Does Your Conscious Bother You?

Does Your Conscious Bother You? Exodus 22:1-8.

If it were not for the grace of God, all humanity would be lost in sin and terribly separated from God forever. When we die, in accountability, we would stand accused before the Lord. However, God understands the human condition and extends grace because of what sin has done to His once perfect creation.

Yes, we were made perfect; but the introduction sin in the Garden of Eden, changed Adam and Eve and every descendant since. We now struggle daily with cravings to have; we see things and want them and some, who can’t obtain them, find themselves taking whatever has tempted them. Stealing occurs in every civilization known to earth.

Thus people need a way to be forgiven; forgiven by those they hurt and forgiven by the community they live in. People also need to find a way of restoration to help them back to a godly life once the crime has been committed.

The rules we are about to look at focus on oxen and sheep; however, they transcend the realms of livestock and apply to many crimes.

“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. Exodus 22:1(NKJV)

This, restoration principle, works if a person has been caught; yet what about the person who does not get caught? How will a person every repay what they have stolen if they have gotten away with the crime?

God has made a very special place within all humans that He can talk to. It is a consciousness which we can hear and it is a place we can speak to our selves. The conscious is a two way connection; but many choose not to recognize God and use it only for themselves.

It is God’s hope to be recognized and when a wrong is committed, if a person will yield to God and seek to make right the wrong, restoration for all involved occurs. Therefore, if we have wronged others, restoring to them much more than was taken has a restoring effect on lives and can help a people settle their conscious and resist future temptations. This is a great principle that we can gain from if we will apply God’s precepts to our life.

If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. Exodus 22:2(NKJV)

Another aspect of our personalities, warped by sin, is that we are naturally fearful. We protect our possessions and if presented with the danger of severe punishment, death stands as a deterrent which is respected.

Therefore, God allowed Israel to defend their properties at night from those who would break in and steal; which is not contrary to godliness. It is the same accountability God will subject Himself to when Lucifer is finally punished from breaking in and steeling God’s people. Jesus told us that the devil is a thief and a liar.

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. Exodus 22:3(NKJV)

The law of breaking in at night was specific to the darkness. If the person breaking in was held until morning and death was not necessary, in exchange, guilt will be placed on the person and if they had no money to take from them, they would be sold as a slave.

Again, mercy is given so that a sinful person could have time to repent before God and right the wrong. Therefore, we must remember that life is extremely important to God and every sinner has opportunity to repent.

If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double. Exodus 22:4(NKJV)

If the thief had broken in undetected and made off with the goods; should the thief be found with the possessions in hand, the thief is to be forced to restore double what he took. This hardship is to become a deterrent to crime in their society and become a lesson to the thief.

“If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard. Exodus 22:5(NKJV)

From great to small, all forms of gain at the expense of another is not tolerated by God and the freedom to not tolerate it in our societies is given to us; however, restitution is the key factor in every offence.

“If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. Exodus 22:6(NKJV)

Negligence is never an excuse. If a person neglected to care for their own or neglected precautions and an accident occurred, the negligence is a punishable offense.

“If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man’s house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges to see whether he has put his hand into his neighbor’s goods. Exodus 22:8(NKJV)

God has also called people to be detectives of circumstances which could be related to crime. Never does God tell His people to just suffer at the hand of another. Therefore, we are to shape the laws within our communities to the precepts we find in scripture.

Are you one who has wronged another and got away with it? Does your conscious bother you? If you notice, there is a way to fix what is broken without having to involve civil authorities and right the wrong you have caused.

God would have us all go to those people and restore what we have taken. If we have neglectfully caused a person to suffer loss, there is a way and a time of restoration.

Restoration fixes what is broken in our lives and restores a relationship with God. It is the godly response and leads to a godly life. Would you like to live with a good conscious? Pray to God for a way to restore to others for the affects your sin has caused.

Are you a Savant to Another?

Are you a Savant to Another? Exodus 21:1-11.

They had received Ten Commandments from God; however, God needed to erase much of what they learned from being slaves in Egypt. Therefore, through Moses, God reveals to Israel how He wants them to treat the situations that would occur in their life.

Much like those who come to the Lord for the forgiveness of their sin, there is a new way of life waiting and the old way of life is to become just that, old.

God has delivered a person from sin and God wants them to walk in newness of life. The ways of the world, they acquired growing up, are to fade away through teaching from God’s word; so a person might live righteous before God.

This is not to say that every Christian or groups of Christians have correctly understood how they should live before God.

There are many people who have become separatists and invent rituals. Their actions are intended to make themselves appear religious; however, God wants to change the heart.

As Christians we are to dismantle our lives and rebuild them the way God would have us to live. This is what God was doing with Israel and it starts with how a person is to treat another who owes them debt.

“Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. Exodus 21:1-2(NKJV)

Having been Egyptian slaves, the only way they knew to treat a slave was the Egyptian way. In the Egyptian way, no one goes free. Yet in God’s way, debt can be repaid and finalized.

People become indebt to others in many different ways. A person might be forced to serve because of a crime committed.

Poor parents would offer their children as servants so a master would take them in and give them a home. In return the children would work for the home.

Then there was the working class who would enter in to domestic or non domestic contracts and work for another as their servant.

In this, God wanted an ending point. After six years, the person’s service was over. All servants would be granted freedom from their debt and start their life new.

Not only is this kind, it would shape the Israelite culture to be forgiving. This was a concept unknown in Egypt and would turn the Israelite society into a society of commerce. Heads of houses would look to hire servants and people could find paying jobs.

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. 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. But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ 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. Exodus 21:3-6(NKJV)

Before this was ever instilled into the society, God knew that it would soften their heart and bring situations where some servants would like to continue working for their master.

The kindness of the master of the house would seep into the heart and life of the servant so they would never want to leave.

Therefore, the servants had to make a public showing that they were willing to stay and serve, proclaiming the goodness of their master.

God is the ultimate example of this principle. He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins. He paid the penalty of death which we deserved. When we were in bondage, serving sin, God paid to have us set free.

In loyalty Christians give their lives over to serve God as willing servants. We reciprocate by making a public acknowledgment that we are willing servants who work God.

“And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 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. And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money. Exodus 21:7-11(NKJV)

No matter the situation, no matter if your male or female, God willingly takes us to Himself and treats us as His own children. Though we were servants, bought with a price, we are released and considered adopted children.

In this principle, of how to treat servants, God shows us how to be a society that loves. We still must work and pay our debts; yet we are to be willing worker, knowing that one day our debt will be paid and we will have freedom.

Therefore, strive to own no man and let freedom come to your life. When you are free, let your love spill on others as you give them the same respect you would desire to be rendered to yourself.

Trust is Over Rated.

Trust is Over Rated.  Exodus 19:20-25.

The Lord was going to make a dramatic entry into the visual lives of Israel; one which would forever be viewed a most dramatic event in history. God came down from heaven so that He might instill fear in the hearts of his people.

Filled with thick dark clouds, lightning bolts lit up the sky while thundering loudly. The ground quaked as fire descended on the mountain causing all the people to shake with fear. The very ground under their feet rumbled and as God came onto the mountain it was obvious that the same God who made the earth could tear it apart with little to no problem.

The God who produced the mighty miracles in Egypt and parted the Red Sea for their safe passing was coming onto the earth.

This was the culmination of three days of consecration where Israel got their affairs in order, renounced their sin, and washed their souls and their clothes.

And the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. Exodus 19:20(NKJV)

The Children of Israel were known for complaining about their situation. They feared being succumbed by their environment and it is feasible they complained as they worked to consecrate their life.

Wondering why they had to go through such an exercise, each went through the steps told to them by Moses. However, after seeing God’s power and greatness, if there were those who complained, they would now be grateful they listened to Moses.

This is typical of all people; when God is out of mind, the tendency of most is to think small about God. Yet, let trials come their way, they are praying to God and reverencing His power. A great question to ask is, “Why should God take a person’s prayers serious when they will not take God serious when living their normal life?”

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them. Exodus 19:21-25(NKJV)

“Who, my people?” Moses could not understand why anyone would dare come towards the mountain. However, God knows people are ill-mannered and disobey.

You would think, if an action ends in death a person would respect their lives and not tempt God. Yet this happens every day.

People are killed tempting fate. Like a person jumping from an airplane without a parachute, people treat life the same; they jump to their death more frequently than we realize. Inviting sin into their lives, they live as if they will not stand before the judgment seat of God.

The person who attends church then returns home to commit blatant sin is tempting fate. A person who says they are a Christian, but joins in on hedonistic acts, is tempting fate.

We are told by the Apostle Paul there are many acts, if practiced will keep a person from entering the kingdom of God. Paul wrote,
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11(NKJV)

Many have tempted fate and instead of doing what the Lord said to do, they approached an area they were warned not to go. Therefore, God reaffirms to Moses to warn the people again and even tell the priests, they too are to stay away from the mountain.

Now it does not say how many tempted fate and lost; yet those that did lose their life lost their chance to be with God and died in the displeasure of God.

I know many who say they are Christians, yet they live displeasing to God. They are curious about God and want to think themselves as part of God’s people; however, they tempt God by going too close to things God says causes spiritual death.

Jesus warned His disciples saying,
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! Luke 12:4-5(NKJV)

One could argue, “If I would have seen what the Israelites saw, I would not do the things I do.” However, all the historic events of the scriptures can clearly be seen if a person will study God’s word.

When studying God’s word, the Holy Spirit bring to life the words on the page and there is no excuse for Christians to succumb to drag me off to hell sin, if they have a daily relationship with God through praise, worship, fellowship, and bible study.

There is a trade off that makes seeing God not an advantage. True the children of Israel saw the greatness of God and it shook their life; however, if they were to disobey their orders they would immediately die. Our advantage, through we have not experienced God coming out of the clouds is, we have time to repent when we have done wrong.

God knows that we are sinners and speaking to Moses God expressed that God does not trust people. Therefore, we too should not trust ourselves and places ourselves in an opportunity to succumb to sin in weakness. It is all about trust and because of sin, trust is overrated.

Who needs God?

Who needs God? Exodus 19:1-9.

The journey of the Israelites through the wilderness to the Promised Land was long and arduous taking over 40 years to complete. Though the Promised Land was only a three days journey, God had them wander because they had such problem with being faithful to God.

Our passage begins with this call to faithfulness before the mountain that Moses saw the burning bush. The names for this mountain are Mount Horeb, Mount Musa, Gabal Musa, and Jabal Musa meaning “Moses’ Mountain.”

Some may think that wandering forty years, when they could have walked to the Promised Land in three days, was a terrible thing to do to people. However, God was not making a people who only pleased themselves; God was making a people who would serve Him, worship Him, and be faithful to be holy.

God was responsible for their existence. It was God who allowed Sarah to conceive when she was old and it was God who inspired Abraham to have faith. From Abraham, the whole nation had been developed in the caring watchful eye of the Lord; for without God, Israel would not be.

God allowed them to go to Egypt to grow as a nation and it was God who delivered them from the enslaving grip of the Pharaoh. They were saved from inhalation and for this, God demanded them to follow Him in holiness.

In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. Exodus 19:1-2(NKJV)

Mount Sinai is not the largest mountain in the area; mount Catherine is the largest peak. However, it was “the mountain” where God first spoke to Moses giving orders to return to Egypt and deliver the people. It was also “the mountain” God would choose to speak to Moses from.

Mount Sinai has a ring of granite composites and the exposed rocks show evidence of being pushed up from different depths. It would be from these rocks that God would inscribe Ten Commandments for the people to follow.

And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:3-6(NKJV)

Moses had the right mindset about God. He did not wait for God to call him; he went up to God. Moses wanted to gain direction for leading the people for without direction, confusion would set in. Moses realized his need for God.

So many people ask each other, “How do I know the Lord’s will for my life.” The answer is you seek God. Initiate the conversation through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship. Then a person must be ready to go where they are called.

God’s answer to Moses was concise. Paraphrasing God, He said, “I delivered Israel and they saw it. Now they are to obey my voice and keep my covenant. Only after doing this will they be a special treasure.”

This is the structure to having a life that honors God. For Christians that means once saved from sin and accepting Jesus as the sacrifice for sin, they are to turn away from their old life and live a new life.

God was calling Israel to this new life; He wanted them to rethink who they were and act accordingly. He wanted them to be children of God and as children to be leaders in holiness as would a priest or king.

So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.” So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD. Exodus 19:7-9(NKJV)

The answer of Israel, was the very problem in their relationship with God. They truly did not understand God is without a sinful nature and people were born into a sinful nature, passed to them through Adam and Eve.

When told the objective, they assumed they could be holy with just an answer. God said “Obey my voice and keep my covenant” and they ignorantly answered, “We will do all you say.”

Is holiness that easy? One day you say, “I will be holy’ and that is all there is to it? This answer from Israel was rude at best.

God saved them from Egypt; it would be God that would save them from their enemies. That is the role He wants in a person’s life and to say, “I will be holy” takes God out of the picture and assumes the task upon one’s self.

A person’s faith believes that God is, and God is able to save. He calls us to turn our lives over to Him and He will clean our lives so that we might be holy. Yet to arrogantly think that we can do it on our own is wrong.

Daily we need to seek Him; like Moses we need to listen to God speak to our hearts, through His word, those He has placed around us for support, and through His own still small voice.

In this life we will have tribulations and trials. There is no way a person can live their life holy without God’s help.

Israel’s answer would have been better said, “We can do it with your help and guidance Lord; but apart from you we are nothing.”

This is what made the three day walk into a forty year journey. Israel was to learn how stubborn and stiff necked they could be and their story is here to shorten our walk and struggle through life.

When Judeo Christian Law began.

When Judeo Christian Law began. Exodus 18:13-27.

A feast was invoked stemming from the sacrifice of Jethro, the father in-law of Moses. All of the leaders of the tribes met with Moses and Jethro to worshiped God in thanksgiving for the grace Israel found in God’s eyes and for their deliverance from Egypt.

The stories of God’s faithfulness in spite of their complaining, invoked an atmosphere revealing the true darkness in the hearts of the people. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and though we are saved by God’s grace, we still have to be sanctified from our sins.

The sacrifice they made to God brought forgiveness for sin; however, what were they to do with all the problems and internal strife within the people. How were they to become a people of God when conflict surrounded them? These questions burned in Moses’ heart that night.

And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” Exodus 18:13-14(NKJV)

Word was sent to through the elders to all of Israel that conflicts needed to be settled and all the people gathered to have their cases heard by Moses. However, the line stretched throughout the camp and people stood in line for their turn.

Jethro watched Moses getting busy hearing the disputes and as the line slowly progressed, Jethro shook his head knowing that Moses had taken upon himself too much work. This type of governing would surly consume Moses and all the suffering from bearing Israel’s burdens was too much for one man.

Jethro then approached his son in-law with a scolding, rhetorical questioning. “What are you doing to the people? Why do you do this?” As if to say wake up Moses, look at what you are doing to them and yourself, Jethro became a mentor before Moses.

There are times in all of our lives where words of wisdom will come to us with a stinging bite; for they will catch us when we have or are about to fail. It is important that when approached we stop to consider our actions afresh.

And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” Exodus 18:15-16(NKJV)

Moses was very sincere in what he was doing and had a valid concern; yet his reply to Jethro seems to be an action that Moses thought best and nowhere does Moses say, “God told me to.”

Instead, Moses says they come to “me” and “I” “make known the statutes of God.” It was just something Moses did which made sense to him; and yet, Moses was going to fail.

Good intentions are not enough; a person needs God’s direction and God would have us have men as Jethro in our lives to consider their intentions before constructing a plan.

It is called accountability and it was at this time that God would use Jethro to set a standard that would be used universally and exists in our governments today.

So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Exodus 18:15-20(NKJV)

There was nothing new to this portion of Moses plan; in fact it was similar to what he was doing now; however, there needed to be an augment which would make justice into a system, easier and quicker to conduct. Moses selected a good way; yet God was going to show Moses the best way.

Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.” Exodus 18:21-23(NKJV)

It was a simple plan. Moses was to select the faithful people to bring others into accountability. The smallest group would have an overseer. Then the overseers would have a person to answer to.

As the chain of command narrowed, a smaller group of men would gather with Moses to discuss the welfare of the people. By the time these men met with Moses, real actions would have been implemented and in place and unrest would be quieted with in the camp.

So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land. Exodus 18:24-27(NKJV)

It was a very notable improvement Jethro brought to the children of Israel. A stranger from a foreign land, only known by Moses, brought to them a civilized way to govern their business.

It came from a gentile who loved and served God. A gentile who made it his business to pray to God and hear what Moses did not. Jethro was selected by God to bring Moses into accountability and Moses was faithful to listen when reproved.

Oh that people would faithful seek God so they may step up to help others. Through this one man, Jethro, every Judeo Christian legal system on the planet would be born through faithfulness to seek God.

It is a principal we are to remember and a structure to implement or uphold in our societies, our churches, and our family. Let the people of God act accordingly.

Jew and Gentile Unite!

Jew and Gentile Unite! Exodus 18:1-12.

And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. Exodus 18:1(NKJV)

When Moses killed the Egyptian taskmaster, who had mistreated a Hebrew slave, Moses had to flee Egypt. It was in the wilderness Moses met Jethro and after working for him many years, Moses married Jethro’s daughter.

For forty years Moses led sheep through the wilderness and raised two sons, Gershom and Eliemzer. After the burning bush experience, when God called Moses to go back to face the Pharaoh, he left his family behind in the safety of his father in law, Jethro.

Jethro was not a Hebrew, he was a Midianite. Called by God to be a priest in Midian, Jethro had much respect for God and God’s work through Moses. It was Jethro who shared Moses burden to deliver the Hebrews out of Egypt and now Jethro came to share in the glory of God.

Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”) and the name of the other was Eliemzer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”); and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. Exodus 18:2-5(NKJV)

It is a great occasion when two people from different races can find unity in God. Moses was not a person who segregated himself to only accept Hebrews. In fact, Moses married outside of his race and took Zipporah as his wife.

While he stayed with Jethro, Moses shared his inner feelings over the mistreatment of the Children of Israel and it is reflected in the naming of his sons.

Gershom’s name reflected Moses grief while being raised by the Pharaoh’s daughter and Eliemzer’s name reflected the escape from the bounty placed on the head of Moses by the Pharaoh.

Before returning to Egypt, Jethro listened to Moses and shared his faith in the Lord. The Jethro continued in praying for Moses and encouraging Moses to trust in the Lord who spoke to him through a burning bush. Jethro told him to leave his family in Midian and go back to Egypt.

Now, though Jethro was not a Hebrew and could not cross over to the Promised Land, Jethro came to hear of the wonderful stories of deliverance by the hand of God Almighty. Jethro would take joy knowing he helped God deliver the Hebrews.

Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.” So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent. Exodus 18:6-7(NKJV)

Bringing his grandsons and his daughter to Moses was a charitable act for Jethro. Jethro knew that a man of God should have the support of his own family at his side and to Jethro that meant saying goodbye to them; as they would be reunited with Moses and leave Midian for the land God promised to Hebrews.

For most grandparents, saying goodbye to family would be a life crushing experience. Yet Jethro, a man of faith, looked at it as an opportunity and a job well done. He had taken care of Moses’ family and now was going to end a chapter in his life with praise.

What a great outlook Jethro had on life. To serve God was first and letting go of family, so that God may do his work, was what made Jethro a faithful man of God. There was no sorrow, only joy of being able to serve God.

And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. And Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.” Exodus 18:8-11(NKJV)

Our faith is not in vain; and our God has control of every situation known to man. To fight life is to fight a losing battle; but to surrender to the work of God brings joy.

Jethro was hearing a firsthand account of the stories of Moses’ talks with the Pharaoh. The miracles God did through Moses and in all of this Jethro rejoiced in God’s wonderful work.

Through Jethro was not there or even near Egypt; Jethro knew he was serving God by doing his part in Moses’ life. Therefore, Jethro would share in the pleasure of God.

Every person who helps build the kingdom of God will not be forgotten. Every behind the scenes participant will be rewarded. When helping church leaders while they serve the Lord, the person helping is considered as valuable as church leader. It added to Moses confidence knowing his family was safe with Jethro.

Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God. Exodus 18:12(NKJV)

Though we may be of different ethnic backgrounds, we can all share in the glory of the Lord. It was promised to Abraham the entire world would be blessed through his offspring and blessing Jethro was just the start.

Though we are not all God’s chosen people, the Jews, we have become partakers in the grace of God through the Messiah Jesus Christ; the lion from the tribe of Judah.

Moses and all the leaders came to break bread in honor of Jethro and in honor to the sacrifice prepared by the Midianite priest. There they sat to break bread to recognize this wonderful work of God in their life.

One day every person who helped build God’s kingdom will come together at the wedding of the church to the Lamb of God, Jesus.

At the wedding supper we will dine together and race will no longer matter for we will all recognize each other as co-workers who helped Christ build the Kingdom of God. Our work will be honored no matter how great or how small; we all participate in the building of God’s kingdom.

Thanksgiving or Gluttony?

Thanksgiving or Gluttony? Exodus 16:31-36.

Though the Israelites were becoming real bad complainers, God continued to bless them. Yet, through this blessing of food, God was teaching them the importance of a Sabbath day rest. God wanted Israel to respect the Sabbath.

Why keep the Sabbath? We are to keep the Sabbath because humankind is made in the image of God. When God created the world He worked for six day and on the seventh He rested. Taking in the majestic sight of all His work He said, “It is good.”

It is simple to conclude if God rested on the seven the day, then being made in God’s image we too should rest one day of the week.

For six days, busy yourself working, planning, ensuring that your family is taken care of; but on one day a week, a person should let it all go so they may reflect on their work, on their attitude, and their righteousness.

Taking that day off from all cares, including shopping for food, is a good way to keep yourself recharged, satisfied, and it readies you for the week to come. A day of rest brings your family together.

In a world that people suffer from hypertension, attention deficit, and low self esteem you can see the impact that taking one day off would do.

The rest for the weary is not to be neglected; for to do so is to disobey God and go against the design of our own bodies.

Rest is essential; reflection and restoring a relationship with God is essential. Our family’s spiritual health is essential; therefore, the Sabbath rest is essential.

And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Then Moses said, “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: ‘Fill an omer with it, to be kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” Exodus 16:31-32(NKJV)

Manna or “What is it?” was a special provision from the Lord and in order to have Manna on the seventh day a person had to gather enough for two days, on the day before the Sabbath.

Any other day, should they gather enough for two days, the manna would spoil; turning into a putrid substance drawing flies and producing worms. Yet, on the Sabbath, the Manna collected was sweet, delightful, and a miracle from the hand of God.

Israel was challenged to forever remember the Manna by keeping a portion of it and show it to future generations so they may see the miracle at the hand of God and remember the Sabbath; a day rest.

Therefore, they gathered Manna, placed in a jar, and carried the jar with them until years later when it would be placed it in the Ark of the Covenant.

The tragedy is, a many years later, the Ark of the Covenant was lost and the keeping of that tradition was lost. Israel failed to keep the Manna Jar in their possession and they can no longer show the miracle to their children.

And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot and put an omer of manna in it, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.” As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. And the children of Israel ate manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. Now an omer is one-tenth of an ephah. Exodus 16:33-36(NKJV)

The reluctance of Israel to follow God became a deepening scar for Moses. He was not good at public speaking anyways and he continued to withdraw from the people, letting Aaron deliver the messages.

Still the work of the Lord would remain in their hearts and Manna would become a staple part of their diet for forty years.

Throughout history bread was considered the staple of life. Flour was made from grinding grain so that it could be mixed with water and yeast to make the essential part of the diet.

Remembering the Manna, people of spiritual reverence considered bread as being a gift from God. When they planted the seed they prayed over the fields and when harvesting they gave God the glory.

As they would grind the grains and mix the dough, glory to God would be on their lips. Then when partaking in a meal, prayers of thanksgiving would be said before the meal.

So reverenced was God’s gift of food, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

The breaking of bread was to be a sacred occasion and not an indulgence. When a visitor was invited to a meal, it was not only to share in food, it was to share in unity. Though food can be tasty, the bond of faith was to be shared at the table.

Food was not to be wasted; it was a precious commodity and those who experience famine or drought could tell of its importance.

In our society bread is still important; however, many do without eating bread. There are other nutritional items to eat and some forgo the calories that bread gives.

Many members of society have learned to replace bread in the diet while others still eat it and enjoy a great variety to choose from. However, the spiritual significance of bread is being lost in a Westernizing world of plenty.

The garbage can of the world’s cities could wipe out hunger and if everyone in need had bread they could survive. Yet reverence for bread is being lost; just as reverence for God is being discarded.

Jesus told His disciples, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. John 6:32-35(NKJV)

Jesus is the bread of life. The breaking of bread was to be done in remembrance of Him. He is greater than Manna and also came down from God.

He gave his life to be broken on the cross so that we might have our trespasses forgiven. Therefore, we, like Israel, are to forever remember the goodness of God for providing the essential for life.

Is one day a week to much, to take the time to rest from work and our habitual life? Is one day a week too much to spend with our family teaching them that Jesus is the bread of eternal life?

If we discard our rest, we discard so much more; however, Jesus has invited us to rest in Him. Let us take our families to the table of the Lord in reverence and on one day a week make it a day that is reverent.

Causing Trouble in the Congregation.

Causing Trouble in the Congregation. Exodus 16:16-30.

God had shown His glory, lighting up the clouds and while the congregation of Israelites looked to the sky, flocks of quail flew into the camp. That night the children of Israel dinned on meat and the complaining stopped. Their God had provided them food.

Though Israel’s complaint had worked for them, it also worked against them; they established themselves as complainers. Where the meat and the bread met their need; they had much to learn about their selfish, mistrusting, cold hearts.

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.’” Then the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one’s need. Exodus 16:16-18(NKJV)

The unit of measurement, the omer, is equaled to about 3.64 liters which is a good portion of manna; however, the people were not that specific about how much they collected and some gathered more, others gathered less. In this they showed that their own desires were more important than God’s desires.

When God is working with a person’s heart, often a person will think of themselves better than they really are. I have known people to trample through others people’s problems never considering the damage they do.

These have an attitude that they are wise and they apply their wisdom without acknowledging the work of the Lord in the situation. In reality, they are like these people gathering manna; they trample in and then trample out; they take what they want regardless of what God’s word said.

And Moses said, “Let no one leave any of it till morning.” Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. Exodus 16:19-21(NKJV)

This was the problem; the word of God, expressed through Moses, was of little value. Many did not take instruction serious and did what was right in their own eyes. They greedily took more than they should and tossed out the instructions.

Therefore, the result was a spoiled stinky mess and so it goes with people who do not follow the leadership of God; they end up with a stinky spoiled rotten mess.

People make messes of relationships; they muddy the reputation of others. Thinking themselves to be doing what is right, they make a mess of the situation they are in.

However, some do learn from their mistakes; and this lesson instilled in many to follow the directions that God gave. This was an important lesson; for Israel would have many instructions they needed to remember and follow.

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. 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.’” So they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor were there any worms in it. Exodus 16:22-24(NKJV)

I wonder how many were having a problem with trusting God to keep the manna overnight. That night, I would not doubt many made trips to the manna pots to check for worms. For trusting God to care for them was their main issue.

Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.” Exodus 16:25-26(NKJV)

So focused where they on the bread situation, many did not realize that they were being taught to keep the Sabbath.

If loyalty was a problem in their ranks, it makes sense that they too were breaking the Sabbath. Therefore, God used the manna to help them through several problems of being loyal to God.

In every society, in every church, and throughout the world, there are those who are going to shake their head yes, but really mean no. They act as if they follow the congregation; but they live differently.

Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. And the LORD said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” So the people rested on the seventh day. Exodus 16:27-30(NKJV)

Moses was hearing the word of the Lord and watching people search through the camp, behind bushes, and talking to each other about their hunger.

When they were to be respecting God’s Sabbath, they were busy trying to find enough food for the day.

Many pastors look out at their congregation and know the trouble the people bring to themselves. He sees gossiping, busybody women. He watches men who talk only about their own fun and knows their desire to be elsewhere.

The pastor has to listen to arguing spouses on the brink of divorce and help others with the troubles of broken marriages and families.

The pastor daily recieves, from the Lord, messages to speak to the congregation and delivering them, he sees those who are not paying attention and they become those who are going to do things their own way.

The pastor cleans up the stinky mess when people trample through the congregation with no respect or regard to God.

Christians can be some of the most difficult people on earth as they have caused church splits, marriages to fail, and encouraged children to be disobedient.

Everything that God says not to do, many Christians do and the hardships fall on the pastor.

God said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws? See!” This indicates that a congregating is viewed by God as a whole.

A church is no stronger than its weakest member and to this, the pastor and his staff toil to make them understand the importance of reverence to God’s word.

Drawing Near to God.

Drawing Near to God. Exodus 16:9-15.

The complaint department is usually full. In our day people have become expert complainers. If it’s not about family, it’s about money. If it’s not about money, then it is about how someone soiled your day. No one is beyond criticism; however, criticism is different than a complaint.

The critic shares a way to make something better in life. However, a complaint is a byproduct of fear and we are instructed by scriptures not to fear for God is in control of every situation. Therefore, many people think they are criticizing; however, they are complaining and this becomes very annoying to God and others.

Moses was very annoyed with the Children of Israel. God had saved them from the Egyptian army. When they needed water God provided. With such great display of God’s ability to save, these complained to Moses about food.

It was not criticism, nor was it constructive; their complaints were destructive as they tried to blame Moses for leading them into starvation.

Moses had had all he could take from the miserable people and turned the message over to Aaron. Moses was going to sit back and watch; probably saving himself from being like them.

Then Moses spoke to Aaron, “Say to all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come near before the LORD, for He has heard your complaints.’” Now it came to pass, as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “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.’” Exodus 16:9-12(NKJV)

They keys to their attitudes were the distance of their hearts. To draw near to God is to put aside other things and to focus in prayer where you will receive understanding of whom God is, what significance an event has, and how great is our Lord.

Many people suffer in their situations complaining about how bad things are. The situation causes them grief and grief causes them to focus on the problem. They draw nearer to their problem and compound their grief.

Drawing near to the Lord is a way to see the problem against the Lord God who created the Universe. In this, the size of the problem shrinks and the less burdensome it becomes.

Yet to these fortunate few the size of the Lord was revealed before their eyes. The cloud that hovered over them began to glow and the glow turned in to an increasingly bright light.

The dessert lit up like no sunset could ever do and the gloriousness of God was in plain sight. Though shrouded in a cloud God was making himself know in their presence.

God has done the same in the lives of people throughout time. Those who take their problems, their discomforts, and their sicknesses, to the Lord in prayer, find his presence shinning in their heart.

It starts faint as a small light; but through worship and reading His word, meaning grows and so does God’s presence in their life. People go from dwelling in darkness to living with the presence of the Lord in their heart; where their fears, the threats, and the discomfort flee away.

When people draw close to the Lord, life changes. This when you and others will see the glory of the Lord in the amazing answers to prayer and the astonishing clarity of what good an event has in their life. The Glory of the Lord shines on the face of His people as His dwelling place is in their heart.

So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. 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. 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. Exodus 16:13-15(NKJV)

Their problems were over; the quail were so thick in the camp that grabbing a few to roast was easy. No hunting, no great effort, God had supplied all their needs. That night, Israel was blessed regardless of their bad attitudes and accusing statements.

The next morning was like waking after an evening’s snow; the ground was covered with bread. However, it looked different and they stood staring at the bread in dismay.

“What is it? What do you do with it?” God had given them a resource that they did not understand and that was enough to make Moses break his silence and he comically answered, “This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.”

I believe that Moses found joy in seeing the people sheepishly looking at the bread in wonderment; for now they were not questioning him, they were questioning God.

In every situation of life there is purpose. Not a single person dies without their being a back story, a purpose for their life, and a meaning in their death. God is at work in every aspect of life.

This being recognized, we can learn and understand his ways if we draw close to Him through worship, prayer, fellowship, and Bible study.

If we look at a situation and complain, we are focusing our attention away from seeing God’s plan, God’s ability, and God’s greatness. This is where many lose their focus on God altogether and too many have passed without knowing God personally.

Remember, it all starts with focusing on discomfort, which grows into complaining. If you let focusing on problems stay in your life it can be a lifestyle that you take to the grave; where you will forever be separate from the glory of the Lord.

Complaining about Others.

Complaining about Others. Exodus 16:1-8.

It had begun to be a common occurrence for the children of Israel to doubt Moses and God when faced with adversity. Any time their safety was in danger, the first thing out of their mouth was an accusation and expression of their fears. This troubled Moses; for Moses wanted a calm, peaceful joining of Israel to their God in faith.

As with any good father, the waiting for his children to mature is part of the process of life. God had been patient with Israel and taught them through their trials to have faith in Him.

Through Moses, God sent a message saying, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”

This was a warning that for those who fail to recognize God’s authority. God will do things to command respect from people. As a child, he will spank them on the behind and let them see His authority and His ability to control their fate.

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. Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. Exodus 16:1-3(NKJV)

This word Sin translates to the word “thorn;” and though sin is a thorn, it is not the same word from the Greek that translated to our understanding of sin. However, again we find the people complaining against Moses and Aaron. This is an act of sin for they are missing the mark that God had set for them.

We walk a fine line when complaining about people, places, or things. As we go about our daily business, it is easy to cross over that line and though we might not recognize it, we can be complaining about what God has provided for us.

When a spouse complains about their mate they are complaining about the person God has brought them. Often people do not recognize that they are unhappy with what God has provided because they only see the fault of the other person. God takes it personal; for He would have a person accept the spouse thankfully and take all problems in prayer to God.

I have seen various types of this. A person, who prays for employment, finds it and is overjoyed. However, their love affair soon grows old; complaints about coworkers, working conditions, or pay, becomes grief and instead of taking it to God respectfully in prayer, they complain, and wallow in their misery. What God so graciously provided is now considered a hardship and gratitude is lost.

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.” Exodus 16:4(NKJV)

They had learned not to accuse God and they feared angering Him; however, they still have yet to understand that you cannot single out God’s leader without blaming God Himself.

“”You have brought us out into this wilderness!” This is your fault. They had plenty of food in Egypt and now they wondered why Moses did not plan better. Food was dwindling and as if they did not learn a thing from the problem of running out of water, these people were again stirred up.

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. 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.” Exodus 16:5(NKJV)

God was measuring their commitment to Him by their obedience to the rules He gave them. This is where God draws the dividing line between who are faithful to him and those who are not faithful to Him.

In this challenge each morning they would wake to find a substance they would call bread. Each new morni9ng they were to gather a quota of bread to feed themselves for the day. On the sixth day they were to gather twice the amount so they may be able to have it on their Sabbath day, the day of rest.

In this test, those who trusted God would be thankful and believe in God to provide the next day; or they would fearfully, greedily, gather more than their share and prove their unbelief in God who promised to provide.

Then Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening you shall know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt. And in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD; for He hears your complaints against the LORD. But what are we, that you complain against us?” Exodus 16:6-7(NKJV)

Moses was very bothered at the treatment they received from the people. In this speech Moses declares to them in the evening they were to reflect on the goodness of the Lord who delivered them out of Egypt. Reflecting on their deliverance and God’s faithfulness would make the morning so much more glorious.

This is the missing ingredient to a happy life in all those who find bitterness. Reflecting on the goodness of the lord and all the wonderful works of the Lord should cause us to have faith, hope, and produce love from our life.

When a person understands the Love of God for them; there is no room for fear. Doubt is pushed to the side and faith causes a person to quit striving. God is good and there is none like our Lord.

Also Moses said, “This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD.” Exodus 16:8(NKJV)

How can you complain when God was not only going to deliver them bread, but God was also going to bring meat to eat for the evening dinners?

Yet Moses was forming his own opinions about these people. Many of them were self centered, selfish, and he knew that they would complain again. Even after God had delivered them, fed them, and gave them water, they would find something else to complain about. So Moses told them the way it would be.

Next time, don’t complain at me, you complain at God for that who you are blaming anyway!

The Children of Israel were no different that we are today; we are all people and we all make mistakes like people. With our mouths we bless God and curse others. We complain, voicing our displeasures to others, and we also blame others.

Yet we must remember that if we are displeased, our words should be taken to God in prayer. We should pray, “Change them or change me;” giving our honor and respect to God.

Listen to yourself, monitor your own faith and when listening to someone else complain, pray for them for it is a hard concept for people to understand and never let your complaining bring others down with you.

As Christians we are teachers with our life. Would it not be a terrible thing to be considered a person who taught others to complain, to cross the line, and miss the mark of God?

Falling Down at the First Sign of Trial.

Falling Down at the First Sign of Trial. Exodus 15:20-27.

The Children of Israel were so elated to have the Egyptian army defeated it provoked a joyous celebration. Instruments sounded and song broke out as merriment was in the hearts of the people.

There is no better time to celebrate than when a person has overcome a great trial in their life; the only problem is life is filled with trials.

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them: “Sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!” Exodus 15:20-21(NKJV)

Miriam is the sister of Moses. Miriam watched over Moses as he floated down river in the ark made for him as a baby. Miriam approached the Pharaoh’s daughter and talked her into hiring her mother to care for the baby.

Being of the family of Moses held great responsibility, for if Moses were to be wrong about God and God’s will for the children of Israel, the immediate family would too be shunned.

As Moses and Aaron were leaders among the elders, Miriam was also stepping up to take her role leading the women in celebration of their delivery from the enemy. Is it not interesting to see that women’s ministry is mentioned so early in our scriptures?

Miriam was more than a leader; she was gifted with ability to prophesy and though her prophesies are not recorded, their fulfillment coincided with the delivery from the enemy by God. With joy Miriam celebrated and led others to celebrate the same.

Celebration is not to be confused with worship. Celebration comes from great emotion following a victory, an achievement, or a completed task; worship is to be a continual action through good times and bad. God’s people must learn they worship God regardless of the situation faced.

Celebration takes a person to a mountain top of adulation and goes as quickly as it comes; for we must walk through valleys so low.

In those valleys we face trial, difficulty, and fear; however, the worship of God should not stop.

Through worship, God’s people become strong; as God helps them to make it through their situation. Through worship, fears are silenced and darkness is turned to light.

The Children of Israel were going to face many low times and even in the lowest of time God expects faith from His people. This is what a leader must remember; victories are great, but too much celebration is not good for people.

So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Exodus 15:22(NKJV)

These people had been on the move and their water supply was dwindling, if not completely gone. Running out of water became a great fear and the dessert ahead was a barren waste land. This is only the first obstacle the children of Israel would face.

Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” Exodus 15:23-24(NKJV)

The same people who danced at the victory, given to them at the hand of God, now complained to Moses. They had never been out of Egypt and they had no idea of what to expect.

They saw water in the distance and the two to three million people caravanned over to a great water source. It was a great find; however, they also found the place was called Mara or bitter. This water could not be drunk.

At this point to be a leader of the people was not a joyous position. The leaders Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, were approached by all side with people wanting to know, “What are we going to drink?”

Many of the questions came as accusations and sounded like the accusations expressed when cornered by the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. There they asked, “Did you bring us out here to die?”

We can plainly see it is hard to face trials after experiencing such great joy. It can be measured by the fall for the higher the mountain top, the greater the fall.

To the leadership this must have seemed a terrible contrast of attitudes and loyalty. What about God’s ability to deliver? Where is faith and when will these people trust in God? Being new to leadership, Moses became upset at his people’s response.

So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” Exodus 15:25-26(NKJV)

Through this trial, it became clear it would take time for these people to spiritually mature. They went from great faith to no faith; from joy to miserable and for a leader this becomes a measure of his or her effectiveness in their congregations.

Moses too cried out in distress to the Lord. The people did not trust him as a leader. He too went from victory to defeat with a problem that seemed impossible.

Though he had faith in God, the situation caught Moses off guard and he grieved. Yet Moses received a quick word of wisdom from the Lord and in obedience they cast the tree into the water and it not only became drinkable, it became tasty and sweet.

It did not take Moses long to reflect on the power of God over circumstances and Moses knew that God would tolerate no compromise in faith; for without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore, Moses gave the people a sermon, a warning to trust in God.

You must be diligent to heed the voice of the Lord and do what is right in His sight. You must keep God’s rules intact, for your life to continue to be healed. This means following where He leads, trusting in Him to provide, and allowing Him to heal our broken lives.

There is something broken in our lives if we fear. To complain and murmur is the sign of a greater problem, a spiritual problem and our distance from God. Therefore, let us praise and worship God without peaking so that we will have faith in the valleys.

Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve wells of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there by the waters. Exodus 15:27(NKJV)

God leads us to rest in Him. He is an abundance supplier and when we trust in Him we find our way.

These people following Moses into the dessert had great trust issues with God and their leadership. If they did not receive the healing their trials would bring, they would not enter into their rest.

A Song to Teach Every Generation.

A Song to Teach Every Generation. Exodus 15:1-19.

The sea churned as the huge walls of water came crashing down on the Egyptian army. The noise alone was great enough to send people running along the sea side to get a glimpse of the aftermath.

Millions of people lined the shores watching waves spreading out from the center of the sea upon which they, themselves, previously walked. The Egyptian army was defeated; drowned in the depth of the sea. God had defeated their enemy.

Shock registered upon the faces of all of Israel. Their enemy they feared was defeated and salvation was theirs. As Moses said, God delivered and they were safe.

So what now? They had witnessed the saving hand of God and joy filled their heart. One person started to sing a song and soon a group of people had comprised a song that was sung by the firesides that night.

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying:
“I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!

The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

The LORD is a man of war; The LORD is His name. Exodus 15:1-3(NKJV)

There is no greater instrument than the instrument of the voice when influenced by the heart. When a person is full of delight, their heart is light. When delivered from circumstances, people desire to let it out, they have to tell someone and a song to the Lord is a correct response.

Jehovah is His name; “the existing one.” Israel had learned to respect their God and had found a new reverence towards Him. Yet, He was not just God, He was their God and now they had begun to treat Him as their God.

This is the result of the trial they faced. Though tough and insurmountable, Israel had learned to respect God.

Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; His chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; They sank to the bottom like a stone.

“Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.

And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble.

And with the blast of Your nostrils The waters were gathered together; The floods stood upright like a heap; The depths congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my sword, My hand shall destroy them.’

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

“Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness,  Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Exodus 15:4-11(NKJV)

At one point in their captivity the Children of Israel were willing to comply with their task master. They had food on their table; they were able to participate in commerce. There was no need for a God; the comforts and safety in Egypt replaced God.

It was only after God hardened the Pharaoh’s heart did they see the world of Egypt for what it was. Egyptians took advantage of God’s people and when the mistreatment began, suddenly the love affair with Egypt was gone; life had become unbearable.

This passage of the song now shows their alliance and allegiance to a different world, the world that belongs to God; a world they would separate themselves to.

You stretched out Your right hand; The earth swallowed them.

You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation.

“The people will hear and be afraid; Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.

Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; The mighty men of Moab, Trembling will take hold of them;  All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away.

Fear and dread will fall on them; By the greatness of Your arm They will be as still as a stone, Till Your people pass over, O LORD, Till the people pass over Whom You have purchased. Exodus 15:12-16 (NKJV)

Israel had realized they were made for something more than working for a task master. They were God’s people with a promise of a new land. However, before their trial, those promises seemed so distant and imposable to attain.

Now they looked towards the people living in their promised land as no great problem at all; for God would deliver them and those who do not worship God should fear.

The greatest part of Israel’s new found attitude is they were no longer afraid of facing God, facing others, or facing their future. They had become brave overnight and were able to go ahead with their life as God’s people.

You will bring them in and plant them In the mountain of Your inheritance,  In the place, O LORD, which You have made For Your own dwelling,  The sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

“The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” For the horses of Pharaoh went with his chariots and his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them. But the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. Exodus 15:17-18 (NKJV)

This song of deliverance was more than a time of celebration; It was a song that all were to learn for it was a way to never forget the lessons of those days.

When facing trials people need to remember the power of the Lord and they should let that power be their strength in adversity. These would teach this song to their children and it would be remembered to this day, as it is written in our scriptures.

The victory of this day could spurn victories in the future if people were to commit this song to heart. Such is the importance of worship.

Throughout the world church services begin with songs, music, a hymn, and people hear the music, but often miss the words. Some hear the words, however, they do not contemplate what the song really means.

Worship is a time to allow the music to come out of our beings; yet not only from our vocal chords, but from our heart. Out heart is a two way instrument. From it comes praise and into our lives flow security, bravery, and remembrance of the great works of God.

Following Darkness into Danger.

Following Darkness into Danger. Exodus 14:24-31.

The children of Israel had been safe because a, low lying, dark cloud kept the Egyptians from seeing them. The thick darkness was blinding to the Egyptians; yet, on the other side, emitted bright light for the Israelites. This forced the Egyptians to slow down and they could not catch, nor see, the Israelites.

A horrendous wind blew towards the Red Sea and the water parted into two columns. The wind dried the ocean floor; it was an amazing sight to see.

Israel was instructed to walk across the ocean floor to the land on the other side and as they did the cloud, which blinded the Egyptians, lifted and they could see the Children of Israel escaping.

Infuriated the Pharaoh drove the Chariots harder. Faster and faster and soon the Egyptian army was also crossing the Red Sea. In anger the Pharaoh ignored the situation and his bitter heart was leading him to his doom.

This is an important aspect of mankind’s attitude towards sin. A person may harbor bitterness or anger towards Christianity and God; however, often then do not realize that their anger becomes a darkening cloud inside their life. As they drive forward their hearts get harder and they become blinded to the danger they are running towards.

Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.” Exodus 14:24-25 (NKJV)

The Chariots were going so fast that the axels were grinding away and the wheels had begun to wobble. It was a short coming in the technology; however, fear of the walls of water was upon the Egyptians and getting to the other side became the priority.

Fierce faces turned to desperate gasps. Men held on as Chariots started to come apart and retreat was on most all minds.

Fear had engulfed the heart of the army and in arrogance the Pharaoh continued to drive on, ready to kill anything that got in his way.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. Exodus 14:26-28 (NKJV)

Who is so great that they can face God in arrogance and win? So many people arrogantly turn their backs on the message of God and still God waits for them to repent; yet, the fabric of the universe is decaying in front of them. Like walls of water, it will eventually crash down around them and engulf them; crushing the chance they had to repent.

There are attitudes about Christianity that vary in their aggressiveness. There are those who choose to sin, though they know that those who commit such sins have chose to be separated from a holy God.

I have known those living in adultery, drunkards, drug users, and liars that seem to think, because they once in a while pray, they will be saved from eternal separation. However, the Bible says that those who do such things will not enter heaven. These are blinded from the truth.

Others have let the actions of a Christian they knew, become an excuse why they themselves have not done what is right before God. They keep their distance from God’s influence and blame the person who did them wrong. However, in God’s eyes this excuse is not sufficient to save; the person they knew might have done them wrong, but God has not done them wrong.

Blaming others for committing wrong is not an excuse. Feeling uncomfortable in church is not an excuse. Finding that others are phony in their relationship with God is not an excuse. Each of us is called by God to have our own sin forgiven and seek our own relationship with God.

But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. So the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses. Exodus 14:29-31 (NKJV)

Not every heart in the congregation of Israel was perfect. They were not a group of holy people; however, they had made a choice to follow God.

That is a major aspect of Christianity that so many people get wrong. When becoming a Christian, you are not joining yourself to a group of people; you are joining yourself to following God.

In a church, Christian people are at various steps in perusing a relationship with God. People will let you down; they will disappoint you and at times hurt you. Each person has come to give their life to God and all have different needs.

Thus in a church you will find people that have trust issues, anger issues, and various sinful tendencies. They all are there to have their lives changed by God and change takes time.

The Pharaoh and the Egyptian army should have recognized that Israel’s God was mighty force and took steps to join themselves to Him. However, they held on to their jealousies, their preconceptions about other gods, and their loyalty to the Pharaoh.

They let their attitudes build and they found themselves chasing Israel in to a dangerous place which would cost them their lives.

Looking down their chariots was failing and looking up, the walls of water were beginning to erode. They followed their perceptions and notions into the thick of danger, where they realized their pursuit, their prejudices, and their anger, was all for not.

The Egyptians had walked away from God’s grace. They did not listen to the warnings, and now it was too late; this was the day they would die.

There is no time on this earth for walking away from the Lord and blaming situations or other people. Today is the day of salvation for tomorrow you might find your life being crushed to death by a situation. Like a candle, one gust of wind, it goes out; such is life.

The Power of God to Save

The Power of God to Save. Exodus 14:19- 23.

Fear had gripped the Israelite camp for the Egyptians were perusing the Children of Israel with over six hundred Chariots. Thoughts of dying in the dessert and the extinction of their race were spilling out of every mouth and accusations were hurled towards Moses.

The elders came to Moses demanding to know if he had set them up; took them out into the dessert so the Egyptians could kill and leave their bodies to rot in the distant sand.

Moses stared into their unbelieving eyes and announced with a loud voice, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Their fear had become a terrible display of their unbelief in God. Where God is love and wants people to come to Him, God wants a person’s complete devotion and trust. He does not want to see His people faint, complain, or murmur, at the sign of trouble.

God wants all people to believe in His saving power and with a dynamic courage stand still and watch God deliver them.

And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Exodus 14:19-20 (NKJV)

When trials come your way, how do you react? Many say they are trusting God, but the words coming out of their lips are more of an incantation in hopes God will hear them and act. Inside they are fearful, complaining, and murmuring as they doubt their delivery. This is not faith.

In our passage, God does not rebuke their unbelief. As a caring parent, God is dismissing their child like fear and delivering them to strengthen their faith. They were in the early stages of a relationship with Him; however, as time goes on, God would grow tired of the way they grasp and hold on to unbelief.

When a Christian has seen the delivering hand of God and seen His goodness; to fear a circumstance becomes a way of disrespecting God.

Would Moses have coward at the accusations of the people, God would have had stern words with Moses. Yet Moses stood strong in faith that God was able to deliver.

God is able to protect His people in every situation they face. What is hard to understand is when God allows a trial to come into our life and become so dominating.

People lose their homes, suffer financial collapse, face physical problems that get the best of them and they often lose loved ones to death.

These problems tear at their very fabric of our beings; yet, God knows what we need in our lives to ready us to enter into His kingdom.

God could have stopped the Pharaoh at the gates of the treasure city. He could have taken their lives with a single word from His lips. However, God allowed Israel to see their pursuers and witness His love for them by His saving hand.

The trials were not over; the Israelites were expected to take great steps in faith. Their lessons were mounting before them; for God was building the character of His people trough trials.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. Exodus 14:21-23 (NKJV)

The cloud behind them glowed with great light; they could see the salvation of the Lord. Word spread through the camp that the cloud was protection and then it began to get windy.

Moses had lifted his arms to part the sea and though none understood the effect it would have, the tremendous wind began to blow over their camp and towards the sea.

It would make sense that many took cover and the sands carried in the wind may have blocked their view of the waters parting. It would not be until morning that they would see two great walls of water held back by the power of God.

Then the word came through the camp that they were again moving forward into the sea. God expected each to muster the faith to walk into the paths of danger. Yet, as they entered it became clear that God salvation had come.

Millions of Israelites had entered and were walking across the sea and once they had all entered and developed some distance, God allowed the Egyptians to see them and in arrogance the Egyptians pursued them.

In this we see that trials are often allowed to be very dramatic events. Building the faith in sinful people must be like trying to get the attention of a donkey.

It often takes a great trial to cause people to cry out for God and we have to ask, “What does it take for a person to daily speak to God?”

It is amazing that people can go to church on Sunday and not take their Bible. Some who do, will take it home and set it down, not to open it till the following Sunday.

People pray over their food, thanking God for providing for them; however, they do not pray for their neighbor.

Some see the need of others and walk away. Others are in need and then do nothing about it. Where is faith in God? Where is the need for God? What is God worth?

Trials happen to get our attention and dramatic trials are allowed to get our attention so that God is not forgotten in our lives. Trials remind us that we need God and that is why trials are to be welcomed for they are times God wants us to watch Him at work.

What if a trial takes a close loved one and we are left alone? Could it not be that God wants to fill the void in your life by His own self? He wants us to draw to Him for comfort, love, and protection. God loves us and all things work together for good to them that know God and are called according to His purpose.

Israel was walking on dry ground and would soon be on the other side. Any fear had been unwarranted and rethinking how they approach trials was in order.

Your Role in the Congregation.

Your Role in the Congregation. Exodus 14:11-18.

Looking across the dessert, a person way in the back of the 2 to 3 million people saw faints signs of dust being kicked up by the 600 Chariots of the Pharaoh’s army. He quickly shouted, pointing to what he saw and a chain reaction of fear traveled through the camp of the Children of Israel; for the Egyptians were coming after them.

From the back to the front, a wave of comments swelled and gained momentum as it made its way to Moses. As it splashed up on the shores of Moses tent, Moses was caught by a flurry of questions, accusations, and demands.

Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” Exodus 14:11-12(NKJV)

The accusation was made that Moses conspired with the Pharaoh to take them out into the dessert so they may be killed. If they were to be killed in Egypt the dead bodies would have stunk up their cities; now they could be killed far away and their bodies left to rot in the hot sun.

Moses shaking his head, denying the claims, recieved another accusation in the form of a question, “Why have you dealt with us this way?” Followed by, “Didn’t we ask you to leave us alone to our work?”

The problem here is a lack of faith in extreme circumstances. So goes the story of every person who has had to face a life threatening disease. When diagnosed as terminal, people often question God and shrink in fear of dyeing. Yet God would have people to be strong in their faith and be as Job who said, “Though He slay me, I will trust in Him.”

Paul the apostle thought that to die was gain. He would gain by leaving the corruption of earth and have his soul ascend to heaven to be given a new body.

“To live,” Paul said, “is Christ.” He meant life is a constant job of toiling with the way sinners think and trying to convince them God is the answer to their dilemmas. Therefore, after a person dies there is peaceful rest from the turmoil of earth.

These Israelites had not learned to trust in God and their faith was weak. Yet, God knew this and therefore, allowed them to face the trials of the Egyptians so He might build their faith.

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14(NKJV)

It was Moses’ job to preach to the Children of Israel. As he spoke, the message had to be relayed from the front of the 2 to 3 million people, to the back. His message was to accomplish several things.

One, Moses’ message was to inform Israel to have faith in their God. Two, his message was to calm the people down. Lastly it was to assure them that God will fight for them.

These three things, as Christians, we should know; and when faced with a trial we are to be still and know that He is God.

And the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:15-18(NKJV)

It is quite interesting that God turned to question the pastor of the People. “Why do you cry to me?” God said to Moses. Evidently Moses looked at the unease of the people and though he delivered the message of peace, he was overcome with the vast unbelief of the people.

Being the pastor of such a large congregation was also a challenge to the faith of Moses. However, of all people who witnessed the saving hand of God, the pastor was not to falter in God’s eyes.

If you think about the structure of their congregation, when Moses spoke, he spoke to elders. The elders then carried the message out to the congregation and the same process occurred with information coming into Moses.

A pastor must be so strong in his faith he is able to command the elders to preach with boldness. In God’s thinking that cannot happen if the pastor wavers.

In a church, it is important that we all work together to strengthen each other so that our pastor has the support to be strong. Yet, Moses was being questions.

We must remember that God can talk to any person; however, here God was giving the main message to Moses, because God knew they needed a central leader. The same occurs in our congregation to this day.

We each hear from the Lord; but each week a sermon is laid upon the heart of the pastor to deliver to his congregation. That message should be considered as coming from the heart of the Lord and directed towards each and every person.

The strength of a church is bidirectional. God delivers his message through the pastor and it must filter down through the congregation; however, the congregation must send messages back to the pastor that they believe and support him. In faith we must honor God and His order for us.