Exodus

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“So the Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’” (Exodus 4:2 NKJV)

January 27, 2015

When Moses made excuses about his inability to answer God’s call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, God asked, “What’s in your hand?” Moses replied dismissively, “A rod” (A shepherd’s staff). It was not a sword to fight with, nor a priceless object to barter, but a piece of well-worn wood used in the daily work of a shepherd. Moses had spent the first 40 years of his life as a prince. He attempted to free his people in his own strength and became a murderer instead. Then, Moses spent the next 40 years hiding in the wilderness, working as a simple shepherd of sheep. God couldn’t use a proud prince, but a humble shepherd might be just the man for the job. God chose a humble shepherd like old Moses to lead His people to freedom. And as it turned out, the last 40 years shepherding weren’t a waste. God wanted to use the very thing Moses had in his hand.
What’s that in your hand? Have you considered using it for God?

“And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’” (Exodus 3:14-15 NKJV)

January 26, 2015

God revealed His Name to Moses at the burning bush. The Name was so holy to the Jews that they didn’t say it aloud. In the Hebrew Bible it was written YHWH but they said “Adonai” (Lord) when reading it. The four-letter Name was called the “Tetragrammaton” and was probably pronounced “Yahweh,” or in the English speaking world, “Jehovah.” English speaking Jews today will often write the Name like “G-d” to continue their tradition of respect. Notice that God’s Name is “I AM,” not “I WAS,” or “I WILL BE.” His Name reveals that He is eternally present, outside of time, and self-existent. God revealed Himself to Moses through a burning bush. Today, we have the ultimate revelation of God through Jesus Christ.

“The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, ‘Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6 NLT)

February 12, 2014

How do we know God’s Name? Was it written in the heavens or carved in the cliffs? Was it painted in a sunset or an infant’s gaze? Did we discover it on an expedition or under a microscope’s stare? No. We would never know God’s Name absent His Word. For God is not the creation but the Creator. He is the holy/wholly other. Certainly His creation points to Him, declaring His glory (Psa. 19:1). But He didn’t sign His Name there. He waited, following His own timing. Then, revealed it in person to His mediator Moses. He shouted out His own Name, “Yahweh” (“I AM”) and the mountain trembled and Moses fell on his face in worship. Our Creator is knowing and would be known.

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts” (Exodus 31:3)

February 10, 2014

God told Moses that He had given Bezalel and Oholiab special abilities and skills to be used in the making of the Tabernacle. Some today would categorize their work as secular rather than sacred. Yet, whenever God calls and empowers a work, it is always holy work. And whenever we dedicate our abilities and work back to God, our work is sacred too. It’s Monday. Go to work for God!

“Each stone will represent one of the twelve sons of Israel, and the name of that tribe will be engraved on it like a seal” (Exodus 28:21)

February 8, 2014

God gave specific instructions for the design and making of Aaron’s chestpiece (breastplate) to be worn when he performed his High Priestly duties. God assigned specific gems to each tribe and had the tribal name inscribed on each. He wanted Aaron to wear this chestpiece over “his heart” when he entered the Holy of Holies to remind him that he represented all the tribes before God. God was very specific and particular in the design for Aaron’s priestly garments, as He was in regards to all the Tabernacle’s elements. These details tell us something about the beauty and order of our God, but even more, they point to the Tabernacle’s fulfillment in Christ.

“You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” (Exodus 20:19)

February 4, 2014

This was the response of the Israelites when God spoke the ten commandments to them from the mountain amidst thunder, lightning, smoke and the sound of a ram’s horn. They were terrified and requested that Moses be their mediator. So, Moses went up on the mountain and brought down the Word of God written on stone tablets. When Jesus came, He became our Mediator, so we can boldly approach God. He has removed the separation of the law and written God’s Word not on stone tablets, but on our hearts.

“Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle” (Exodus 17:12-13)

February 3, 2014

As long as Moses held his arms up, the Israelite army was winning, but when he tired and began to lower his arms, the battle went against them. This is the spiritual influence that God invests in a key leader, yet they remain human, subject to fatigue and discouragement like everyone else. Many churches today replace their tired leaders with fresh ones, thinking that will turn the battle their way. It usually doesn’t. The new leaders eventually wear out too. Aaron and Hur thought of a better solution. Why not help hold up their leader Moses’ arms? Why not give him some help without trying to steal his leadership? Humbly moving to help their leader turned the tide. There are at least a couple of leadership lessons here: 1) Leaders need to be humble enough to ask/allow others to help hold up their leadership arms. 2) Followers need to support their leaders through times of difficulty because when their leader succeeds, so do they.

“They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day” (Exodus 16:29)

February 2, 2014

The day, the month and the year are all times determined by man’s observations of the heavenly bodies. But the Sabbath is a gift from God given by revelation. The 7-day week is not determined by the sun and moon, but by God’s Word. In it He reminds us that He created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh. He wants us to rest one day out of seven to remind us of His creation and care, showing our ultimate dependence on Him. The Sabbath not only points to God’s past creation, and His care for His people in the wilderness; it also points to Christ’s fulfillment. For Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. He was crucified on the sixth day, rested on the seventh and rose again on the first day of the new week. Now those who place their faith in Christ may enter His Sabbath rest. He has finished the work of salvation and there is nothing left for us to do, except to rest by faith in it.

“It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families” (Exodus 12:27)

January 31, 2014

God instructed the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to put its blood over their door frames, so that the angel of death would “pass over” them. This became an annual festival of remembrance that was fulfilled in Christ, who became our Passover Lamb. Those who have received Him have His blood spread over their heart’s door, so that they have been forgiven of sin and will never die.

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4:11-12)

January 27, 2014

God rebuked Moses for claiming lack of ability to obey His call. God knew the abilities that He had given Moses. Yet, Moses was afraid. He had already “tried” to free his people 40 years earlier when he murdered the Egyptian for beating his fellow Israelites. Moses, the prince of Egypt, was now a lowly, defeated shepherd working for his father-in-law. The truth was, Moses was making an excuse. He was afraid and didn’t want to obey God’s call. But Moses would learn that whomever God calls, He also enables. Moses would also learn that God cares less about your ability than your “availability.” Make yourself “available” to God. Just show up! And God will give you the ability to obey Him.