Bible Chapter: Exodus 16
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Complaining to God and blaming God. The human race has had this ability for a long time. It is very common today. People try to define who God is to be and how He is to function. If God doesn’t work exactly like they want, they refuse to believe in Him. I find this interesting. If I am able to define and dictate God’s actions, then I must be greater than God. If I am greater than God, then I don’t need God. Israel was quick to complain and forget the horrors of slavery. They said they had it good in Egypt, lots of food, etc. They forgot all the miracles God performed to free them and get them on their journey. They said God brought them out there to starve. They didn’t give God much credit.
God knew exactly what He was doing. He had a plan and told Moses what they were to do. God would provide all the food and nourishment they needed. Provision for His people is never a problem for God. They ate bread from heaven. They had all they needed. This bread (manna) was also a test from God. Would they obey and take what they needed and use it as God directed? Many of them did. A few had a better idea. Those who disobeyed brought God’s wrath. Again, a lesson in obedience.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
One of the lessons of the manna was to take a double portion on the sixth day. They were to take a Sabbath rest on the seventh day. This principle of rest and spiritual restoration was established by God at the beginning. He still tells His followers to practice it. The modern world has totally ignored it. We used to have laws that made many businesses close on Sunday. Somehow, no one starved during those days. We made it and thrived in life. Those laws have all been repealed and Sunday is no different than any other day of the week. We now have a 24/7 society. The person who says they will make this one day different and not live like the rest of the week is now an oddity. Even many Christians don’t make Sunday special. Church attendance is an option, but not necessarily the top option. Churches today specialize in a sixty minute service so people can get out and get more important things done. Throughout the Bible we see the lessons of God’s opinion of the Sabbath. He expects us to give Him a special day of worship and rest. We need it physically and spiritually. We are much better off when we apply it.
3. How can I help someone?
God really does know what to do in every situation in life. People need to learn this. His wisdom leads to the importance of our obedience to His directives. When I can help people learn this, they will receive the benefits and blessings that come.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 15
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
A song of victory. A song of praise to God for His awesome triumph over the powerful army of Egypt. The Red Sea stood before them in their escape and Pharaoh thought he had them trapped. It was no problem for God to part the waters and give them dry land to cross. Moses sang a song of triumph, God was highly exalted. The Lord is my strength and song and salvation. This was one of the most amazing victories in history. They held a major celebration giving God all the praise. When people experience the supernatural intervention of God, they must remember what He did and be encouraged for a long time. Unfortunately, this remembrance and celebration doesn't always happen.
After this great victory, it only took a few days for the people to begin complaining again. They were not finding water and they complained. Then when they found water it was bitter and they couldn't drink it. They so quickly forgot that God was leading them and taking care of them. God made the water drinkable. Then he made a promise to be with them and keep them healthy.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
There is a promise from God at the end of the chapter that is very practical. God told Israel that if they would listen carefully to His voice and do what is right in HIS eyes, then he will protect them and none of the diseases He brought on the Egyptians would come on them. God has all power and no illness is a challenge to Him. There is nothing that impacts us that God can't handle. This is very encouraging to be able to trust God. Reminder to self: God is the One Who sets the standards for right and wrong, not me.
The majority of this chapter is a song of praise and worship to God. Giving God the praise is a privilege we have. It brings us into God's presence. Being with God is the best place to be. Lesson to learn: praise God often.
3. How can I help someone?
God will come through in His timing and in His way for all the situations we face in life. Nothing is too hard for Him. Trust Him and obey His commands and watch Him show His mighty power. We will see that God is never perplexed as to how to help.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 14
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The display of the great power of the Lord!! When people see it they are convinced that God is above all and nothing is too hard for Him. When it seemed like the world was caving in on them, Moses brought Israel through the Red Sea under God’s direction and mighty power. Then they saw His judgement against sin and this chapter ends with the statement that they feared the Lord and put their trust in Him. God directed Israel to move around the desert so that Pharaoh would think they were lost and confused. Then he went after them with his army. This was God’s plan to bring them to a place of judgement. All the army was drowned in the sea.
Moses had a very challenging job in leading the people out of Egypt and through the desert. We see that quickly as they were complaining when they saw the army coming after them. They claimed they wanted to stay in Egypt, but somehow Moses had convinced them all, against their wills, to leave. How quickly they forgot the horror of slavery. But, God delivered them any way.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
When the enemy had them trapped, Moses gave some encouraging words. He told them to not be afraid, but stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord would bring them that day. Then an amazing truth: the Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still. It was like a big friend who comes by when the bully is about to destroy you. And, the big friend steps in and quickly takes care of the aggressor. All they had to do was wait for God to show His overwhelming power. It was no problem for God to make a path through the sea so a million people could pass through. It was no problem for Him to pull the wheels off the chariots and make the water cave in on the army. God had it all planned and it worked flawlessly.
I can trust God to show Himself. Like Israel hemmed in by the sea and the army, it is easy to not see the big picture and wonder if things will work out. But, I must be still and see God come through. God will still fight for His purpose. God is just as powerful as ever. The Bible says that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
3. How can I help someone?
I want to help people see that they can trust God. Obedience is necessary. We can trust God and see Him provide and deliver. That is so hard to remember, but it is true. God really does know what He is doing.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 13
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Tell the next generation. If we are not reminded of things, if we don’t learn history, we lose so much. I have forgotten many things. I go back to a place where I used to live and try to remember people and events. I can’t remember them all. We need memorials so we will remember. We need memorials to teach future generations. The Bible is filled memorials. The Passover was so that in future years children will learn of the deliverance God gave them through His mighty hand. Every generation needs a strong connection with God. Every generation needs to learn that God hates sin and there is a good reason why they are told to stay far away from it. There was to be nothing with yeast in it as part of the Passover celebration. It represented corruption and evil. The Passover was given to help them remember what God did and stay pure before Him.
The firstborn were to be consecrated to God. There are many pictures that could be taken from this. The first always belongs to God. God spared the firstborn of Israel. They were to be consecrated to God.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
This chapter ends with a clear demonstration of God’s guidance for them. God put a pillar of cloud for the day and a pillar of fire for the night. This went ahead of them in their journey towards the promised land. When it moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped. That sounds like a great idea. It would be awesome to have that today. When people doubt what they should do, just look up and see where God is leading. God still leads today, it is just not as obvious. God wants me to continue to trust His leading. He does show us what to do when we ask.
3. How can I help someone?
This story of the Passover is repeated several times. God is driving home a point: obey, get close to God and far from sin. Salvation comes through God. It is an excellent plan that really works. Try it.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 12
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
God knows what He is doing. And, when He promises something, He will come through. His timing is what He has determined. Reading the story of Joseph in Genesis and how the family ended up in Egypt is the first part of this story. Now, 430 years later, a family of about 70 people is over a million and God is delivering them to a land that was promised. Yes, we see here that life really is a journey. The thought that I can and must trust God jumps out to me. I can have confidence in HIM. Here we see the story of the Passover. It is a beautiful picture looking forward to the Messiah, the gift of life that we can receive through Jesus.
The strong emphasis of ridding their homes of yeast during the Passover is a clear picture of God’s attitude towards sin. Get rid of it. Get far from it. All worldly corruption must be removed. God’s people are set apart for Him and sin destroys it.
The Egyptians finally had endured enough and literally drove the Israelites out of the land. They gave them all the gold and silver they asked for. God’s plan worked just as He designed.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
I want things to happen now. I want all things to work out the way I want them to be. Probably, most people are like that. God wants us all to learn to trust Him and let Him do what is right. If Jacob had known that his descendants would be in Egypt for 430 years, he might not have been willing to go. The promises made to Abraham took several centuries to come into being. It has been 2,000 years since Jesus was here on the earth. God wants us all to learn to trust Him and allow Him to work things out. Lessons in faith jump out to me as I read this story.
3. How can I help someone?
God won’t fail you. We don’t always understand what and why. We can learn to trust. Most people will say, “Yes, I can trust God”. The challenge is to actually do it. I want to help people trust Him.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 11
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
God told Moses what would be happening. It would be the final plague that would cause the deliverance of Israel from slavery. Moses told Pharaoh what would be happening, the death and judgement that would come on the land. This must have been an intense time as the Bible says Moses left Pharaoh and was hot with anger. Moses said God would go through the land and the firstborn males would die. Then the Egyptian officials would beg them to leave.
The Egyptian culture gave a high position to the firstborn male. The fact that God focused on them for His judgement was an awful blow to them. They put their hope for the future through the firstborn. The Egyptians had sown much evil in making the Israelites their slaves and killing off the male children born to the slaves. They were reaping the evil they had planted.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
The principle of planting and harvesting is seen in this chapter. The Egyptians, from the Pharaoh on down had considered themselves better than the Israelites. Many evil things were done, including killing the baby boys. If a person plants a garden, and they plant corn, they won’t harvest strawberries. In life, when people plant sin and destruction, they will not harvest good and blessings. A strong lesson: be careful what I plant through my life and actions. God will see to it that I harvest what I plant.
Another important lesson to remember is that Jesus said the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. We see that Satan loves to destroy life, he loves the death of people. In Egypt he had the babies killed. Down through history this story is repeated many times. Today millions of babies are being killed and the world is reaping the harvest of this murder and destruction.
3. How can I help someone?
People need to see that God is a righteous Judge. He will honestly look at their lives and give them the right reward for the life they live. The amazing news is that, through the death of Jesus on the cross, anyone can receive the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness. We must be faithful to God and plant the good things He tells us about in His Word.
Bible Chapter: Exodus 10
Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.
1. Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
The plagues continued, but we see some changes and progress towards the end. Moses asked Pharaoh how long he would refuse to humble himself to God. The government officials pleaded with Pharaoh to let the people go so they would no longer be a snare to them. At this point Pharaoh brought Moses to him and tried to negotiate. It appears that this “divine” leader was wearing down. People who are getting caught up in the bondage of sin often try to negotiate with God. Pharaoh said just the men could go. Moses said no. All would go, including all their livestock. Neither Moses or Pharaoh would budge. God sent two more plagues. Locusts invaded and ate every living plant and tree. Then darkness covered the land for three days. All this did was make Pharaoh angry and hard again and refuse to let the people go.
We also see God’s plan to show His power to future generations. Their children and grandchildren were to be told of all God did. They needed to learn to rely on God. Every generation must pass on the great truths of God to the next.
2. What can I apply in my life from the reading?
Keep on pursuing what God says to do. This whole story of the plagues is taking up several chapters in Exodus. Moses had to go before Pharaoh several times. He had to continue to tell him that God was going to win. Moses had to keep on risking his life before a desperate dictator who thought he was the highest authority there was. It was difficult and wearing, but Moses didn’t quit. This is good advice, don’t quit doing what is right. Let God show His power and deliverance in HIS timing.
3. How can I help someone?
Never give up. There is a classic cartoon that shows a bird swallowing a frog. The frog is halfway in the bird’s beak and has his front “hands” around the throat of the bird. The caption is “never give up”. This is good advice when it seems like the end is near. Always trust God.
