THIS WEEK’S READINGS

Feb 1: Ex 7-9
Feb 2: Ex 10-12
Feb 3: Ex 13-15
Feb 4: Ex 16-18
Feb 5: Ex 19-21
Feb 6: Ex 22-24
Feb 7: Ex 25-27
Feb 8: Ex 28-29

NOTES ON EXODUS 7-27

·         For the next few days, you will be reading some of the most compelling and pivotal stories in the Old Testament – the ten plagues, the Passover, the exodus, the Red Sea, the Ten Commandments.  Set aside extra time if you are able to ponder these passages.

·         Of all those stories, Exodus 12 (the Passover) more than any other lays the foundation for Jewish identity and worship, and later for Christian understanding of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  The Israelites must never forget that night (Exodus 12:14), and Christians are called to remember the sacrifice of Christ as their only salvation (Luke 22:19).

·         The last half of Exodus, for the most part, is a little more challenging to the modern reader.  There are long, specific lists of laws, for example (see chs. 21-23).  There will be much more of this in Leviticus.  What we have to remember is that these ex-slaves had been under the domination of an absolute dictator for too long to remember anything else.  Now they needed to realize that life as a free community did not imply personal license for everyone.  There still had to be boundaries, including respect for people and property.  They did not know what that looked like as freedmen, so God told them.

·         Most of the remainder of Exodus has to do with instructions on how to design and set up the mobile desert worship center (the Tabernacle).  Details matter to God as an issue of obedience but also because every detail has a Godward purpose.  Don’t get too bogged down in trying to figure out the meaning of each detail – but do use a study Bible or the Internet to help you visualize and understand some of the key aspects.  Click here for one site that might help.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(This week’s reflections were written by my daughter, Cara, based on Exodus 4:3.  I would love to hear from others of you how the Lord is using the Bible reading in your life.)

I was reading the beginning of Exodus this morning and I literally erupted in laughter at the NLT’s translation of Moses’ reaction to God turning his staff into a snake: “Moses was terrified, so he turned and ran away.” If you know me at all, you are well aware of my vivid imagination and the speed at which my mind translates words into pictures and then proceeds to animate them about 2-3 steps too far. Oh, so funny…I can just imagine poor Moses spinning around, screaming like a little girl…

ANYway… As I read Chapter 4 where Moses is pleading with God not to make him speak, I noticed the commentary at the bottom of the page. It read, “It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then he will help us get the job done.” Again and again, Moses pleads, “Not me! I can’t!” But God says, “Now go and do as I have told you. I will help you!” But Moses can’t let go of his fear of failure…of his shame…of his deep sense of inadequacy…

Our incredibly patient God hears him and demonstrates an astounding empathy… a God bigger than we can fathom, the Creator, the I AM (that’s my FAVORITE name of His, btw) cares about Moses’ fear of public speaking. So what does God do?

Does he take away Moses’ deep fear of his own inadequacy? Nope.

Does He take the challenge away? Nope.

Does he say, “Ok, you don’t have to go.” Nope.

He says, “All right,” sending a brother to help Moses. Not Zipporah, not a father, not a spiritual authority; God sends Moses a brother, a friend, saying, “I will help both of you…”

Isn’t that beautiful?!!

So I must ask myself…who has my Father sent to be my Aaron that my pride won’t let me hear?

Who is my Moses that my Father has sent to me that my selfishness prevents me from loving and supporting?

What a beautiful picture of His design for friendship and for the Body.