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?

Made to Rest

Made to Rest

Exodus 16: ²² And so it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. ²³ Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’ ” ²⁴ So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. ²⁵ Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. ²⁶ Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

 

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After experiencing the supernatural rotting of their food and seeing the worms, the children of Israel were nervous about following GOD’s commands. On the sixth day of each week they were supposed to gather enough to sit and rest on the seventh day. They obeyed and the food did not rot and worms did not appear.

 

My Observations:

• GOD provided enough food for two days on the sixth day.
• GOD was serious about keeping the Sabbath holy and as a day of rest.
• GOD would withhold food on the seventh day so they should not even try.

 

Rest is important to GOD. HE made humans with limits. The limits require replenishment. I believe GOD wants us to spend time with each other, to talk about GOD and spend time with HIM. This does not mean needing to spend all day in a building, but to be reminded that we need HIM.

 

GOD seems to love spending time with us, but we look for reasons to not spend time with HIM. We go after fame and fortune while depleting our faith. GOD did not provide on the day of rest. HE knew that humans would leave HIM out of their plans. GOD rested on the seventh day as an example to humans to do the same. HE did not need the rest, but humans do. GOD wants us to mimic HIM

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about how HE treated provisions on the sixth day of each week?
• Have you gotten in the habit of not resting?
• Do you intentionally rest to replenish your energy, heal wounds and restore your faith in GOD?

Provision to Know, Believe and Remember

 

Provision to Know, Believe and Remember

Exodus 16: ¹¹ And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ¹² “I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. And you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”

 

¹³ So it was that quail came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. ¹⁴ And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. ¹⁵ So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.

 

And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat. ¹⁶ This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Let every man gather it according to each one’s need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.’ ”

 

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A couple of weeks into the journey from Egypt, the children of Israel began complaining. GOD heard the complaints and told Moses what HE would do. HE wanted the people to know HE is GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Knowing that GOD is powerful and is loving and caring, seems to be important to HIM.
• Believing that GOD wants humans to succeed seems important to HIM.
• Remembering what GOD did for mankind seems important to HIM.

 

The children of Israel had a mindset that cruel slavery was better than freedom with GOD. “At least we had meat” was their sentiment. Their complaint was probably taken by GOD as an insult to HIS methods and intelligence. As if to say, “YOU obviously don’t know what YOU are doing.”

 

GHOD heard the complaint and did not say if HE liked it or not. HE simply provided and said that HE wanted to be known. Knowing GOD in this instance includes believing in HIS power and trusting that HE knws what HE is doing at all times. Their complaint placed them over GOD. They felt they knew what was best for them and could tell GOD to fix the deficit.

 

GOD made the deficit and needed the children of Israel to change their mindset the Egyptians forced on them. GOD takes free will seriously. HE allows us to complain, sin and walk away from HIS loving protection. To us, it’s strange, to GOD it’s love.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what HE said about the children of Israel?
• Have you complained and GOD provided for you anyway?
• How will you know, believe and remember that GOD is GOD over your situation?

Addressing Internal Struggles – Manna from Heaven

Addressing Internal Struggles – Manna from Heaven

Exodus 16: And they journeyed from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the Wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt. ² Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. ³ And the children of Israel said to them, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full! For you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

 

⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. ⁵ And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

 

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A couple of weeks into the journey, the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron about the lack of food. GOD heard their complaint and told Moses that HE would supply bread from heaven that was supposed to be collected within specified intervals.

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel cried out to GOD when they were being mistreated by the Egyptians.
• The children of Israel cried out to GOD when they were freed, but pursued by the Egyptian army.
• The children of Israel complained shortly after seeing the Egyptian army destroyed and after having water provided for them.

 

Unfortunately for the children of Israel, GOD was using the same tactic that HE used on the Egyptians, only worse. The spirit of complaining would lead the children of Israel to think they could do this and get their way. When GOD said HE would give them bread from heaven, HE said it in a way that HE knew the complaint was a problem.

 

GOD was gracious to those who complained, but one day HE would stop listening to their complaints. Like the Egyptians, GOD allowed the mindset to prevail. The Egyptians thought they were gods, and GOD allowed it. The children of Israel thought they could complain and GOD allowed it. GOD fed the children of Israel with special bread from heaven, but noted their complaint.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the complaint of the children of Israel?
• Have you ever complained to GOD about the way HE was doing things?
• Is it time to ask GOD if your mindset needs to be aligned to HIS, so HE can guide you away from complaints?

 

Fruitful Generations

 

Fruitful Generations

Exodus 1: Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: ² Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; ³ Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; ⁴ Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. ⁵ All those who were descendants of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). ⁶ And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation. ⁷ But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

 

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This book begins with the twelve tribes of Israel moving to Egypt. Joseph was capture and brought to Egypt and his brothers moved there due to the famine GOD created. What was meant for evil, GOD used it for good. All of the tribes of Israel were now in Egypt and they were flourishing.

 

My Observations:

• The Hebrews were considered to be a lower class than the Egyptians.
• The children of Israel “were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty.”
• The Egyptians were probably not as fruitful.

 

Joseph’s generation all passed away. The twelve brothers were now known as tribes of Israel. Each tribe performed to the blessing given by Jacob. All of the tribes had many children. The fertility rate was supernatural!

 

GOD was growing the nation of Israel in an amazing way. You would think that everyone would be happy about this. But the multiplication and supernatural fertility would soon pose a threat to the Egyptians. GOD provided the fertility.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the generations of fertility in the nation of Israel?
• Has your success ever been met with jealousy?
• Is GOD making you fruitful for a reason?

When the Money Failed

When the Money Failed

Genesis 47: ¹³ Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine. ¹⁴ And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.

 

¹⁵ So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed.”

 

¹⁶ Then Joseph said, “Give your livestock, and I will give you bread for your livestock, if the money is gone.” ¹⁷ So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for the horses, the flocks, the cattle of the herds, and for the donkeys. Thus he fed them with bread in exchange for all their livestock that year.

 

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After putting his family in the best territory of Egypt, Joseph had to return to his duties of running Egypt. This as now year two- or three of a seven-year famine. The people came to Joseph with their money and bought bread. But they ran out of money.

 

My Observations:

• The famine could not be prayed away because GOD had a purpose for it.
• Joseph was put into leadership of Egypt and had to deal with some very difficult issues.
• Egypt prospered because of Joseph.

 

Horses, flocks and cattle were given to Egypt so that the people would survive. The Canaanites and the Egyptians who could care less about GOD, were losing everything. Meanwhile, the family of Israel prospered. They were placed over the herds that were given to Egypt.

 

When the money fails, it changed the people. Survival was the new mindset and the people gave up everything simply to survive. Joseph used the wisdom given to him by GOD to make the Egyptians and Israel strong.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the severe famine HE caused?
• Are you in the middle of a severe famine?
• What is GOD doing to make you prosper in the middle of the famine in your life?

Shocked

Shocked

Genesis 45: ²⁵ Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. ²⁶ And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. ²⁷ But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. ²⁸ Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers left Egypt with the strong, well-engineered carts given to them by Joseph. They came back to Jacob and told him that Joseph was alive. Jacob was shocked. They showed him the carts, then “Israel” was no longer shocked.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob was called Jacob in the beginning of this paragraph and Israel at the end, possibly in reference to Joseph being the son of Rachel and everyone else was mothered by others.
• Jacob was shocked to hear that his son was alive after all these years.
• Israel originally was not willing to go anywhere, but after hearing that Joseph was alive, he felt that was enough to make him go.

 

Being shocked, in this instance, could mean disbelief, or overwhelmed. I believe Jacob had both. The news that his son is alive that he thought was dead for decades, drove him to disbelief and feeling overwhelmed.

 

He did not get mad about the lost time he missed with his son, rather he looked forward to seeing him before he died. We can get shocked when we hear unexpected news. This requires us to go to GOD for answers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses to use Jacob and Israel when referring to Joseph’s father?
• What is your normal first reaction to shocking news?
• When you are shocked or surprised by a situation, do you become overwhelmed and debilitated, or go to GOD for strength?

Do Not Be Troubled

Do Not Be Troubled

Genesis 45: ²¹ Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. ²² He gave to all of them, to each man, changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of garments. ²³ And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. ²⁴ So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers got prepared to go home. Joseph gave them an overwhelming amount of food and other items to take back to Israel. He gave Benjamin multiple times more than his brothers. He sent them away and told them to “not become troubled along the way.”

 

My Observations:

• Joseph had to reassure his brothers that there would be no tricks like he did when he had his silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack.
• Joseph listened to Pharaoh and gave them the finest provisions of Egypt.
• Joseph’s brothers were probably overwhelmed with seeing him and receiving so many provisions.

 

So much had happened to the brothers, that they needed some assurance. Simeon had been thrown in prison and they were accused of being spies by Joseph. When they got the overwhelming favor, they may have hesitated. Same with us. We may hesitate praising GOD too soon or too loudly because we have been through so much.

 

GOD cleared the way for the sons of Israel to move to Egypt without worry. Joseph remembered his father by sending gifts. Female donkeys would be used to breed. The family received an overwhelming amount of gifts without deserving anything.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the gifts Joseph sent?
• Have you ever received a blessing but hesitated in your praise?
• Will you listen to GOD when HE says “Do not be troubled” so you won’t second guess HIS blessings?

Deliverer

Deliverer

Genesis 41: ⁵³ Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, ⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. ⁵⁵ So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.” ⁵⁶ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. ⁵⁷ So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.

 

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After the seven years of plenty ended, seven years of famine began, just as Joseph prophesied. First the Egyptians came to Pharaoh, asking him to fix their problem. But he sent them to “Joseph.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave Joseph the interpretation of the dream HE gave Pharaoh.
• Joseph used his gift of administration to store up food all over the providence of Egypt.
• Pharaoh called Joseph “Joseph” versus using the name he gave him.

 

Maybe it was a good guess that the land would provide abundance, Pharaoh may have thought. If  abundance happened for eight or nine or ten years, Pharaoh would still look good. But it happened just as Joseph predicted. How can this be, Pharaoh may hove thought. Then he realized, GOD was speaking through Joseph.

 

Pharaoh sent everyone who asked to Joseph. Even Pharaoh recognized this was no coincidence. GOD positioned Joseph to deliver the Egyptians and all the countries from the famine. GOD provided the abundance and positioned Joseph as HIS deliverer.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Pharaoh’s reaction to the cries of the people regarding the seven years of famine?
• Are you going through a difficult time?
• Is GOD positioning you to be HIS deliverer by using the gifts HE has given you?

The-LORD-Will-Provide

 

The-LORD-Will-Provide

Genesis 22: ¹³ Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

 

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After being stopped by JESUS, Abraham turned around and saw a ram caught in a thicket. After GOD’s curse on the planet, weeds and thorny bushes were allowed to grow along side of fruit. Abraham built an altar to sacrifice his son, whom he loved. Instead of sacrificing his son, GOD provided a ram.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham would have seen the ram as he built the altar, so it must not have been there.
• GOD stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and then, at that moment, provided the ram.
• Abraham had a mountain top experience and named the place, “The-LORD-Will-Provide.”

 

Making an example out of Abraham, GOD waited until the very last second to provide. Abraham needed total dependence on GOD to come through with a solution, otherwise he could have said that he found it.

 

This example is scary, strange and difficult to swallow. BUT GOD meant business. HE needed someone who would place total belief and faith in HIM without any doubts. I believe HE wants you and me to do the same. GOD wants total reliance on HIS abilities to guide and provide. HE knows what we need way before we ask. HE can also say “No” or “Wait.”

 

Isaac was supposed to die, but GOD provided another sacrifice. We were supposed to die because of our sins. BUT GOD provided another sacrifice, namely JESUS. GOD is our provider.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD waited until the very last moment to provide a substitute sacrifice?
• Do things GOD told you have to go the way you think?
• What provision are you trusting GOD for and do you have total belief that HE will provide it?

Free Will Established

Free Will Established

Genesis 2: ¹⁵ Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

 

After creating a perfect place with beauty that could be enjoyed forever, GOD placed man in the garden and gave him something to do. The trees would grow themselves and provide fruit. Water was plentiful so no plant suffered. There was no rot or disease or bug infestations.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave the first human something to do for his enjoyment.
• GOD provided everything the first human could ever need.
• GOD also gave the first human a choice to obey by providing something he should not do.

 

Two trees were GOD’s and millions, if not billions of trees were for the first human. Each plant, bush, or tree would provide enough food for every animal, bird and fish. GOD probably had other conversations with the first human, but those are not recorded. HIS command, however, is recorded. HE distinctly told the first human not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. HE even gave the consequence. Death.

 

“What in the world is death?” would have been my question. GOD did not reveal the total conversation with the first human, but somehow, the message was conveyed. This was the very first command. No other rules. No sacrifice. No laws. Just eat and tend to the food provided.

 

Challenge:

• Why does GOD emphasize this command to Moses?
• Even with plenty, have you ever wanted what someone else had?
• Have you considered how much or how little you surrender yourself to GOD by choice?

Tame Planet

Tame Planet

Genesis 2: ⁴ This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, ⁵ before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; ⁶ but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

 

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This seems to be the beginning of the explanation of what happened during the creation. Volumes of books can be written on “why” something was made the way it was made. BUT GOD reveals only what is necessary. I noticed HE explains rain was made, but was not necessary because a mist would water all vegetation.

 

My Observations:

GOD made a place for humans to live that could take care of itself.

GOD made it easy for anything to grow that a human would ever want.

GOD made the earth available for humans to participate in creating by providing the materials of life.

 

What stuck out to me was “”For the LORD GOD had not caused it to rain on the earth.” GOD took time to create rain, but it was not necessary, yet. Before any vegetation was available, GOD made water available so it could flourish in abundance with no effort. Humans had it made.

 

Challenge

Why do you think GOD told Moses about rain if it was not necessary?

Have you ever watched vegetation grow in fascination?

How is GOD setting you up for success?

Humans Day 1

Humans Day 1

Genesis 1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

³ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

⁴ And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

⁵ And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

 

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When I read this passage, I notice “In the beginning GOD.” “In the beginning of what?” I ask. In the beginning of our relationship with GOD. This eternal being revealed how humanity began to HIS servant Moses, who wrote Genesis.

 

My Observations:

• GOD subtly shows HIS power by simply speaking Light into existence.
• “GOD created” shows HIS complexity and authority.
• GOD thought of outer space, the earth and waters and was very pleased to create light specifically for humans.

 

Excitement is what I read when I see this passage. I see GOD excited for humanity and making special things that would bring life. I see that HE was pleased with HIS creation. I can’t help thinking that GOD is saying to HIMSELF “They are really going to like this!” or “They really will need this!” Either way, I can see a loving, caring GOD who is creative and powerful.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD start HIS dictation to Moses with the creation?
• Can you hear how pleased GOD was to make something for humans that HE did not need for HIMSELF?
• How can you mimic GOD, by using creativity and being pleased with HIS power and HIS provision of light today?