Build an Ark

Build an Ark

Exodus 25: ¹⁰ “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. ¹¹ And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. ¹² You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. ¹³ And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. ¹⁴ You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. ¹⁵ The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. ¹⁶ And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.

 

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GOD told Moses to build the ark of the Testimony. HE gave specific instructions on how to build the ark.

 

My Observations:

• Gold is a special metal that GOD instructed them to use.
• This is the third and final ark of the Bible.
• GOD told Moses to build an ark, but did not tell him what to put in it yet.

 

First there was Noah’s ark. Then Jochebed mad an ark to save Moses. Now GOD instructed Moses to build the ark of the Testimony. The first two arks were used for a short-term, highly valuable mission to save one or more people. But this ark would be used for decades.

 

The builders of the ark could touch the wood and the gold without harming themselves. But when the ark was filled with the items GOD wanted in there, the ark would become deadly. This ark was to be handled properly and with holy wisdom.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS instructions to build the ark of the Testimony?
• Has GOD given you specific instructions?
• What is GOD telling you to build?

Pattern of the Tabernacle

Pattern of the Tabernacle

Exodus 25: Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. ³ And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; ⁴ blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ⁵ ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; ⁶ oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; ⁷ onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. ⁸ And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. ⁹ According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.

 

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Moses and Joshua went up the mountain as GOD told them to do. There GOD gave directions on what to build for HIM to go along with the children of Israel on their journey.

 

My Observations:

• GOD asked for people to willingly give an offering so they could be part of the process of building the tabernacle.
• GOD was making a temporary meeting place that had HIS specifications that mimicked the temple revealed to the writer John.
• GOD was preparing the people to address HIM with sovereignty versus commonality.
• GOD used lots of colors including gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, red, white and black.
• GOD used textures that rounded out the senses of humans like soft hair and smooth stones.

 

Before GOD gave any law, HE provided a place to put the law HE would make. Sinai means jagged stone. This is the place GOD would write HIS law in something that would not smudge or fade. The tablets were to be placed in the tabernacle they were about to build.

 

GOD shows us HIS promise that HE would never leave us or forsake us. HE wanted a place where HE would come and be with HIS people. HE knew what the temple in heaven looked like and HE wanted to mimic this in the tent. The temple seen in heaven would be slightly different, because there would be no need to confess sin or sacrifice due to sin.

 

A tabernacle is a tent. This could be carried around and temporarily erected at the place GOD guided them to. GOD knew the two-week journey would take forty years.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the offering instructions for the tabernacle?
• Has GOD become too common in your life?
• What can you learn about GOD’s formality when it comes to HIS instructions for holiness?

Significance of Sinai

Significance of Sinai

Exodus 24: ¹² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.”

 

¹³ So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. ¹⁴ And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them.” ¹⁵ Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain.

 

¹⁶ Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. ¹⁷ The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. ¹⁸ So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

 

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GOD called Moses to come up to the top of the mountain so HE could give stone tablets which would contain the law and commandments HE wanted the children of Israel to follow.

 

My Observations:

• Mount Horeb and Mount Sinai are the same mountain but had different names for the reason Moses was there.
• GOD announced HE would chisel the law into stone and that is what Sinai means, jagged rock.
• Moses took Joshua with him to help him up the mountain and because Joshua showed leadership.
• GOD made Moses wait until the seventh day.
• Moses stayed up on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights.

 

Shortly after leaving Egypt, the children of Israel encountered a battle with the Amalekites. Moses may have trained Joshua on Egyptian fighting styles. Moses asked Joshua to gather fighters to defeat the Amalekites. This was a supernatural battle that could only be won as long as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’s arms.

 

Now Moses, Joshua, Aaron and Hur had to divide, Moses and Joshua wen to see the LORD and Aaron and Hur stayed with the leaders of Israel. I believe Sinai is significant because this is the event that GOD would provide the law and commandments, just like other places were named after events.

 

The Horeb event was Moses meeting GOD. The Sinai event was Moses receiving tablets of stone. Same place, two different events. This place also showed that GOD repeats the number seven and forty often. Moses stayed up on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, similarly to Noah’s time in the ark and the time JESUS spent in the desert being tempted. GOD was about to do something significant.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about being called up to receive the stone tablets?
• Do you believe that GOD does significant things in your life?
• What significant thing is GOD doing in you and through you?

They Saw GOD

 

They Saw GOD

Exodus 24: ⁹ Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, ¹⁰ and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. ¹¹ But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank.

 

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Moses and the leaders of Israel went up part of the way of the mountain. When they got to a certain point, they could see GOD.

 

My Observations:

• I believe they saw the preincarnate JESUS.
• I believe JESUS brought HIS own pavement from heaven and it was a blue sapphire with extreme clarity.
• I believe JESUS did not touch the leaders of Israel because HE did not anoint all of them.

 

Seeing GOD should have been enough to keep the faith extremely high for the rest of their lives. In fact, they heard what Moses said when he first mentioned that GOD was going to dismantle Egypt. They saw the plagues and saw that they were not affected by them. They saw the defeat of Egypt. They got water from a rock. They also received Manna and quail every day.

 

But the children of Israel had a mindset that was difficult to change. No matter what was given to them or shown to them, they would still think the way they wanted. JESUS appeared in preincarnate form and did not touch them. They may have been excited to be chosen to see GOD, so they celebrated by eating the sacrificial food. They saw GOD, BUT GOD did not touch them.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about the leaders of Israel seeing JESUS?
• Has GOD provided for you, shown you wonders and given you promises and yet, you still have not fully believed and are choosing your own path?
• How much more does GOD have to do for you to put your trust in HIM?

Agreeing With the Book of the Covenant

Agreeing With the Book of the Covenant

Exodus 24: Now He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. ² And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.”

 

³ So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.” ⁴ And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. ⁵ Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. ⁶ And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” ⁸ And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.”

 

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After hearing GOD’s voice, the people got scared and asked Moses to speak to GOD. So GOD spoke to Moses and gave him laws, rules and guidelines to protect the children of Israel. Moses wrote them down and read them to the children of Israel. They agreed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told Moses to bring Aaron and Aaron’s sons and seventy elders up to worship HIM.
• GOD then told Moses that he was the only one who was allowed up, but the rest were closer to GOD’s proximity.
• Moses wrote all of GOD’s laws, rules and guidelines HE gave from the Ten Commandments up to this point.

 

It was now a couple of months into the trip to the promised land. GOD spoke to everyone, stating the Ten Commandments out loud. Everyone got so scared that they begged Moses to speak to GOD and for him to bring what HE said to them. GOD took time and gave Laws, rules and guidelines to Moses. He read them to the people. They agreed.

 

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu were the first high priests outside of Moses and Aaron. It’s amazing that GOD would call specific people, knowing when and how they would fall. These brothers are known for offering “strange fire” to the LORD much later. But for now, they were part of the establishment of high priests. The people agreed when things were going well. Little did they know that times would get difficult.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD call for specific people to hear the reading of what HE commanded?
• Have you agreed to show love, joy, peace and patience and other parts of the fruit of the Spirit, yet have reneged?
• Will you praise GOD today for giving you many chances to get it right without condemning you because HE loves you?

Addressing Fear

Addressing Fear

Exodus 23: ²⁷ “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. ²⁸ And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. ²⁹ I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. ³¹ And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. ³² You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. ³³ They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed fear.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew the people feared the numerous groups of people who inhabited the promise land.
• GOD’s reputation of destroying Sodom and dismantling the Egyptian ways were not enough for the children of Israel.
• GOD would use something small, yet powerful to drive out their enemies, namely hornets.

 

Fear, confusion and hornets would be the weapons GOD would use to drive out the people. HE could have killed those who oppose HIS way, BUT GOD acts graciously. HE allowed them to live, but HE would drive them out. This promise would be forgotten by the children of Israel.

 

When they finally were ready to take the promised land, they would forget that the LORD would do the fighting. We do the same. When something seems large and daunting, we feel GOD cannot handle it. GOD used very small things to address the big things.

 

Strong armies were no match for hornets. HE would drive them out little by little. I believe GOD does the same for you and me. HE drives away the large problem, little by little until it is gone. Then HIS large promise can easily be fulfilled.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS promise?
• Has GOD put you in a situation where you have to depend on HIM clearing the way first?
• Can you address your fear by watching GOD work out the large promise HE made to you?

Addressing Health

Addressing Health

Exodus 23: ²⁵ “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. ²⁶ No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

 

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GOD continues to remind Moses about HIS conversation concerning health.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told humans to be fruitful and multiply, so HE promised that HE would take away sickness.
• GOD knew HE would provide a Savior that would be born of a human, so HE would take away miscarriages to fulfill HIS prophecy.
• GOD promised to give an abundant life to those who served the LORD.

 

Serving GOD comes with benefits. HE will bless the food we eat, take away sickness and make us able to be fruitful and multiply. Unfortunately, the children of Israel quickly turned from GOD and we have done the same.

 

Sickness happens and so does miscarriages. People die without having an abundant life. GOD knows what it takes to gain health and HIS protection from ourselves. Satan’s attempt to become GOD by making humans fall into sin would fail if we would just keep GOD’s commands. But it’s hard to do so with a natural desire to go against HIS will.

 

GOD provided comforting words that enable us to get back into alignment with HIM. HE wants us to have food, health, things that flourish and abundant life. Serving GOD means surrendering our thoughts of success and following what HE says would make us successful. HE wants you and me to succeed.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS promises of health?
• Are you serving the LORD to get something from HIM or because you love HIM and HE loves you?
• Have you tried serving GOD with all your heart and not wanting anything in return?

Addressing Struggles with Other Humans

 Addressing Struggles with Other Humans

Exodus 23: ²⁰ “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. ²¹ Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. ²² But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. ²³ For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. ²⁴ You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE mentions the preincarnate JESUS.

 

My Observations:

• GOD mentions that an Angel would or would not pardon transgressions.
• JESUS is the only being given the authority to pardon transgressions.
• JESUS would go before the children of Israel to fight their battles.

 

Humans try to say GOD does not have conditions. HIS love stretches the bounds of sin, so HIS love is unconditional. BUT HIS protection and guidance seem to have conditions. “If you obey HIS voice,” is a condition that would provide the children of Israel protection against those who rebelled against GOD.

 

First it was the people of Canaan who hated GOD and HIS ways. They developed rocks and wood and gold as things to worship. They made sacred pillars that solidified their rebellion against GOD. Everything about the various groups mentioned pointed to a broken relationship with GOD.

 

JESUS would be the Angel who would go before the children of Israel. HE would guide them, but they would still need to be the ones who would drive the rebels out of the promised land. The condition of listening to JESUS was established. Those who rebelled would be cut off. I believe this is the eternal separation from GOD that we could face by not believing in JESUS.

 

The children of Israel would face struggles with other people that JESUS would take care of. All they had to do was obey HIM and not provoke HIM. HE was leading them to a better place. To provoke HIM would be an act of disbelief in HIS guidance.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the leading of “An Angel?”
• Have you examined yourself to see if you have any ways that may provoke the LORD?
• Do you realize that JESUS wants you to be successful in HIS plan and path?

 

Addressing Celebration of Deliverance

 

Addressing Celebration of Deliverance

Exodus 23: ¹⁴ “Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: ¹⁵ You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); ¹⁶ and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.

 

¹⁷ “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.

¹⁸ “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor shall the fat of My ^[d]sacrifice remain until morning. ¹⁹ The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed celebrations.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew people would forget how HE delivered them out of Egypt so HE instituted celebrating unleavened bread.
• GOD foreshadowed the Pentecost, where JESUS appeared to many people after HIS resurrection, by instituting a feast to remember spring, or new life.
• GOD desired to end the year with a celebration of the best of the harvest.

 

Remembering GOD seems to be very important to HIM. HE knows our sin nature will make us forget what HE does and our relationship with HIM will be viewed as secondary. Unleavened bread is symbolic for no sin. A sinless human could open the scroll. No sin, or no yeast was to be celebrated.

 

The next celebration was symbolic of the resurrection of JESUS. Spring shows new life and GOD made it easy for us to remember HIS SON’s resurrection and appearance to people afterwards.

 

The final celebration was a harvest feast that required the best of the harvest to be brought into the places of worship and sacrificed to GOD and given to people. These harvests were all about food and togetherness while remembering GOD.

 

Stopping work to intentionally remember GOD is a sign of surrender that the people needed to learn. Pharaoh had the people working seven days a week and had created a mindset that rest would cause problems with productivity. This mindset still lingers today as people try to overwork and under trust GOD. Food is needed to sustain life. GOD wanted to show HE is in control of sustaining life.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the celebrations HE instituted?
• How do you intentionally remember GOD?
• Is there an annual celebration that you can follow or institute to remember GOD’s greatness in your life?

Addressing Replenishment

Addressing Replenishment

Exodus 23: ¹⁰ “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, ¹¹ but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. ¹² Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

 

¹³ “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses. This time HE spoke about rest.

 

My Observations:

• When Adam and Eve caused humans to fall, the conditions of the earth changed and now humans would have to work the soil to help food grow.
• When GOD made the garden of Eden, it did not need rest, but when HE cursed the earth, everything outside of the garden needed rest.
• Every seventh year, provide for the poor and let the soil rest and replenish.

 

Replenishment seemed to be the answer to the curse of GOD. Our temporary bodies and the land needs rest to keep producing. In order to have plenty, rest is needed. GOD was gracious when HE cursed the land. HE could have made it not produce anything and ended humanity right after Adam and Eve. BUT GOD desired humanity to flourish. We need the earth to flourish and it needs rest to do so.

 

But then GOD said something strange. “Make no mention of the name of other gods.” I believe that when humans get into a rhythm or work and rest, we can lose sight of GOD. Even worse, we can assign to a god what should be assigned to the one and only true GOD.

 

By stating that a god provided the food, we are not thanking the true GOD for what HE has done. Some humans want their names mentioned daily or even place their pictures or names everywhere to appear godlike.

 

Our temporary bodies need rest and so do the fields. GOD made a way for us to worship HIM while resting. This is grace.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about replenishment?
• Have you ever thought it was good to work yourself into exhaustion?
• How are you intentionally resting so you can be replenished for GOD’s purpose?

Addressing Integrity

Addressing Integrity

Exodus 23: “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. ² You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. ³ You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

 

⁴ “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. ⁵ If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

 

⁶ “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. ⁷ Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. ⁸ And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.

 

⁹ “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE had many things to say about using clear judgment or integrity in matters.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted impartial judgment.
• GOD wanted fair treatment, even towards enemies.
• GOD wanted a mindset that treats strangers well.

 

Rumors are unverified stories, gossip, or pieces of information that pass quickly from person to person without proof of whether they are true or false. Moses had a difficult job assigned to him. He had to lead the people into the promised land, and he had to judge disputes along the way.

 

While this set of scripture can be applied universally to you and me, I believe there was a personal meaning for Moses. He had to face poor people who would lie and wealthy people who were getting lied on. He would also face rich people trying to bribe him.

 

GOD was universally addressing integrity. HE wanted to introduce resilience to rumors, lies, bribes and ill feelings towards enemies. GOD’s expectation of HIS people was to be above lies, bribes and hatred. HE still wants this for you and me. HE wants us to have compassion for strangers as we were once strangers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS view on justice and integrity?
• Do your lips easily spread gossip, rumors or unverified information to feel superior?
• Have you asked yourself, “Am I trying to be superior with unverified information or should I use integrity to please GOD?”

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Exodus 22: ²⁹ “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. ³⁰ Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

³¹ “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE mentions what to do with the first fruits and the first born and with an animal killed by an animal.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing a mindset that HE provides plenty and the children of Israel need not hold back on what they considered “the best.”
• GOD knew the children of Israel desired to carry on HIS promise of making Abraham a great nation and HE wanted then to set aside the firstborn male as a sign of acknowledging JESUS.
• GOD set a standard of not eating an animal killed by another animal.

 

This set of rules seem simple on the surface, but are highly symbolic. JESUS is represented in these rules and GOD wanted people to be aware of HIS promise to Abraham. The blood of CHRIST is remembered to this day by drinking the ripe juices.

 

JESUS was the first-born and only SON of GOD. Every firstborn was to be consecrated and given to GOD as a holy representative in the family. Animal sacrifice would become the norm for the children of Israel. The firstborn oxen and sheep would be required to be handled specially.

 

Animals without a spot or blemish would be required to be presented as a sacrifice to the LORD. HE extended this rule to what the people ate. No meat torn by another animal was to be consumed. GOD knew that the people who would eat after an animal would also sacrifice to HIM in a poor fashion.

 

GOD was about to give HIS best, namely JESUS. HE expected to get the best as a symbolic acknowledgement of what HE was doing.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules that portray HIS plentifulness and HIS holiness?
• Have you treated GOD as common or something that is not special?
• Is there a standard that can be raised in your life that represents your relationship with GOD?

Addressing Criticism of GOD and Leadership

Addressing Criticism of GOD and Leadership

Exodus 22: ²⁸ “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed insults and criticism of HIM and of leaders HE put in place.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s ways will seem strange to humans because we have a sin nature that fights against HIM.
• GOD does not expect us to agree with rulers, but HE expects that we act like HIM by not insulting them.
• GOD puts HIMSELF as our leader in this statement and warns us that we should not insult HIM.

 

Revile means to criticize someone or something very strongly, angrily, and with harsh insults.

 

When GOD told Noah there was evil on the ark, HE was giving a warning that even though humanity was physically saved, there was still a problem. Humans needed a real and true Savior, namely JESUS. Canaan rebelled against GOD and recruited many followers.

 

Now the children of Israel were about to go out on their own and had the choice to rebel like Canaan. GOD warned them that complaining about HIM or the leaders HE put in place for the children of Israel would be problematic.

 

The scary thing about this statement is GOD does not give an “or else.” HE allows us to be as free as we want, just like Pharaoh. GOD’s way of hardening a heart is to allow the person to think they are right. This solidifies their passion to continue to be right without surrendering to hear what GOD is saying.

 

This type of person will complain in their heart about leaders, good or bad. Terrible rulers have been put in place for centuries. BUT GOD is the ultimate leader who loves us and cares deeply for us. We become more like Canaan when we complain about rulers, even the terrible ones. GOD has the bad ruler under HIS control.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses, a leader, about HIS command about not angrily insulting leadership?
• What leader have you joined in to insult and how do you think GOD views it?
• How are angry insults damaging your relationship with GOD?

Addressing Graciousness in Lending

Addressing Graciousness in Lending

Exodus 22: ²⁵ “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. ²⁶ If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. ²⁷ For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE spoke about lending.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave the capability for people to raise money for themselves without HIS intervention and some people would be poor.
• Some poor people may need to borrow money or things from those who have more.
• GOD wants those who lend money or things, to be gracious and different than shrewd business people.

 

“If you lend” does not mean you have to lend. But if you do, then be gracious. The children of Israel had not been free for 430 years. Their mindset was on being in need versus being the one who lends. Since they did not have the mindset of a gracious lender, their only example may have been moneylenders who charge interest.

 

GOD takes it a step further. HE mentions if a person holds a garment as collateral, the lender should be gracious and give it back before sundown. Here, GOD goes into detail about graciousness. I believe HE is saying that if a person complains about the lender who holds his only garment as collateral, then GOD will listen to the borrower versus the lender. Why? Because GOD is gracious.

 

The condition is this is the person’s only garment. Something precious. We get a lot of insight about GOD in this set of rules. People will be poor. People will be wealthy. The way to please GOD is with graciousness on either side. GOD made us in HIS image. This means we have the capability to show grace, no matter what circumstance we are in.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS graciousness?
• Have you ever loaned someone money and acted worse than moneylenders?
• Have you self-examined your graciousness when it comes to borrowing or lending?

Addressing Caring for Widows and Orphans

 Addressing Caring for Widows and Orphans

Exodus 22: ²² “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. ²³ If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; ²⁴ and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses about how to treat people. This time HE specifically calls out widows and orphans.

 

My Observations:

• GOD shows HIS heart for taking care of people, especially those who are helpless.
• Widows and orphans traditionally were not allowed to have land or inherit anything from the children of Israel.
• GOD stated that HIS wrath would be poured out on those who afflicted the widows and orphans.

 

Caring for people is part of GOD’s nature. HE does not want those who are not allowed to own land to be put to harsh tasks. Afflicted could mean a form of slavery or harsh mistreatment. GOD did not mind widows working, as long as they had their fair chance and were not treated harshly.

 

Orphans who had no land to inherit were to be treated equally when they worked for someone. GOD implied that HE was watching how people treat one another. Bullying people in the workplace does not sit well with GOD. Nor does mistreating widows and orphans, favoring those who would inherit the land.

 

What does this tell us about today? Homeless people are less favored than self-care. Affliction can come in many flavors. Its root is in selfishness and hatred. GOD showed that HIS people were to be kind to those who wanted to work, but were not allowed, or they were treated poorly.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about caring for widows and orphans?
• Has GOD opened your eyes to widows, orphans and homeless people?
• What can you do today to show you care for other people that GOD cares for?

Addressing Mistreatment

Addressing Mistreatment

Exodus 22: ¹⁶ “If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. ¹⁷ If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.

 

¹⁸ “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

 

¹⁹ “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

 

²⁰ “He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

 

²¹ “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE gave several statements.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing mistreatment of self-control.
• Each of the statements seem unrelated, but may have the same root.
• GOD seems to desire that we become like HIM.

 

Lack of self-control which could lead to mistreating people or self seems to be what GOD is addressing. A male child of the descendants of Israel, needed to have self-control that was not expressed by those who followed the ways of Canaan.

 

When Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, they unleashed exposure to desires that would require understanding and to control them. Sexual desires are not bad, but if a man could not control himself, then something needed to be done. In some instances, the situation could not be made right by exchanging wealth.

 

GOD never meant to become the ultimate punisher as we perceive HIM. If I were to paraphrase a rule as an example it would say “Don’t use any power that could come from Satan to provide for other people in ways that are categorized as sorcery. If you do, you will be put to death.”

 

Having sex with animals, sacrificing to fictitious or human gods was prohibited. And mistreating strangers lacked the compassion that GOD showed on the children of Israel. GOD knew how low humans could sink in terms of depravity. HE wanted HIS people to be successful.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about various ways humans could mistreat themselves and other people?
• Are there any ways you are mistreating people or yourself?
• What does treating people like GOD wants you to treat them look like?

Addressing Blame

Addressing Blame

Exodus 22: ⁹ “For any kind of trespass, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, or for any kind of lost thing which another claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor. ¹⁰ If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing it, ¹¹ then an oath of the Lord shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept that, and he shall not make it good. ¹² But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it. ¹³ If it is torn to pieces by a beast, then he shall bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good what was torn.

 

¹⁴ “And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make it good. ¹⁵ If its owner was with it, he shall not make it good; if it was hired, it came for its hire.

 

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GOD continued with HIS discussion with Moses. HE provided rules to guide people in dealing with conflict.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew people would have selective memories when it concerned conflicting situations that needed to be resolved.
• GOD allowed humans to deal with their own situations versus inserting HIMSELF.
• GOD seemed to also be addressing a mindset of blame.

 

Being responsible for an accidental death of an animal meant paying for the dead animal because it was in the care of someone else. This applied to lost or stolen items as well. I believe GOD wants us to see two things, namely blame and responsibility.

 

Before taking on the care of an animal or a thing of value, know that you are responsible for it until it is returned. Blaming the person who put the thing in your care does not go well with GOD, so do not accept the responsibility. The same goes for the person who needs someone to care for something.

 

The owner of that thing needs to be responsible for placing something of value with people who may or may not care. The owner had responsibility of not blaming the caretaker. I believe GOD was demonstrating the care we should have in spreading the Gospel.

 

GOD gave this extremely important message and wants us to care for it without accidental death. HE wants us to be joyful in spreading the Gospel versus blaming HIM. The mindset of blame had to be addressed and turned into a mindset of responsibility.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS rule or responsibility?
• Have you examined your tendencies to see if you blame others easily?
• Are you blaming GOD for anything that you should be responsible for?

Property Management – Dealing with Thieves

Property Management – Dealing with Thieves

Exodus 22: “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. ² If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. ³ If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. ⁴ If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.

 

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GOD gives Moses specific instructions on how to handle a thief. Earlier, GOD gave everyone the commandment, “You shall not steal.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be dealing with a selfish mindset that would cause people to take what was not theirs.
• GOD wants to be the provider, but when someone steals, HIS provision is tainted.
• GOD seemed to desire that the thief make things right.

 

“I deserve this thing” is the limiting mindset that GOD is trying to address. HE is the one who determines what we deserve or not. Later GOD would speak about how HE hates robbery and wrongdoing, to Isaiah.

 

A thief is a person who steals something without asking for the thing or paying for the thing, usually done in stealth and without force or violence. Today, the mindset of the thief can be quite complex. It’s not just about oxen (tools) or sheep (food and clothing). Today’s thief takes ideas (Intellectual Property), identities (Digital Property), Housing (squatter), and stuff (Physical Assets).

 

I believe al of the Laws of Moses were put in place to protect the children of Israel and to point to CHRIST. They were supposed to act different than the Egyptians and the children of Canaan who would steal at the drop of a hat.

 

The thief did not want to work for their tools or food. GOD gave instructions that the caught thief needed to be put to work as the punishment. This is what the thief should have been doing in the first place, so the owner would have no guilt. If the punishment, however, caused the thief to die and nothing is done about the death, then the guilt would fall on the owner. GOD hates circumventing HIS provision to get one’s way.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS way of dealing with the mindset of the thief?
• Are you stealing anything and trying to justify the theft?
• What do you have and what do you feel you deserve and does this cause a conflict between you and GOD?

Addressing Negligence

Addressing Negligence

Exodus 21: ²⁸ “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. ²⁹ But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. ³⁰ If there is imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life, whatever is imposed on him. ³¹ Whether it has gored a son or gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him. ³² If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

 

³³ “And if a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls in it, ³⁴ the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to their owner, but the dead animal shall be his.

 

³⁵ “If one man’s ox hurts another’s, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the money from it; and the dead ox they shall also divide. ³⁶ Or if it was known that the ox tended to thrust in time past, and its owner has not kept it confined, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall be his own.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE spoke about animals.

 

My Observations:

• GOD spoke about oxen as tools and food that could potentially harm people.
• GOD seemed to be addressing neglect by adding clear responsibility.
• GOD shows HIS intentionality by providing rules for the children of Israel.

 

I have seen oxen but never used one as a tool. BUT GOD wants me to pay attention to this passage of scripture. I believe GOD wants all of us to accept responsibility for harming people or their stuff. This passage pertains to computers, cars, hammers, sewing machines, mixers pets and food sources.

 

GOD mentions the pay of a servant and used the exact amount that JESUS was sold for when Judas accepted his betrayal money. This is not a coincidence. When John was given the revelation of JESUS, he saw one of the four creatures as being an ox.

 

GOD said that animals would fear humans in Genesis when HE cursed the earth. This meant that part of the curse was that animals would no longer act docile, but unpredictable. Humans behave the same way. David and Solomon compare humans to oxen in their writings. GOD wants us to be intentional in caring for one another and taking responsibilities for accidents and how we respond if we are told something bad could happen if a warning is not heeded.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about animal control?
• Have you ever fallen into self-protection, trying to escape accepting responsibility for something?
• What responsibility is GOD trying to get you to assume so you can make things right?

Deal With It

Deal With It

Exodus 21: ¹⁸ “If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed, ¹⁹ if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed.

 

²⁰ “And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. ²¹ Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.

 

²² “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. ²³ But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

 

²⁶ “If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye. ²⁷ And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he shall let him go free for the sake of his tooth.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses about violence.

 

My Observations:

• GOD once saw that the heart of humans was corrupt and filled with violence, so HE flooded the earth.
• GOD promised not to ever intervene with a global flood, thus turning governance of humans over to humans.
• GOD does not want any human to act violently, but with peace.

 

It does not seem that GOD is urging humans to hit each other, beat each other, fight wildly causing accidental harm to unborn children or permanent bodily harm. Unfortunately, HE knew that humans had a sin nature that needed to be dealt with.

 

This set of laws were not supposed to be used. The extreme consequence was probably meant to deter the behavior that would trigger the consequence. Now that the rule was put in place, it would be a sin if the rule was broken. A single sin makes a human ineligible to open the scroll that sentenced Satan.

 

JESUS was the only human that obeyed every rule. HE never sinned. To me, GOD is not saying, go out and beat those who work for you. I believe HE is saying, deal with injustice as a temporary solution and let ME deal with the ultimate solution.  JESUS does not teach us to contradict the law, but HE shows us how HE overcame it.

 

Instead of seeking punishment, HE prayed for people. Instead of seeking revenge, HE asked that HIS attackers be forgiven. HE demonstrated how HE fulfilled the law by using love versus hatred.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules that should be followed regarding fighting, accidental death and dismemberment?
• Do you think GOD condones your violent, angry or passive meanness towards people?
• Have you looked at JESUS for your example of how to fulfill GOD’s ways?

Defined Lines Not to Cross

Defined Lines Not to Cross

Exodus 21: ¹² “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. ¹³ However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

 

¹⁴ “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

 

¹⁵ “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁶ “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁷ “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

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After GOD gave Moses the laws concerning the protection of human lineages, HE turns to addressing violent mindsets.

 

My Observations:

• GOD created humans with free will to choose peace or violence.
• GOD may have been addressing a mindset that began after the garden of Eden, namely violence.
• GOD may have been steering humans away from violent acts to see HIS grace, mercy and love.

 

When someone is willing to cross the line and murder someone, hit a parent, kidnap someone or curse a parent publicly, that person is supposed to be seen as dangerous. GOD saw the heart of Canaan and knew his mindset was dangerous.

 

People who followed Canaan would murder, kidnap and harm others, even their own parents. This led to cruel behavior that would put the lineage of JESUS in jeopardy. GOD wants to protect peace. HE made Adam and Eve with peace and serenity. They had everything they needed.

 

But when they chose to be like GOD, as tricked by Satan, all humans faced the choice of violence versus peace. Our sin nature wants control and sometimes that control can lead to a desire to harm other people. GOD was addressing a centuries old issue that still lingers to this day, namely hating other people to the point of violence.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning against violence?
• Have you ever thought about harming someone on purpose to get your way?
• Can you think of ways to love the person you originally wanted harm to fall on them?

Protecting Lineages

Protecting Lineages

Exodus 21: ⁷ “And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. ⁸ If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. ⁹ And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. ¹⁰ If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. ¹¹ And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.

 

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GOD continued with HIS conversation with Moses by telling him rules of deceitful dowries and divorce.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be protecting the lineage of CHRIST and the lineage of people who would point people to HIM.
• GOD told Noah there was evil on the boat, knowing that a mindset of conquering people was present.
• Women rarely owned land and animals, used for dowries and divorce settlements, due to the lack of protection from the mindset of Canaan.

 

This is a very complicated set of scriptures that needs a broader view than the words. GOD loves people and loves freedom withing CHRIST. HE made Adam and Eve as free people and told them to multiply that freedom. Satan tricked Adam and Eve into becoming something different by obtaining knowledge they could not handle.

 

The knowledge of good versus evil could be manipulated into something used by those who feel “only the strong survive.” Out of the people of Canaan bore raiders, thieves and liars who would steal land and people and enslave them to do harsh work or provide pleasure.

 

GOD seemed to want to protect the lineage of CHRIST that was laced with adultery and brokenness. HE was also protecting the lineage of people who would serve CHRIST and point the way to HIS ultimate reign.

 

But what does this have to do with a dowry or a divorce settlement? GOD did not want women, who could not take care of themselves at the time due to “customs”, to be left destitute. I believe each rule seen needs to have JESUS at the core for understanding.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules for protecting wives and ex-wives?
• What promises has GOD given you to protect you?
• Are your customs and traditions pointing people to CHRIST as the Savior and daily leader?

 

Servant Rules

 Servant Rules

Exodus 21: “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: ² If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. ³ If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. ⁴ If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. ⁵ But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ ⁶ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

 

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GOD continued HIS conversation with Moses by giving a mindset of how to treat people. The deeply engrained mindset of Egyptian slavery was being addressed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is compassionate, loving and caring, so HE views servants as help versus the way humans view slavery.
• GOD has expectations that employers treat all hired help with care.
• GOD gave freedom as the goal.

 

Egyptian slavery was cruel, self-serving and quite demeaning. Pharaoh saw himself as a god, which bred the thought of ultimate power. With ultimate power, came ultimate corruption. BUT GOD hated this cruelty. HE also knew that some people would not be able to own land and manage animals.

 

These people would still need to work, but would be unde4r the care of those who would have their own places. GOD expected everyone to help in sustaining life. Some people would become servants voluntarily. They would not be servants forever, unless there was an agreement.

 

I believe GOD’s expectation was for the hirer to help those who would become servants with a plan to be able to sustain themselves. The rules would protect innocent women and children from abandonment.

 

This set of rules would only be temporary, however, the heart of caring for people would always apply. GOD would eventually say that the law would be fulfilled by loving one another.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules of servanthood?
• Have you ever felt that your employees or servants need to serve you forever?
• How are you setting people up for success to be free as GOD wants them to be?

Not Taken Lightly

Not Taken Lightly

Exodus 20: ²² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. ²³ You shall not make anything to be with Me—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves. ²⁴ An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I ^[d]record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you. ²⁵ And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it. ²⁶ Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’

 

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After GOD spoke to Moses and the children of Israel, the people became terrified of GOD. They asked that GOD speak to Moses and he would speak to them. GOD told Moses to have the children of Israel make an altar of sacrifice to remember HIM.

 

My Observations:

• GOD reiterated that the children of Israel were not supposed to make gold or silver gods.
• GOD gave clear directions for the altar HE wanted.
• GOD promised that if they remembered HIM, HE would come to them and bless them.

 

GOD seemed to be establishing a formal relationship with the children of Israel to address a mindset that was imposed on them by the Egyptians. Gold and silver were precious metals that were remnants of the garden of Eden. GOD did not want HIS gold or silver to be used for manufacturing a god.

 

Another mindset GOD seemed to be addressing was preservation of human life. Some people that the children of Israel would face believed in human sacrifice. GOD wanted an offering of their food source, lamb and their tools, oxen. HE also wanted the sacrifice to remember what HE did for Adam and Eve by covering their nakedness. I believe Abel’s sacrifice acknowledged GOD’s action as righteous, so he mimicked HIM.

 

Burnt offerings and peace offerings would become the norm for the children of Israel for centuries until JESUS would arrive as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. GOD gave this temporary way of confessing sin and worshiping HIM through offering unblemished lambs and strong oxen. GOD was focusing the children of Israel to leave their slave mindset where they would give Pharaoh their best and to remember HIM by sacrificing their best.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS command to provide burnt offerings?
• Has your relationship with GOD gotten a little lackadaisical/?
• What limiting mindset is GOD trying to guide you out of?

 

GOD has come to test you.

 GOD has come to test you.

Exodus 20: ¹⁸ Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

 

²⁰ And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” ²¹ So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

 

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After hearing the thunder, seeing the lightning, hearing the trumpet blasting louder and louder, the people trembled and moved away from the mountain where GOD stood. Their reaction from hearing GOD was to ask Moses to speak with GOD instead of HIM speaking with them.

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel were terrified about GOD’s presence and HIS commandments seemed difficult because their mindset was that of an Egyptian slave.
• The children of Israel may have felt that GOD’s commandments were judgments versus protection.
• Moses tried guide the children of Israel by telling them that GOD was testing them, not in a pass-fail way, but in a mindset changing way.

 

When GOD tests you and me, it is not to make us fail; rather, strengthen us. GOD did not put rules in place that our natural inclination to sin causes us to fail. When we voluntarily surrender ourselves to follow what GOD said, HE does amazing things to us and through us.

 

Unfortunately, when we see GOD as a harsh ruler versus a protector, we resent HIS commandments as harsh. GOD had already showed HIS harsh side by placing plagues on the Egyptians. HE was acting very different with HIS children by correcting them versus judging them.

 

Moses guided the children of Israel into healthy fear of the LORD which holds HIM in reverence and sees HIS ways as love and protection. Moses drew near to the scary place where GOD was. We should too.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about the reaction of the people after HE gave HIS commandments?
• Do you view GOD as the ultimate punisher or the ultimate being who loves you and wants to grow you and protect you?
• Do you react to GOD with surrender or “survival” which causes you to see HIM and HIS servants as harsh?