Tag: Moses
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Moses
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ! Welcome to another day of rest and reflection! How wonderful it is to be delivered from slavery to sin and enjoy new life in Jesus Christ!
I want to think about Moses for a few minutes today. Moses was a man highly favored of God. His godly parents feared God and were allowed to raise this child after he was miraculously taken out of the water of the Nile River by Pharaoh’s daughter. The name “Moses” means “drawn out of the water”! God often uses water as a medium of spiritual cleansing or new birth. We are first born through water–from our mother’s womb–born in sin and under God’s wrath.
This Moses, eighty years later, would lead all of God’s people through walls of water to deliverance from Pharaoh’s army. God used the water then to protect His people from destruction and to destroy the enemies of His people. He used that deliverance to purify them of the slavery mentality and take them to new life in the land of promise.
In Joshua’s day, God took the Nation of Israel back through the waters of the Jordan River at flood-stage by a miraculous parting. This was another “baptism” of those who came through the desert experience of 40 years. This new generation had to go through the waters to prepare them to worship and make war in the promised land!
One greater than Moses or Joshua, who came through the “baptized” nation of Israel, would go into the waters of the Jordan and be baptized by John the Baptist. As he came out of those waters, he would receive the Spirit and confirmation of His Father’s approval. He would become the means by which all peoples of the earth could escape judgment and receive new birth. Jesus commanded all who would repent, to believe and be baptized in water! This baptism helps us connect with people of faith from all generations! God takes us through the waters to new life in Him! Take time today to reflect on Moses, Jesus and water! In His Love, Pastor John
Pastor’s Walk Podcast: Exodus Summary Part 3 (20-40)
In this podcast Pastor John concludes his summary of the book of Exodus. Pastor John’s primary focus is on chapters 20-40.
Pastor’s Walk Podcast: Exodus Summary Part 2 (14-19)
In this podcast Pastor John continues his summary of the book of Exodus. Pastor John’s primary focus is on chapters 14-19.
A successor, prophetic song, blessing, check out!
Scripture reading for March 2: Deuteronomy 31-34
I have often told the Lord that I would like to leave this world like Moses, strong and vigorous to the last! I am a person who likes action and wants to be busy doing what God has for me. When my time comes to leave earth, I want to take one last look, and be gone! I want to have a successor who will carry on the work. I want to fight one last battle, give one last prophetic word, bless my church and family, and check out! That’s how Moses, the man of God ends his time on earth!
In Deuteronomy 31, we have the transfer of power and anointing from Moses to Joshua. Joshua had been faithful as a helper to Moses. He was by his side continuously. He went up on the mountain with Moses, at least part way. He was in charge of the Tent of Meeting. He was one of the twelve spies and had a “good report” as a man of faith in God’s Word. Joshua was picked by the Lord to succeed Moses. (Deuteronomy 31:14) Joshua was commissioned by the Lord to lead the people and promised God’s presence. (Deuteronomy 31:23)
In Deuteronomy 32, we have a song Moses composed at God’s direction that would be a witness against the people. God revealed to Moses that the people would rebel and suffer God’s punishment. This song commends the greatness of God, as the Rock of Israel. (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) It spells out again the curses that will come from their disobedience to the covenant. (Deuteronomy 32:20-26) The song promises compassion and healing on those who return to the Lord and those who remain faithful. Deuteronomy 32:36-43) Music has a way of getting into hearts. God’s Word sung by the people would stick with them. We still have it written down for us today!
Deuteronomy 33 records the prophetic blessings on Israel and the tribes by Moses right before he left them. These blessing tell of God’s love for His people. (Deuteronomy 33:3-5) He ruled over them with love and wanted their blessing and provision. The blessings in this chapter are filled with imagery from the recent wanderings. One again stands out to me today that I regularly claim. “Most blessed of sons is Asher: let him bathe his feet in oil. The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.” (Deuteronomy 33:24-25) May that be true of you and me!
Moses ends his journey by climbing Mt. Nebo in Moab and getting a bird’s eye view of the promised land. God took him through a panoramic tour, and then took him home. God buried him! (Deuteronomy 34:1-7) He was strong and vigorous and full of life to the last and he ever lives in God’s presence! In Scripture, he is last seen here on earth talking to Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration! (Matthew 17:1-3) What a man of God! I can’t wait to meet him someday!
The Next Generation!
Scripture Reading for February 21st: Deuteronomy 1-4
The name “Deuteronomy” literally means “second law”. Deuteronomy is quoted directly in 17 of the twenty seven New Testament books and alluded to nearly 80 more times. This book is a record of four sermons given by Moses to the congregation of Israel in the last months of his leadership. It records lessons he learned and wanted to pass on to the next generation who would possess the promised land.
Moses has led the nation for forty long years around the wilderness. A journey that should have taken less than two weeks stretched out because of grumbling and complaining and doubt and unbelief. (Deuteronomy 1:26-27) Moses, himself, will not get to enter the promised land due to his own dishonoring of God at Kadesh. (Numbers 20:8-12) Moses seems to blame the Israelites for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 1:37) God does hold leaders to a higher standard because of the revelation and intimacy they share with Him. Moses is trying to impress upon this next generation why their parents suffered consequences of the wandering and death.
Moses also preaches to this next generation to inspire faith in God. His questions to them are typical of the Jewish style of teaching. In chapter 4 he asks them about God. “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” “And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?” (Deuteronomy 4:7-8) The obvious answer is “none!” They are a special people marked by God traveling with them. They are marked by the holiness and love of God’s law which sets them apart from all other nations! They must be careful to teach these truths to their children and grandchildren!
From these first chapters of Deuteronomy, I see several key lessons for us today. First, a record of the past history of God’s dealings helps the next generation learn faith. Moses wanted to pass on the lessons he learned so his children and grandchildren would enter in and possess all God intended for them. We must honor our elders and learn from them. Secondly, the Law, represented by Moses cannot take us into the promised land on our own effort. We need grace and faith in the sacrifice for sins and cleansing. Moses, himself, disobeyed God’s holy Word and was forbidden to enter Canaan. Third, God promises victory to His followers. He disciplines and warns them of potential trouble so that they might succeed. God is truly for his people!
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:39-40
Take an offering for the Lord!
Scripture reading for January 31st: Exodus 35-40
I love to have fun! When I am visiting someone in the hospital and find a room full of people, I sometimes say, ” When I see this many people, the first thing I think of is taking an offering!” I’m sure this helps clear out the room–I’m usually left alone before long! Just kidding!
In our reading in Exodus today, Moses was responding to the Lord’s earlier instructions (Exodus 25:1-2). The Lord told Moses to have the Israelites bring Him an offering. He wanted those who were willing to give as their heart prompted them. His job was to receive the offering from the people and use it for God’s intended purpose.
Some people feel that when they give, they give to the pastor or to the church. They feel that money is not too spiritual and that giving is sort of worldly. Sometimes, they just don’t understand why the church needs money and find ways to justify not giving any themselves. God’s heart is that we become willing givers. He is the original giver and sets an example for us that is hard to beat. Everything we have has come from His hand! He sends rain for the earth and crops. His gracious giving is hard to understand, considering how unfaithful we sometimes can be and wasteful, too.
Jesus taught that our giving was a prerequisite for determining God’s measure back to us. “Give and it shall be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38) When we are stingy with our giving, we set limits on how much God can give back to us. We open God’s hand when we open our hand and pocketbook. These people in Exodus willingly gave a huge amount of gold, silver, bronze, oil and cloth. They also freely gave of their time and talents to make what was needed for God’s house! They gave so willingly and freely that Moses had to tell them to stop! (Exodus 36:6-7)
Wow! As a pastor, I would like to experience that kind of generosity! I would love to stand up on Sunday morning and beg the people to put away their offerings and not give that day! However, when we understand that God our Father is a great giver and that He is blessed when we give Him an offering, why would I as your pastor want to hinder God’s blessing and measure back to you by telling you to hold back? Giving is the one place in Scripture that God says you can test Him! Malachi 3:8-12 instructs us to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse (where you are fed), and God will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing you cannot contain. May the Lord open the windows of heaven on you as you “bring him an offering”!
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound to every good work.” 2nd Corinthains 9:7-8
“A stiff-necked people”
Scripture reading for January 30: Exodus 32-34
In our reading today, the nation of Israel quickly turned away from their commitment to obey God alone. Moses was on the mountain in the cloud and fire for 40 days. He was receiving the tablets with the 10 Words from the Lord. The people came to Aaron, who was left in charge and asked for gods who would lead them. Aaron gave in quickly and asked for gold earrings and ornaments. The people gave freely and soon Aaron had fashioned a golden calf as the god that led the people from Egypt. They made hasty plans for a festival, built an altar and sacrificed. They bowed down to the calf-god made by Aaron. God’s anger and jealousy was aroused!
God spoke to Moses about the idolatry and told him to leave Him alone so He could destroy them. (Exodus 32:8-10) God’s verdict–“They are a stiff-necked people.” Stubborness is as the evil of idolatry and rebellion is as the sin of divination. (1st Samuel 15:23) Sin leads to death! God is jealous! (Exodus 34:14) God had just written the tablets on which he emphasized with two commands the order to have no gods before Him and to make no idols. (Exodus 20:3-6) Moses smashed the tablets in holy anger indicating the breaking of God’s Word by the very people who had sworn to obey! (Exodus 32:19; Exodus 24:3)
Moses, however did pray and intercede with God, asking Him to spare the people. He asked on the basis of God’s reputation and promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses was well aware of the Covenant and God’s promises! These were precious promises that caused these patriarchs to live by faith and walk by faith. God listened but judgment still fell on those who sinned.
Moses called for those on the Lord’s side and the Levites stepped up. They had to strap on swords and execute those who participated in the idolatry, even if it was their brother, friend or neighbor! (Exodus 33:27-2) Three thousand were executed that day. Sin is deadly, particularly idolatry! God is jealous! Israel was His Bride! From her would come His Son, the Messiah!
The lessons for us today are plain. This loving and compassionate God (Exodus 34:6-7) will not tolerate idolatry and sexual immorality. These nearly always occur together because they are closely related. Lying goes with them, too. Note Aaron’s response about just throwing the gold into the fire and an idol coming out! We are all born into idolatry. The “self” or “Big I” is our first and biggest idol! We are stiff-necked because we don’t want to get rid of this idol and truly worship God. The sword represents a slaying of the flesh! The flesh must be crucified! Idolatry is a work of the flesh. (Galatians 6:19-20) The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God brings conviction which can lead us to repent and forsake idolatry! We must walk by the Spirit and allow His fruit to grow in our lives.
Bow your neck today in reverence and prayer to the merciful and compassionate Lord who paid to free us from the sin of idolatry. No more stiff-necks among the people of God! Jesus is interceding for us like Moses of old. Instead of smashing the tablets, He kept them fully for us and shed His blood to cleans us from sin and death! What a Savior!
Exodus 20:20 Vision–Fear of the Lord!
Scripture reading for January 24: Exodus 19-20
Have you ever been afraid of God? God carried the whole nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt with a display of His power in the plagues. The Israelites were protected and experienced God’s deliverance as they walked out of Egypt, laden down with silver and gold and other valuables. God’s presence guided them in the Pillar of Fire and in the Cloud. God was in their midst and provided miraculously for them again and again in sending the manna and quail and then providing water from the Rock. These children understood the mercy of God, but the fear of God was not what it needed to be! This holy fear or respect is a foundation for wisdom and life. (Proverbs 1:7)
God led the children of Israel to Mt. Sinai where He gave instructions through Moses to the people. They were to refrain from sexual relations, wash their clothes, and consecrate themselves to hear God’s voice speaking to them. (Exodus 19:10-16) On the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud, and a loud trumpet blast. When the trumpet sounded, everyone in the camp trembled with fear! (Exodus 20:18-19) The people begged Moses to speak to them, but did not want God to speak for they feared death if they heard Him speaking! This must have been a very fearful encounter with God. Fire and smoke, clouds, thunder and lightning, and a very loud trumpet created a atmosphere where people felt uncomfortable and under conviction. Why would God bring these special people out of slavery to do this to them?
God’s stated purpose was to instill in them the “fear of God to keep them from sinning.” (Exodus 20:20) He wanted them to have 20:20 vision and understanding that sin brings death. God’s Word is holy and forever settled in Heaven. It cannot fail or be changed! (Matthew 24:35) The ten commandments that Moses received revealed sin in the heart of man. They are the mirror of our soul showing our need of mercy and forgiveness. They drive us to God for mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is only by grace that we are saved from the penalty of sin. (Ephesians 2:8-10) Our own efforts cannot keep the law because sin is ingrained in us through Adam. (Romans 5:12-14) When we understand that God’s holy Word is truth, we can repent and be forgiven.
As you read Exodus 20:1-17 today, ask the Lord to reveal his holiness to you and open your eyes to your need for holy fear. Look at each commandment and see how these commands help us to love God and love our neighbor. If you are breaking any of them, take time and confess with repentance. This is the only way to perfect vision! May you see clearly today and each day till you see Him face to face!
“Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20
Moses: BSDD (Back Side of Desert Degree)
Scripture reading for January 20: Exodus 3-6
One of my brothers is a law professor. He went to 4 years of college and over 5 years of post-graduate study for his degree. My other brother is a surgeon. He went to 4 years of college and 7 more years of graduate study for his degree. God’s ‘graduate school’ sometimes takes 40 years to get the degree. Some of us are in class right now and we think God has left us as a perpetual student (or maybe in the dunce chair). But He is working with us just like with our forefather, Moses.
Moses was picked by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. He knew of this early in his miraculous life. First, the Hebrew midwives spared his life; they feared God and hid him. Then God showed his parents a plan to save Moses’ life. He was placed in a basket and released in the Nile river. Pharaoh’s daughter was bathing just downstream. She “found” Moses, named him and paid his own mother and sister to raise him. God’s sense of humor in action!
Moses had an unusual life. He grew up in Pharaoh’s household and was taught in Egypt’s schools. At 40 years of age, he tried to protect his Israelite brothers by killing an Egyptian who was mistreating them and ended up in the back side of the desert, a wanted man. He went from a prince in Pharaoh’s household to a fugitive wanted for murder in a story as bizarre as Joseph’s in Genesis. Sometimes we think we know God’s plan and we end up in the back side of the desert. Life takes strange turns. Stuff happens! “Where is God now?” we ask. We get involved in life again where we find ourselves, but wonder what went wrong. Ever been there?
God’s delays and detours are for His purposes and our preparation. When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush in the desert 40 years later, Moses was called to take off his shoes and then go and deliver God’s people from slavery in Egypt. Moses wisely took off his shoes but made excuses about going. God met Moses and answered each excuse. Moses is said to be the most “meek” of men. (Numbers 12:3) God honors humility and brokenness. Moses, after 40 years in the desert university, has learned a valuable lesson. He can’t do anything on his own! He needs God at each turn. You might say that Moses graduated with his BSDD! He passed the exam and was ready for his assignment!
Are you in the School of the Desert? Are you open to learn humility and brokenness? What area of your life needs the most help right now? Submit it to the Lord and wait patiently on Him. He will help you pass the course! He’s preparing you for your assignment too.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1st Peter 5:5-7