Daily Bible Devotionals

“Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of the Lord.  And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.’” Exodus 34:5-7 (NKJV)

In Western culture, the number “13” is considered unlucky, as superstitions go.  The Jewish mindset considers number 13 to be blessed.  Here’s why.  In Hebrew, there are no “numbers” per se, so every letter is ascribed a numerical value.  For instance, the letter “alef” (A) is also #1.  In the Shema (Deut 6:4), God is described as being “One.” The Hebrew name for “One” is “Echad.” The numerical value for “Echad” is 13.  

A bit mystic, I admit.  And people can go crazy trying to reckon numbers & words, looking for “codes” in the Bible.  I only mention it because God announces Himself to Moses in the thirteen spiritual ideas concerning His Divine Nature.  Ironically, perhaps, the One we know as “Echad” is announcing Himself by a list of “13”.

1.  The Lord, the Lord God -  Heb: Adonai, Adonai - Adonai denotes God in His mercy.  The repetition was traditionally considered to mean that God is merciful before a man sins and after he sins (Exodus 20-34).

2.  God - Heb: El - The almighty Lord of the universe, ruler of nature and mankind.

3.  Merciful -  Heb: rachun - God is full of affectionate sympathy for the sufferings and miseries of human frailty

4.  Gracious -  Heb: ve-channun - He assists and helps, consoling the afflicted and raising up the oppressed.

5.  Long Suffering - Heb: erech appayim - The Lord is not hastening to punish the sinner but offers him opportunities to repent.

6.  Abundant in goodness - Heb: rav chesed - He grants His gifts and blessings beyond what man deserves

7.  Truth -  Heb: ve-emet - He is eternally true to Himself

8.  Keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation -  Heb: notzer chesed la-alafim - He remembers the righteousness of the ancestors and reserves reward and recompense to the remotest descendants who will turn to Him.

9.  Forgiving iniquity -  Heb: noseh avon - He bears with the indulgence and failings of man, and by forgiveness, He restores them to purity

10.  Transgression - Heb: pesha - Evil deeds spring from malice and rebellion against God

11.  Sin - Heb: Chattaah - Shortcomings by refusal to heed or ignorance of God’s Word

12.  Will by no means clear the guilty -  Heb: venakkeh lo yenakkeh - Literally, “Acquitting the repentant but not the unrepentant.”

13.  Visiting…upon the children -  This relates only to the CONSEQUENCES and not the PUNISHMENT of a man’s sin upon his descendants.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Look, You have told me, “Lead this people up,” but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. You said, “I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.” Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight. Now consider that this nation is Your people.’”  Exodus 33:12-13 (HCSB)

Mother Teresa said, ‘You’ll never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. Moses understood the importance of going with God. He had seen the destruction of Pharaoh’s army and the judgment of Israel when they denied the Lord.  Moses wanted to know God’s ways, but he could never have predicted God’s methods of instruction…bonding His people to Himself (and each other) by means of shared adversity.

For Moses & Israel, the next several decades would be a constant stream of faith-stretching trials. Why would the Lord choose this method of character building instead of lavishing abundance & prosperity upon His children?

Perhaps the answer is found in Moses’ discussion with God. Similar to their conversation at the burning bush, Moses seems to have difficulty taking God at His Word. Even though God told Moses He would be with him (and after all the miracles experienced in Egypt), Moses still sought signs.

It is said in business, “Speed of the leader, speed of the team.” That is to say, if Moses had faith problems, there was no way Israel would be all-in to follow him. Faith is a muscle that must be exercised. It takes desire, discipline, and time to grow.

A young man once came to the philosopher Socrates, searching for wisdom. Socrates was sitting beside a river, so the young man sat beside him. ‘I want you to teach me to be wise,’ he said. Without warning, Socrates grasped the young man by the neck and thrust his head under the water. The man struggled and flailed until Socrates finally let him up. As he gasped for air, Socrates said, ‘When you seek wisdom as you sought air, you’ll have it.’”

God gives His Word and Spirit to reveal His nature & ways to His children. He is gentle and kind but wise enough sometimes to thrust us into the water! Our life experience, stressed by the manner of His testing, filtered through His Word revealed, is what builds our faith. Ready for some faith stretching today?

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”  James 1:2-4 (HCSB)

“So Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, this people has committed a great sin; they have made for themselves a god of gold. Now if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book You have written.' The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me I will erase from My book. Now go, lead these people to the place I told you about; see, My angel will go before you. But on the day that I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin.’” Exodus 32:31-34 (CSB)

Fifty days after Passover is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, or “Pentecost.” Shavuot is, perhaps, the most important harvest festival on the Jewish calendar. Since it coincides with the giving of the Law, Shavuot has become emblematic of God’s confirmation & consecration of Israel as His “first fruit” among the nations.

Their worship of the calf overshadows the day of Israel’s consecration. On that day, Moses gave Israel a “with me or against me” challenge, and the Levites gathered to him. Later that very day, the day that the Torah (God’s teaching) was given, 3000 men were killed. The implication of this account in Israel’s history is that Israel left to its own designs and judged solely through the lens of the Law’s standard, can only produce a “crop of death.” Furthermore, God said that on the day He “settles accounts,” solely by the standard of His commands, none can survive His judgment.

Fast-forward to Acts chapter 2. At the time of the same festival of Shavuot (Pentecost), after Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit was given to the believers in Jerusalem. Those believers were the “first fruits” of His Greater Messianic Community (the Church), which has grown to be worldwide.   The first fruits of God’s Spirit were also counted to be 3000 men, but this time, their experience was unto life! When God settles OUR accounts based on Messiah’s blood atonement (it’s worth imputed into our spiritual accounts upon the moment of our belief and certified by the presence of His Spirit), His Judgment of us returns, “Not guilty!”

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:10-11 (NKJV)

“The Lord said to Moses: ‘Tell the Israelites: You must observe My Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am Yahweh who sets you apart. Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people.’”  Exodus 31:12-14 (HCSB)

My wife and I went on a mission trip to Mexico several years ago. On the Mexican border of Texas, many “squatters” had formed “colonias,” shantytowns. Our mission was to build 9x12 houses for these severely impoverished people.  It was over 100 degrees down there and incredibly humid…no easy task!

One of the men on my team was a fireman. Ever since we had met in Texas, this guy was talking about heat exhaustion, “Gotta stop every 15 minutes, and drink water….”  On and on, he droned. I had been a college athlete as a long-distance runner. I could run for miles, and nobody was there to give me a single drop of water. This fireman obviously was talking to the “lightweights.”

1/2 way through our second day on the job, our construction wasn’t nearly as far along as it should have been. The fireman called for a break, and I kept working. Thirty minutes later, another break. I kept working. Two hours later, I started feeling dizzy. You get the point. The next thing I knew, the fireman was treating my heat exhaustion. I should have trusted the expert.

Constructing the Tabernacle was of the highest importance. It was work in service to God. But it was not of greater importance than the Divinely ordered rest: Shabbat. Nothing was permitted to supersede it.

To profane, the Sabbath resulted in death. It was the equivalent of breaking the third commandment, “Do not receive the Lord’s name in vain.”  That is, you should not call yourself “God’s people” yet deny God’s authority over your life.

Ignoring the Shabbat rest resulted in being cut off from Israel. So, how well do you fare in obeying that 4th commandment to REST?

Try thinking of it this way: Even Kingdom work has a mandatory “blessed union” break.

“The wealthy may not give more, and the poor may not give less, than half a shekel when giving the contribution to the Lord to atone for your lives. Take the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will serve as a reminder for the Israelites before the Lord to atone for your lives.”  Exodus 30:15-16 (HCSB)

The technical expression for “ransom” occurs three times in the Torah, and each time, it refers to money paid by one who is guilty of taking human life in circumstances that do not constitute murder. Such a ransom was forbidden in the case of deliberate murder. You could not simply murder someone, pay an agreed-upon price, and have your sin atoned for via your debit card, so to speak.

This concept underlies the “half-shekel atonement” of today’s passage. The same phrase is used in connection with the offering of plunder after the Midianite battle, in Numbers 31:52. Those men registering in the census were those registering for military duty…all non-disabled men. The soldier who was marching into battle was (in the eyes of Heaven) a potential taker of life, although not a deliberate murderer.  

The soldier is to be impressed with the fact that, as the aims for which he goes into battle may be, war remains a necessary “evil.”  Therefore, a ransom is to be paid at the time of mustering (for the taking of life) long before the actual fighting occurs.

Whether rich or poor, the tax was the same. All souls taken are of equal value, and all life-takers of equal guilt in the eyes of God. Hence, all are to give the same ransom.  

Concerning our guilt, Jesus paid our ransom.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself—a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (HCSB)

The redemption of Christ is offered to all people, regardless of nationality or social standing.

“And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; because you were slaughtered, and You redeemed us for God by Your blood from every tribe, and language, and people, and nation.”  Revelation 5:9 (HCSB)

Those present at Jesus’ trial cried, “May His blood be on our children and us!”  Yet Jesus prayed,” Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 In effect, He was asking that their murderous intents and actions, zealous as they may have been, be counted as “unintentional killing,” while He personally paid their ransom for the act. Ponder the depth of His great love for you. Do you feel the gravity of His sacrifice?

“You are to construct an altar of acacia wood.”  Exodus 27:1 (HCSB)

The Orthodox (non-Messianic) Jewish Rabbis have explained the symbolism of the altar by forming an anagram from each of the four letters spelling the Hebrew word: “Mizbe’ah.” Since few of you read Hebrew, and I don’t know how to make my computer type Hebrew letters, you’ll just have to trust me! Here’s the English translation:

FORGIVENESS: Sin separates us from God. The altar was the channel whereby the Israelites could seek reconciliation with God.  

MERIT: Gratitude, humility, and contrition found their outlet on the altar. By approaching the Lord through virtues, life was ennobled, and “merit” acquired.

BLESSING: By remaining faithful to the teachings centered around the altar, man receives the Lord’s blessing and becomes a blessing to his fellow men.

LIFE: The altar points the way to everlasting life. It directs one’s worship to things that abide forever: righteousness, holiness, and God’s Word.

For men to perpetuate forgiveness, merit, blessing, and life, it was necessary for them to sacrifice prescribed things at prescribed times in a prescribed manner. Problem: The atonement diminished over time. You were only covered until the time for the next sacrifice.

Interestingly, these days, neither of the two tabernacle altars exists. They were replaced by the altars Solomon built for the Temple, and those Solomonic altars have been missing since the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD. So, how are one’s sins atoned for today?

We receive forgiveness, merit, blessing, and life when we trust in the Messiah, Jesus. Plus, we have the added bonus: His atoning sacrifice lasts FOREVER.

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have the right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy of holies by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp. Therefore, Messiah also suffered outside the gate so He may sanctify the people by His own blood. Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace. For here we do not have an enduring city; instead, we seek the one to come. Therefore through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that profess His name. Don’t neglect to do good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.”  Hebrews 13:10-16 (HCSB)

“Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on his son’s right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. Sprinkle the remaining blood on the sides of the altar. Take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle them on Aaron and his garments. In this way, he and his garments will become holy, as well as his sons and their garments.”  Exodus 29:20-21 (HCSB)

Atoning for sin is a bloody business. It is ugly, and it involves death. Mankind has a way of excusing its own sin rather than dealing with it head-on. All people in all cultures feel guilt; hence, the removal of guilt is close to the heart of everyone, everywhere.  

The fact that men naturally feel “guilty” testifies that there is a moral law from which to judge right & wrong. If there is a moral law, there must be a moral lawgiver, i.e., God.

The problem is not as much that men don’t know they sin. It is that they overlook their own sin, even while exposing the sins of others. The closer people come to God, the more they feel in touch with/convinced of their “guilt.” Some respond by humbling themselves before the Lord and repenting, while others react in anger and hatred toward Him and His people.

“If the world hates you, understand it hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18 (HCSB)

From as far back as the Garden of Eden, God prepared a way to atone for or “cover” sin. Remember how God exchanged Adam & Eve’s fig leaf attire for animal skins? Sin kills, so if you do not want the fullness of judgment to fall on you, something (or someone) has to bear your punishment, leading to death. The blood of the sacrifice reminds men of how heinous their sin is. In terms of everlasting atonement, only Jesus’ sacrifice of His sinless life is both affective and effective in bringing about our salvation. His atonement is received when we turn away from our sin and turn to Him, confess our sin, profess our belief in the worth of His sacrifice and Lordship, and commit to following Him. (Acts 4:12)

For Aaron and his sons, the ear was touched with the blood, that it might be consecrated (set apart) to hear the word of God; the hand, to perform the duties connected with the priesthood; and the foot, to walk in the path of righteousness.

All followers of Jesus are called to be “priests” (servants). (1 Peter 2:9) Messiah’s blood consecrates every part of us: ear, hand & foot, and this “consecration” is extended to every member of His kingdom. (Matthew 26:28, Ephesians 1:7, 2:13)

“The Lord directed Moses, ‘Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise, many of them will die. Even the priests who come near the Lord must purify themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.’  But Moses responded to the Lord, ‘The people cannot come up Mount Sinai since you warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consider it holy.’”  Exodus 19:21-23 (HCSB)

Several months after their exodus from Egypt, Moses was obviously frustrated with the children of Israel. Bellyaching had replaced appreciation as the national demeanor of God’s people. It is easy to be frustrated with complaining people; they compromise the bulk of a pastor’s ministry burden. The Bible calls us “sheep,” and we are all created with an acute need for a shepherd.

At this point in the Exodus, though, Moses seems as frustrated with God as much as he did with the people. Perhaps the source of his frustration concerned a promise God made when He called Moses to lead Israel.

“But Moses asked God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt? God answered, ‘I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.’” Exodus 3:11-12 (HCSB)

Moses had done all God had told him to do. He went to Egypt, spoke to Israel and Pharaoh, obeyed the Lord, and led Israel out. In Moses’ heart, he must have felt he held up his end of the bargain. At what he thought was the end, Moses was ready to see the completion of his calling. The people were standing at the foot of the mountain. All Moses needed to see was for Israel to worship on that mountain. Then, his season of shepherding would be completed. But God withheld Israel from coming up the mountain!

Why would God withhold the fulfillment of His promise to Moses? More so, why would He deny Israel the freedom to worship in His presence?

Worship is a matter of the heart, and Israel’s heart was not ready. Nor was Moses’ heart. Much of what men would let pass for worship, the Lord literally cannot stand!

Has the Lord withheld something from you lately? Trust that His judgment & timing are always perfectly aligned with His plan & character. Wait on the Lord’s timing. Who knows what the world would be like today had Israel waited on the Lord until Moses returned from the mountain, bearing the tablets of the 10 Commandments? Yet, their worship of the golden calf proved God’s wisdom in not allowing them to enter His presence in the first place. His desire was for their worship, but that would take time, and in His patient, gracious wisdom, God would teach Israel how to worship rightly. Remember: the word “Torah” does not translate as “Law.”  It translates as “Teaching.”

“You are to set up the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you have been shown on the mountain.”  Exodus 26:30 (HCSB)

A tabernacle is a tent. In Biblical imagery, “tabernacle” describes several things.  

The Tabernacle was a portable tent used as a sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant by the Israelites during the Exodus. This is where Moses would go to meet with the Lord. After Moses’ death, only the high priest could enter the innermost “Holy of Holies.”

Another tabernacle is the “sukkah,” a temporary light shelter with a roof of branches built in Jewish homes, yards, or synagogues for the “festival of Tabernacles.” AKA: a “booth,” God commands every Jew to build and live in a sukkah for seven days each year. This is to remember God’s provision and guidance during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. In fact, the Lord desires that all nations celebrate “Sukkot.”

“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:3 (NKJV) (see also: Zechariah 14:16-19)

Another “Tabernacle” is your own body.  

“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.” 2 Peter 1:13-14  (NKJV)

Three things come to mind when I consider the Tabernacle:  

The first is the transient nature of tent-dwelling. One who lives in a tent should not become too attached to one location. We should be willing to follow wherever the Lord leads. Our love should be only for the Lord, and our desire should be consumed with wherever He guides.

Second, God’s standard and instructions for setting up a tabernacle are very specific. Those who say they are the Lord’s yet build their lives by their own design fool themselves. Jesus said we should set up our lives by His plan.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”  John 14:15 (HCSB)

Lastly, God’s presence dwells in His Tabernacle.

“Do you not know that your bodies are the sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God?”  1 Corinthians 6:19a (HCSB)

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and stay there so that I may give you the stone tablets with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.’ So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and went up to the mountain of God.  He told the elders, ‘Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute should go to them.’”  Exodus 24: 12-14 (HCSB)

Organizations of every size have to face the issue of succession. All corporations, nations, and ministries built around a charismatic leader must eventually cope with that leader’s absence. The challenge of patriarchal success is not just building something big.  It is creating something that would flourish in your absence.

In a documentary on Cuban leader Fidel Castro, analysts speculated about the ability of Fidel’s brother to run the country once Fidel passed away. Many evangelicals were suspicious when Franklin Graham became more prominent in his father Billy’s evangelical association. Sometimes, the successor is easily recognized. Other times, God’s choice would be man’s least likely candidate.

Joseph was the youngest brother, yet his father put him in charge of his elders. And what of the story of David? A young worship-leading shepherd boy was anointed king, above all of the military, business, and political leaders of Israel. Consider Peter. Why would Messiah give the “keys to His Church” to the disciple who would deny Him three times?

One thing is certain: God knows a leader when He calls one!

Aaron was Moses’ spokesman and elder brother. He was a direct participant in God’s Egyptian miracles. It seems he would be the perfect candidate to succeed Moses. At least he would have accompanied Moses to receive God’s tablets! But it was Joshua who attended that historic event with Moses.

Later, we learn why. Neither Aaron, Hur, nor any elders were fit to lead Israel. That was proven by their construction and worship of the golden calf.

When God calls a leader, we may never know what He spared us from. When we choose a leader (apart from God’s leading), we may never know God’s intended blessing.

Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land. Perhaps Joshua’s name held some secret about God’s plan for his future. “Joshua” means “God saves,” and it is the root of the name “Yeshua,” given to a young boy from Nazareth, whom we call “Jesus.”

“Set the mercy seat on top of the ark and put the testimony that I will give you into the ark. I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.”  Exodus 25: 21-22 (HCSB)

Grace and Mercy are two independent concepts, yet they work closely together.  

Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. It has been described through the acrostic: G.R.A.C.E.: God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense

Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Think of this acrostic: M.E.R.C.Y.: My Extensive Righteousness Covers You

In the Ark, God’s mercy is positioned on top. It is the arbitrator between His covenant and His law. In that sense, the ark, with its covering & contents, can be viewed as a picture of the Trinity.

The covenant represents Grace, God’s promise: Jesus. The Law represents Justice, His standard revealed: Spirit. Mercy represents the Wisdom of weighing the two, pronouncing judgment: God.

Without mercy, Israel would always be caught in a divine “Catch-22”. Could they rest in God’s promise to their forefathers, or did they have to live up to His perfect standard? God’s mercy provides the balance, His response. Sometimes, His mercy brings about hardship to teach us. Other times, mercy keeps us from the full consequences to encourage us. It is solely His wise judgment that determines His course. That is mercy.

The good news is that Messiah “…is able to protect you from stumbling and make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy.” Jude 1:24  (HCSB)

When Jesus paid our sin debt, it satisfied God’s standard for us. Messiah not only cleared our debt, but He also imputed (deposited) righteousness into our accounts.

When the Lord looks upon a believer in Jesus, He sees only His covenant promise and His law fulfilled. His response to us will be the same as that to His Son, “Well done!”

For those outside Messiah’s covering, the Bible says He reserves the response, “Turn away; I never knew you.”  

Who would reject so great a salvation? (Hebrews 2:3)

“For I will place the inhabitants of the land under your control, and you will drive them out ahead of you. You must not make a covenant with them or their gods. They must not remain in your land, or else they will make you sin against Me. If you worship their gods, it will be a snare for you.”  Exodus 23:31b-33 (HCSB)

These verses have all three components of salvation & victorious living: Grace, Works, and Faith.  

The passage might be viewed as a metaphor for personal salvation, with our bodies representing the “land.” After all, mankind began as nothing more than God’s breath on a handful of dirt! (Genesis 2:7)  

The “former inhabitants” represent the sinful ways that used to control us. “Israel” represents us, our souls, delivered. The “idols/gods” are the goals that sinful nature pursues.

GRACE- The system that God allows, whereby mankind can be saved through faith (instead of being perfect in righteousness), is Grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Deliverance/salvation through man’s faithful belief is God’s gift. Otherwise, our righteousness would be weighed purely against the virtue of our works. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Since God’s standard is PERFECTION, it is impossible for us to do enough “good works” to earn salvation.

God’s Grace was displayed in this passage by placing Israel in control of the “former inhabitants.”  “Accepting God’s Grace” means we faithfully believe God’s righteousness has delivered us. (Sometimes, even before the deliverance occurs!)  Even though “former inhabitants” may still be present, He promises to go before us, driving them out in proportion to our faithful willingness to fight. (Romans 6:23)

FAITH- Saving knowledge of the unseen meant that Israel had to trust God against unknown lands, nations, and gods. Israel drove out the land’s former inhabitants to the extent that they had faith in God’s promise. Do you believe in God’s promise of salvation to the extent that you would faithfully (and sometimes forcefully) turn from your sin, sending the message, “Don’t come back!”?

WORKS- The “life” of faith is Works. Have you continued to discipline yourself, armed with God’s promises in His Word, to drive out those “former inhabitants”?   Continue working hard to destroy all goals & motivations that would cause you to abandon God!  

We are not saved by Faith and Works. We are (gracefully) saved by Faith that Works!

“You must not exploit a foreign resident or oppress him, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.”  Exodus 22:21 (HCSB)

My family and I lived in Riverside in Southern California for many years. Our town was comprised of a myriad of people groups, but the dominant ethnicity was Mexican—48% Mexican, to be exact. Without reigniting the debate over who originally owned the land of California, let’s just say that race relations can occasionally be a sensitive topic around California. This is especially true when it comes to illegal residents.

As a matter of policy, whenever any country borders another country, the issue of immigration is sure to cause a debate. It is safe to say this is an age-old issue. We know this because 40 years before Israel entered the Promised Land, God outlined how the Israelites should treat foreigners once they finally entered Canaan and took possession.

Of all the ancient cultures, only the God of Israel was as compassionate towards the weak, meek, needy & lowly. I believe God’s gracious attitude towards humanity is because He created all life on earth and that, before time began, He had a plan to redeem mankind through Messiah Jesus. (1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8)

All men are God’s creation; hence, all men deserve dignity. That’s not to say all men honor God. I am simply saying that nobody knows who will eventually repent and follow God, regardless of nationality. Individuals from all nationalities will become members of God’s family, but who knows which ones will respond to the Gospel? We might as well treat them all with dignity, especially in remembrance of how we were merely sinners, saved by God’s grace.

For a moment, let’s assume the “identity” of Israel. Consider “foreigners” as those who are yet to trust the Messiah. How do you respond when a non-believer enters your Church? How do you treat non-believers when you are around a group of your believing friends?  

Do you show grace and compassion when others seek to distance themselves from “sinners”? Do you remember how it felt before you knew the Lord? How was the person who led you to Jesus different from other “believers” you had met before, so different that you decided to follow Jesus? Be THAT person for the non-believers in your life.

Not only is it possible to lead people to the Lord, standing firm in Biblical conviction, all the while maintaining a gracious & merciful demeanor. It is essential!

“He made a statute and ordinance for them at Marah and He tested them there. He said, ‘If you will carefully obey the Lord your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, I will not inflict any illnesses on you that I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am Yahweh who heals you.’” Exodus 15:25b-26 (HCSB)

I remember being in college toward the end of the spring semester. It was so hard to stay awake during those late afternoon classes. The more the professor lectured, the more my mind drifted. Then, as if called from a great distance but rushing swiftly into my consciousness, I heard my name, “MR. WIGGINS!”.

It was the voice of my professor. Noticing I was drifting away, he asked me a question…several times. Everyone laughed, and I was embarrassed to 1) not know the answer and 2) not even know the question!

The Lord wants our FULL attention. Just as He directed the Israelites fresh out of Egypt, so He directs us to listen carefully to His voice. What does that look like?

The apostle Paul told the believers in Corinth, “Pursue Love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.”  (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Teaching is to recite tradition. Preaching has an urgent or evangelical bent. Prophecy is a personal revelation from the Lord. For example, as you read the Bible, the Lord will open your eyes to understand the Scriptures on a whole new level. That is prophesy for us believers. Paul said we should desire prophecy and share God’s revelation with others. To be clear, the type of “prophecy” Paul describes is NOT predicting future events. It is simply the Spirit revealing the truth of God’s Word in such a relevant way that it changes your values and how you live out your calling.

It has been my experience that when the Lord starts moving among His people, He doesn’t just tell one guy. He tells a bunch of people. Then, He brings them together so there can be agreement and focus on their efforts. That’s when powerful stuff starts happening! That is also what the church is designed to be. Church has become a place where people come to learn the Bible and get saved. But church should be the place where people who are independently and diligently seeking God’s Word gather at times during the week in agreement. It should be as much a BASE of worship as a PLACE of worship. Church should be less a finish line for people who happened to make it through the week without seeking the Lord and more of a starting line for believers to go out and work towards the Great Commission within their communities next week.  

We should listen for God’s voice as we meditate on His Scripture. Ask for His revelation. When His people obey this command, the Lord reveals His deep knowledge. He heals our theology, our personal relationships, and our emotional and physical conditions as well. Then, we faithfully respond to His call, experiencing His faithfulness.

“All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. ‘You speak to us and we will listen,’ they said to Moses, ‘but don’t let God speak to us or we will die.’ Moses responded to the people, ‘Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear Him and will not sin,’” Exodus 20:18-20 (HCSB)

“My pastor says…”  

I’m so glad I attend a church with a great pastor! He simply loves the Bible and lives to teach it. He encourages the congregants to bring our Bibles and models Biblical scholarship by preaching from his own Bible. He values the Bible as “the source” of knowledge, as opposed to “a resource” for some topic or agenda. I thank the Lord for the fact that our pastor encourages us to read our Bibles every day.  

I can think of only one thing in my journey to follow Jesus that beats good preaching:  Personal Bible study. That’s right. What’s more important than what someone teaches you after they studied the Bible is what God teaches you when YOU read it for yourself.

A major problem in our culture is that people don’t believe the Bible. A major problem in our congregations is that more and more preachers don’t teach the Bible in its entirety. A major problem in our families is that spouses and children don’t speak about the Bible. A major problem with churchgoers is that they don’t read the Bible

“There is enough dust on the Bibles of England to, with one’s finger, spell the word, ‘Damnation!’” Charles Spurgeon  

Hopefully, you are changing that trend. When we read the Bible, we discuss it with those close to us. When we discuss it, a community of Bible-mindedness grows. New Bible teachers are raised in rhythm with those communities, and communities devoted to God steer their cultures.

Don’t be afraid of approaching the Lord. Be afraid of what will happen if you don’t!

“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.” Hebrews 4:16 (HCSB)

“‘Praise the Lord,’ Jethro exclaimed, ‘who rescued you from Pharaoh and the power of the Egyptians and snatched the people from the power of the Egyptians. Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods, because He did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.’ Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in God’s presence.” Exodus 18:10-12 (HCSB)

The lesson of Israel’s exodus affected more than just Israel and Egypt. The four people groups most closely impacted were 1) Israel, 2) Egypt, 3) the Kingdoms of Canaan, and 5) Moses’ Gentile (Midianite) in-laws.

Israel responded to God by following Him. Egypt responded by defying Him. The Canaanites responded by challenging Him, and Jethro responded by believing in Him.

Not since the meeting of Melchizedek and Abraham has the Bible given us such a clear indication of God’s acceptance of worship from a people other than Israel. Melchizedek was a priest-king of Salem, and Jethro was a priest of Midian. Neither were Israelites.

Interestingly, Jethro is that he burnt offerings and sacrificed to the Lord. In the presence of the Lord, Jethro, and all Israel’s leaders ate a meal – Jew and Gentile, together. This symbolizes that the Lord accepts the worship of all who acknowledge Him.  

The word “Acknowledgement” means more than mere intellectual assent or the belief that God exists. It is more of a turning from old ways and beliefs and a turning to the ways of the Lord. The cessation of false religion and the assumption of faith in YHWH constitutes Biblical “acknowledgment.” The absence of Divine protest indicates that Jethro’s heart was considered “faithful” by the Lord.

Interestingly, there is also the image of the goyim (Gentile) Jethro bringing Moses’ bride and children to him. Similarly, the Bible says the “nations” will someday carry the children of Israel back home. It is a beautiful picture of how the (predominantly Gentile) Church will share the gospel with the Jewish people.    

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I will beckon to the nations, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their hips.’” Isaiah 49:22 (NIV)

The church, composed of Jew & Gentile believers, is called the “bride” of Messiah. (Revelation 19:7)

“When Moses’ hands (holding his staff) grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and on the other, so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword.”  Exodus 17:12-13 (HCSB)

Let’s consider Moses, the leader. As long as Moses’ hands were lifted to the Lord, Israel progressed victoriously. In business, there is a saying, “speed of the leader, speed of the team.”  As long as the leader worships the Lord, those following will respond in kind. If Moses “served as God” to Aaron (Exodus 4:16), then the community of Israel got a good picture in today’s passage that it will always struggle (and ultimately fail) if it relies on a human leader’s ability to remain righteously vigilant. It is good to know that the Messiah never tires in His interceding, the Spirit never falters in His revelation, nor does God become exhausted in His intervening on our behalf! We never fail for lack of God’s strength, ability, or wisdom or because of a deficit of His upright character!

Then, there is the stone. In Biblical imagery, the “stone” represents remembrance. When his physical resources were exhausted, Moses rested on the foundational memory of God’s covenant.

What of Aaron and Hur? No leader is an island, fully self-sustained. Even the greatest leaders need a strong inner circle of lieutenants. These advisers/support managers are recruited, developed, and sustained in direct proportion to the leaders’ display of character over time. Lieutenants are not a luxury; they are essential to successfully supporting the vision the Lord has given the leader and holding him accountable to it. These two men can also represent the Lord’s Spirit, who helps us by revealing the truth of God’s Word and empowering us to live righteously.

Now, let’s turn to Joshua. Every military campaign needs trustworthy battlefield warriors. These men believe entirely in the vision to the point where they do not sway, even under intense fire. Joshua never left Moses’ side after this battle. It is safe to say he knew Moses better than anyone else. Great preaching is of little value unless the “pew people” respond by going into the World, willing to wield the sword of God’s Word, and rescuing those held captive by sin and the World’s bondage.

The name “Jesus” is a Westernized translation of the Hebrew name “Yeshua,” which, by the way, also loosely translates as “Joshua.” The name’s meaning in Hebrew is “God saves). Yeshua (Jesus) is the “Word of God,” made flesh. (John 1) His victory over death & sin has become our salvation, and He is at God’s side, even now. It is His strength and righteousness that we cling to for salvation! (Acts 4:12)

“The entire Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this desert to make this whole assembly die of hunger!’” Exodus 16:2-3 (HCSB)

We generally think of “slave life” as a constant stream of whipping and starvation. The Library of Congress has compiled first-hand accounts by American Civil War-era slaves, who describe a very different way of life.  

To be sure, I am not advocating slavery or seeking to absolve slave owners of their moral injustices. I am simply relaying the testimonies of those who lived the life of slaves.

It helps to understand that slaves were forced, laborers. No slave owner, concerned about making a profit, would deprive or abuse his “property” to the point that it reduced productivity. Rather, the slaves were clothed, housed, and fed. Not luxuriously, by any means, but the basics would be there.

Not only is slavery a high moral crime, but it is also bad business. It has been proven that free workers are far more efficient than slave labor. Yet, the myth of slavery (free labor) will always entice throughout the generations. Part of what makes slavery inefficient for the “master” is how enslavement affects a person’s spirit. Slaves become crafty. They become quite adept at working just hard enough to avoid the whip. Take away a man’s freedom, and he loses self-worth, initiative, and discipline.

Biblical slavery, as God allows for the community of Israel in His Torah, is the freewill “indentured” type, not forced slavery. While the New Testament refers to believers as “slaves,” it also calls followers of Jesus “disciples.”  We are also described as co-inheritors with Messiah, rights & privileges not typically bestowed upon slaves.   The simple meaning of “disciple” is “one who disciplines himself to follow.”  This is precisely why God led Israel through the desert: He was weaning Israel from slave life, slave mentality, slave ethics, etc., and teaching them to be disciplined and devoted to Him.

While still a “youth,” the nation of Israel is led through difficult circumstances…desert after desert. Their responses to adversity exposed their craftiness, unrighteousness, and spiritual immaturity.

What difficult circumstances has God led you through lately? Have you “disciplined” your walk to condition a response that honors the name He has given you: Redeemed? Or do you still long for the dysfunctional comfort, the certain slow death of sin’s bondage from whatever “Egypt” you were delivered?

(Moses speaking) “‘Then there will be a great cry of anguish through all the land of Egypt such as never was before, or will ever be again. But against all the Israelites, whether man or beast, not even a dog will snarl, so that you may know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. All these officials of yours will come down to me and bow before me, saying, ‘Leave, you and all the people who follow you.’ After that, I will leave.’ And he left Pharaoh’s presence in fierce anger.” Exodus 11:6-8 (HCSB)

Once, a guy from a rock band told me the story of how their van had been towed from a hotel parking lot. It seems the hotel had experienced a rash of abandoned vehicles dumped by car thieves. As a result, they were towing all vehicles left overnight whose owners had not registered their tags at the front desk. A slight oversight by the band’s road manager almost resulted in a missed gig!  

Here’s my point: The car had been in the hotel lot, parked by legitimate customers, but because it was not registered according to hotel regulations, it was also towed “legitimately.”

God made a distinction between Egypt and Israel. Keeping with my analogy, Egypt was illegitimate in His eyes, and Israel was legit. Soon, we will learn (in chapter 12) that even Israelites could be treated as “Egyptians” if they did not strictly follow God’s instructions. Their “legitimacy” was not dependent upon their DNA; instead, on their obedience to God’s Word. In fact, Scripture infers that in this matter, being “Israel” solely meant faithfully following the Lord’s instructions. For instance, Hebrews, who did not smear blood on their doorposts, eat the lamb’s meat & unleavened bread, would be considered “Egypt” and thus judged as Egyptians. Consider Paul’s words:

“But it is not as though the Word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants. On the contrary, ‘In Isaac your seed will be called.’ That is, not the children by physical descent, but the children of the promise are considered seed.” Romans 9:6-8 (HCSB)

Pharaoh and his officials eventually recognized Israel’s God as greater than their gods, but they did not surrender themselves to worship Him.  Here is another distinguishing difference: “intellectual ascent” v/s true repentance. It is not enough to say with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord!” You must also believe it in your heart. Notice that neither Pharaoh nor his officials were spared from God’s judgment…even after allowing the Israelites to flee the country. Their “You win!” lip service was not counted as true repentance because they had not surrendered their hearts. The battle was never really between Egypt and Israel. It was over the worship of the One true God, YHWH.

For people today (Jew or Gentile), salvation is neither by DNA, lip service, or good deeds. It is only for those who surrender and follow Messiah Jesus by faith.

“For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves; it is God’s gift – not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB)

“Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, ‘God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place.’”  Exodus 13:19 (HCSB)

Do you remember the names of your grandparents’ parents? I don’t know the names of mine. I’ve definitely not heard of any agreements they made about their bones. I’m as good as cursed if they did!

What if we compounded this scenario by 400 years? Do you know the names of your ancestors who lived 400 years ago? Imagine a solemn oath that endured twice as long as the United States has been a nation. This was the case with Joseph’s bones.

Attached to the folklore of Joseph’s bones was the promise of hope. The hope of freedom by Divine intervention sustained the Israelites all those years. For the Israelites, the tradition of “what we’re going to do with Joseph’s bones” had to be comforting because it promised deliverance. At times, it must have felt more like superstition than God’s promise! Still, there was the hope: Maybe it’s true… Maybe God really will deliver us from Egypt and deposit us into Canaan.

Sometimes, planning your response to blessing is all the hope you need to get through the hard times. Here is a little thought I like to comfort myself with when money is tight (and it usually is): I make a mental list of the people I want to give money to as soon as I am in another season of financial overage. It helps keep me pressing on.

But in the end, freedom is not about finances. Freedom is spiritual. Many wealthy people are miserable, and many poor are peaceful.

“Your life should be free of the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:5-6  (HCSB)

Jesus said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself” John 14:2-3 (NASB)

This hope of the resurrection, combined with Jesus’ promise to never leave or forsake us, allows the believer to endure this life and its trials. As was the case with Joseph’s bones in Egypt, the Lord will prove Himself faithful towards us. He will return to take us home to Heaven, not bury us in the ground of our homeland. We will walk in newness of life, along with a host of others, including Joseph, saved by God’s grace through faith in His promise. Now, THAT is a hope worth hanging your faith on! That is the hope of eternity with Messiah Jesus mixed with the promise of never leaving or forsaking us in this life!

“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, This is the statute of the Passover: No foreigner may eat it. But any slave a man has purchased may eat it, after you have circumcised him. A temporary resident or hired hand may not eat the Passover. It is to be eaten in one house. You may not take any of the meat outside the house, and you may not break any of its bones. The whole community of Israel must celebrate it. If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the Lord’s Passover, every male in his household must be circumcised, and then he may participate; he will become like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person must eat it. The same law will apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you.” Exodus 12:43-49 (HCSB)

A few years ago, I was invited to lead music at a church. Maybe it was vacation time for that church because they also hired a guest preacher! Before the service, I asked the preacher what his topic/text was (perhaps I had a special song to set up his message). The preacher was going to cover the Passover. That was good news to me because I have led many believers through the Passover Seder meal and taught how what most Christians call the “Last Supper” was actually the “Last Seder.”

So, you can imagine my shock when the preacher began his message with the statement: “Gentiles are forbidden to celebrate the Passover.” What was this? Where did he get his opinion? He had taken today’s passage out of context. And sadly, he overlooked most of the Messianic imagery in the Passover!

True, today’s passage does begin with the statement: No foreigner may eat it. But then it defines what a “foreigner” is: One who has not been circumcised. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that God commanded the men of Israel to undergo. Literally meaning “cutting around” or “cutting away,” circumcision is a physical testimony that one has cut himself away from the fleshly “World” and distinguished himself as a follower of God. Meant to be an outward expression of an inner condition, it is possible to be outwardly circumcised yet inwardly wicked. Consider these verses:

“Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskins of your HEART, men of Judah and residents of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it because of your evil deeds.” Jeremiah 4:4 (HCSB) (emphasis mine)

“On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one INWARDLY, and circumcision is of the HEART—by the Spirit, not the letter. That man’s praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:29 (HCSB) (emphasis mine)

Ruth, the Gentile Moabitess, professed, “Your people are my people; your God is my God” (Ruth 1:16b) and was included among God’s people. So we also (Jew & Gentile) become the Community of Messiah whenever we profess Jesus as Savior and Lord. Our hearts become “circumcised,” for we are cut away from the World, set apart for God by the “blood of the Lamb.”  Messiah Jesus is OUR Passover sacrifice. (1 Corinthians 5:7b) So, if we (Jew & Gentile believers) can’t truly celebrate the Passover, who can?

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may do these miraculous signs of Mine among them, and so that you may tell your son and grandson how severely I dealt with the Egyptians and performed miraculous signs among them, and you will know that I am the Lord.’”  Exodus 10:1-2 (HCSB)

There has been an ages-long debate over the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Some hold to a strict belief that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, while others say Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Those who say God hardened Pharaoh’s heart usually carry the inference that He kept Pharaoh from believing. It is as if Pharaoh’s heart could not have been softened, even if he wanted to repent. I find that hard to believe because the Bible says that God does not delight in punishing the wicked. Rather, He delights when they turn from their wickedness and trust Him. (Ezekiel 33:11)

I believe God gave Pharaoh the same chance He gave anyone else in Egypt, but He knew Pharaoh would not believe. God knew the same plagues that would make many repent would make many others hate Him even more. In a sense, the Lord DID harden Pharaoh’s heart because the plagues came from God. That being said, it was completely Pharaoh’s decision about how he would respond. God simply knew. Perhaps the best testimony to this interpretation of “hardening” is found in the final verses of Exodus, chapter 9.

“When Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his officials. So Pharaoh’s heart hardened, and he did not let the Israelites go, as the Lord said through Moses.”  Exodus 9: 34-35 (HCSB)

Similarly, the Lord did not make the Israelites believe any more than He made Pharaoh not believe. Each man had a choice. (Joshua 24:15) Each person has a choice today because God is the same: yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The question is: How do you respond to God’s presence in your life? Do you accept Him or live in denial? Do you submit or rebel? You have a choice to either believe or not, so have you chosen to rebel against His Lordship and thus inherit His judgment, or have you chosen to surrender to Him and enter His deliverance? As long as there is life in your lungs, you have the option to turn to Him through faithful belief and trust in Jesus.

“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works for 40 years. Therefore, I was provoked with that generation and said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My anger, ‘They will not enter My rest.’ Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.”  Hebrews 3:7-13 (HCSB)

“Pharaoh responded, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the Lord your God in the wilderness, but don’t go very far. Make an appeal for me.”  Exodus 8:28 (HCSB)

The plagues were disciplinary chastisements of God. Instead of annihilating the tyrant with one stroke, God, in His divine forbearance, inflicted ten successive plagues to break his pride. Important to note is how the plagues God inflicted were direct judgments against the “gods” of Egypt.

Notice how different the ways of God are from the ways of man. Human warriors attack by surprise. They don’t space out their blows, and when they have the enemy beneath their feet, they make an end of him. But God warned Pharaoh ten times, and the Lord gave Pharaoh the opportunity to repent each time. Before punishing Pharaoh, God offered him mercy each time.

There is grace and merciful forgiveness for all who repent, but there is unsparing punishment for those who, hardening their hearts to the voice of God, continue in their stubborn ways.

So, what is true repentance?  

Repentance is more than lip service. It is more than saying a prayer, walking an aisle, donating money, or some good “work.” True repentance is complete surrender. It is the total giving-over of your life to the Lord. Anything less falls short of what the Lord requires.

In today’s passage, Pharaoh seems to have repented. But Pharaoh is not repenting. He is negotiating.

For a moment, think of Egypt as symbolic of “the World.” “Pharaoh” may represent a personal demonic influence that is holding you captive, threatening you against trusting the Lord. Imagine yourself being so valuable that two warring kingdoms would fight to the death to obtain you. One wants to exploit you, while the other wants to lavish its love upon you. One is Egypt, and the other is the Lord.

Now, imagine yourself hearing the truth of the gospel, about Jesus’ offering of grace, mercy, and forgiveness for all who would repent. Then imagine a growing desire in your heart to obey God’s voice...to trust Jesus.

The enemy senses you are about to be won by the Lord, so it offers a compromise: follow God, but not completely. “Nobody wants to be seen as a fanatic!” the enemy laughs.

Don’t buy the lie. Anything less than complete surrender is not true repentance. Have you completely surrendered your life to Jesus, or are you still in negotiations? I implore you to surrender TODAY! Don’t spend another night in Egypt.

“(The Lord speaking) ‘Every person that is in the field and not brought inside will die when the hail falls on them.’ Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the Word of the Lord made their servants and livestock flee to shelters, but those who didn’t take the Lord’s Word seriously left their servants and livestock in the field.” Exodus 9:19b-21 (HCSB)

This is the first indication that God’s warnings had a productive effect on the Egyptians. While Pharaoh may have chosen to harden his heart, some of his subjects were more than willing to consider the Hebrew God’s threats. They went as far as taking appropriate measures to steer clear of His wrath. That is not to say they were complete converts, but they (at least) knew to respect Him.

This passage reminds me of the general attitude in the secular workplace. Most managers don’t care about the Lord, so they do not heed the Bible’s message of the importance of resting. Underpaid and overworked employees do not produce as well as workers in pleasant conditions. A casual stroll through the average HR department file cabinet will give you a strong indication as to the fallout from disgruntled employees.  

In contrast, consider Chick-fil-A. Years ago, the founder of that corporation (a follower of Jesus) determined not to work on Sundays. Not only that, but he gave everyone in their company the day off! Chick-fil-A closes its doors on the week’s busiest restaurant day, yet they gross more than its competitors! They honor the Lord, and He honors their faithfulness.

Likewise, those officials in Pharaoh’s administration who believed God’s message were saved from disaster. The Bible says that when the exodus occurred, the Hebrews left Egypt with a large number of foreigners. There is no indication that these particular officials were in that group, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some of them were.

Have you heard the gospel and witnessed its saving power in the life of someone close to you? Have you noticed that, while followers of Jesus are not immune to hardship, they seem to weather hard times better than others?

Maybe it’s time you took a cue from Pharaoh’s officials. Surrender to Jesus’ Lordship! Save yourself while you still have a self to save!