14 "Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me. 15 "You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. And none shall appear before Me empty-handed. 16 "Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field. 17 "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.
18 "You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor is the fat of My feast to remain overnight until morning.
19 "You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God.
"You are not to boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.
God wanted them to remember what He had done for them, thus the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He didn't want excuses, He just wanted them to remember how He saved them from Egypt with many miracles. Take a moment, think what God has done for you. Have you thought about it lately? Have you thanked Him for it lately?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Exodus 23:10-13
10 "You shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield, 11 but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.
12 "Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves. 13"Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.
God knew the allure and the enticement of serving 'other gods'. It seems that whatever you aren't doing is always more fun then what you have been doing. So God warned them not to even talk about or mention the name of other gods. If you talk about something, you can start dwelling on it. And if you do that, pretty soon it will lure you in, and you can let down your guard much easier. So focus on God, the one true God, and stay on the path He has set for you.
12 "Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves. 13"Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth.
God knew the allure and the enticement of serving 'other gods'. It seems that whatever you aren't doing is always more fun then what you have been doing. So God warned them not to even talk about or mention the name of other gods. If you talk about something, you can start dwelling on it. And if you do that, pretty soon it will lure you in, and you can let down your guard much easier. So focus on God, the one true God, and stay on the path He has set for you.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Exodus 23:1-9
1 "You shall not bear a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. 2 "You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; 3 nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute.
4 "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. 5 "If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release it with him.
6 "You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute. 7 "Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty.
8 "You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.
9 "You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
As revolutionary as Jesus' teachings were in his day, they shouldn't have been to the teachers of the law. He told people do love those who hated them, to do good to those that abused them, etc. In the middle of giving them guidelines to be partial to no one (even the poor), there's a lovely snippet in verse five. If the donkey of one who hates you has collapsed under it's load, you are to help the person who hates you. God doesn't play favorites, and He doesn't want us to either. That isn't new or revolutionary. But it's a difference from what human nature wants to do. Therein is the key. We are called to be unique as Christians, and here is one huge way we can show that. So do it. Today. And for the rest of your life.
4 "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. 5 "If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release it with him.
6 "You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute. 7 "Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty.
8 "You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just.
9 "You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
As revolutionary as Jesus' teachings were in his day, they shouldn't have been to the teachers of the law. He told people do love those who hated them, to do good to those that abused them, etc. In the middle of giving them guidelines to be partial to no one (even the poor), there's a lovely snippet in verse five. If the donkey of one who hates you has collapsed under it's load, you are to help the person who hates you. God doesn't play favorites, and He doesn't want us to either. That isn't new or revolutionary. But it's a difference from what human nature wants to do. Therein is the key. We are called to be unique as Christians, and here is one huge way we can show that. So do it. Today. And for the rest of your life.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Exodus 22:25-31
25 "If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest. 26 "If you ever take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets, 27 for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.
28 "You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 "You shall not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. 30 "You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.
31 "You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh torn to pieces in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
These last rules were a reminder of who provided for the Israelites. Indeed, it is a reminder of who provides for us. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we should not hesitate to give the best that we have to Him.
28 "You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 "You shall not delay the offering from your harvest and your vintage. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. 30 "You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.
31 "You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh torn to pieces in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
These last rules were a reminder of who provided for the Israelites. Indeed, it is a reminder of who provides for us. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we should not hesitate to give the best that we have to Him.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Exodus 22:16-24
16 "If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry for her to be his wife.17 "If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.
18 "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.
19 "Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20 "He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the LORD alone, shall be utterly destroyed.
21 "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. 23 "If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; 24and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
Even though God had chosen the Israelites to be His own people, He still cared very much for everyone else. At the end of this passage, God sets out protection for those who are not Israelites. They are reminded that they were once in just the same position. Instead, God wants them to show His mercy and love to those that don't know it. Not much has changed in that regard. God doesn't want us to take advantage of anyone. No, He wants us to be examples of His glory, through His love and mercy.
18 "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.
19 "Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.
20 "He who sacrifices to any god, other than to the LORD alone, shall be utterly destroyed.
21 "You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. 22 "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. 23 "If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; 24and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
Even though God had chosen the Israelites to be His own people, He still cared very much for everyone else. At the end of this passage, God sets out protection for those who are not Israelites. They are reminded that they were once in just the same position. Instead, God wants them to show His mercy and love to those that don't know it. Not much has changed in that regard. God doesn't want us to take advantage of anyone. No, He wants us to be examples of His glory, through His love and mercy.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Exodus 22:7-15
7 "If a man gives his neighbor money or goods to keep for him and it is stolen from the man's house, if the thief is caught, he shall pay double. 8 "If the thief is not caught, then the owner of the house shall appear before the judges, to determine whether he laid his hands on his neighbor's property. 9 "For every breach of trust, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any lost thing about which one says, `This is it,' the case of both parties shall come before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor.
10 "If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep for him, and it dies or is hurt or is driven away while no one is looking, 11 an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two of them that he has not laid hands on his neighbor's property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution. 12 "But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 "If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.
14 "If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 "If its owner is with it, he shall not make restitution; if it is hired, it came for its hire.
When someone entrusts something to your care, it is a huge responsibility. Here we see that someone who fails that trust must repay double what was entrusted. God has entrusted us with much. What are you doing with it?
10 "If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep for him, and it dies or is hurt or is driven away while no one is looking, 11 an oath before the LORD shall be made by the two of them that he has not laid hands on his neighbor's property; and its owner shall accept it, and he shall not make restitution. 12 "But if it is actually stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 "If it is all torn to pieces, let him bring it as evidence; he shall not make restitution for what has been torn to pieces.
14 "If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 "If its owner is with it, he shall not make restitution; if it is hired, it came for its hire.
When someone entrusts something to your care, it is a huge responsibility. Here we see that someone who fails that trust must repay double what was entrusted. God has entrusted us with much. What are you doing with it?
Exodus 22:1-6
1 "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he shall pay five oxen for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.
2 "If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account. 3 "But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 "If what he stole is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
5 "If a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
6 "If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain or the standing grain or the field itself is consumed, he who started the fire shall surely make restitution.
When it came to theft, there was no 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth'. You gave of your best, and in some cases, gave multiple times back as restitution. God wanted to give the people extra motivation to stay away from sin. He doesn't want any of us to sin. He wants us to live for Him, obey His words, and glorify Him with our lives.
2 "If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account. 3 "But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 "If what he stole is actually found alive in his possession, whether an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
5 "If a man lets a field or vineyard be grazed bare and lets his animal loose so that it grazes in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard.
6 "If a fire breaks out and spreads to thorn bushes, so that stacked grain or the standing grain or the field itself is consumed, he who started the fire shall surely make restitution.
When it came to theft, there was no 'eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth'. You gave of your best, and in some cases, gave multiple times back as restitution. God wanted to give the people extra motivation to stay away from sin. He doesn't want any of us to sin. He wants us to live for Him, obey His words, and glorify Him with our lives.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Exodus 21:22-36
22 "If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide. 23 "But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
26 "If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. 27 "And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth.
28 "If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall surely be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished. 29 "If, however, an ox was previously in the habit of goring and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine it and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. 30 "If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him. 31 "Whether it gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule. 32 "If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall give his or her master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
33 "If a man opens a pit, or digs a pit and does not cover it over, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.
35 "If one man's ox hurts another's so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide its price equally; and also they shall divide the dead ox. 36 "Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not confined it, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall become his.
God was willing to show a bit of mercy when accidents happen. But when a person was just plain negligent, and knew there was a hazard, and did not protect others from it the story was a bit different. They could potentially pay with their own lives if they caused someone to die by their negligence. God took life seriously, just as He took families seriously. The loss of life was not to be taken lightly, especially when it could have been prevented. Let us not forget how much God values each life on this earth.
26 "If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye. 27 "And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let him go free on account of his tooth.
28 "If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall surely be stoned and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall go unpunished. 29 "If, however, an ox was previously in the habit of goring and its owner has been warned, yet he does not confine it and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. 30 "If a ransom is demanded of him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is demanded of him. 31 "Whether it gores a son or a daughter, it shall be done to him according to the same rule. 32 "If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner shall give his or her master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.
33 "If a man opens a pit, or digs a pit and does not cover it over, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall become his.
35 "If one man's ox hurts another's so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide its price equally; and also they shall divide the dead ox. 36 "Or if it is known that the ox was previously in the habit of goring, yet its owner has not confined it, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall become his.
God was willing to show a bit of mercy when accidents happen. But when a person was just plain negligent, and knew there was a hazard, and did not protect others from it the story was a bit different. They could potentially pay with their own lives if they caused someone to die by their negligence. God took life seriously, just as He took families seriously. The loss of life was not to be taken lightly, especially when it could have been prevented. Let us not forget how much God values each life on this earth.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Exodus 21:12-21
12 "He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 13 "But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee. 14 "If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die.
15 "He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
16 "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.
17 "He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
18 "If men have a quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but remains in bed, 19 if he gets up and walks around outside on his staff, then he who struck him shall go unpunished; he shall only pay for his loss of time, and shall take care of him until he is completely healed.
20 "If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. 21 "If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property.
It is a bit interesting what punishments God set forth for different crimes, especially those that are violent crimes as listed here. Particularly of interest is that if a man commits murder (not just an accidental death), it carries the same penalty as striking your father or mother: death. On the surface, that seems a bit odd, but in this, and many other things, God valued family above anything else. Your parents have done a lot more for you, and that bond is so valuable, that God didn't want folks to even think about committing violence against their own parents.
15 "He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
16 "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.
17 "He who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
18 "If men have a quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but remains in bed, 19 if he gets up and walks around outside on his staff, then he who struck him shall go unpunished; he shall only pay for his loss of time, and shall take care of him until he is completely healed.
20 "If a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod and he dies at his hand, he shall be punished. 21 "If, however, he survives a day or two, no vengeance shall be taken; for he is his property.
It is a bit interesting what punishments God set forth for different crimes, especially those that are violent crimes as listed here. Particularly of interest is that if a man commits murder (not just an accidental death), it carries the same penalty as striking your father or mother: death. On the surface, that seems a bit odd, but in this, and many other things, God valued family above anything else. Your parents have done a lot more for you, and that bond is so valuable, that God didn't want folks to even think about committing violence against their own parents.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Exodus 21:1-11
1 "Now these are the ordinances which you are to set before them:
2 "If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. 3 "If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 "If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. 5 "But if the slave plainly says, `I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,' 6 then his master shall bring him to 1God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.
7 "If a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do. 8 "If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his unfairness to her. 9 "If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. 10 "If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. 11 "If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.
The example here is a human one, but it has an interesting correlation to our relationship to God. We are like slaves that He has purchased. He already paid the price on Calvary, and everything we have is a gift from Him. It all rightfully belongs to God. However, we have a choice, much like the slave. God has released us from obligation and given us the freedom to choose, no matter how odd that seems. If we choose Christ, and the things He has given us, we become permanent slaves, marked for life. Are you marked? Are you honoring that commitment? Even still, once we have made that choice, it is up to us to fulfill it. He will not force anything on us (He may send a few hints our way). Honor the choice you have made. And if you haven't made the choice, think about the price that was paid. Jesus gave His life so that you could have yours to choose.
2 "If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. 3 "If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 "If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. 5 "But if the slave plainly says, `I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,' 6 then his master shall bring him to 1God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.
7 "If a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do. 8 "If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his unfairness to her. 9 "If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. 10 "If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. 11 "If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.
The example here is a human one, but it has an interesting correlation to our relationship to God. We are like slaves that He has purchased. He already paid the price on Calvary, and everything we have is a gift from Him. It all rightfully belongs to God. However, we have a choice, much like the slave. God has released us from obligation and given us the freedom to choose, no matter how odd that seems. If we choose Christ, and the things He has given us, we become permanent slaves, marked for life. Are you marked? Are you honoring that commitment? Even still, once we have made that choice, it is up to us to fulfill it. He will not force anything on us (He may send a few hints our way). Honor the choice you have made. And if you haven't made the choice, think about the price that was paid. Jesus gave His life so that you could have yours to choose.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Exodus 20:18-26
18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19 Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin." 21 So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.
22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, `You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 `You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 24 `You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25 `If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26 `And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.'
In everything we do, God wants to be glorified. Here, even if the Israelites were to make an altar, it was to be all natural. Or, in other words, just as God created it. They couldn't try to make the rocks look all fancy. They couldn't use fancy materials. Their options were earth and uncut stone. In our lives, God doesn't want us to be puffed up with the 'amazing' things we've done for Him. He wants all the credit for that. He created us, after all, so it's only fair. But more than that, we should want to glorify Him in everything we do. That should be our guiding purpose: to glorify Him.
22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, `You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 `You shall not make other gods besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make for yourselves. 24 `You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25 `If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26 `And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.'
In everything we do, God wants to be glorified. Here, even if the Israelites were to make an altar, it was to be all natural. Or, in other words, just as God created it. They couldn't try to make the rocks look all fancy. They couldn't use fancy materials. Their options were earth and uncut stone. In our lives, God doesn't want us to be puffed up with the 'amazing' things we've done for Him. He wants all the credit for that. He created us, after all, so it's only fair. But more than that, we should want to glorify Him in everything we do. That should be our guiding purpose: to glorify Him.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Exodus 20:8-17
8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. 11 "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Rest. It's important to God, and He dedicated one day out of every seven for us to rest also. Don't put it off, don't take it for granted. Just do it. Rest.
12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
13 "You shall not murder.
14 "You shall not commit adultery.
15 "You shall not steal.
16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Rest. It's important to God, and He dedicated one day out of every seven for us to rest also. Don't put it off, don't take it for granted. Just do it. Rest.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Exodus 20:1-7
1 Then God spoke all these words, saying,
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods 1before Me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself 2an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
God makes it clear, in no uncertain terms, that He must be first in the lives and hearts of His people. That has not changed, and never will change. Put Him first and keep Him first. Nothing else is acceptable.
2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
3 "You shall have no other gods 1before Me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself 2an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5 "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
God makes it clear, in no uncertain terms, that He must be first in the lives and hearts of His people. That has not changed, and never will change. Put Him first and keep Him first. Nothing else is acceptable.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Exodus 19:18-25
18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. 20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. 21 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. 22 "Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them." 23 Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, `Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.'" 24 Then the LORD said to him, "Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break forth upon them." 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
As much access as we have now to God, this is a reminder of how amazing and holy God still is, and we still are not. It reminds us of the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary. It reminds us of how much we need Him in our lives. On our own, we would be a sad, sorry mess. Thank God for His mercy. Thank God for sending His son to die for our sins. Thank God for loving us.
As much access as we have now to God, this is a reminder of how amazing and holy God still is, and we still are not. It reminds us of the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice at Calvary. It reminds us of how much we need Him in our lives. On our own, we would be a sad, sorry mess. Thank God for His mercy. Thank God for sending His son to die for our sins. Thank God for loving us.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Exodus 19:10-17
10 The LORD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; 11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 "You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, `Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 13 `No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or 2shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the ram's horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain." 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. 15 He said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman."
16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
Here's something to not take for granted. The Israelites took three days to cleanse themselves before they could meet with God, and even then they had to be careful how close they came to the holy place (a mountain in this case). This meant they had to avoid a whole host of things for three days, including having relations with their wives. As it says in the New Testament, "let us boldly approach the throne of God." That's the freedom we have because of Jesus' death on the cross. Never take that lightly.
16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
Here's something to not take for granted. The Israelites took three days to cleanse themselves before they could meet with God, and even then they had to be careful how close they came to the holy place (a mountain in this case). This meant they had to avoid a whole host of things for three days, including having relations with their wives. As it says in the New Testament, "let us boldly approach the throne of God." That's the freedom we have because of Jesus' death on the cross. Never take that lightly.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Exodus 19:1-9
1 In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up to God, and the LORDcalled to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 4`You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 `Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My 1own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. 9 The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
Sometimes there's this perception that the Israelites were to be an exclusive (almost reclusive) nation in regards to their outside dealings. That they were the only ones who God could speak to, and that no one else was allowed in their camp. Indeed, they may have even acted this way at times. But that's never what God intended. They were to be special, and unique, surely, but God wanted them to be a witness of His power and greatness. They were to show the world what He could do. We sometimes fall into that same trap as Christians. Now that you have accepted Christ as your savior, are you telling of His greatness, or do you keep it to yourself?
7 So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. 8 All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. 9 The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.
Sometimes there's this perception that the Israelites were to be an exclusive (almost reclusive) nation in regards to their outside dealings. That they were the only ones who God could speak to, and that no one else was allowed in their camp. Indeed, they may have even acted this way at times. But that's never what God intended. They were to be special, and unique, surely, but God wanted them to be a witness of His power and greatness. They were to show the world what He could do. We sometimes fall into that same trap as Christians. Now that you have accepted Christ as your savior, are you telling of His greatness, or do you keep it to yourself?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Exodus 18:13-27
13 It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. 14 Now when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?" 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 "When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws."
Jethro Counsels Moses
17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not good. 18 "You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 "Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, 20 then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21 "Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 22 "Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 "If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace."
24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 26 They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. 27 Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.
There's a simple lesson here. Don't try to do everything yourself. Yes, trust God, and lean on Him. But also surround yourself with people that can help you, and don't be afraid to ask for their help. On your own, you will not be everything God intends for you to be, and you will burn out quickly. With God, and the help of your fellowman, you will accomplish great things.
Jethro Counsels Moses
17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not good. 18 "You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 "Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, 20 then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21 "Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 22 "Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 "If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace."
24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 26 They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. 27 Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.
There's a simple lesson here. Don't try to do everything yourself. Yes, trust God, and lean on Him. But also surround yourself with people that can help you, and don't be afraid to ask for their help. On your own, you will not be everything God intends for you to be, and you will burn out quickly. With God, and the help of your fellowman, you will accomplish great things.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Exodus 18:1-12
1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took Moses' wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away, 3 and her two sons, of whom one was named Gershom, for Moses said, "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land." 4 The other was named Eliezer, for he said, "The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh."
5 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. 6 He sent word to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her." 7 Then Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. 8 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 befallen them on the journey, and how the LORD had delivered them. 9 Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 So Jethro said, "Blessed be the LORD who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people." 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses' father-in-law before God.
Here we can see the value of telling others what God has done for us. When they see and hear what God has done, they will be encouraged, and praise God with us. It will strengthen their faith, and ours, in the process.
5 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. 6 He sent word to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her." 7 Then Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and he bowed down and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. 8 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 befallen them on the journey, and how the LORD had delivered them. 9 Jethro rejoiced over all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 So Jethro said, "Blessed be the LORD who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people." 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses' father-in-law before God.
Here we can see the value of telling others what God has done for us. When they see and hear what God has done, they will be encouraged, and praise God with us. It will strengthen their faith, and ours, in the process.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Exodus 17:8-16
8 Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. 9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." 10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. 13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." 15 Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner; 16 and he said, "The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation."
Without support, Moses would never have been able to make it through the day, and Israel may have lost the battle. Never underestimate the power of surrounding yourself with good support. God designed us to be social beings, and to help each other. Don't try to go it alone, you'll wear out, and may lose the battle.
14 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." 15 Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner; 16 and he said, "The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation."
Without support, Moses would never have been able to make it through the day, and Israel may have lost the battle. Never underestimate the power of surrounding yourself with good support. God designed us to be social beings, and to help each other. Don't try to go it alone, you'll wear out, and may lose the battle.
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