Posts Tagged ‘Moses’

Scripture reading for January 20: Exodus 3-6

One of my brothers is a law professor.  He went to over nine years of college and  post-graduate study for his degree.  My other brother is a surgeon and he needed eleven more years of study for his degree.   God’s ‘graduate school’ sometimes takes 40 years to get the degree!

Moses was picked by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.   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.

Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s household but at 40 years of age, he tried to protect his  Israelite brothers by killing an Egyptian who was mistreating them.  By running away,  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.   “Where is God now?” we ask. We get involved in life again where we find ourselves, but wonder what went wrong.

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  and he agreed to go.   You might say that Moses graduated with his BSDD!  (Back side of the desert degree!)

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

Scripture reading for April 1st: Luke 9:28-50

After Peter and the disciples acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ of God, Jesus told them that there were some who would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God come.  (Luke 9:27)  Luke told the story of Jesus taking Peter, James, and John with Him up on a mountain to pray.  As Jesus was praying, Moses and Elijah appeared there as well.  These men all glowed with a glorious splendor that was like nothing on earth.  (Luke 9:29-31)

Peter, James and John apparently were sleeping during this process.  When they awoke from their “prayer nap”, they saw Jesus and the two men in their glorified state.  As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter spoke up, “Master, it is good for us to be here.  Let us put up three shelters–one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Luke 9:33)  The Scripture notes that Peter did not know what he was saying.  At this point, a cloud came over them and a voice came from the cloud saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35)  After this, they found Jesus alone and were so puzzled that they kept this event to themselves and told no one about it.

As I ponder this amazing event, several things come to mind.  First, I note how like the disciples I am when it comes to prayer.  They had trouble staying awake and comprehending spiritual things.  These three disciples in the inner circle failed to stay awake here and at the Garden of Gethsemane.  My flesh is weak too, even when my spirit is willing and I often need reminding to watch and pray and stay awake.

Jesus met with Moses and Elijah to discuss His  own departure.  Moses was buried by God after being allowed to view the Promised Land. (Exodus 34:5-6)  Elijah was taken to heaven by a whirlwind in a chariot.  (2nd Kings 2:11-12)  God had these two men of faith come and encourage Jesus, His Son, before His death in Jerusalem.  Moses represented the Law and it’s failure to take man into the Promised Land and Elijah represented the faithfulness of God to honor His prophets.  Both these men were now in Glory and for the sake of Jesus’ followers, were allowed to be seen.  The Father, Himself, spoke confirming His Son!  How God shows mercy to us who are weak!

Scripture reading for February 16th: Numbers 17-20

Sin is a malady of the human race that permeates all men.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!  (Romans 3:23)  The wages of sin is death.  (Romans 6:23)  Our reading today records the deaths of brother Aaron and sister Miriam.  Moses also is told that he, too, will not be allowed to enter the promised land, but must be gathered to his people.

The first to pass from the scene was Miriam, the older sister of Moses. (Numbers 20:1)  Miriam was a prophetess who used her tambourine to prophesy and led the Israelite women in a victory celebration after the miracle of God’s deliverance at the Red Sea.  (Exodus 15:20-21)  Miriam got into trouble when she talked about Moses because of his Cushite wife.  She was jealous of her younger brother and evidently wanted to have some of his authority.  (Numbers 12:1-3, 9-12)  She was struck with leprosy and was put out of the camp for a week, then healed as Moses prayed for her.  Miriam was greatly used of God and gifted, but died without entering the promised land.

Aaron and Moses were faced with grumbling yet again because of a lack of water in the Desert of Zin.  Moses and Aaron went before the Lord and again fell face-down.  (Numbers 20:6-8)  God spoke to them and told them to take the staff from the Lord’s presence and speak to the rock and it would gush water for them and their livestock.  However, Moses and Aaron obeyed only partially.  They did take the staff, but in anger Moses ridiculed his brothers and struck the rock twice with the staff.  (Numbers 20: 9-10)

Moses and Aaron were rebuked by the Lord for dishonoring Him before the people.  The penalty would be no entry into the promised land.  Everyone wanted to be the leader and many tried to take Moses’ place over the years.  Now at the end of the journey, Moses is disqualified because of anger and frustration that led to striking the rock twice instead of speaking to it!

In truth, God is merciful!  He is teaching His people that the law, represented by Moses, cannot take anyone into the promised land!  It is only grace through faith that can take us all the way!  Joshua (Jesus) is the one who by faith would lead God’s people into the land to possess it.

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

In this podcast Pastor John concludes his summary of the book of Exodus. Pastor John’s primary focus is on chapters 20-40.

In this podcast Pastor John continues his summary of the book of Exodus. Pastor John’s primary focus is on chapters 14-19.

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!

Greetings!  Another week is over and a day of rest and reflection is upon us!  Hopefully, you are spending part of this day with God’s family in a place of worship!  God redeemed us from slavery to sin to lead a life of worship!  We are to worship personally and corporately.  We come together to encourage each other and to meet with the family of God and prepare for a week of ministry and witness. We come together to hear the Word of God preached and taught by those with gifts for the body.  The gifts in the body help us to become equipped to do the work God has for each member of the family.  (Ephesians 4:11-16)

This week has been an interesting look at Moses as an elder and prophet sharing his heart at the very end of his ministry and time here on earth.  He is strong and vigorous at 120 years of age.  Evidently that manna and water diet kept him very well!  He was greatly concerned for the younger kids of the next generation.  He wanted them to be blessed and prosper and get all that the Lord had promised of their inheritance.  He clearly understood how their sinful human nature was a danger to them.  He shared that nature and because of his own anger and dishonoring of God would not be able to go into the promised land.  Deuteronomy is the record of his last messages preached to this next generation before he died.

It is also interesting that God chose the preaching of His Word to be the vehicle of teaching and inspiring this next generation. (1st Corinthians 1:21)  Faith comes by hearing God’s Word!  (Romans 10:17)  Faith also works by love and God calls them to love Him and love each other! (Galatians 5:6) This love is not a feeling, but a commitment to act for the highest good of another.  God’s promises show His love and our faith and obedience show our love in return!  God’s love hasn’t changed today!  He is still using preaching to reach people and inspire faith in them. (Romans 10:14-15)  He still desires faith and obedience as a show of our love for Him.   (1st John 5:2-4)  When we walk in faith and obedience and love, His face shines on us! (Number 6:22-27)  May God bless you with faith and love for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!  Have a great day of rest and reflection!

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

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