Devotional Thoughts from Exodus

July 20, 2005

Exodus 2: “God listened…God remembered…God saw…God understood.”

The story of the Bible is God’s story.  He is the central player.  In the book of Exodus we have the major, dominating figure of Moses, but he isn’t the star.  The Exodus story is about God.  He listened to their cries, he remembered his promise to Abraham, he saw their need, he understood their plight.   And he acted.  I want my story to be God’s story.  I would rather play a small part in his big story than have the leading role in my own pitiful story. 

July 21, 2005

Exodus 3: “I AM WHO I AM.”

Moses is having an encounter with the Almighty.   His people have had a relationship with this “God of Abraham” but after generations in Egypt they are well aware that their approach to worship is only one among many.  In fact, the gods of Egypt seem to have the upper hand.  After all, they are slaves and the Egyptians are their masters.  As this God of Abraham is commissioning Moses, Moses asks a good question.  “When I tell them about you, who do I say is acting on their behalf?”  The answer has become a source of discussion for students of theology for thousands of years now.  God says, “Just tell them ‘I AM WHO I AM’ sent you.”

My guess, across the years, has been that God was saying, “I am the One who always exists – who simply ‘IS.’”  However, I recently read an article by Dr. Dennis Bratcher on his CRI web site that suggests that the answer is more along the lines of, “They will know WHO I AM by WHAT I DO.”   The answer wasn’t about time – it was about action. 

I do like this understanding.  While I firmly believe “GOD IS” I also know “GOD DOES.”  In fact, the only way I know he exists is by what he is doing in this world.  “God in action!”  Yes!  That’s the One I serve.

July 25, 2005

Exodus 6: “I will rescue you…I will redeem you…I’ll be a God to you.”

After 400 years of slavery, under increasing oppression, the descents of Abraham are ready for some action from God.  Their view was probably pretty basic.  Maybe a little bit less of a workload from their Egyptian taskmasters.  Maybe an improvement in living conditions.  “How about a wider selection in our food rations?”   But they have the attention of the Almighty now and he has his own agenda: rescue…redemption…making them his very own.  When God goes to work he does it in a big way.  He isn’t going to just patch up things so they can somehow hobble on.  God is on the case and big things, things they can’t even imagine, are going to happen.

That’s how it is when he saves us.  We come to him, lost in our sins.  “Lord, I just want to feel better.”  “Just help me make it through this situation and I will be okay.”  He says, “I will rescue you…I will redeem you…I’ll be a God to you.”  The result is more wonderful than we ever imagined.

July 27, 2005

Exodus 12: “The Israelites then went and did what God had commanded Moses and Aaron.  They did it all.”

Emancipation day is coming.  After generations of slavery God is about to keep his promise to “rescue and redeem” them from the bondage of Egypt.  The deciding event is to be one of fearsome judgement.  Death is coming.  However, Death will not visit every home in the land.  The Israelites must to follow explicit instructions if they are to escape the terrible events of that night.  A lamb is to be slaughtered, cooked, and eaten.  Some of the blood, mixed with hyssop is to be smeared on the door posts of their homes.  As a result, the angel of death will “Passover” their dwellings.  They listen and obey – “they did it all.”  In so doing they have a part in their own deliverance.  God is doing the vast majority of what needs to be done, but they have to cooperate by taking this action.  Well, you know where this is going by now.  God has acted to deliver me from slavery too.  He has done the vast majority of what must be done.  Still, he has instructions for me to follow.  I must respond, I must cooperate with the Almighty if his perfect will is going to be accomplished in my life.

July 28, 2005

Exodus 13: “The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.”

The journey begins.  Freed from bondage they are now on the way to the Promised Land.  This is the land God had promised to their ancestor, Abraham.  Moses is their leader yet God is willing to provide even more direct guidance.  He gives them a daytime cloud and a nighttime fire to follow.  If the Pillar moves, they move.  If it stands still, they stand still.  What could be easier?  Honestly, I kind of envy them, don’t you?  We can’t ask for a more clear way to know God’s plan than this.  Still, as I think about it, I realize that centuries later Jesus promises a “Pillar” of his own.   One of his last words of instruction to his disciples contains the promise of the Holy Spirit who will be their Guide.  Instead of scanning the horizon to follow a Pillar of Cloud (have you ever wondered how that worked on a rainy day?  Or, during a nighttime thunderstorm?) the disciples will have an Inner Guide directing their lives.  And it won’t be a case of God dragging them along in directions they don’t want to go either (remember, even with the Pillars, there are an abundance of spiritual failures coming).  This Guide, promised by Jesus, will transform their hearts – changing the “want to.”  He will not only guide; he will enable them to follow.  It isn’t a Pillar of Fire, but it is a wonderful way to be led by the Lord.

August 1, 2005

Exodus 14: Moses spoke to the people: “Don’t be afraid.  Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today.” … God said to Moses: “Why cry out to me?  Speak to the Israelites.  Order them to get moving.”

Behind them is the army of Egypt, moving in to destroy them.  Before them is the Red Sea, impassable.  What are they to do?  Moses has great faith, “Stand still and see…” what God will do.  That sounds good.  They had pretty much stood still through the plagues and God took care of everything.  Surely Moses is right and God will do it again.  But God has other ideas.  Even as the people of Israel had a part in the Passover by following God’s directions, now they would have a part in this final victory over Egypt.  The Almighty says, “Don’t stand still…move forward.”  As they obey the command to move, God acts and deliverance comes.  I am reminded today that there are, indeed, times to “stand still.”  To do otherwise is to attempt to be our own deliverers – something that is bound to fail.  At times like that, we simply wait for the Lord’s deliverance.  However, there are more often times to “get moving.”  To do so is to act in faith that we do not move on our own, but by the gracious hand of God.

August 2, 2005

Exodus 15: Who compares with you in power?

When Moses told the people to “stand still” he was more right than wrong.  While it is true that they had to “move forward” in response to what God was doing, it was still God who provided their deliverance.  They didn’t exactly “stand still” but they never raised a hand in their own defense.  It was God who provided the victory.  Now they are celebrating.  Moses leads the way with his song of victory: “Who compares with you among gods, O God? Who compares with you in power, in holy majesty, in awesome praises, wonder-working God?”  Moses turns their hearts in the right direction.  This celebration is about God at work in their world more than it is about victory over Egypt.  That victory is no small deal – but God’s incomparable, powerful, majestic, wondrous work is the real reason to celebrate, whether it has to do with Pharaoh’s army or not.  After all, this is God’s story even more than it is theirs.  In my life there are many good things to celebrate, but beyond all that is the Reason behind the good things.  I am glad to join Moses in his song of praise and worship.

August 3, 2005

Exodus 16: Who are we in all this? You haven’t been complaining to us – you’ve been complaining to God!

It has been two and a half months since the Red Sea parted and they passed through on dry ground.  Two and a half months since they saw their enemies drowned in the sea and celebrated their liberation.  Now they are out in the wilderness.  It is a difficult adjustment for them.  No more comforts of home.  They are transitioning to becoming a nomadic culture and change comes hard.  Stupidly, they long for the meat and bread they ate in Egypt.  God graciously responds through Moses and Aaron that he will provide for them. These leaders relay God’s message, but also include a warning.  This journey is not in their hands, it is in God’s.  Abraham has been dead for centuries, but they have yet to learn what he learned: the just shall live by faith.  The problem with complaining is that it places us outside the life of faith.  The God of the Red Sea is the God of our everyday lives too. And he calls us to place our faith in him even when the sea isn't parting for us.

September 17, 2005

Exodus 17: Aaron's staff…had in fact sprouted – buds, blossoms, and even ripe almonds!

If they were on a ship this would be mutiny.  Korah, along with 250 leaders, are leading an uprising against Moses and his team of leaders.  This is serious business.  If this nation is to be a people of God it has to be his chosen leaders who will be in charge.  Their rebellion is put down decisively, as the ground opens up and literally swallows them alive.    But it isn't over yet, this group of rebels had supporters, and now they begin to complain.  Once again God strikes and over 14,000 die.  It is time to get this issue settled.  They have already refused to cross the Jordan and enter Canaan – now rebels can generate a huge amount of support for their rebellion.  Staffs representing each family-tribe are to be brought before the Lord.  The next day, one staff stands out.  It is the staff of Moses' family group, Aaron's – the tribe of Levi.  This staff has come to life.  Overnight it has produced blossoms and even ripe almonds.  Clearly, God took this leadership challenge seriously and this is one of the lessons we must take from this incident.  However, there is also the fact of the budding staff.  God brings life to even dead things.  You know what is on my mind now – resurrection!  Even in this less-than-popular passage we find God giving life even in to that which was dead. 

September 19, 2005

Exodus 20: Speak to the rock…do we have to bring water out of this rock for you…slammed his staff against the rock.

We are familiar with most of the big events in the life of Moses.  We know about the bulrushes, the burning bush, the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and Mount Sinai.  When the story of Moses is told, the Meribah failure has to rank right up there with these other happenings.  This is the blot on his life, and it is this failure that bars him from entering the Promised Land many years later.  On the surface it seems small.  God says, "speak to the rock" and, instead, he "hits the rock."  When we read this, and see the seriousness of God's response we immediately think that there has to be more.  I think the "more" is what Moses said before he struck the rock.  Moses' leadership has been challenged before and each time he has responded by lifting the Lord to the people.  Moses' entire case for leadership, his credentials, is that he is God's man. In this case, as his leadership is being once again challenged, he takes matters into his own hands.  He doesn't say, "Listen, rebels!  Watch what the Lord is going to do for you."  Instead, he says, "Listen, rebels!  Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?"  The difference is profound.  Instead of God getting the credit, Moses and Aaron are taking it.  This was not the mistake of a young person in their first pastoral assignment.  This is an intentional shifting of emphasis by a seasoned man of God -- man who has had many personal encounters with the Lord.  God takes this intentional failure seriously.  We see here that God expects gifted leaders to remember the source of their authority -- to remember that they are stewards of his and are expected to always serve with that in mind.  To do otherwise does have consequences that can mar an otherwise exemplary ministry.

August 4, 2005

Exodus 18: This is no way to go about it.  You’ll burn out…you can’t do this alone.

Moses is overwhelmed by his responsibilities, yet he presses on.  From morning to night he deals with the issues of leadership.  His father-in-law visits and sees what is happening.  Moses needs to get organized.  He needs to surround himself with capable assistants.  That will be best for him, for the people of God, even for the leaders he enlists.  To do otherwise is to invite disaster.  Moses does have a job to do and if he burns himself out trying to do everything he will end up doing nothing.  Moses accepts the word of wisdom from Jethro and surrounds himself with competent, God-fearing, loyal people.  I think we pastors sometimes have a “Moses complex.”  It isn’t entirely our fault.  The “higher-ups” are very pastor focused and our lay people will cheer us right into the grave as we try to do it all.  We are wise to spend some time listening to old Jethro and begin handing some things off to good people.  Now, having said that, we may just have to take on the role of Jethro sometimes, because pastors aren’t the only ones who tend to have a “Moses complex.”

August 8, 2005

Exodus 24: Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it as the people listened.  They said, “Everything God said, we’ll do.  Yes, we’ll obey.”

Things are coming together for this nation of ex-slaves.  Deliverance from Egypt, Divine Leadership and care, and now the Rules for living have been laid out.  Soon, God, Himself, will write out the basics on tablets of stone.  And the people are ready.  They pledge themselves to obedience.  Now, you and I know that this isn’t going to work out.  God’s faithfulness to them will be contrasted by their failure to keep their side of the Covenant. Still, God wasn’t setting them up for a fall.  In this story we have all the potential for success.  Their failure and breaking of the Covenant – that would stop the plan from being a success.  Hundreds of years later God would initiate another plan.  You know it: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son….”  Once again, and in an even more complete way, everything is in place for success.  And, once again God’s part is perfect.  In fact, he has even gone so far as to provide us the grace to make the same commitment they made.  Now, Heaven awaits our response. 

August 9, 2005

Exodus 29: I’ll move in and live with the Israelites.  I’ll be their God.  They’ll realize that I am their God….

Moses is on the mountaintop – both physically and spiritually.  God is giving him all kinds of instructions, all intended to make the people of Israel a unique people on the face of the earth.  The Lord has plans – big plans and he is in the process of setting everything in motion.  It is here that we find this earth shaking promise of God.  “I’ll move in and live…I’ll be their God…They’ll realize that….”  This concept is both humbling and thrilling.  I am humbled to think that God Almighty would take such interest in mere human beings.  At the same time it is such a thrill to consider that he wants to move into my neighborhood and be an active participant in my every day life.  For Moses, it had to do with the Tabernacle and worship there, for me it is all about Jesus coming and then sending his Holy Spirit to “move in and live” in my heart.  “Oh Lord, come on in, you are welcome here.”

August 10, 2005

Exodus 32: And God did think twice.  He decided not to do the evil he had threatened against his people.

While Moses is having his mountaintop experience with God, things are coming apart down in the valley.  Casting off all restraint and breaking all the promises they have made to God, they are having an orgy.  God sees it and has had enough.  He will destroy them (an “evil” thing so far as those being destroyed would be concerned!) and keep his promise to Abraham through Moses.  Even as his ancestor, Abraham, had intervened for the wicked city of Sodom, Moses intercedes for these wicked people.  As a result we find this amazing statement.  God has second thoughts and changes his mind.  To some, this is impossible.  They see God as immutable, unchangeable.  To them, God can do anything – anything, that is, but change.   In this passage we see God allowing Moses into the discussion and letting Moses influence him in this matter.  We know that Scripture says “God never changes” but it is clear that this statement is not about God never changing his mind, but about his unchanging character – his holiness, love, righteousness, grace, and mercy, which never changes.  This “mind changing theology” kind of messes up the comfort we find in putting God in a very narrow category.  At the same time, though, it excites us to realize that God values our opinion that much!

August 11, 2005

Exodus 32: Moses said to Aaron, “What on Earth did these people ever do to you that you involved them in this huge sin?”  Aaron said, “Master, don’t be angry.  You know this people and how set on evil they are.”

While Moses meets with God, Aaron is left in charge.  Finding an idol centered orgy going on, Moses demands an explanation from his brother.  Aaron’s answer is that these people are just bad people and there was nothing he could do.  Now, I see a great opening to talk about the nature of man and sin here, but I think I will take a bit different track.  Aaron is in the leadership position but absolutely fails to lead.  Leadership means having a vision and organizing and persuading people to work toward the fulfillment of that vision.  Aaron’s view of leadership is to help the people do what they want to do.  His excuse to Moses is, “that’s just how these people are.”  He is wrong and thus has fails his people, Moses, and God.  Leadership isn’t wringing our hands as people do the wrong thing and it sure isn’t testing the political winds and “leading” the people to do what they already want to do, right or wrong.  Sometimes leadership is lonely and occasionally it is suicidal.  Aaron should have stood for God’s way, even if it meant that they just ran over him to do what they wanted in the first place.  Moses understands leadership.  He takes a position away from the goings on and calls for those who are on God’s side to join him.  He is going to make things right no matter what the cost.  That’s leadership.

August 13, 2005

Exodus 34: God, God a God of mercy and grace, endlessly patient – so much love, so deeply true – loyal in love for a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.

“Meeting with God number two” is  taking place.  While the people had rebelled, Moses had been on the mountain having an awesome encounter with God.  Seeing that before his people even got started on the path of becoming a people of God that they had very intentionally rebelled against Him, Moses broke the tablets containing the Law that had been placed in his hands.  However, Moses still interceded for them and God graciously afforded them another chance.  In fact, God is willing to reveal himself to Moses in even a more personal way than he had out on the desert in the burning bush or while on Sinai the first time.  It is during this indescribable encounter that the words that arrest our attention today are stated.  Old Moses can hardly contain himself as he proclaims God’s mercy, grace, and patience.  Nope!  This isn’t Moses speaking -- it is God!   So what is going on here?  I think I know – as the Almighty begins to create a people and works specifically with the man He has chosen to lead them, he is giving a lesson in worship to Moses.  And Moses gets it – he falls on his face before God.  Maybe I need some worship lessons too.  I am glad the Lord is a willing Teacher.

August 15, 2005

Exodus 34: He didn’t know that the skin of his face glowed because he had been speaking with God.

Coming into the physical presence of God impacts Moses in a physical way.  His face glows.  I haven’t a clue as to how this worked, but, apparently, it was intentional on God’s part.  However, even if I can’t explain the “how” I do think I may know the “why” of the shining face.  When Moses came down from the mountain the previous time, he found that the people had cast off their faith.  This time, God wants there to be something about Moses that grabs their attention, something that these who are at the kindergarten level of understanding God can grasp.  Therefore, the face of Moses reflects the transcendent holiness of God.  Even that it a bit too much for them, so they ask that Moses wear a veil as he reports to them what God is saying to him on the mountain.  Of course, preachers like me have been drawing from this story to remind people to “let their face show it” across the years.  And I do think God intends this – a look at God’s people should suggest an inner peace, joy, hope, and, yes, holiness.  Like Moses, we spend time in the presence of the Almighty and everything about us will reflect that.

August 17, 2005

Exodus 35: Then they came back, every one whose heart was roused, whose spirit was freely responsive, bringing offerings to God for building the Tent of Meeting.

God has given Moses plans, and Moses has passed them on to the people.  A place of worship is to be constructed.  It will be portable, but in spite of its portability it will be an elaborate structure, a place reflective of the God they worship.  When Moses told them what God required, it sparked excitement in the congregation.  Now, without any pressure, the people freely give that the Tent of Meeting can be constructed according to God’s plans.  My attention is drawn to those “roused hearts.”  Enthusiasm is a powerful emotion.  It stirs me to action and makes me willing to gladly make sacrifices.  I want to have a “heart that is roused” when it comes to my relationship with God and his Church. There are many things that demand my attention, and my support.  Those things may be worthy or they may not be worthy.  But doing God’s work is always worth the effort.  Stir my heart, O God, that I might be “roused” to enthusiastic, sacrificial service of You.

August 18, 2005

Exodus 35: He’s filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and know-how for making all sorts of things.

Dear old Bazalel, what a man of God he was.  He could preach some of the finest sermons, was a true prophet of God.  Uh…you say he wasn’t a preacher?  Well, then…what a singer and musician, so much talent.  What?  He couldn’t sing a lick?  Well, if he was filled with the Spirit and a great blessing to the people of God, what did he do?  You know the answer.  This Spirit-filled man of God made things.  He was the one God was to use in the construction of the Tent of Meeting and it’s furnishings.  Why are we so spiritual about gifted teachers, preachers, singers, and musicians and so unspiritual when it comes to gifted craftsmen?  Thank God for those piano players and singers…but when the plumbing is in need of repair give me a Spirit-filled plumber (not that there aren’t some singing plumbers out there).  This is a good reminder to not only acknowledge the contributions of those who come to church work days, but to recognize that their gifts and abilities are just as God given as are the pastor’s.   And, to remember that those gifts include, not only artists who can do uplifting works of art, but carpenters, air conditioning people, and plumbers who are gifted by God to do his work too.  In fact, we could sometimes use a few less “up front” folks and a few more “Bazalels” in the church!

August 19, 2005

Exodus 36: The people were ordered to stop bringing offerings!

The Tent of Meeting is being constructed.  This is no simple circus big top!  The best of everything is going into the mobile worship center and the people are bringing items needed for its construction.  In their excitement they bring gold, silver, bronze, and fine fabrics.  And they just keep on bringing these items.  Finally, the craftsmen go to Moses with a problem.   They have too much stuff!  Moses’ solution is to tell them to stop.  I can smile at the story because such an order is rare or maybe even non-existent in the Church today.   However, there are a couple of things to consider.  First, the goal of the Church is not to rake in all that it can.  Bigger, more expensive, more impressive isn’t necessarily a worthy goal.  Second, God’s people are wonderfully generous when they know God is behind something.  In my years of ministry I have seen this many times.   God is good – and so are his people. 

August 20, 2005

Exodus 39: Moses saw that they had done all the work and done it exactly as God had commanded.  Moses blessed them.

God gave the blueprint, Moses passed it on to Bazalel and company, and the people brought the materials.  Everything from the frame of the Tent of Meeting to the Ark of the Covenant to the clothing of those who would serve has been crafted precisely to God’s design.  Moses inspects the work and sees that it has been done well.  Then he blesses them.  Sometimes, the job of the leader is to point people in the right direction and then get out of the way while they do what they are gifted to do.  However, the leader’s job isn’t over at that point, in fact, that is just one of a pair of “leadership bookends.”  The other bookend is found in Moses blessing the workers at the end of their task.  Leaders are to lead in appreciation as well as vision.  As a pastor, I often point people in the right direction, whether they are singers or electricians.  Both are doing things that are beyond my capability and I certainly can’t micromanage their efforts.  However, once the job is done, it is my job to be the “lead appreciator” (that’s my made up word for the day) of the church.   Every leader needs to be an expert in showing appreciation for the efforts of those we lead.

August 23, 2005

Exodus 40: …the Glory of God filled The Dwelling.  Moses couldn’t enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud was upon it, and the Glory of God filled The Dwelling.

As Moses finished the work God had given him to do, God moved in.  Moses, through the God-given skills of the faithful workmen did what he could do.  Moses led the project, the people funded it, and gifted men acted in obedience preparing this place of worship.  At that point they had done all that they could do, and the result was an impressive, lavish, and portable Worship Tent.  Of course, that would not be enough.  Unless something else happened, all they had was a fancy museum.  Then God moved in.  He filled the place with his glory – with himself.  Now they really had a place to worship.  A couple of things come to mind here.  First, we do all we can do but it is never enough until God moves.  The best singing and preaching, the finest facility, the “best laid plans of mice and men” fall short without God.  Second, we see an example of prevenient grace here.  God not only graciously moved in, doing the “divine side” of this effort, but it was God who gave Moses the plans in the first place, enabling them to do the “human side” of this project.  It was God who gifted the workmen.  It was even God who worked things out so that the Egyptians had given this nation of slaves the very items needed for the building of the Tent of Meeting before they ever left Egypt.  Here is a picture of God working on both sides of the issue.  As always, in him we find grace, grace.