In Exodus 25:1-9- God asks that an offering be taken up from among the Israelites asking for gold, silver, and bronze. Then if you read Exodus 32:2 Aaron said to them, "Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons and your daughters, and bring them to me. So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf" (NKJV). Aaron later lies to Moses in Exodus 32 saying that he threw the gold into the fire and a calf came out. Clearly the Bible says that Aaron fashioned the calf. It is just so sad to me that God had asked for gold earlier in Exodus to be given willingly. It was not required yet, the Israelites were not willing to give God everything. They held back and used that gold to make other gods. Wow! So often I see myself doing that! God has given me such precious resources but instead of giving it to God I hold back and use them to serve myself!
Exodus 28:34- Serving a Holy God was serious business. Worshiping God was not taken lightly.
Exodus 29:10-14- Sacrifices were not pretty. I don't think we fully realize this. The Bible does not have pictures so we don't see how graphic it was. We read things like fatty lobes and graze over them onto the next detail we can visualize. The sacrifices were a constant reminder to Israelites that they were to take their sin seriously. Jesus died once for all but I think so many times as Christians we don't visualize we don't realize the seriousness of our sins. Reading about sacrifices just made me thankful that God sent His Son to die so that I could live.
Exodus 30:11-16- The Israelites were supposed to pay ransom money. They all had to pay the same amount when Moses took a census. I never realized that happened. After doing very little research I found out that this was the base for temple tax.
Exodus 31:1-11- God specially gifted artisans for the tabernacle.
Exodus 31:18- I love this quote "written with the finger of God." And similarly Exodus 32:16 "Now the tablets were the word of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets" (NKJV).
Exodus 32:25-29- Israel had to deal with Israelites who had sinned directly against God. It was like the first Israelite civil war. Just thinking about that makes me really sad. Brother was against brother. They chose between their families and God.
Exodus 32:33 is a very interesting verse.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Servants, Presidents, Parenting Advice, among other things...
Exodus 21:6- I have always been impressed with the idea of awling a servant's ear. I feel like that would hurt a lot! I heard a story one time about a guy who did this and then put a gauge in his ear. He said he did it to constantly remind himself about the pain of serving. Often when you serve God you go through painful experiences but it is worth it.
Exodus 22:28- "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people" (NKJV). Two words "President Obama." Don't do it.
Exodus 23:2-3- In a world that is extremely grey not perverting justice is so hard. Especially when people ask the question, "Well what is justice anyway?" So often people do not get what they deserve. Or people are punished for things they never did! Yet, the Bible says not to pervert justice. Getting what you think is right isn't actually always right.
Exodus 23:8- "And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous" (NKJV). Parenting tip from Exodus. Don't bribe your kids. Maybe offer contracts instead.
Exodus 23:29-The reason that God did not automatically get rid of the Israelite's enemies was that someone was needed to care for the land. I never noticed that before.
Exodus 23:33- Serving other gods is a snare. So true. Ok let's see what are my other gods? Well, I tend to put school work pretty high up there on the list. I need to be careful that my job doesn't become my god. It's not really the most important thing in the world. God, and then people are.
Exodus 24:11- "They saw God" What an awesome statement!
Exodus 24:13- There is Joshua the assistant. He's not a main character yet, but he gets there.
It's amazing the little things you learn in Exodus.
Exodus 22:28- "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people" (NKJV). Two words "President Obama." Don't do it.
Exodus 23:2-3- In a world that is extremely grey not perverting justice is so hard. Especially when people ask the question, "Well what is justice anyway?" So often people do not get what they deserve. Or people are punished for things they never did! Yet, the Bible says not to pervert justice. Getting what you think is right isn't actually always right.
Exodus 23:8- "And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous" (NKJV). Parenting tip from Exodus. Don't bribe your kids. Maybe offer contracts instead.
Exodus 23:29-The reason that God did not automatically get rid of the Israelite's enemies was that someone was needed to care for the land. I never noticed that before.
Exodus 23:33- Serving other gods is a snare. So true. Ok let's see what are my other gods? Well, I tend to put school work pretty high up there on the list. I need to be careful that my job doesn't become my god. It's not really the most important thing in the world. God, and then people are.
Exodus 24:11- "They saw God" What an awesome statement!
Exodus 24:13- There is Joshua the assistant. He's not a main character yet, but he gets there.
It's amazing the little things you learn in Exodus.
Lessons for your Journey
Tonight I was reading my Bible and just ran out of time. I was reading through Exodus. I had many thoughts.
Exodus 15:22-The Israelites start complaining about bitter water. The Israelites casually asked Moses what they were going to do. Yet, this was labeled as complaining. They were expressing their concern. This was kind of a wake-up call to me. So often I question why God was doing something instead of trusting Him. Sure three days earlier God had parted the Red Sea. Maybe the Israelites were being a little impatient but God does so much for me and yet I chose to worry instead of trusting God to handle something as simple as clean drinking water. This passage also makes me so thankful because God has provided me with clean drinking water everyday. Even writing this I have realized that not everyone has clean drinking water.
Exodus 15:26-God is declared the LORD who heals you. I never realized that God was called that. I figured God was called a God of healing because God does heal but I never noticed that this verse existed.
Exodus 16:1-"on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt" (NKJV). The Israelites officially say "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" (NKJV). In the time that it takes to go from the beginning of February to my birthday the Israelites are done. There perspective has been warped by the hot sun. Every day they have a cloud, and every night they have a pillar of fire representing the leading of the Lord yet they are finished. They miss the comfort of Egypt. Even though they know God is with them they want the comfort of their old lives. How convicting is that!? I have days were I miss the comfort and stability of life. Yet, I have representation everyday of the presence of the Lord in my life. Just food for thought.
Exodus 16:16, 18- God talks to the Israelites about collecting manna. God says that everyone can collect what they need but they are not to gather more than they need. This made me think of proper stewardship along with the realization that God provides constantly for my daily needs. God wants us to live everyday not worrying about the future because He has given us what we need to survive for today.
Exodus 16:29- God institutes a Sabbath rest, again reinforcing the idea that He provides everything you need for everyday. You can rest knowing God will take care of you.
Exodus 16:31-Manna literally means What? Old Testament version of a thingamabober
Exodus 18:4-Eliezer literally means My God Is Help that would be an awesome name for a son! He could introduce himself as Eli though.
Exodus 19:13- The Israelites could have come into the presence of God!!! I never realized that was what was going on in this passage before! What a terrifying opportunity. The Israelites opt out of actually meeting God in Exodus 20:19, 21. The Israelites were correct in their fear and respect of God. At the same time I feel like they really missed out! The Israelites fear really puts things into perspective. I tend to take advantage of my ability to meet with God. I think I need to take my interactions with God much more seriously. He is a loving Father but He is still God Almighty.
Exodus 15:22-The Israelites start complaining about bitter water. The Israelites casually asked Moses what they were going to do. Yet, this was labeled as complaining. They were expressing their concern. This was kind of a wake-up call to me. So often I question why God was doing something instead of trusting Him. Sure three days earlier God had parted the Red Sea. Maybe the Israelites were being a little impatient but God does so much for me and yet I chose to worry instead of trusting God to handle something as simple as clean drinking water. This passage also makes me so thankful because God has provided me with clean drinking water everyday. Even writing this I have realized that not everyone has clean drinking water.
Exodus 15:26-God is declared the LORD who heals you. I never realized that God was called that. I figured God was called a God of healing because God does heal but I never noticed that this verse existed.
Exodus 16:1-"on the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt" (NKJV). The Israelites officially say "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" (NKJV). In the time that it takes to go from the beginning of February to my birthday the Israelites are done. There perspective has been warped by the hot sun. Every day they have a cloud, and every night they have a pillar of fire representing the leading of the Lord yet they are finished. They miss the comfort of Egypt. Even though they know God is with them they want the comfort of their old lives. How convicting is that!? I have days were I miss the comfort and stability of life. Yet, I have representation everyday of the presence of the Lord in my life. Just food for thought.
Exodus 16:16, 18- God talks to the Israelites about collecting manna. God says that everyone can collect what they need but they are not to gather more than they need. This made me think of proper stewardship along with the realization that God provides constantly for my daily needs. God wants us to live everyday not worrying about the future because He has given us what we need to survive for today.
Exodus 16:29- God institutes a Sabbath rest, again reinforcing the idea that He provides everything you need for everyday. You can rest knowing God will take care of you.
Exodus 16:31-Manna literally means What? Old Testament version of a thingamabober
Exodus 18:4-Eliezer literally means My God Is Help that would be an awesome name for a son! He could introduce himself as Eli though.
Exodus 19:13- The Israelites could have come into the presence of God!!! I never realized that was what was going on in this passage before! What a terrifying opportunity. The Israelites opt out of actually meeting God in Exodus 20:19, 21. The Israelites were correct in their fear and respect of God. At the same time I feel like they really missed out! The Israelites fear really puts things into perspective. I tend to take advantage of my ability to meet with God. I think I need to take my interactions with God much more seriously. He is a loving Father but He is still God Almighty.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Comfort
Today God has really been challenging me when it comes to comfort. I'm kind of an adventurous person. I miss going on adventures in other countries. I think I've just realized the importance of viewing every day as an adventure. Everyday is an opportunity to encourage someone in their walk with God. Everyday I have the opportunity to be faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13 I'm so thankful that even when I am not faithful God is. I also think it is very ironic that the speaker in chapel today talked about Moses today. I still have so much to learn from Moses.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
A Lesson in Humility
This past year I had the opportunity to read my Bible all the way through. It's amazing the things you notice that really stick out to you. Take for instance, the story of Moses. In Bible stories Moses is always depicted as the reluctant leader. He had a moment of bravery, killing the Egyptian man, then his life was thrown into horror as he ran from the consequences of his actions.
It may be true that Moses was running from the consequences of his actions but, He was also running from pride. Acts 7 reveals an entirely different side of Moses. It is not Moses the reluctant leader but Moses the prideful leader. Moses had his own agenda.
Acts 7:17-43 Put a very interesting light on Moses especially verses 23-29:
"Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?' But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?' Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons (NKJV)."
When I was in Sunday school I never knew that Moses thought he would deliver the Israelites. Moses had to learn that God was the one who would deliver the Israelites in His own way in His own timing. I also think it is interesting that Moses was willing and ready to rescue the Israelites but He needed to wait on God. So many times I am ready and willing to do something and I jump in. Usually things work out but it's usually as messy as Moses hanging out in Midian. I need to learn how to be patient.
It may be true that Moses was running from the consequences of his actions but, He was also running from pride. Acts 7 reveals an entirely different side of Moses. It is not Moses the reluctant leader but Moses the prideful leader. Moses had his own agenda.
Acts 7:17-43 Put a very interesting light on Moses especially verses 23-29:
"Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?' But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?' Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons (NKJV)."
When I was in Sunday school I never knew that Moses thought he would deliver the Israelites. Moses had to learn that God was the one who would deliver the Israelites in His own way in His own timing. I also think it is interesting that Moses was willing and ready to rescue the Israelites but He needed to wait on God. So many times I am ready and willing to do something and I jump in. Usually things work out but it's usually as messy as Moses hanging out in Midian. I need to learn how to be patient.
Emotions
Seeking a meaningful relationship with God through emotions is as successful as seeking a meaningful relationship with a significant other through emotions; it's fast and the relationship burns out.
A relationship with God may not start with emotion. Sometimes it starts with endurance. I remember when I first started reading my Bible consistently it was hard work. I got lost in Chronicles and frustrated but I kept going because I wanted to know God. That is how my relationship started. It was hard work. In a human relationship successful ones start with an understanding of who the other person is. With God the more we know Him the more we grow to like Him.
As the dad from "The Wedding Planner" would say, "[talking about his wife] For the first time, I appreciated her. Then the appreciation grew to respect. Respect grew to like. Then like grew to love. A deeper love than I could ever hope for."
We grow to love God as we are committed to Him. Then through endurance the emotions come.
Christianity is not about starting with emotions and sprinting, hoping to have enough energy to persevere. It's about a journey that starts with faith and the deeper you go obeying and trusting God the deeper your emotions are towards God.
--At least that has been my experience so far.
A relationship with God may not start with emotion. Sometimes it starts with endurance. I remember when I first started reading my Bible consistently it was hard work. I got lost in Chronicles and frustrated but I kept going because I wanted to know God. That is how my relationship started. It was hard work. In a human relationship successful ones start with an understanding of who the other person is. With God the more we know Him the more we grow to like Him.
As the dad from "The Wedding Planner" would say, "[talking about his wife] For the first time, I appreciated her. Then the appreciation grew to respect. Respect grew to like. Then like grew to love. A deeper love than I could ever hope for."
We grow to love God as we are committed to Him. Then through endurance the emotions come.
Christianity is not about starting with emotions and sprinting, hoping to have enough energy to persevere. It's about a journey that starts with faith and the deeper you go obeying and trusting God the deeper your emotions are towards God.
--At least that has been my experience so far.
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