EXODUS

Ex 40

THE FINISHED WORK
Monday July 11, 2022.

Ex 40:34

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle: after Moses had completed setting up the tabernacle as the Lord had commanded him, the Shekinah glory filled the tent of meeting. Moses couldn’t enter the tent because of the cloud which had settled in it Ex 40:35. God, now had a system for the Israelites to have their sins covered and the Israelites could worship God.

Application: we are fortunate that Christ has completed the work of redemption and therefore, we don’t have to sacrifice animals for our sins. We also may approach God with confidence Heb 4:16, not once a year but anytime we desire.

BLOOD AND WATER

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Ex 39

UNITY
Sunday July 10, 2022.

Ex 39:42

The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses: the Israelites were not only faithful but generous in the building of the tabernacle. They all worked in harmony, and were able to accomplish their goal successfully.

Application: Jesus stated that a house divided would not stand Mk 3:25, while the opposite is also true—a united body will be successful. The Church is to be God’s hands, feet and voice, but Satan will oppose harmony and try to cause factions and divisions. We must remember that Christ is the head of the Church Eph 5:23 and we must work together in unity and resist the devil Jas 4:7.

HOLY HARMONY

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Ex 38

JUDGMENT OF GOD
Saturday July 9, 2022.

Ex 38:1

They built the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood, three cubits high; it was square, five cubits long and five cubits wide: the burnt offering was an altar of judgment. Bronze represented judgment, just as the bronze snake on a pole represented judgment for sin Nu 21:9. The altar was made of acacia wood representing man and the altar was five cubits by five cubits. Five is the number of grace which demonstrated God’s willingness to forgive wrongdoing Jn 1:16 ESV (grace upon grace 5 x 5).

Application: Jesus took upon Himself our judgment. He paid with His blood the price of judgment to appease the Father 1 Jn 2:2. We, who believe are grateful for God’s grace and reach out to the rest of the world to proclaim that forgiveness is available, but only through Jesus Christ.

EVERYDAY, I LOVE YOU MORE

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Ex 37

CHERUBIM
Friday July 8, 2022.

Ex 37:9

The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover: the cherubim were God’s servants. In the Garden of Eden they guarded the way to the tree of life from Adam Gen 3:24. In reference to Satan, he was described as a guardian cherub in the Garden of Eden Eze 28:13,14. The cherubim prevented Adam from eternal separation from God, by not allowing Adam to eat the fruit and acquire eternal life Gen 3:22, while in the state of unforgiven sin.

Under God’s wings one will find refuge Ps 91:4. God dwelt between the wings of the cherub guarded from sight, so man would not die, but the high priest could make atonement with the blood of animals for man’s sins.

Application: The Mercy Seat or Atonement covering was a picture of the place where Jesus’ blood cleansed man from all sin. The cherub protected man from God’s judgment until Christ propitiated sin 1 Jn 2:2.

BLOOD AND WATER

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Ex 36

HIDDEN SPIRITUAL TRUTHS
Thursday July 7, 2022.

Ex 36:8

All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands: God used symbolism throughout the construction of the tabernacle. The curtains were made from fine twisted linen which depicted the righteousness of Christ. The yarn was blue which portrayed Jesus’ deity, the purple His royalty—King of kings and the scarlet which represented His death on the Cross.

Application: all of God’s creation has spiritual reflections and the more we study His Word, the more we will see spiritual truths all around us. God’s creativity has also been given to us and we should use this gift to draw others to the Lord.

YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT

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Ex 35

USING OUR GIFTS FOR GOD
Wednesday July 6, 2022.

Ex 35:31

And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—Bezalel was chosen by God to make artistic designs for the tabernacle Ex 35:30,32. Then God filled Bezalel with the Holy Spirit—with wisdom and all kinds of artistic skills to ensure an accurate building model of the tabernacle that God desired.

Application: today, God has filled His believers with gifts to fulfill their mission, which God has prepared for His people Eph 2:10. We, also have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us in wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We are One Body and need to work together just as the Israelites did to complete the tabernacle. They were very generous in their giving and in giving of their time and skill. We need to continue in that same spirit and accomplish what God desires from our generation. There is power in unity.

DREAM IT

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Ex 34

INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE
Tuesday July 5, 2022.

Ex 34:1

The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke: Moses had the task of chiseling out the two stone tablets but God wrote on them the words. There seemed to be a contradiction in v 28, where it reads, “and he wrote on the tablets, the words of the covenant.” The NKJV capitalized the pronoun He, thereby claiming it was God not Moses that wrote out the Ten commandments. So, what did Moses write out Ex 34:27? The words God told Moses to write down were the laws given to him from verses 11-26 from “obey what I command you,” to “do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Application: Paul wrote that all scripture is God breathed 2 Ti 3:16, therefore without error. So, whenever you come across an apparent contradiction, know that there is a solution because the Holy Spirit cannot contradict God’s Word.

BEAUTIFUL WORDS

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Ex 33

THE INVISIBLE AND VISIBLE GOD
Monday July 4, 2020.

Ex 33:20

But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” God, the Father told Moses that no one can see His face and live. Only Jesus, has seen the Father because Jesus is God himself Jn 1:18. In the Old Testament there are many occasions where people have seen God face to face and lived Gen 18:1,2; Gen 32:30. The only conclusion which would not contradict this statement was that Jesus, not the Father appeared to these people in the Old Testament.

Application: God is spirit Jn 4:24 and therefore is invisible Lk 24:39. However, Jesus came in human flesh to reveal the Father Jn 14:9. We can know the love and mercy of the Father through studying the life of Christ. God has also given believers, His Holy Spirit to discern spiritual truths. God has also provided us with the opportunity to commune with Him through prayer.

A WONDROUS GOD

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Ex 32

SHORT MEMORY
Sunday July 3, 2020.

Ex 32:24

So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf! Moses had been gone for forty days and the people had become restless and demanded of Aaron to make them gods who would go before them Ex 32:1. Afraid of the crowd, Aaron submitted to their demands, but when asked by Moses what had happened, he tried to avoid any responsibility in the actions by claiming that he threw the gold in the fire and out came the golden calf. The truth was that he had molded the shape of the calf using a tool Ex 32:4.

Application: God had just finished giving the Israelites the Ten Commandments in which Aaron, more than the rest knew that God had said not to make any idols or worship them Ex 20:4,5. Though, he was responsible for upholding God’s Law, he had failed, but God in His mercy, forgave Aaron’s sin, while putting to death many others. None of us deserve mercy for all have sinned Ro 3:23, however, in God’s kindness, He forgave Moses, as well as Peter because He knew their desire was to serve and bless God but because of fear failed.

We all have let God down, but because of Jesus’ sacrifice, every sin has been forgiven for those who have accepted God’s gift. Let us, then, like Aaron and Moses press on, despite our failings and demonstrate to God our love for Him by our steadfast obedience.

 
SWEET LOVE

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Ex 31

REFRESHMENT
Saturday July 2, 2022.

Ex 31:17

It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed: God’s reason for instituting the Sabbath was to emulate God’s pattern of work—six days, then rest on the seventh. He also wanted refreshment for man and animals. We know that the verse mentioned that God rested and was refreshed. If taken literally this would contradict that God doesn’t get weary Isa 40:28. This refreshment was for man’s benefit Mk 2:27.

Application: we were made in God’s image and therefore we should use our creativity as God did His. The difference is that man needs a time of refreshment, not only physically but spiritually. You will be more creative if you spend regular time with God.

ALL OF MY DAYS

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Ex 30

SACRED OILS AND SPICES
Friday July 1, 2022.

Ex 30:32

Do not pour it on anyone else’s body and do not make any other oil using the same formula. It is sacred, and you are to consider it sacred: The anointing oil that was to be used in the tabernacle was not to be used for personal use. If was sacred and anyone disobeying this command was to be cut off from the people. The same was true with the fragrant spices used to make the incense.

Application: the anointing oil was a picture of Christ SS 1:3. Just as Mary poured the expensive nard on Jesus Jn 12:3, He was poured out for our salvation. He is also the sweet-smelling fragrance 2 Co 2:15 that gives life to spiritually dead sinners. Thus God did not want the people making this oil or fragrance. It was to be found only in the tabernacle as a reminder that these symbols pointed to Jesus.

RAIN FALL ON ME

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Ex 29

HOLINESS OF GOD
Thursday June 30, 2020.

Ex 29:45

Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God: before God would dwell among the Israelites, the tent of meeting, the altar, Aaron and his sons had to be consecrated Ex 29:44. This was to show that God is a holy God and to be in His presence everything had to consecrated, or set apart as sacred Ex 29:43.

Application: the Israelites had lived in Egypt for four hundred years and had picked up many of the Egyptian sinful habits and ways, so the tabernacle was a place to teach the people the holiness of God and gradual change the people to a holy lifestyle. Today, as Christians, we have become very nonchalant in our dress when we worship the Lord. God doesn’t judge by outer appearances, but many times the outer appearance reveal what was in the heart. Do we really respect God? Do we demonstrate that on the inside, if not on the outside? Paul told us to test ourselves to see if we were in the faith 2 Co 13:5. One good check is to look at our reverence towards God.

WONDERFUL TO ME

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Ex 28

HIGH PRIEST GARMENTS
Wednesday June 29, 2022.

Ex 28:36

Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: holy to the Lord. The High Priest Aaron was to have a ephod with two stones containing the names of the sons of Israel mounted onto the shoulder pieces of the ephod Ex 28:12. Then a breastpiece for making decisions with four rows of precious stones to contain the twelve tribes of Israel is to be placed over Aaron’s heart Ex 28:15,21,29. The Urim and Thummim are to be placed in the breastpiece for Aaron to make decisions Ex 28:30. On his forehead he is to wear a pure gold plate engraved with the words: Holy to the Lord.

Application: the detail that went into the High Priest’s clothing should tell us how sacred this ceremony was to be with consequences of death to the High Priest if the rules were not followed Ex 28:35. The engraved gold plate told the people that the High Priest was set apart to carry out God’s worship respectfully. Shouldn’t we have the same reverence when we approach God in prayer and recognize His holiness!

HOLY TO THE LORD

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Ex 27

GO WEST
Tuesday June 28, 2022.

Ex 27:13

On the east end, toward the sunrise, the courtyard shall also be fifty cubits wide: the entrance to the tabernacle was on the east side toward the sunrise. East is associated with God’s presence.  God planted the Garden of Eden in the east of Eden Gen 2:8. Cherubim guarded the way to the tree of life (representing Jesus) on the east side of the Garden of Eden Gen 3:24. The glory of the Lord was above the cherubim at the entrance of the east gate Eze 10:19. Jesus is the One who will come from the east Isa 41:2, like lightning from east to west Mt 24:27. Travelling from east to west is positive but going from west to east is associated with negative activities. Cain was exiled to the east after murdering Abel Gen 4:16. The people travelled east to build the Tower of Babel Gen 11:2 rather than disperse in all directions Gen 9:1. When Abraham and Lot separated, Lot headed east to the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah Gen 13:11. The tribe of Judah was exiled to Babylon (which in to the east of Judah) 1 Chr 9:1.

Application: The wise men travelled from the east to the west to worship baby Jesus Mt 2:1,2. Hebrew and Greek are written and read from right to left or from east to west, whereas English is written and read from left to right or west to east. Let us be drawing closer towards God and His presence by seeking him at sunrise walking from the east to the west, from the gate of the tabernacle to the Holy of Holies.

GOD’S LOVE

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Ex 26

OBEDIENCE
Monday June 27, 2022.

Ex 26:30 

Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain: God wanted Moses to be very accurate in replicating the tabernacle from His instructions because they were a copy and a shadow of what was in heaven Heb 8:5. God showed Moses the details of the tabernacle on the mountain, probably through a vision and Moses was to relate this to the builders so that the tabernacle would be exactly as God had requested.

Application: when God gives instructions, He expects them to be carried out as ordered. Saul was told to kill all the people and animals of the Amalekites 1 Sa 15:3 but he thought he knew better than God and saved everything that was good, and spared the life of  King Agag 1 Sa 15:9.

God has given us many commandments and principles in the Bible and we are to follow them accurately. When we decide to bend the rules, we are opposing God’s will and consequences will follow.

BLESSED

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Ex 25

GRATEFUL HEARTS
Sunday June 26, 2022

Ex 25:2 

Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give: God challenged His people to give an offering to be used for the building of the sanctuary where God would dwell among them. God did not want to force the people to give but made the giving condition as their hearts prompted them. Moses later had to tell the people to stop giving as they had more than enough to complete the tabernacle Ex 36:5.

Application: wouldn’t that be an honor to God, if churches had to tell their congregations to stop giving because they already had an over-abundance of funds. It’s a credit to the generosity of the Israelites, who opened their hearts to give, for they desired to build a home for God to dwell in.

May we meditate on this kind of giving, and the next time we are in a similar position, to do as the Israelites did.

GIVE THANKS

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Ex 24

ALL VALUABLE MEMBERS
Saturday June 25, 2022.

Ex 24:18 

Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights: God spoke from the cloud and told Moses to go up the mountain. The cloud was the glory of the Lord, the Shekinah glory Ex 24:16. The time period is interesting. When the flood came it rained for forty days and nights Gen 7:12. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days and nights, then battled Satan. Each occasion, the time frame referred to a period of testing, one which blessed Noah and destroyed the world, to Jesus’ encounter with Satan, in His earthly clash with evil. Here, God is about to give Moses the Ten Commandments for the people to follow but unfortunately they are already breaking the rules by making false gods.

Application: God tested Adam and he failed the test, but the last Adam got us the victory. It’s now our turn to demonstrate to God that we will be faithful and trust Him through our testing period.

FAITH OUTLOUD

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Ex 23

AN ETERNAL REST
Friday June 24, 2022.

Ex 23:12

Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed: God set this pattern in the beginning of Creation. He created on the first six days, then rested on the seventh because He had completed His work Gen 2:2. But now, He added another reason for the Sabbath: so that the slave, foreigner and animals could be refreshed. Jesus stated that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath Mk 2:27. The Pharisees were making the Sabbath a burden for the people, whereas God had intended it to be a blessing.

Application: the Sabbath rest also pointed to the spiritual purpose of the Sabbath. Jesus came to give us rest Mt 11:28. This refreshment came through the Gospel, which could not be earned but only received as a gift. In our acceptance of Christ as our Lord, we cease from working for salvation and begin to rejoice in the rest that Jesus has provided us. 

REST IN ME

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Ex 22

RESTITUTION
Thursday June 23, 2022.

Ex 22:16 

If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife: God wanted to protect the people who were taken advantage of, so double or more restitution was usually required. In regards to a man seducing a virgin, he was required to pay the bride-price and marry the girl. If her father refused to allow her to marry the seducer, he still had to pay the bride-price.

Application: if we followed this law today, it would be the responsibility of the parents to teach their sons that a night of passion could ruin their entire future, joining them permanently to someone that they don’t love. Children have to experience consequences when they are young, so when they are older, the more important decisions will be considered with wisdom.

PRODIGAL

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Ex 21

PIERCED FOR US
Wednesday June 22, 2022.

Ex 21:6 

Then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life: God’s law required that Hebrew servants purchased had to be released in the seventh year without any payment Ex 21:2. However, if the servant received a wife from the master, her and any children would belong to the master and only the man would go free. So, if he loved his wife, children and master, he could give up his freedom and be that master’s servant for life.  The ritual required the judges to be in agreement to publicly confirm the contract and an awl would be pierced through the servants’ ear against the door or doorpost. The ceremony symbolism was that the slave would now be attached to the household permanently.

Application: Does the words pierced flesh, blood on the doorpost, permanent scars, remind the reader of a similar event. Yes, Jesus at the Cross of Calvary. Jesus’ flesh was pierced with nails leaving permanent scars. The Passover feast placing blood  onto the wooden doorpost Ex 12:22 pictured the Cross. So, what should be our response? We were bought at a price 1 Co 6:20 and if we love God we will become His slave for life. Jesus took the punishment for us, so we are not marked with an awl, but sealed with His Holy Spirit Eph 1:13.

LORD YOU LOVED ME

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Ex 20

COVETING POINTS TO SELF-CENTREDNESS
Tuesday June 21, 2022.

Ex 20:17 

You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. To covet means to desire or take pleasure in. God wanted us to be content in what He has given us and not desire what He has given to our neighbours. It is impossible to do good to your neighbour when your attitude is to want what he has. Paul stated that he had learned to be content in all circumstances because by trusting Christ, God would provide whatever he needed at the right time Php 4:12,13. The Israelites were very discontent, grumbling whenever a hardship presented itself.

Application: coveting results from being self-centered and there is no place in God’s economy for that attitude. Jesus said that He came to serve, not to be served Mt 20:28. When our eyes are on Jesus, they will be off ourselves. To come to know Jesus, one must die to self, in which baptism is the perfect picture. Jesus also stated that it was more blessed to give than to receive Ac 20:35. When we realize the joy in giving, we will be delivered from coveting other’s gifts and possessions.

GIVE LOVE

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Ex 19

A HOLY GOD AND UNHOLY PEOPLE
Monday June 20, 2022.

Ex 19:12 

Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death: God is holy and must be approached in the way He has designed fellowship. The people were to wash their clothes, symbolically to live a righteous life free from sin Ex 19:10, as their past lifestyle had polluted their clothes with sin Jude 1:23. All who disobeyed God’s command were to be put to death. This type of sin was so severe that God did not allow anyone to touch the perpetrators while killing them. They were to stone them or kill with arrows Ex 19:13.

Application: Moses was told to take off his sandals because he was standing on holy ground—in the presence of God Ex 3:5. God is to be revered and we are to be like Him—holy 1 Pe 1:16. Compare this standard to what you see occurring in the world. Movies are made blaspheming and cursing God’s name, while Christians are portrayed as imbeciles for believing that God exists. Babies are being murdered, homosexual lifestyles are glorified in celebrations, lies are commonly distributed in the media, the working man is used for the benefit of the elites. I could go on but the point is, do you believe God, who is holy, will put up with this much longer? The answer is no. Judgment is around the corner for all 1 Pe 4:17.

EVERYDAY, I LOVE YOU MORE

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Ex 18

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER
Sunday June 19, 2022.

Ex 18:24 

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said: Moses was being worn out by the people because he was trying to solve all their disputes by himself. Jethro suggested that Moses delegate his authority to faithful men to handle the simple cases while teaching the people God’s laws, so that they would know what was right and what was evil. Moses obeyed his father-in-law’s advice and it helped lessen Moses’ work load.

Application: are you trying to do God’s work all on your own? He has placed us in His body for a reason—that we would work together and use all the gifts He has given His Body. The Beatles were individually, fine musicians but as a group they were even greater because each used the gifts they were given to enhance the overall band sound. In the same way, churches have a wide range of talent from all members Eph 4;11,12 and when they work together can accomplish wonderful things for God.

HOLY HARMONY

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Ex 17

ALL VALUABLE MEMBERS
Saturday June 18, 2022.

Ex 17:12 

When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset: the Amalekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, so Moses told Joshua to choose some men to fight the Amalekites Ex 17:8,9. Moses stood on top of the hill with outstretched hands, but when he lowered them the Amalekites got the advantage, so Aaron and Hur got Moses a stone to sit on and held up his hands Ex 17:11,12. This gave Joshua the victory Ex 17:13.

Application: we are all part of the Body of Christ and every individual has an important role 1 Co 12:12,22. Aaron and Hur were just as responsible for the victory as Moses and Joshua and the rest of the army. God has given each of us certain unique gifts and we are to use them for the greater good of the Body. Playing second fiddle does not get limelight recognition, but is very necessary for the overall sound of the symphony. Give Him your best as you play your part!

BEAUTIFUL WORDS

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Ex 16

FRESH MANNA
Friday June 17, 2022.

Ex 16:31 

The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey: God provided food for the people supernaturally, yet they still refused to obey His commands. He told them not to keep the manna past morning Ex 16:19, but some did and it produced a foul smell with maggots in it Ex 16:20. God told them to collect a double portion on the sixth day, for on the seventh it would be a Sabbath rest and no manna would fall from heaven. Yet, the people still went out searching for manna on the Sabbath Ex 16:27.

Application: Jesus taught His disciples to pray for their daily bread Mt 6:11, but he also said that man doesn’t live by bread alone, but on every word from God Mt 4:4. Therefore, we should be grateful for God’s physical provisions but even more grateful for His Word that feeds us spiritually. If we eat three physical meals each day, we should be devouring even more of His Word daily. Ask God each day to give you fresh manna, so that you will know Him better.

DANCE IN HIS LIGHT

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Ex 15

BITTER TO SWEET
Thursday June 16, 2022.

Ex 15:25 

Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink: the people had just been delivered from 430 years of bondage through the miraculous drowning of Pharaoh’s army and now, three days later, the Israelites complain that the water was bitter Ex 15:23,24. Rather than asking Moses to intercede, they grumble, forgetting who had just delivered them from slavery in Egypt.  God then directed Moses to a piece of wood from a tree and told him to throw it into the bitter waters. The result: the water was fit to drink.

Application: do we complain about a trial after God has done something special in our lives? Do we forget to have a grateful heart and trust that God will deliver us in His perfect time and not ours?

Besides this lesson, God had prophesied that His Son, represented by the wood (humanity), would change the bitter water (rebellious man and his sin), through the Cross, to the sweet water of the Holy Spirit. We all are like Marah—bitter until the Holy Spirit draws us to the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice, who provides rivers of living water to flow from within us Jn 7:38.

SWEET LOVE

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Ex 14

Sea vs Land
Wednesday June 15, 2022.

Ex 14:29 

But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left: the Lord swept the Egyptians into the sea and none survived Ex 14:27,28. But He saved the Israelites as they went through the sea on dry ground.

Application: The sea is a symbol of rebellious mankind Isa 57:20; Rev 17:15; whereas land is a picture of God’s salvation, just as Jonah was in the sea for three days and nights, then vomited by the fish onto dry land Jnh 2:6,10.  Jesus said, as Jonah was in the fish for three days and nights, He would be in the earth for three days and nights Mt 12:40. This was a picture of His resurrection, just as the Israelites were saved from the Egyptians, Jesus has saved us from sin and death Ro 6:23. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again Ex 14:13. The power Satan had over ever lost person is broken, when one turns to Christ for forgiveness and submits to His rule in one’s life. Land is where the Tree of Life (Jesus) allows us to bear His fruit Jn 15:5.

HE’S THE LIGHT

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Ex 13

Visual Teaching Lesson
Tuesday June 14, 2022.

Ex 13:16

And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand: the Israelites were to remember how God delivered them from Pharaoh and the Egyptians, when God killed their firstborn children and animals. Therefore they were to sacrifice the first male offspring of all their livestock (clean animals) Ex 13:12, Nu 18:17. However, every firstborn donkey (unclean) could be redeemed with a lamb, but if the owner didn’t want to sacrifice a lamb, then the donkey had to  be killed. The firstborn sons could be redeemed with money (five shekels of silver Ex 13:13; Nu 18:15,16. The Lord chose the Levite tribe to handle all worship involved with the tabernacle and therefore the other tribes could redeem their firstborn sons from religious service by paying the Levites the five-shekel price.

Application: God mentioned that the firstborn sacrifices would be like a sign on the hand and a symbol on the forehead to remind the younger generations of God’s mighty power of deliverance. By participating in sacrificing their firstborn animals, these Israelites would experience what their ancestors experienced, when God killed all Egyptian firstborns, and thus this practice would be better than having a mark on their hand, or on their forehead to remind them of this event.

It is interesting to note that the Antichrist will require a mark on the hand or forehead also Rev 13:16. It is also intriguing that both these verses have similar addresses (God’s command Ex 13:16; Antichrist’s command Rev 13:16). If anyone refused to worship the image they would be killed Rev 13:15. Satan wanted the world to recognize his power was mightier than God’s. Unfortunately for Satan, his power is not mightier than God’s and will be bound for a thousand years Rev 20:2, then spend eternity in torment in the lake of fire Rev 20:10.

THE LORD MOST HIGH

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Ex 12

PASSOVER LAMB
Monday June 13, 2022.

Ex 12:23 

When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down: God instituted the Passover Feast which required every family to kill a one-year-old sheep or goat without defect and place its blood on the top and sides of the doorframe to protect their firstborn from being killed by the Destroyer.

Application: this was a picture of the Lord Jesus dying as our substitute and His blood saving us from the second death Rev 20:13,14. Those who refuse the blood of Christ will pay for their sins in torment and be separated from God for eternity 2 Th 1:9.

JESUS, I LOVE YOU

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Ex 11

THE FIRSTBORN WILL DIE
Sunday June 12, 2022.

Ex 11:5 

Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well: God may have appeared cruel for decreeing the death of every firstborn son of the Egyptians, but He was laying the groundwork for the plan of salvation, in which the blood of an innocent victim would save the sinner. In fact, God would require the life of His Son to be the innocent victim to pay for the world’s sins 1 Jn 2:2.

On the other end of fathership, Pharaoh had little concern that his firstborn son would be killed, which revealed the deep darkness he had sunk to.

Application: mankind should be grateful for God’s great love for His creation at the expense of His own Son. For those that snub God’s wonderful gift, they deserve what their evil hearts will receive Mt 25:46.

GIFT OF LOVE

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Ex 10

DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Saturday June 11, 2022.

Ex 10:21 

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.”  This was the ninth plague and it brought Pharaoh and his people to a grinding halt for three days Ex 10:23. The darkness was described as one that could be felt. It was so thick that it was more than a color, it was like a solid wall. The people couldn’t move around, even to light a fire. I believe God had a spiritual message in the darkness. God is light and in Him is no darkness 1 Jn 1:5. Men’s lives without God is like this plague, life becomes a dead end, without any purpose. Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus and for three days, he lived in darkness Ac 9:8,9. When God took the scales off, he became a different person with a life mission to glorify God. He stated that everything was worth giving up for knowing Christ, in fact he esteemed them as dung compared to gaining Christ Php 3:8 KJV.

Application: spiritual darkness is worse than physical blindness for without God nothing in this life makes sense. Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes called life under the sun—meaningless Ecc 1:2. It is knowing God that brings joy to one’s work, love for others and a grateful heart for all that we have or have experienced in this life. A blind person would need a miracle to see, but one in spiritual darkness only needs a desire to change and to call on the name of Jesus, to have the light of life  Jn. 1:4; Jn 3:16.

HE’S THE LIGHT

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Ex 9

A VERY POOR INVESTMENT
Friday June 10, 2022.

Ex 9:21 

 But those who ignored the word of the Lord left their slaves and livestock in the field: God had hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that He could continue to send plagues. After each one, more and more of the Egyptians were discovering the power of the Israelite God Pr 9:10 and were taking heed Ex 9:20.  Others, who were still hard-hearted like Pharaoh, refused to listen and suffered the consequences. Pharaoh admitted his sin Ex 9:28, but after Moses’ prayer stopped the lightening and hail, Pharaoh went back on his word to let the Israelites go Ex 9:35.

Application: evil people believe that they can fool God, but God knows all hearts and will judge accordingly. He laughs at His opposition Ps 2:4. Sadly, in the coming tribulation, many who are spiritually asleep will refuse to believe God’s warning, not to take the mark of the beast, and they will reap the consequences of being tormented with burning sulfur Rev 14:9,10. Out of fear to survive Rev 13:16,17, because of famine and chaos throughout the world, they will submit to and worship the Antichrist, ignoring Jesus’ words: what profit would it be to gain temporary pleasures, only to lose your soul to an eternal destiny of torment Mt 16:26?

THESE PRESENT TIMES

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Ex 8

GOD, THE PATIENT TEACHER
Thursday June 9, 2022.

Ex 8:6 

So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land: the next three plagues displayed the power of God over the land, sea and air. The frogs came from the Nile River Ex 8:3, the gnats from the dust of the earth Ex 8:16, and the swarming flies from the air Ex 8:24. God’s purpose in hardening Pharaoh’s heart was to reveal to the Egyptian people the power of the God of the Israelites. These three plagues demonstrated God’s sovereignty over all other gods, as Pharaoh’s magicians couldn’t replicate the gnats and confessed that this was from the finger of God Ex 8:19. The worship to their false gods would have also been interrupted because the priests would have become unclean from the gnats along with their animal sacrifices.

Application: God uses this same method with us. When we are disobedient, He will often slowly let us reap consequences until we have had enough and acknowledge our sin and our willingness to repent. The longer the process takes, the longer the lesson will be remembered in the future.

HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS

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Ex7

USING EVIL FOR GOOD
Wednesday June 8, 2022.

Ex 7:3,4 

But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt he will not listen to me… Pharaoh had previously hardened his heart when Moses asked to allow his people to go into the wilderness to hold a festival for the Lord Ex 5:1,2. He then made it more difficult for the Israelites by making them gather their own straw to make bricks Ex 5:7-9. So now, God will harden Pharaoh’s heart for His purposes Ro 9:22,23. Through the many miraculous acts the Egyptians and Pharaoh came to know the power of the Israelite’s God and many left with the Israelites Ex12:38. If God would had Pharaoh capitulate after the first sign, most of the people in the land would not have known of God’s greatness.

Application: many people will not read the Bible, even if we gave them a free copy, so it is our witness that can interest them in the Lord. If they see a difference of how we handle trials and the peace we have when circumstances aren’t good and the joy we have, they will want that for themselves.

THE HARVEST

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Ex 6

SIGHT vs FAITH
Tuesday June 7, 2022.

Ex 6:11 

 Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country: God commanded Moses to go tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of the country. Moses obvious forgot who he was talking to, for he told the Lord, that the Israelites wouldn’t listen to him, so why would Pharaoh, especially since he spoke so poorly. If Moses would have thought of the burning bush, which did not consume itself Ex 3:3, the three impressive signs: a staff turning into a snake Ex 4:3, a leprous hand healed Ex 4:7, and water turning into blood Ex 4:9, he might have realized that God’s power was stronger than Pharaoh’s. His unbelief was caused by the Israelites not wanting to listen to him. He was walking by sight rather than faith which God had commanded all of to do 2 Co 5:7.

Application: We are no better than Moses because there are times when we are controlled by our circumstances rather than trusting God and His Word. Satan will convince us that God will not give us the victory because we have failed in our part, forgetting that the Lord likes to use the weak things to shame the strong 1 Co 1:27,28. The battle is not ours but the Lord’s, so if He commands Moses or us to do something, do not let circumstances deflate us. God in His time and way will complete the goal as He has promised.

It has always been good for me to remind myself of all the times the Lord gave me victories when I thought defeat was the only possible result. He’s the same God, yesterday, today and forever Heb 13:8.

FAITH OUTLOUD

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Ex 5

BEYOND UNDERSTANDING
Monday June 6, 2022.

Ex 5:22

Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Although this was a very foolish comment, most readers can relate to Moses’ feelings. He didn’t want the job God called him to and pleaded with God to find someone else, who was more qualified Ex 4:13. After reluctantly agreeing to go, instead of seeing his people delivered, they were placed in deeper bondage. The Israelite elders blamed Moses for the worsened conditions Ex 5:21. He felt let down by God and alienated from the Israelite community.

Application: Moses had seen some of God’s miraculous powers but he didn’t understand God’s approach to their deliverance. Many of us can empathize with Moses, not comprehending why God is taking so long to deliver us from our ordeal. Pr 3:5 gives excellent advice: trust in the Lord, and not in our own wisdom. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours Isa 55:9. Often, we need to be more patient and give thanks 1 Th 5:18, even when our circumstances do not appear to be working out. Remember, God created the universe and He will never be defeated!

I WILL TRUST

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Ex 4

HIDDEN PROPHECIES
Sunday June 5, 2022.

Ex 4:4 

Then the Lord said to him, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail.” So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and it turned back into a staff in his hand: the Lord gave Moses three signs to prove to the elders of Israel that He had appeared to Moses. The first sign involved Moses’ staff. The staff was a symbol of authority and power, in which Moses used in many of his encounters with the Egyptians Ex 14:16 and in the wilderness Ex 17:6. Jesus said to His disciples that He had given them authority to trample on snakes and overcome all the power of Satan Lk 10:19. So this first sign foreshadowed Jesus defeating Satan at the Cross (snake disappeared becoming staff once again), fulfilling the prophecy that Satan would strike Jesus’ heel—death at the Cross while Jesus would crush Satan’s head—through the Resurrection, His victory over sin and death  Gen 3:15; Heb 2:14,15.

The second sign saw Moses’ hand come out of his cloak leprous, but was restored to health after re-inserting it into his cloak and taking it back out. This prophesied the truth that Jesus would heal our diseases Mt 8:17.

The final sign Moses took water from the Nile and poured it on the ground, turning it into blood. In the garden, Jesus in anguish while praying, sweat like drops of blood on the ground Lk 22:44. Water was a symbol for lost humanity Rev 17:15; Isa 17:12, while blood from the death of a sacrificed animal saved one from judgment Ex 12:13. Jesus’ sweat symbolizing lost humanity, paid for their debt of sin with His death—blood falling on the ground Gen 4:10; Heb 12:24.

Application: Thomas wanted a physical sign in order to believe, but Jesus said that those who believe without seeing were blessed Jn 20:29. The Word of God is filled with confirmation passages which prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Do you believe without seeing?

YOU RESCUED ME

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Ex 3

“I AM.” WHAT IT MEANS?
Saturday June 4, 2022.

Ex 3:14 

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God told Moses that “I Am” is the name His people will call Him forever Ex 3:14,15. The thought God conveyed to Moses was that His name meant “I-Am-Present—I am always with you”.

“I Am” is from the Hebrew word “hayah,” which can mean to fall out, come to pass, become,  or be. The Hebrew term “yhwh” known as  the tetragrammaton—four letters, is believed to derive from the root “hwy,” meaning “to be.” So, whenever Scripture used the term “YHWH” it was translated by most Bibles in large or small caps as “LORD” or “LORD,” (found almost 7000 times in the Bible). When “Lord” (with standard capitalization ), or “lord” is used, it is the English rendition of the Hebrew word, “Adonai”  (used some 300 times).

“Drink, my lord (adoni, referring to Abraham’s servant), she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. Gen 24:18

Ex 6:3 reads:  I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,a] = (Hebrew El-Shaddai) but by my name the LORD [b] = (The Hebrew for LORD sounds like and may be related to the Hebrew for I am in Ex 3:14) I did not make myself fully known to them.

God was explaining that when He appeared to the Men of Promise, they knew Him only as God Almighty, the Strong One, but did not know Him as the “Ever Present” God, YHWH/LORD, even though the word YHWH was used. Now God has revealed this part of His character.

Application: whenever the word “LORD” is used, such as in Dt 4:34:

 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

this is referring to YHWH (“I-Am-Present—I am always with you God”), later vowels from “adonay” were added  between the consonants to produce “Jehovah” for the name YHWH  was too holy to pronounce out loud, thus the Jews would instead, say the word “Jehovah.”

When Jesus told the Jews, “before Abraham was born, I am,” they tried to stone Him for blasphemy because they understood that “I Am” was reserved for God only, and thus Jesus was proclaiming that He was God in the flesh Jn 8:58.

I AM

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Ex 2

The Way Maker
Friday June 3, 2022.

Ex 2:3 

But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile: Ironically, Moses’ mother did as Pharaoh had ordered and placed baby Moses in the Nile River Ex 1:22. God honored her faith and had Pharaoh’s daughter spot the basket and her female slave retrieved it Ex 2:5. Upon uncovering the baby, who was crying, the Princess had compassion and decided to save and raise Moses as her own. This story demonstrated how God works in harmony with man to fulfill His will, as He had Moses’ sister find a Hebrew woman, (Moses’ real mother, Jochebed Ex 6:20) to nurse the baby  Ex 2:7. What a marvelous plan. Jochebed was even paid to care for Moses Ex 2:9 and would have taught him all about the Hebrew faith in God before the Princess took Moses into the palace to become her son.

Application: when we are discouraged and believe there is no way out of our dilemma, remember how Jochebed trusted God to provide a way, when there was  no way. God is our Way Maker Mic 2:13. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous for God was with him, wherever he went Jos 1:9, and we have the same promise Heb 13:5. God can do more than we can even imagine Eph 3:20. Our part is to trust Him and walk in obedience Pr 3:5,6.

YOU MADE ME HOLY

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Ex 1

FOOLISH WISDOM
Thursday June 2, 2022.

Ex 1:22 

Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.” Pharaoh was worried that the Israelites were becoming too numerous and therefore a threat to his power Ex 1:9,10. He told his people that they must deal shrewdly with the Israelites, reminding me of the serpent and his crafty dealings with Adam and Eve. Pharaoh was willing to do whatever was necessary to maintain his position and power, so when harsh labor failed and the Israelites continued to grow in numbers Ex 1:12, he turned to more drastic measures. He told two midwives to kill any baby boys born to the Israelites, but they feared God and disobeyed his orders Ex 1:17. Seeing the unwillingness of the midwives to carry out his extermination plan, he ordered the Egyptian people to kill every male baby by throwing them into the Nile River.

Application: Jesus said, what profit was it for someone to gain the whole world at the expense of losing their soul Mk 8:36. Pharaoh had given his soul to Satan and his seared conscience was unable to warn him of his coming doom. Do we want to obtain the material blessings that this world offers at the expense of eternity? Someone compared this life to a dot and eternity to an endless line. Who would believe that trading eternity for a few moments was a wise investment? If you have been pursuing the material life, wake up, Jesus told us to store riches in heaven, which can’t be lost or stolen Mt 6:20. Pharaoh was shrewd when it came to evil, but was quite foolish when it came to righteousness.

BLIND SIGHT

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