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Read Exodus 24-26
Exodus 25:8 Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. PROMISES – the Bible is full of God’s promises. Other names for promises are covenants and testaments. Here God promised a very special covenant to his people in the desert: “I will dwell among them.” This promise, of course, is the essential testament of God that forms the entire Bible. To be saved in faith today means God has birthed us anew, and we will dwell with him forever. Jesus said it this way in John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Consider how Israel’s lives changed from dwelling in Egypt’s slavery to live with God! Then we can wonder at our own lives transformed into an eternal fellowship with our heavenly Father. Do you grasp the promise? God came into his broken world to say, “I will take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Yes, it’s true. The God, who has created the vast and impenetrable universe, promised long ago he would dwell among his people! And, yes, there is something we must do to be with God. In the Exodus journey, the Hebrews were to specifically prepare a tabernacle (dwelling place) for God to meet with them. The LORD God’s specific instructions reflect his holiness. When God commands, he empowers. So, he gifted certain people to complete his construction directions. Today, we are to prepare our hearts for his presence. Thankfully, God the Father has sent the Son and the Spirit to enable us to love and live as the Father requires. Know then God’s entire Bible is his love story to tell you, “I want to be where you are.” Understand the pan’s progression to very personally go from the Exodus desert to the cross and into your heart. The Father comes. The Son comes. The Spirit comes. And now it is time for you to come to the God who desires to dwell with you. It’s True: “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” In God’s plan, you always know who you are. Read Exodus 21-23
Exodus 22:22-24 You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. 23 If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. 24 My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless. WIDOWS and orphans in the Hebrew and other ancient cultures were very vulnerable. A widow was without means to live. If she had no son, she had to rely on family or friends to support her. Many did not. Orphans were outcasts, vulnerable to others’ abuse. Widows and orphans could legitimately be rejected in many cultures and literally left to die. But our creator God gave life to those without hope. God seems to have a special heart for widows and orphans. Throughout Scripture God pays special attention to them. The book of Ruth is about God bringing hope and new life to two widows, one of whom, Ruth, is a foreigner. She marries into the lineage of Jesus’ human birth and becomes David’s great-grandmother. In these laws from today’s reading, you see God caring for women in many ways. As one who follows God, the direction is clear: care for those in need. God hates those who take advantage of the broken and lost. His passion is that people experience blessing. God calls on those who have material goods to share them with those who have legitimate needs. He commands those who have authority to protect the weak and vulnerable. Is there someone you know who needs special care today? Trust your heart to know God is speaking to you. Care for those God cares for and please your God. Pause and Consider: God’s loving heart Read Exodus 18-20
Exodus 18:12-14 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God. 13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you?” SOMETIMES our tasks in life are overwhelming. We’ve all Experienced this. Suddenly, there is too much to do and too little time complete the tasks. We become worn down and worn out, resenting the tasks God has laid before us. “Where is the rest?” But take heart. This scripture helps us know we can make some decisions about our responsibilities and work habits. God has ways to help you with the work he gives you. In this story from so long ago, we see how Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, helped Moses assess and fulfill his responsibilities and still have rest. Moses was overwhelmed with dozens, even hundreds of people coming to him daily to decide on their issues. There was far too much for one man to do in a community of 1 million people! So Jethro gave Moses a plan. As I hope you’ve read the entire passage, you’ll see how Moses’ received the advice and his work greatly diminished. He was then able to focus on his primary role: Exodus 18:19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. Moses was not appointed to decide daily matters. His role was to be Israel’s pastor to lead them toward God spiritually and physically. He had become too busy to do this good work. Following Jethro’s advice, Moses gained the time to be the leader God appointed him to be. If you are overwhelmed with tasks, seek help. Consider what is most vital to your role in God’s service. God doesn’t want you to wear down. His will is to empower you to effective work. He gave you gifts to work, and he gave you time to rest. Get some rest and enjoy your work. Trust God to send you good help. Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” |
AuthorBob James Archives
November 2024
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