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A Better Way

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Exodus 21:1 - 22:31

Most of these laws have to do with daily living in the community, and were reflected in other cultures of the time. Some of them make perfect sense to us and others baffle us because the culture is just too far removed from our own realm of life.

The concept of slavery was somewhat different than what we are used to hearing about, although in other nations the treatment of slaves could be far more harsh. In Babylon around the same time, for instance, laws concerning slaves said nothing about taking care of the slave, but dealt only with protecting the master's financial investment. The admonishment in 21:16 demonstrates that our definition of slavery wasn't under consideration in the laws regarding the practice among the Hebrews. In 21:7, for instance, the release of a woman slave with no support could have been disastrous for her since in her culture she would have had no means of support.

In 21:21 some translations can be read to mean that the slave dies in a day or two, but should read that after a day or two the slave recovers. Likewise In 21:22 some translations use the word "miscarriage", but it should be noted that the Hebrew word used indicates that the law refers to a situation in which the child was born and survived.

In 22:1 the punishment for stealing an ox or sheep is five for one. In the old Babylonian law code of Hammurabi, restitution was as high as thirty for one, since one's livelihood depended upon livestock, especially the oxen. The condemnation of sorcery in 22:18 was not unique to the Hebrews. The Babylonians, Hittites, and Assyrians demanded the same retribution.

The kind of law code that we find in these chapters was not unique to the Hebrews, but the basis of the code was. These codes were given by God and the emphasis on both justice and mercy reflects His love. As harsh as some of these edicts appear to us in the twenty-first century, they were very moderate compared to man's treatment of man in the surrounding cultures.

Next Time: An Involved Life

On the Mountain

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Exodus 19:1 - 20:26

The instructions and warnings to the people awaiting God's presence may seem harsh. We are accustomed to knowing God's Son as our Lord and as our Friend. We don't think of God as someone to fear. In Moses' time God was teaching His newly formed nation to trust Him, obey Him, and understand His power. He was teaching them to hold Him in awe. God is not just a friend and Lord; He is the all-powerful ruler of the universe. His people needed to understand this.

In 19:6 God said His people would be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." In a non-religious context the word for "priest" indicated one of the king's closest representatives, available to his command at all times. The word for "holy" might be translated "different". God is different from anything else we experience; His goodness and mercy are unique. The Ten Commandments would help God's people understand how to be His priests and His holy nation.

The Commandments were meant as guidelines to a new way of life. Jesus summarized them in Matthew 22:36-40. Asked which of the commandments was the greatest, He replied, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" and He added "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." A simple statement, but what commandment could be broken if one lives by these two directives?

By living according to God's guidelines His people could demonstrate His reality to the nations. All could hear that there was only one God, and by the actions of His people they could know a better way to live. God's people, however, began to use the commandments as tools for salvation. As we travel through the Old Testament, we'll see how they came to believe that if they could obey every word perfectly, then God would have to save them. By the time of Jesus, they had even added hundreds of laws in order to further define the commandments. They concentrated on themselves, forgetting that the King's representatives were to live by His words and take His message to the world.

Next time: A Better Way

    

Getting Organized

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Exodus 18:13 – 27

After a time of celebration and worship, Jethro sat Moses down to talk. He recognized that Moses was overloaded by responsibilities, a condition many of us still find ourselves in today.

Moses' primary responsibility was to be the spiritual leader of the people, but he had also taken on the job of judging in all secular matters as well, such as, "Who does this lamb really belong to?"; "My mother needs a donkey to ride on during the daily journey", or "Why does my family have to eat dust at the rear of the group every day?" How could Moses have been accomplishing his primary task with so many other questions taking up his time?

Jethro stepped in, assessed the situation and said, "Delegate!" We can admire Moses' attitude in this matter. It would have been easy for him to snap back at Jethro, accusing him of not understanding the situation, but Moses was wise enough to recognize a good idea when he heard it. He realized that Jethro, the outsider, could see things that Moses was missing. By listening to his father-in-law he was able to get back to his first duty and first love, sharing God's instructions with the people and serving as leader of the whole nation. After accomplishing this last task, Jethro left the group and headed home.

Sometimes an objective observer can best advise us in our own busy lives too. Sometimes we get mired down, trying to do too many things for too many people, forgetting that we aren't the only ones in the business, family, church, or city that can get things done "right". Perhaps our impatience has a lot to do with our workload. How many times have you heard the phrase, "I can do it quicker myself", or "If I want it done right, I have to do it myself." Maybe God will send a Jethro into my life or your life to remind us that there are limits to what we need to be doing—even in 2007.

Next time: On the Mountain

    

With Whom Do We Quarrel?

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Exodus 17:1-18:12

And then they moaned and groaned because there was no water. Moses tells God that the situation is so bad that he fears for his life (vs.4). Although it is easy to criticize these people as being stubborn beyond belief, do we sometimes do similar things? Do we ignore God's provision at some times, while arrogantly expecting it at others? Does our prayer life always reflect a desire to know His will and follow it, or is our prayer life only diligent when we want God to do something for us? After God provided water for the people through yet another miracle, Moses named the place Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarrelling).

Chapter 17 introduces an important Old Testament leader, Joshua (vs.9). He became the military leader of Israel, although God still made it clear that He was in charge of the victory over the Amalekites by placing Moses above the battle with his staff raised up. Jewish tradition says that Hur, the man who held up Moses' arm throughout the battle, was Miriam's husband. About a year later the Amalekites, along with the Canaanites, again fought Israel in order to keep God's people out of the Promised Land, but that story is recorded in the book of Numbers.

Now, in Chapter 18, we find that Moses had sent Zipporah and his children back to Midian before reaching Egypt. The news about God's great deliverance and victory over the Egyptians has spread throughout the region, and Jethro comes to Moses along with his daughter and grandchildren. (One can only imagine how the news of mighty Egypt's defeat spread along every caravan with every traveler.) Moses welcomed his father-in-law with respect and reunited with his family in joy. They undoubtedly spent hours around the fires of the evening, sharing the stories of Egypt and stories of the family's days in Midian.

Verse 11 is a good example of how these ancient people thought of God. Jethro cites his belief that God is the greatest of the gods. This pervasive belief among ancient peoples will cause no end of trouble for the Israelites.

Next time: How To Get Organized

 

 

 

    

    

Praise and Grumbling

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Exodus 15:1-16:21

The Song of Moses and the Song of Miriam in this chapter tell the story of the destruction of Pharaoh's army and also sing praise to God for His underserved love and rescue. Moses' words certainly indicate that a great sea destroyed the pursuing army. A literal translation of verse 10, for instance, would be "they gurgled down" instead of "they sank".

Moses and his brother Aaron had been God's human tools in the departure from Egypt. Miriam, their sister, also appears to have been respected as a prophetess and led the people in a dance of victory and praise. Then the multitude headed out into the wilderness.

And the grumbling began again! There are Bible commentators who believe that the God of the Old Testament was not a loving God. They must not be reading the Old Testament very carefully. How many of us would put up with a people that would praise us one day and then, only three days later, grumble against us—over and over again? Yet God's love for them did continue in spite of their constant sin and misunderstanding of Him. He never withdrew His plan for sending His own Son to rescue this people.

As to their complaint about the bitter water (vs.25), God answered their need through Moses, but also added a directive (vs.26) which basically said, "You have to follow Me and do what I say in order to live as My people." They were not only to listen when God spoke; they were to put His words into action in their lives.

Two and a half months after the departure from Egypt, the people are again grumbling about the wonderful pots of bread and meat that they had left in Egypt (16:3).So God provided both meat and "manna" or "what is it?" Still, many could not bring themselves to really trust God and tried to save the manna "just in case." It rotted. (vs.19-20)

In Chapter 16 the Sabbath is introduced to the people. On this day each week they would rest and worship. Again, some obey God's instructions and some do not (vs.27-28). Though they had no idea at the time, it would be forty years before their need for manna would end.

Next time: With Whom Do We Quarrel?

Note Please: Dei Break will be on Thanksgiving break until next Tuesday, November 27. Have a great and God-filled holiday!

Pharaoh Strikes

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Exodus 14:1 – 31

After the Hebrews departed, Pharaoh's hardened heart overcame his commonsense. He wanted to kill the one he considered responsible for the disasters in Egypt. He probably also realized that he had just sent away the nation's primary source of heavy-duty labor.

All the chariots of Egypt were called out to battle the Hebrews. These chariots, broadly used by the Egyptian army, were each pulled by two horses and carried a driver and a warrior. What concerns were in the minds of these men as they heard the order to pursue the one who had just brought their country to its knees through supernatural events?

God's people reacted to Pharaoh's pursuit by turning on Moses and whining that they wished they were back in Egypt. How could they have just witnessed the miracles done by God and still melt in the face of an already defeated enemy?

Maybe the reaction of the Hebrews isn't so unbelievable. Acknowledging God's existence and His power isn't the same as trusting in Him. The Hebrews knew that God had rescued them and that He could do so again—but would He?

Is that part of the reason that we are often afraid when faced with difficulties and disasters? We know that God has said that He will be with us and protect us in all circumstances, but will He really? We know we don't deserve it. Fortunately, God's mercy is not dependant on our merit; it is dependant only on Christ's death for us on the cross. He wants us to be at peace; He wants us to trust in His love and care.

Was the parting of the Red Sea real? That no record of the disaster has been found in Egypt is not surprising—ancient kings didn't record their defeats. That was left to their enemies. Some scholars doubt the magnitude of the event, saying that the Hebrews crossed the sea at a shallow spot, made shallower by the wind (a common occurrence in the area). The problem with this theory is simply stated--how did Pharaoh's army drown in a few inches of water?

Next Time: Praise and Grumbling

A Long Journey Begins

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Exodus 13:1 – 22

Six hundred thousand Hebrews and many Egyptians (actually closer to two million, since only the men had been counted) had left Egypt. Pharaoh was devastated at the loss of his son. Who was this man? Since Moses did not name the pharaoh involved, there are several opinions as to exactly when the Exodus took place and who the pharaoh was. Conservative scholars think that it was not Rameses the Great, but a man named Amenhotep II. An interesting theory since we know that his first born son did not succeed him as pharaoh.

As the people journeyed away from their slavery God did not lead them by the most direct route back to Canaan (vs.17). That would have meant crossing the heavily guarded eastern borders of Egypt. Instead they turned south and even a little back west and ended up at the shore of some part of the Red Sea. Throughout the whole journey back to the Promised Land they would carry the bones of Joseph (vs.19).

God guided the people, and stayed with them, in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night reassuring them of His presence. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a pillar of cloud or fire traveling with us through our daily tasks as a reminder of God's love and presence? Actually we have an even more positive reminder of God's presence in our lives. We have the Cross. Unlike the Hebrews who were just beginning to learn about God and what He would mean in their lives, we look back on over three thousand additional years of history. We have already read the first promise of Messiah's coming in Genesis 3:15 and we will read more about His coming as we come to the books of the prophets. We know that Jesus came in fulfillment of God's promise. We know, by his own word, that Jesus has shown us the Father, and that He will never leave us. We have the witness of the Resurrection—God's assurance to us that everything that Jesus said was and is true. He is with us; He has guaranteed our eternal life with Him. We can know that the Pillar and the Cloud are constantly with us.

Next time: Pharaoh Strikes

A Final Disaster

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Exodus 11:1 - 12:51

Pharaoh spent weeks playing a very dangerous game against Moses and against God. His heart was truly beyond the reach of reason. Every time the pressure lessened, Pharaoh's arrogance reappeared. He never changed his mind about the Hebrews—his acquiescence only appeared because One with greater power was forcing him to his knees. Even his closest advisors wondered at his obstinacy, pursued at the expense of the entire nation.

Chapter 11 tells of God's communication with Moses concerning the coming plague of death. Moses was apparently telling God's word to Pharaoh before his final departure from the king described in 10:8.

The first Passover was "celebrated" in fear and wonder as death passed through Egypt. The feast became an annual remembrance of what God's power and mercy had accomplished that tragic night (12:24). When a Hebrew placed the blood of an unblemished lamb on the door frame of his house in Egypt (12:22), it demonstrated to him that it takes death to abolish death. Generations later at the Feast of Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus would be the final blood sacrifice. He would be the ultimate unblemished Lamb to die in behalf of mankind. At the first Passover, God was already preparing His people to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and to understand His message.

The Egyptians respected Moses and His God and when the Hebrews requested the things needed for the coming journey, they complied (vs.36). In fact, "many other people" (12:38) joined the exodus from Egypt. Some of these were Egyptians who chose to follow this new and powerful God. We practice a faith that emphasizes the love of God and the mercy of God, but in ancient Egypt God used His power of judgment to bring people who neither felt need nor recognized their sin into a realization of their true plight. The Egyptians "had it all" and believed that they could not fail. God's devastating miracles in their midst were acts intended to both assure His people of His love and mercy toward them, and also to draw many Egyptians into understanding that only He was God.

A Long Journey Begins

Down the Path to Destruction

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Exodus 8:1 - 10:29

Pharaoh's continued to do battle with Moses (8:15 for instance) rather than obey God, demonstrating that the "hardening" of his heart wasn't the only power at work in the man's life. He only bowed to God under severe pressure, and as soon as that pressure was eased, he again began sparring with Moses, and with God.

After the Nile returned to normal, the plague of frogs followed (8:3), at times also objects of worship. Third came the curse of gnats (vs.16) out of the fertile soil so precious in Egypt. Next came the bites of the Egyptian dog flies (vs.24). Then Egypt's livestock was struck down by disease, but the livestock of the Hebrews was spared. Next came boils (9:9), and hail (vs.23),

Although there was no widespread rebellion against Pharaoh, his officials began pleading with him to do as God demanded (10:7). The plagues had devastated Egypt's agriculture, and her people were in shock for another reason as well. They were being dominated at a time in their history when Egypt enjoyed great power, wealth, and respect among her neighbors. Mighty Egypt and her gods had been brought down by the God of slaves.

Locusts came and covered the land (vs.13). Even in modern times vast swarms of locusts have invaded Egypt. National Geographic published pictures of a locust plague in the early 1900's, and the devastation they left behind. Locust swarms can number over a hundred million per square mile and have been known to cover 400 square miles. One locust plague in the 1920s and 30s lasted fourteen years as it made its way across Africa. Peasants in ancient Egypt prayed to a locust god in hope of avoiding crop devastation by the creatures. Yet the Bible says that the locust plague brought by God was worse than any other that is recorded.

Even a plague of darkness (10:21) arrived to strike at Ra the Sun god, a chief deity of the nation. What else could happen to the people of Egypt?

Next Time: A Final Disaster

Pharaoh Runs Toward Tragedy

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Exodus 7:1 – 25

Did God "harden" Pharaoh's heart? In the book of Romans, Paul says that God will eventually turn a defiantly rebellious man over to his own hardened heart. Pharaoh refused to acknowledge God to the point that he was turned over to that spirit of disobedience forever. Was he forced to deny God by God? No. Pharaoh chose his own path and God confirmed it.

God chose each plague upon Egypt for a purpose—t o demonstrate His superiority over all of Egypt's gods. The plagues would show that the mighty Pharaoh, his many and educated priests and all the gods of the Egyptians, were powerless against the God of the Hebrews. The magicians could mimic some of the plagues of God, but they could not reverse them! In trying to prove that their power equaled that of Moses they merely made things worse.

The Nile was the sacred river. The Egyptians even had a hymn that sang of the life-giving power of the waters. Agriculture, herding, and fishing would all be impossible without it. There was even a goddess thought to protect some of the species of fish. Those things which came as gifts of the fertile Nile were suddenly cursed.

When Pharaoh approached the Nile in the morning of the first plague (vs.15), it was probably not only to see the beauty of the Nile or to check its flow, but also to offer worship to the river. It was called the vein of Osiris (god of the underworld). God turned Osiris' "vein" into literal blood. Ordinarily when the river turned a reddish hue, it was a sign that the water was coming into a season of good drinkability, but this time all life in the river died. The crocodiles, symbols of another god, were forced from the Nile for survival.

However, after the magicians duplicated this plague, Pharaoh turned from Moses and Aaron and stalked into his house (vs.23). How did the magicians duplicate the signs sent by God? Was it trickery? Did Satan empower them to do this in order to retain Pharaoh in his fist, or to try to thwart God's plan?

(For a great read on the book of Exodus, try Moses and the Gods of Egypt by John J. Davis)

Next Time: Down the Path to Destruction