. Their performance on the golf course has not met their expectations, and now their response, to these shots, affect their upcoming shots. I mean it doesn’t make logical sense to respond to adversity or fear with quiet confidence—quiet confidence in what? Myself? God? That the odds or my luck will change? But for the believer, he has been healed. He has God; he has a relationship with God through his faith in the Son of God’s atonement, healing or payment for one’s sinful imperfection. I have been healed. I am healed, at least Spiritually.

And if I trust this truth, this fact, then regardless of what happens or might happen, I am safe. I am secure. My ultimate deliverance from God’s righteous judgment is absolutely secure. So what difference does it really make if my back is to the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s chariots are in hot pursuit, or whether I have journeyed three days into a desert ocean with exhausted water resources and have finally found water, but discover it is undrinkable, or if I think I have too much to do and too little time to get it all done? My responsibility is to do what it has always been.

Just as the golfer can only focus on one swing of the golf club at a time, regardless of his last shot, his last several shots, his score, his lack of practice or a swing coach or how every one else is responding, so the believer can only focus on being in the moment—what is God’s Spirit teaching, leading or inspiring me to do…now? Not an hour from now, not three days ago, or a year ago. Now! Now…what is God’s truth? What does obedience to his will, his truth, his commands look like?

So far now, finish this study. That’s it. After that, can I trust that because I am healed through Christ, his Spirit will give me my next Spiritual task to do?

What about you? Struggle? Truth? Application?

What about your students? Their struggles (list a few; think about several of your students)?

Applications?…

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968,1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission.” (www.Lockman.org).

Exodus 15:1 A Reason to Sing 3-22-15

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Introduction… Why do people sing? Why do you sing? How well do you sing? Why sing over speaking or simply just saying something? Why is repetition so important in music? Does music or a song try to make or emphasize a point? What’s the point of one of your favorite songs? Why does it work for or connect with you?

One’s choice of musical expression says a lot about a person. I typically sing when I am happy, loose or carefree. When I catch myself singing, I know that I must really be relaxed, which sadly doesn’t seem to be the case very often. When I was young, in order to break up the monotony of driving a tractor at 3 mph, I would sing my head off, but as an adult.

Along with a catchy tune, here are some lyrics from a Louie Armstrong song that I rediscovered the other day…

I’ll take the legs from some old table
I’ll take the arms from some old chair
I’ll take the neck from some old bottle
And from a horse I’ll take the hair

I’ll take the hands and face from some old clock
And baby, when I’m through
I’ll get more loving from the dum, dum, dummy
Than I ever got from you

From the “Dummy Song.”

It’s now hard to get the song’s point here. The author could have just said very directly, Why are you loving me more? but instead by using the round about approach of creating a dummy to love him, which really can’t love him, the songwriter compares the dummy’s love for him to his beloved’s love for him, and the dummy wins.

In other words, she is not loving the songwriter as much as he wants, but writing a song about it, the songwriter makes a much more clever point that otherwise would not have grabbed our attention, nor be easily remembered—thus, music’s gift.

Finally, after ten incredible miracles, the children of Israel, witnessing an eleventh miracle–the destruction of the mighty Egyptian army—will have something to let loose musically about it. They are free…at least free from their Egyptian taskmasters. Regardless of the journey that lies ahead of them, the Israelites no longer need to watch their backs through their rearview mirrors. Egypt will no longer be pursuing them, and that is reason enough to sing.

Previous Lesson… In back-to-back displays of his magnificent and awe-inspiring glory, Yahweh God chooses to mercifully deliver a vulnerable Israel by utterly destroying a strong Egyptian military threat. Ex. 14:15ff.

General Overview…Exodus 1-14…

What were the devastating costs required for Yahweh God to redeem (buy back), his chosen people, the Children of Israel, via their miraculous Exodus (way out) from harsh Egyptian enslavement?

Moses makes 12 appearances before Pharaoh, with 39 mentions of Israel being “released” or “delivered” to celebrate a festival to Yahweh God in the desert. 7 times Yahweh accurately predicts to Moses that Pharaoh will not listen to Moses.

But in order to motivate Pharaoh to release his enslaving grip of Israel, Yahweh unleashes 10 pervasive and devastating curses upon Egypt. And 10 times the text clearly says that Yahweh God distinguishes between Israel and Egypt with respect to unleashing the plagues’ devastating affects upon Egypt.

Neither Pharaoh’s diviners nor his gods are any match for Yahweh’s mighty hand. In delivering Israel from Egypt, Yahweh God could be defeating as many as 118 Egyptian deities.

Under intense national pain and pressure, Pharaoh is finally and momentarily contrite 3x, while admitting his sin 2x and asking Moses 4x to prayerfully intercede on his behalf of Pharaoh. Once even, Pharaoh asks for forgiveness.

And in fact, 7x Pharaoh will declare that Israel can go and sacrifice (after plagues 2, 4, 7, 8, 9 [2x]; 10), but because of the hardening of his heart, Pharaoh will change his mind and recant his promise 4x. Of the 17 references to the “hardening” of Pharaoh’s heart. 9 references are attributed directly to Yahweh’s divine intervention, 6 are neutral occurrences, which could be inferred to as being attributed to Yahweh, and 3 more credit Pharaoh and his servants with the “hardening” of their own hearts.”

In addition, 4x Pharaoh unsuccessfully attempts to bargain with God or Moses so that not all of Israel may go and worship, but for God, there is no compromise. All of Israel must go. No one is to be left behind. No compromise. God will not bargain with nor share his glory with a earthly king who claims divinity.

The Big Picture…

Thus with one protracted drama, acted out on history’s grand stage, God reveals the painful, but obvious and clear truth concerning himself and his broken creatures–God is big; the creatures are small.

And though for a time, it may seem that the creature is capable of being or imitating God, when the creature attempts to play or challenge God, the creature is ultimately crushed by God himself—the Creator will not be robbed of his true glory–and those who chose to keep God…God, and man… man…or those that, through trust and obedience, ally themselves with their Creator, will not only be delivered or saved from the corruptness of other creatures attempting to rob God of his glory, but the righteous will also be rewarded for their trust in God, no matter what!

In other words, despite the temptation to only see life through the visible–but limited–salvation is recovered in a fallen, imperfect world via trusting the holy invisible Creator of the Universe!

Life is about faith…regardless of how man attempts to portray it…

Pray

Read the Passage two-three times…

Ask Questions (no answers)…

15:1 Then Moses
and the sons of Israel
sang this song to the Lord (Yah),
and said,

(Is this the men’s song?)

“I will sing to the Lord,
for He is highly exalted;
The horse and its rider
He has hurled into the sea.

(Later, the women will pick up this same catchy phrase and repeat it as well…)

2 “The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God,
and I will praise Him;
My father’s God,
and I will extol Him.

(Emotionally overwhelmed by God’s mighty deliverance, Moses bursts out into song to Yah.)

Pharaoh’s Army Engulfed by the Red Sea (1900 painting by Frederick Arthur Bridgman)

3 “The Lord is a warrior;
The Lord is His name.

(Yahweh is the warrior who brought about this massive victory…)

4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
He has cast into the sea;
And the choicest of his officers
are drowned in the Red Sea.

5 “The deeps cover them;
They went down into the depths
like a stone.

6 “Your right hand, O Lord,
is majestic in power,
Your right hand, O Lord,
shatters the enemy.

7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence
You overthrow those who rise up against You;
You send forth Your burning anger,
and it consumes them as chaff.

(Herein lies the key to Egypt’s destruction—she foolishly dared to challenge Yahweh. God’s justice demands her destruction.)

8 “At the blast of Your nostrils
the waters were piled up,
The flowing waters stood up like a heap;
The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.

(Congealed like ® Jello into a wall of water? Not literally, but metaphorically, Moses describes Yahweh, no doubt indignant concerning Pharaoh’s arrogance towards God’s might and reputation, angrily parting the sea by his mere breathing through his nostrils. Typically, the flaring of the nostrils, in order to take in more air, indicates an agitated excitement such as with extreme anger.)

9 “The enemy said,
‘I will pursue,
I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil;
My desire shall be gratified against them;
I will draw out my sword,
my hand will destroy them.’

(This will be one desire or sin that is not gratified. Is this not man’s typical response about everything? He who has the most weapons wins or dominates, so therefore, gain weapons and dominate in order to secure one’s safety, as opposed to entrusting one security to one’s Creator?)

3,600-year-old relics in Egyptian tombs and temples depict pharaohs and warriors proudly riding into battle on horse-drawn chariots. Some historians claim that the Egyptian chariot launched a technological and strategic revolution, and was the secret weapon behind Egypt’s greatest era of conquest known as the New Kingdom.

10 “You blew with Your wind,
the sea covered them;
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord?
Who is like You,
majestic in holiness,
Awesome in praises,
working wonders?

12 “You stretched out Your right hand,
The earth swallowed them.

13 “In Your lovingkindness
You have led the people
whom You have redeemed;
In Your strength
You have guided them to Your holy habitation.

(Lovingkindness or loyal love or merciful loyalty is our Hebrew word checed, which contains both the elements of covenant loyalty and mercy or kindness. Checed has the idea of a being both loyal and merciful or merciful to those we are loyal to, such as a mother’s loyal love and mercy towards her child.)

14 “The peoples have heard,
they tremble; Anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia.

15 “Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed;
The leaders of Moab,
trembling grips them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.

16 “Terror and dread fall upon them;
By the greatness of Your arm
they are motionless as stone;
Until Your people pass over, O Lord,
Until the people pass over
whom You have purchased.

(Or by… and the nations will all ultimately be stilled as Israel retakes possession of her promised lands.)

17 “You will bring them
and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,
The place, O Lord,
which You have made for Your dwelling,
The sanctuary, O Lord,
which Your hands have established.

(The mountain…Jerusalem or Zion?)

18 “The Lord shall reign forever and ever.”

19 For the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots
and his horsemen went into the sea,
and the Lord brought back the waters of the sea on them,
but the sons of Israel walked on dry land
through the midst of the sea.

(No one may challenge Yahweh’s authority to rule and reign. Pharaoh becomes the theorem.)

20 Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister,
took the timbrel in her hand,
and all the women went out after her
with timbrels and with dancing.

21 Miriam answered them,
“Sing to the Lord,
for He is highly exalted;
The horse and his rider
He has hurled into the sea.”

(All were rescued, both men and women, thus all praise God. Accompanied by the rest of the women’s dancing and playing of the timbrels, an enthusiastic Miriam, no doubt, sings out the refrain of Moses’ song.)

Who’s? Moses, Israelites, Yahweh God, the horse and rider, my father, Pharaoh, the choicest of his officers, enemy, those who rise up against You, who is like You among the gods, the people, the inhabitants of Philistia, the chiefs of Edom, the leaders of Moab, all the inhabitants of Canaan, Pharaoh’s horsemen, the sons of Israel, Miriam the prophetess and Moses and Aaron’s sister, all the women.

Where’s?

When’s?

What’s?

• After the sea’s previously divided waters return together once again, drowning Pharaoh’s mighty army, Moses and sons of Israel are inspired to sing to the glory of their Deliverer, Yahweh God.

• Their song begins with what will become a familiar refrain expressing the reason for their singing—the sing to their God’s glory for he hurled the horse and rider into the sea.

• The song goes on to describe how Yahweh who was their father’s God and Savior has now become, through his display of might, their God and Savior too. Regardless of how small it may be, the Israelites now own their feeble faith.

• Yahweh is a warrior God, capable of defeating the strongest of men and nations. He defeated the best of the best the world had to offer. He drowned them in the sea like they were stones. No one is able to stand up to or defy their God.

• As the enemy was arrogantly pursuing a seemingly defenseless Israel, God blew the waters back over Israel’s pursuers and they sank into the mighty waters like lead. Thus there is no other god like Yahweh. His holiness is not just holy, sacred or ritualistically or morally pure, it is majestic, genuine and real. His holiness is a holiness to be respected. His holiness is real because the holy, sacred and set apart Yahweh can also act in time and space to deliver his faithful.

• And because of this great miracle, You, Yahweh will be faithful to lead us to our fathers’ promised land, and in doing so, now both the hostile nations that we will face on our way there and the ones that currently occupy the land will tremble and be still, fearing what Yahweh God might do to them as he did to the Egyptians.

• This then will allow God to plant them in the land where they will worship Yahweh, not just in the desert, as originally intended when Moses was asking Pharaoh to release them, so that they may go and worship God in the desert, but within the midst of their own inheritance where Yahweh will reign forever. And this is all now possible because of what Yahweh has just done in destroying Pharaoh’s pursuing army.

• In response to the men’s song, the women, led by Miriam now take up the song’s familiar refrain.

Summary… Because of Yahweh God’s mighty deliverance, 1) he has become the sons and daughters of Israel’s God and Deliverer; 2) no other god, nation or king is able to stand up against his strength; 3) he is the preeminent Spiritual power over the universe; 4) he will crush all those who seek to defy or refuse to honor him; 5) he will not just deliver the sons and daughters of Israel from Egypt, but he will lead them through formerly hostile nations and 6) plant them in their fathers’ former lands, as he has promised 7) and where they will worship Yahweh in complete Spiritual freedom and security.

Bottom line… The sons and daughters of Israel sing out their praise to Yahweh because in what Yahweh God has just done in not only delivering Israel from utter annihilation at the hands of Pharaoh’s massive army, but in utterly annihilating Pharaoh’s army, Israel’s future, including her travel to and then being planted within her promised land is also secure.

Why’s? Why did God include this passage in his timeless word? Or What do I learn about God? Life? People? Myself?

• One of the reasons people are inspired to sing is because of something wonderful that they have just experienced, such as being rescued from utter annihilation. Not only are they momentarily safe, but the threat is gone, and that is a reason for singing. I suppose that is why we will sing in heaven—the threat is finally gone…the threat that we fight against everyday…the threat that absorbs much of our focus, effort, prayers and attention… the threat to our safety, security and joy. When that threat is gone, we will sing forever. And in fact, we sing today as a foreshadowed hope and promise of that moment—no longer threatened by Evil’s ever present, ever-lurking threat, deceit or harm.

• God is not just our fathers’ God, but our God. God is forever, and each generation, each person must discover him anew and for themselves. That is the human journey—is there a God? Who is he? Is he good? Does he rescue or protect? Is he strong? Can he be depended upon? Does he care about me and my generation? Is the relationship and its accompanying blessings that graced my fathers also extended to me? Each generation and person must discover their sovereign, loving, faithful, just and forever Creator for themselves—what a provocative and wondrous thought and experience!! I…we can’t live off of our parent’s or ancestor’s faith. We must all chose to worship and become faithful. Amazing that my Creator wants to offer me that relationship. I must be valuable in his eyes.

• That our God Yahweh is not just a holy, clean, ritualistically or morally pure and righteous deity that has no or little connection to his Creation or creatures, but he is a warrior. He is strong. He has strength and might. In other words, he is not just a figment of man’s religious imagination, but he acts; he moves; he delivers; he saves; he is true to his word; he is dependable; he is everything good, clean, pleasing and perfect. He is God. And that everything associated with good is God. God is not only strong, but he is good. Good strong, or strong good. What a God! What a Good!

• Because of who he is and what he has done, both in the past and in the present, I can and will entrust my future to him…my heart and soul, my faith and confidence…my rest…my trust, and that is a powerful truth, skill, weapon or tool to live this life by…a powerful one. Because he saved Israel; he defeated Pharaoh; he delivered the Children of Israel into the Promised Land; because he gave us salvation through his Son, Jesus; because he has empowered us with his Spirit within his community of believers, we are not alone, regardless of how dark things may appear. We have hope. If he fully delivered a weak Israel from the slavery in Egypt and placed them within their Promised Land, then surely, through his Son, he will do the same for me…for us. My future, our future is secure.

• This promise is not just for the seemingly stronger sex, but for both sexes. Both sexes are moved and both worship God.

So What’s? How does this truth personally apply to one of my life’s struggles?

Thanksgiving… Got to spend the week Spiritually checking on old family friends in my hometown, as well as, showing my wife a post-Katrina rebuilt New Orleans. Lots of good convo, seafood and touring antebellum homes in Mississippi and Louisiana.

The week was capped off by my having the honor of officiating, along with my Spiritual brother in Christ, Mike, the beautifully simple wedding ceremony of our Spiritual sister in Christ, Salli. It was a long time in coming—23 years for her and quite a few for her bridegroom, Brian. Both waited. Both grew in Christ, and in the process, at just the right time, Christ gave them to each other. It was simple, yet very beautiful moment. Christ was glorified by this word picture of his promised and imminent return for bride, the church.

Struggle… With my/our backs to the Red Sea as Pharaoh’s chariots cause the ground to tremble in fear, will and how will God tell me to lift my staff towards our sea of deliverance?

Truth… 1) God is our strength, and therefore, our song; 2) Yahweh saves is Yeshua in Hebrew; its Greek transliteration is Jesus. Yahweh’s miraculous deliverance of the children of Israel (one who strives with God) from Egyptian slavery and the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, no doubt foreshadows Jesus’ deliverance of his church from sin’s enslavement and the destruction of sin and evil. As Israel was redeemed from Egyptian slavery at the cost of the firstborn, we have been redeemed from sin at the cost of God’s firstborn. As Israel will be planted in their Promised Land, we too will be planted in our Promised Land, the Kingdom of God, someday. As God brought Israel to and through the desert and entered into a covenant with her, so God, through his Son has entered into a covenant with his church, and via his Spirit, he is bringing his bride to her ultimate glorious destiny at the eternal Lamb of God’s wedding supper.

Application… Like the fearful children of Israel, why do I get so caught up in the moment, fearing Pharaoh and his momentary pseudo-power? At first glance or instinct, it would seem ridiculous to clearly see the Red Sea to my back and Pharaoh’s chariots in full, vicious pursuit and think—NO BIG DEAL!

Are you kidding me? From earth, it seems A BIG DEAL!

So how does one stay calm? How does one, seemingly and foolishly, by the world’s standards, dare to scoff at dire circumstances and say to oneself, this is no big deal for Yahweh God? This is no big deal for the Son and the Spirit? And therefore, this is NOT going to be a big deal for me? I mean, it is not natural to think or act this way, is it?

And yet, that’s what the Creator expects…Trust me. I am here. I will not fail those who trust in me! I can and will save. I can and will deliver, even if, seemingly not in this life, such as from terminal cancer or Christians being burned at the stake! Do you believe? Do you trust? Am I God? Do I really exist? Am I there? Do I care? Am I alive? Did I create? Do I love? Did I love by giving the world my son as an atonement from the penalty of my sin…my spiritual disobedience…my imperfection, my spiritual rebellion? Am I saved? Am I delivered, not only from my own sin’s consequences, but from the consequences of others’ sins? Others’ evil? From evil? From harm? From destruction? Because I believe, I trust, I worship, I obey, I learn, I love, I hope, I die to self and live to God, will the Creator of Heaven take notice of me and my situation and be favorably disposed to me and my trying situation?

That is the divine-human drama, saga and story. To trust or not to trust? To wait or not to wait? To do or not to do? To rest or not to rest? It is so unnatural, but so right, so divine, so God, so not-man, not human, but of God, of the Spirit of God? This is our story, our message, our mission. To stand at the Red Sea, our sea of deliverance while the earth rumbles under the hooves of the horses of Pharaoh’s pursuing chariots! Why? Because the sea is about to part, for our deliverance and our enemy’s destruction, and when that moment is complete, we will sing as Israel sang, Yahweh is my strength and my song.

What about you? Struggle? Truth? Application?

Applications?…

Exodus 14:15ff Into Life’s Sea! 3-15-15

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Fellowship
Life of Moses
Lesson 23
Into Life’s Sea!
Ex 14:15ff

3.15.15

Introduction…Have you ever read or heard a story or watched a film in which the protagonist had absolutely no means of escape—they had reached the end of their rope, only to have the author or writer, much like a magician pulling a rabbit out a hat, write the script in such a manner in which the character is unexpectedly delivered? I mean you the reader saw no means of escape, and then suddenly the unexpected happens and what was not possible is possible? I meant that is good writing or story telling, and the tighter the jam and the more unexpected, but realistic rescue, the better the story.

I remember watching the earlier episodes of the cliff-hanger 24. Every episode ended with special agent Jack Bauer or someone close to him, including his family, about to be killed. One couldn’t wait until the next episode to see how this plot device would find its resolution. Since I watched the episodes on DVD, I remember watching like two-thirds of a season one night. I would tell myself I was only going to watch a few minutes of the next episode to see how Jack would save the world, but again and again, I would watch the full episode which would lead to another cliff-hanger ending, which would lead to my repeated bargaining that I would only watch a few minutes of the next episode. And this all took place, according to the show’s premise in one 24 hour day. I mean think about it, the writers got me to buy into Jack saving the world 24 times in one season or day! Thus the power of the cliff-hanger.

Well, life can seem like a cliff-hanger at times. Ever had your back completely up against a wall with seemingly no means or way of escape? How did your drama turn out? Did God rescue you? Did you live to tell about it? How?

Previous Lesson… Yahweh uses the Israelites as a trap in order to destroy Pharaoh’s armies and bring Yahweh his true glory.
Ex. 14:1ff.

General Overview…Exodus 1-14…

What were the devastating costs required for Yahweh God to redeem (buy back), his chosen people, the Children of Israel, via their miraculous Exodus (way out) from harsh Egyptian enslavement?

1) Moses makes 12 appearances before Pharaoh.

2) There are 39 mentions of Israel’s “release” or “deliverance” in order to celebrate a festival to Yahweh God in the desert.

3) 7 times Yahweh predicts that Pharaoh will not listen to Moses.

4) In order to motivate Pharaoh to release his enslaving grip upon the Israelites, Yahweh unleashes 10 Consecutive, Pervasive and Devastating Curses upon Egypt.

5) 10 times the text clearly says that Yahweh God distinguishes between Israel and Egypt with respect to the plagues’ devastating affects.

6) Neither Pharaoh’s diviners nor his gods are any match for Yahweh’s mighty hand. In delivering Israel from Egypt, Yahweh God could be defeating as many as 118 Egyptian deities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Egyptian_deities

7) It is also interesting to note that Yahweh’s last and greatest curse against Egypt, the curse of Egypt’s firstborn, is not just directed against the firstborn of man and beast, but also “against all the gods of Egypt” (Ex. 12:12).

8) Under intense national pain and pressure, Pharaoh is momentarily contrite (3x) while admitting his sin (2x), as well as, asking Moses to prayerfully intercede on behalf of Pharaoh’s disobedience to Yahweh for not having released the Israelite as commanded by Yahweh in order that the Israelites may fully serve Yahweh God in the desert with a festival of sacrifices (4x); Once even, Pharaoh asks for forgiveness.

9) In fact, 7x Pharaoh will declare that Israel can go and sacrifice (after plagues 2, 4, 7, 8, 9 [2x]; 10);

10) But because of the hardening of his heart, Pharaoh will change his mind and recant his promise 4x;

11) In fact, there are 17 references to the “hardening” of Pharaoh’s heart. Moses makes mention of this “hardening” a total of 17 times, with 9 references being attributed directly to Yahweh’s divine intervention, 6 neutral occurrences, which could be inferred to as being attributed to Yahweh and 3 more occurrences in which Pharaoh and his servants are given the credit of “hardening” their own hearts.”

12) 4x Pharaoh unsuccessfully attempts to make bargain with God or Moses so that not all of Israel will go and worship.

So what’s the point to all this protracted salvific divine drama?

With this one protracted drama acted out on history’s grand stage, God reveals the truth concerning himself and his broken creature. God is big; the creature is small. And though for a time, it may seem that the creature is capable of being or imitating God, when the creature attempts to play God, he is ultimately crushed by God himself—the Creator will not be robbed of his true glory–and those who chose to keep God, God, and man, man–or those, that through trust and obedience, ally themselves with their Creator will not only be delivered or saved from the creature’s corruptness, but rewarded for their incredible trust! In other words, despite the temptation to only see life through the visible, but limited, salvation is found in a fallen, imperfect world through trusting the holy invisible—God!

Pray

Read the Passage two-three times…

Ask Questions (no answers)…

15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.

So the Israelites, seemingly trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s fast-approaching military onslaught, have turned on Moses and are now regretting their decision to leave Egypt. Moses in turn has tried to calm the people by telling them to be silent and witness Yahweh’s deliverance.

And now God asks, “Why are you crying out to me?” Why wouldn’t they, unless, steeled by ten previous acts of God, they wouldn’t possibly imagine God bringing them out into the desert to die? I mean it would make sense. Why go to all the trouble of delivering them in the process to drop the ball now? And yet, aren’t most of us like the Israelites, asking God, What have you done for me lately? Like today? When will we ever learn that the God of Creation is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow and who has continually delivered us again and again, as well as so many others, can and will deliver us from our latest fear or threat?

God tells them to go forward as if nothing has changed. Stick with the plan. But forward leads into the sea, God. That doesn’t make sense. Faith. Trust…that the invisible, heaven is real and that it can impose its will upon the earth or the physical at any given moment. Be silent! Go forward! The LORD will fight for you!

16 As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.

Divide the sea? Are you kidding? I mean the other ten plagues were amazing, but this–this miraculous act of God–seems that much more staggering than everything that has already taken place.

17 As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.

No, God. It’s one thing to part the sea, but to allow Pharaoh’s chariots to march in after us, why? They will slaughter us? How will you be honored by this, LORD?

18 Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.”

Somehow, God is about to be honored by the Egyptian pursuit of the Israelites into the about to be parted Red Sea.

19 The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.

So the angel of God who seems to be cloaked in a great cloud and who has been leading them now moves backward to protect them.

20 So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night.

So it would seem that night was approaching or that this event possibly even took place at night?

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.

A wind from the northern Arabian peninsula or Saudi Arabia today? Or perhaps even further from present-day Iraq?

Note: the Hebrew verb translated “swept” here is the Hebrew verb halek or “to walk.” Literally, Yahweh caused the waters “to walk” back until they were joined together in the shape of a wall “chowmah.”

Note: it would seem that something very much akin to how water molecules within a tree’s vascular delivery system, using the laws of adhesion, cohesion and surface tension, overcome the forces of gravity and climb as a high as 300 feet in order to deliver water to the tree’s leaves for the process of cellular photosynthesis might have taken place here. In other words, the east wind creates an air tunnel in which the water molecules cling to one another, defeating gravity and thus forming two walls of water.

22 The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

23 Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea.

24 At the morning watch, the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion.

25 He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”

Is this a momentary delaying action of God on behalf of the Israelites, so that instead of catching up to and capturing the Israelites, the Egyptians doubt and attempt to turn around? But it’s too late…

26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.”

27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

So even in the Egyptians’ attempt to flee in panic, it is too late. Nothing will save them from God’s mighty judgment.

28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained.

Utter annihilation…

29 But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

31 When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.

Thus, this would seem to serve as the 11th plague or miracle?

The creature doing, over a long period of time, in the modern times, what the Creator did in a moment during ancient times. This is the new Panama Canal being built across Panama’s land bridge. Of course, Yahweh created a momentary land bridge through the open sea, whereas the new Panama Canal represents a water bridge over land.

Who’s?

Where’s?

When’s?

What’s?

• Yahweh asks Moses why is Israel crying out to him? Tell them to go forward.

• As the Israelites go forward into the sea, God tells Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea so that the staff will divide the waters and thus allow the Israelites to go forward on dry land, as if they see were not there at all.

• In so doing, God will once again, harden the Egyptian’s heart so they will foolishly go against their instincts and pursue the Israelites into the divided sea. When the Egyptians do this, God will be honored.

• That night the angel of LORD dwelling within the pillared cloud by day that also appears as pillar of fire at night comes between the Israelite and Egyptians camps, thus protecting the Israelites.

• Moses then stretches out his hand over the sea, and, using a strong east wind, God parts the sea, so that the Israelites bravely crossed the sea on dry land.

• Eventually the Egyptians also entered into the sea in pursuit of the Israelites, but at some point in time the LORD causes the chariots to swerve and have difficulty.

• At this point, realizing that the LORD was fighting for the Israelites once again, the Egyptians attempt to retreat, but it is too late. Moses once again stretches out his hand, and the divided waters return together, drowning all of Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen, even washing their bodies up on the shore.

• Thus the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians and the Israelites feared the LORD and trusted his servant Moses.

Summary… Yahweh first parts the sea, allowing the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptians, but then after Israel safely reaches the other side of the sea, Yahweh causes the waters to return together, drowning Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen and in so doing, saves the Israelites from the Egyptians.

Why’s? Why did God include this passage in his timeless word? Or What do I learn about God? Life? People? Myself?

• When it seems that a believer or a community of believers backs are up against the wall and there is no escape, that this is simply not true. With God there is always a means of escape. How? Who knows? But with God all things are possible, even the using of an east wind to divide the waters of a sea so that an entire nation can walk to safety through the sea on dry land.

• Sometimes following God’s will is nothing more than moving forward, even if moving forward seems impossible on first glance. It’s as if God seems to be saying to the Israelites…you know what to do. Do it!

But God?

What did I say? Move forward. Don’t stop, even if slowly. Just keep moving. Stop doubting. I brought you to this point; I am not about to abandon you. What you don’t see is a greater purpose—not just your momentary safety, but the destruction of your greatest threat. Trust me. Just keep moving.

• Much like the fiery pillar of cloud, does the Spirit protect God’s children today?

• God can and does harden hearts for his greater purposes. In this case, when God hardens the Egyptians’ hearts, they foolishly pursue the Israelites on into the Red Sea. I mean think about it. Why would they think that they could do the same as the Israelites? They have just suffered through ten miraculous, destructive plagues in which Egypt took a beating. Why would participating in the impossible—crossing the Red Sea on dry land—not be a foolish strategy. And yet, God harden their hearts so that they wouldn’t think about it, but instead, seeing vulnerable Israelites, the Egyptians could smell blood in the water. And yet it was there own destruction they were foolishly pursuing. It’s called a trap, and the Egyptians fell for it hook, line and sinker. God will not be trifled with.

• The victory that God fought on behalf of the Israelites was a total one. Yahweh delivers and Yahweh delivers completely.

So What’s? How does this truth personally apply to one of my life’s struggles?

Thanksgiving… Feels like I have gotten a lot done here lately. Still a lot more to do.

But I did get to babysit my Spiritual granddaughter today as her mother had some cavities filled at the dentist. I was nervous at first, but the pacifier saved me. One elderly lady did ask me when was the last time I had done something like this? I said 27 years ago and then tried to relax. Later she commented, “now you have it down”.

Also enjoyed taking pics and visiting with my church family at a fun-filled Taco Wednesday. Apparently, I was so busy, I got to eat two tacos with no fixins while on the run. But it was a joy to see everyone enjoying themselves. In addition, since this was serving as a rescheduling of our winter tradition of Taco Sunday, our out-of-town taco posse was not there. They had come up a week and half before, bought the food, cooked the meat and then got snowed out, so Fellowship’s “B” team stepped up, did an amazing job and still cooked, prepared and served over 250 tacos.

As it is Rhonda’s spring break from school, we plan to get away and go back to my hometown to check on those, who, for the most part, played significant roles in my Spiritually development. Since my mother no longer lives there, but lives near my brother in another part of the state, I haven’t been back to the home of my roots in quite a few years. The health of the farmer I worked for as a youth has become quite fragile, and I want to make sure I see him. After that, Rhonda and I plan to take a few days to revisit some of the annual Spring Pilgrimages in Mississippi and Louisiana.

In other words, God has been very gracious, fitting together my life schedule here lately, and I am very grateful.

Struggle…It seems that during this later part of the winter, as winter has seemingly struggled to release its unforgiving grip, quite a few of the sheep have been struggling as well. Not quite sure what to make of it. Perhaps it is just a season. But despite my reasonable best efforts to check on them, I am afraid I have missed a few. Spiritually shepherding can be quite a fragile process at times. It seems all it takes is one mistake, one slip up, one momentary neglect and you can lose a sheep really fast. So despite getting a lot done, as well as, not getting even more done, such as the writing I am committed to doing, I still fall short in my shepherding. True Spiritual shepherding is not for the faint of heart.

Truth… There is always Spiritual escape, salvation and deliverance, even when are backs are seemingly backed up against the Red Sea with Pharaoh and his armies in white hot pursuit. Just keep moving forward. We live, walk, trust, not by sight, but by faith or trust—trust that not all is seen, but that there is much NOT seen, including God, his heaven and angels, and that when we as obedient children of faith seek his deliverance, he hears our cries for help and causes the waters to walk up into walls so that we might pass through our seemingly desperate moments into our salvation. And as he parts the sea, he protects our backs with his presence. And someday, his righteous truth will destroy our enemies, which are also his enemies. We need to just keep moving forward, even if slowly, even if into what appears the impossible. Amen! Because it is through the impossible that God, through his saving of the children of Israel through the Red Sea, seeks to save us through and from.

Application… I can’t think of too many days or seasons of my over thirty years of pastoring God’s flocks or over forty years of seeking to walk with God that my life has NOT been at the mercy of some kind of threat. Life has never really been easy, and yet, God has proved himself worthy of trust, prayer, hope and obedience again and again and again. In fact, threat forces me to seek, trust and love him, and in doing so, more and more, I have learned to live in his peace, despite life’s constant threats. In other words, life’s threats will probably never cease. If it is not one thing, it will be something else, but what is constant is God and his Spirit, presence, peace and protection. It is not the absent of threat that gives me peace, but trusting God’s presence in the midst of threat that gives me lasting peace, and no one can put a value on that. If I could give anything to anyone, this is perhaps the one thing I would want to give away—the ability to be at Spiritual peace, regardless of the seemingly outwardly or inwardly circumstances. It is a power beyond all powers…a truth beyond all truths. Thus, regardless of my present schedule, dreams, hopes, frustrations and failures, my peace is not in the untrained, fickle outward, but the everlasting, constant inward—that God is with me and has promised to deliver me through his Son and Spirit… no matter what! And you can take that to the bank. Why are you crying out to Me? Tell my children to move forward! That is my mission; my purpose; my singular calling, and that is what I hope to continue to preach, pray, sing and do until my dying breath… Tell my children to move forward!

What about you? Struggle? Truth? Application?

What about your students? Their struggles (list a few; think about several of your students)?

Applications?…

Exodus 14:1 While You Keep Silent 3-1-15

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Introduction… Ever had your back up against the wall or against the sea with no retreat in sight? Ever felt like you might have been put there unfairly by the Almighty’s providence—like this is NOT FAIR, God? I did everything I was supposed to do or what I felt led to do or thought was right, and yet here I am smack up against the eight ball and about to be run over? Not a fun feeling to have, is it?

How did you handle it? Did you cry, run, scream, groan, pout, numb out? How did it eventually turn out? Was it as bad as you thought? Did you live? Are you still alive? Did God see you through? What did his deliverance ultimately look like? Looking back, did you see perhaps that God had a greater, perhaps even more unpredictable and paradoxical plan or purpose that you could have never dreamed of?

In this story, God tells Israel to make a seemingly wrong turn—a wrong turn that puts the nation at great peril and causes its members to think that they were right to begin with in questioning the wisdom of God’s plan as expressed by Moses. It would seem that much like Israel, we want our salvation fully laid out with no unexpected twists and turns, even if the twists and turns save us from a far greater future danger.

One confusing, questionable turn that God has a far greater purpose for. Threat does not equal destruction, or at least our destruction, but rather evil’s. Our response to the overwhelming threat–to NOT fear, but to trust, be confidently still or silent and watch God go to work. Trust in God is a magnificent state of mind by which to sustain all of life’s many unexpected and overwhelming threats. In fact, trust is God’s great equalizer. Try it. Trust enough to be still in the midst of a great threat…

Your Servant,
Joe
Continue reading →

Imperfect Pastor

An Imperfect Pastor for An Imperfect Church

Exodus 19:1-14 Preparing for a Wedding with the Divine

Exodus 18:1ff Sustainable Shepherding 5-17-15

Exodus 18:1ff Becoming a Friend Indeed 5-10-15

Exodus 17:off When the Foes Keep Coming 5-3-15

Exodus 16:19-36 Sustainable Bread 4-25-15

Exodus 16:1-18 A New Kind of Daily Bread 4-19-15

Exodus 15:22ff Trusting the Cure! 4-11-15

Exodus 15:1 A Reason to Sing 3-22-15

Exodus 14:15ff Into Life’s Sea! 3-15-15

Exodus 14:1 While You Keep Silent 3-1-15