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“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.”  Exodus 23:4-5 (Chapters 21-24)

As for how we are to treat each others and honor God, ten straightforward foundations were given, but then God continued with judgements, statutes and civil law. These rest on God’s authority, not an earthly king. Human life and dignity is prioritized, because God cares! And He expects us to also!

The division of church and state is a basic principle of life today, but for this covenant nation, God was the Only State and He orchestrated life to balance in harmony regarding all things morally, religiously and legally. One Law, One God, for the protection and provision for everyone. Sadly, this is a distant, fictional utopia, except………………Those who are alive in Christ honor what God honors and love who God loves. Then, peace permeates life.

Love,

Gretchen

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Exodus 20:20 (Chapter 20)

Moses led the people to Mt. Sinai. A year earlier he was keeping his flocks when he saw a burning bush, stepped on Holy ground and heard God’s call. On this day, Moses climbs the familiar mountain to meet face to face with his faithful God and receive the laws that will create a Holy nation, who’s design is to bless the entire world.

In the beginning God spoke life into being. Now, He speaks the words for living. The elemental foundation of ethical norms for all people, of all ages, begins in the first Ten Commandments. God’s concern for the whole of life is evident in His standards for family and community relationships. Human life, sex, property, speech and thought are all addressed.

As our Maker, God knows us best and knows what’s best. Reverence for His Holiness is the basic principle of how we approach Him. Jesus said, “Hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9) And later He summarizes all of God’s law into two things; love God and love one another. When we are busy loving like Jesus loves, we won’t have time to sin. God made it that easy!

Have a Great Weekend Eve,

Gretchen

Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. Exodus 18:20 (Chapter 18)

God Bless Moses’ father-in-law. If there is a story in the Bible that seems real today it is this. Mrs. Moses saw her husband drowning in a workload he couldn’t gain an upper hand on. She went home to dad and just happened to mention it. Wise ole’ papa came to the rescue with some very sound advice. 

When Jethro arrived at the seen of the Great Exodus, it was evident that God’s power and glory were at work and he appropriately led praise to the One True God. He also recognized this leadership role put an incredible strain on Moses. As a person of government himself, he did not bring criticism, only years of experience and a suggestion for efficiency.

Serving as everything to everyone, corporate leader to a massive population moving between homes, was daunting.  IN ADDITION, this enormous group squabbled constantly. They couldn’t live in community with each other either. So Moses found himself serving as judge and intermediary on top of everything else. This is not a reflection of Moses’ inability, it was more than any one man could do! So Jethro advises; teach them the laws and hold them accountable, then chose men of integrity to administrate and judge. Delegate and teach.

The simple truth is, God DOES NOT ask any one to do more than they are capable of. He qualifies the called and provides time, wisdom, energy and manpower to succeed. He also doesn’t ask you to do for someone, what they are perfectly capable of doing themselves. (Yes I said that, read it again!) Beyond these limits it is important to distinguish between man’s demands and God’s. One is time well spent, the other………..

Love,

Gretchen

When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that his hands remained steady till sunset.  Exodus 17:12 (Chapter 17)

Same song, second verse…….The Israelites came to a place in the desert where there were no wells or oasis. Sooooooo, they assumed God had left them to die and expressed their rotten attitudes to Moses, who then went to God and received instructions on providing water. Spoiler! They all survived, because God is persevering in patience and love.

A nomadic tribe from Esau called the Amelekites attacked Israel, possibly to keep the new water fountain for themselves. Joshua, Moses’ successor, leads a force to defend Israel. However, all victory belongs to the Lord, for this young nation has no army or defense other than their God. Moses is instructed to lift his staff, the one that turned the Nile into blood and the same that drew water from the rock. While the battle raged, Moses arms grew weary, so Aaron and Her stepped in to take his burden as their own. The Amelekites were not only defeated on this day, but they were wiped completely off the face of the earth.

What would have been the fate of Israel if Moses had been left to lead, praise, pray and lift his arms all on his own? Do you need help holding your arms up through the battle? It is not weakness to grow weary. God will provide. Are you God’s provision for someone else? Is it your time to hold the arms until foes are conquered? Will victory depend on your commitment to the cause? 

Have a Great Wednesday,

Gretchen

“And in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because He has heard your grumbling against Him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?”  Exodus 16:7 (chapter 16)

I hope you will read all of Exodus, chapter 16, because the verse I have chosen seems odd, but it makes a great point for each of us to remember on our journey of victory in salvation.

God has brought the Hebrew children into the desert that lies between Egypt and their homeland.  They are now a new creation, the chosen people. That’s pretty awesome! God does not guide them on the shortest or most convenient route along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea or even straight across the peninsula. They would be waylaid by bandits and established cultures would draw them away from their purpose.  By the time their traveling is over, all that will be remembered is, “God alone is a faithful protector and provider.” They will be a Theocracy and God will be their government. 

It only took one month for the victors to become discontent and mutinous. The food and water they carried with them depleted and they didn’t see hope for any more. In fear they grew anxious and angry, then judged and blamed their leaders. Slavery was considered a positive against the struggles of their freedom.

In the verse above, notice the people grumble at Moses and Aaron, but Moses, Aaron and God know it was not a nutrition crisis, but a faith issue. This lack of trust lead to disobedience/sin and God addressed it.

There are no sins except those against God, first and foremost. Only He can judge justly and He will. Moses was called to lead, not replace God, so He let God be God. This is not an easy task when we as humans take criticisms personally or are deeply harmed or hurt by the behaviors of others. Release your pain and heartache to God’s loving authority. It will free you to live in peace, and strength will replace your anguish.

Love,

Gretchen

When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Exodus 15:19 (Chapter 15)

God has proven faithful. All that He has said, He has done in a big way! It is occasion for praise, which is given in song by both Moses, the leader, and Mariam, his sister. The Hebrew slaves are now the nation of Israel, trekking toward their Promised Land. God set the precedent: They will be His people and He will be their God.

Moses continues with praise for the assurance of future success. He knows beyond doubt that God will continue to provide and guide. Alone in this faith, it is up to him to keep the thousands dependent on him, focused and encouraged through times of trial, confusion and threat.

Struggle and fear quickly drive this newly freed nation to fall into mutiny against their leader and His God. This journey is not just across a dessert, but the reshaping into a people who rely on God for absolutely everything!

When the pressures of this life threaten your faith and resolve, do not assassinate the character of your Creator, Redeemer and Promise Keeper.  Remember the things He has done, and celebrate that which He has promised to do.

Love,

Gretchen

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU; YOU NEED ONLY BE STILL.” Exodus 14:13 (Chapters 13-14)

Pharaoh has allowed the Hebrew children to leave. With them go the bones of Joseph, who made the Israelites swear on oath to return him to the land of his fathers. Suddenly, all of Egypt has to ‘brew their own coffee’ for the first time in generations, and Pharaoh wonders what he was thinking. He amasses his army to bring his slave force back.

On the journey home to Canaan, God made His presence known to the Hebrew children as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, yet they became terrified upon realizing they were followed. Feeling betrayed by Moses they cried out to the Lord. In response Moses delivers the Lord’s message, chapter 14:13. Also, read verse 20 and absorb that God gave light to His children and brought darkness to the threat. What a wonderful God He is. Before another day passed, Pharaoh would cease to threaten Israel again, and upon witnessing this mighty act of God on their behalf, all of Egypt feared the Lord and put their trust in Him.

God’s opposition exists in darkness, a state that makes victory impossible against those that walk with the guidance of Light. When it looks like your faith has become a mockery, hang in there. God is working to make you Holy, and that includes becoming fully reliant on and trusting in Him alone.

His Alone,

Gretchen

Because the Lord kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the Lord for the generations to come. Exodus 12:42 (Chapter 12)

One of the most important nights in the history of mankind is happening. A nation is being born and The Lord is going to judge all of Egypt’s gods (vs. 12). EVERYONE will know that God alone is all powerful and has full authority over all creation when The blood of sacrifice on the doors of the Israelites protects them from death and brings them freedom. This is momentous! It must not be forgotten! So God declares that for generations to come, Israel will celebrate this event and remember.

God doesn’t need our worship, but He demands it. Why? Is He petty? NO! It is for our spiritual well being. God, as our creator, knows that we must always be mindful that He alone saves and delivers us from bondage.

Passover is to be revered. Only Israelites, or foreigners that have been circumcised, may take part in this celebration centered around family.  It is NOT to be blended with other secular activities, it will remain Holy. 

I like a great holiday as much as the next person, but there are things about the One, True, Holy God that need to be set apart from things of casual, secular life. It is for the health of our souls that we take designated, undistracted and uninterrupted time to worship and remember all that God is and has done. He is worthy of our praise.

Love,

Gretchen

Now, the LORD had said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely. Exodus 11:1 (Chapter 11)

The Egyptian citizenry was ready to conceded defeat and consider the Hebrew people as equal to themselves, thus having the right to worship and celebrate their remembrances where, when and to whom they wished.  Pharaoh has much more to lose, his free work force and unquestioned authority just to name a few. So, God brings this man, that mistakes himself for a god, to the most humble state of being…..the death……of his child….his heir…..and he nor his magicians could stop it. Every Egyptian, every servant to the king, even every cow (who were worshiped as gods themselves) lost their eldest son.

Death respects nothing and no one.  All other plagues might be accounted to some phenomenon of nature, but not this! The Hebrew children are waiting in peace as all Egypt mourned the most horrible tragedy imaginable, the eternal loss of their children.  Now Pharaoh will consent, and LET THEM GO!

It is hard to turn loose of our own authority, but God must be the only God. He will not share His Throne with your ideals, entitlements, expectations, prejudices or demands.  God is good. Trust, obey, follow and let Him be the boss.

Love,

Gretchen

God also said to Moses, “I am the LORD.” Exodus 6:2 (Chapters 5-10)

God said that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart.  This is not an attempt on God’s part to violate His own gift of free will. He was letting Moses know He was not going to interfere in the heart of carnal man. Pharaoh was not going to give up his own autonomy or his free labor without a fight. Pharaohs were considered gods/intermediaries themselves, so to be threatened by another ‘god’ was a fight he absolutely couldn’t lose if he was to remain a ruler.

The plagues were designed to give proof of the power of God over the gods of Egypt. The Hebrews must know their God was the One True,  All Powerful God and become a nation based on this faith alone. For 400 years they had been aliens in this foreign land and they needed their ‘faith focus’ reset. Over the next six months to a year, they renewed the knowledge of a God that protects, keeps His promises and delivers them from bondage.

The plagues were very methodical and purposeful. First, the Nile, the heart of Egyptian economy and worship, turned to blood. Fish died and frogs were driven from its waters into the homes of Egyptians. The Israelites were spared the discomfort. Gnats and flies were drawn to the carcasses of rotting fish and frogs, disease struck cattle and humans were struck with skin infections. Hail and thunderstorms ruined the flax and barley crops, another economic disaster, but again, the Hebrews were spared. Following the storms, swarms of locust robbed the land of everything left that was green, and again the Hebrew children’s crops were not touched. Lastly, the sun god Ru, was irrefutably conquered when ‘he’ was blotted out of the sky for three days.

God demonstrated His absolute authority and trustworthiness. When He was finished, there was no doubt who was God and who was not.

Have a great Wednesday,

Gretchen