August 19, 2023

After being elated watching God work in their favor, the Israelites traveled three days into the desert. They came upon some water; they were thirsty, but it wasn’t drinkable. They began to complain, and once again, Moses reached out to God for help. God instructed Moses to put a limb from a certain kind of tree in the water, and instantly the water became potable. Even though the tree cleared the water, it seemed like a miracle; in reality, God’s instructions were the remedy for this situation. Afterward, God led them to a place with abundant water and trees for shade. The bitter water was all a part of their training to be self-sufficient. 

“God showed him the tree. God is to be acknowledged, not only in the creating of things useful for man, but in discovering their usefulness.” The Matthew Henry Commentary

As a modern society, we have become too used to running to the store or the doctor to get the things we need and have long left the teachings of wholesome living behind. God has instructed many of us to begin researching remedies for our ailments from the plants growing around us. I was fascinated to learn that many of the weeds growing in my yard, and even some of the trees I’ve planted, have medicinal purposes. It may be beneficial to learn about their uses in case the medical industry is demolished because of some of the things they’ve done recently. We may not always have the internet as a source and should brush up on the things of old.

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2

And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, Exodus 15:25

August 18, 2023

When God gives you victory over your enemy, or you endure a hard time just as Israel experienced through their slavery in Egypt, raise your voice, sing, and dance before the Lord. Glorify him and show your appreciation because you wouldn’t have made it without him. The Israelites had a party on the shore after the waters of the Red Sea swept away the Egyptians; they knew where their help came from. 

Don’t just pray and forget what you asked God for. If you can’t remember your requests, write them down; start a prayer journal, so when you get your answer or receive a victory, you can praise God for his faithfulness. Don’t forget to do this! It’s an essential part of our relationship with him. Imagine if someone did something good for you and you forgot to thank them; do you think they will help you again? Maybe, but it’s unlikely. God expects praise just as people do. Sing a song, dance, and shout; it’s biblical!

And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Exodus 15:20

August 17, 2023

We've all been there, in a position that looked impossible, a dead end where turning back would lead to certain destruction. You followed God's lead, but the enemy was closing in, and it seemed all hope was lost. Imagine being the children of Israel following Moses, and instead of taking the shortcut around the Red Sea, God sent them right to its edge. What now? When they left Egypt, God gave them a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day, so they knew they were going in the right direction. Pharaoh changed his mind, hardened his heart again, and pursued them. The Israelites freaked out because they could see them coming in the distance. When all hope is lost, and death is sure, God steps in and tells you to relax. Am I to sit there and wait? These people are going to kill me! This is the moment that popular but extraordinary verse comes into play. 

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

Mind you, it's dark, and God used the pillar of cloud to make it even darker to keep them from seeing one another. God told Moses to tell them to keep going and to lift his rod and stretch out his hand, and they would cross on dry land. Don't forget; it's dark! So scary, but they did it, and the Egyptians followed them in, and God released the water, and Israel saw their dead bodies washed up on the shore. Justice served! 

Whatever you are going through, don't stop going; face forward and walk through your Red Sea and watch as God destroys your enemies! Though this story works for the individual, it's much bigger than our personal issues; it fits more easily into an entire country's situation. The United States is up against a wall where lawlessness abounds, the enemy is in hot pursuit, and it looks like he's winning, but we are still a Christian country. Even though we are full of deniers, just as Israel was, I expect that he will come to our rescue where it can only be attributed to him so everyone will see and know it was God. Fear not; stand still!

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exodus 14:13

August 16, 2023

As I start reading the Bible, I always come up with questions early on, which is good because I get to watch God show me the answers as I continue to read. Why does the firstborn belong to God? And what is a matrix? Why does an unclean animal require a lamb as redemption? Why should its neck be broken? I now get why Jesus taught in parables because God speaks through life. Jesus taught using parables to confound the unbelievers, and now I see that it’s also essential in understanding the Old Testament. 

Here are the answers I came up with. Before God released Israel from captivity, he killed the firstborn of everything in Egypt, and he expected that they should be thankful that their children were not killed and that they should consecrate them to him. The matrix is the womb, and when they left Egypt, they were now being forced out, like being pushed out at birth. They broke the seal and are now released from captivity. So, the unclean animals are like us and require a redeemer, who happens to be Jesus; otherwise, we are as good as dead in the eyes of God. 

Look at how he laid out the story of the Exodus from Egypt and see how it fits perfectly with the story of Jesus. Only God could create a parallel that works so perfectly. Learn to understand the parables of your life. What lessons is God trying to teach you through your story, and what can you learn about him through them? Israel had no idea they were living out the story of Jesus; we now see the reflection clearly. Recognize Jesus in your own story. 

That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S. And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. Exodus 13:12-13

August 15, 2023

The first nine plagues in Egypt were instituted by God through Moses. However, the tenth plague came directly from God with no earthly natural occurrence, meaning Egypt could not explain it away and, therefore, could have only come as retribution from God. Though God brought on the other plagues, this one, in particular, impacted everyone from Pharaoh to the lowly prisoner. Everyone was wailing and mourning and fearful of what was next. Out of fear, they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for, thus plundering Egypt and making them pay the wages they had kept from them and, as a consequence, for treating the Israelites poorly. God will take his portion and give it to the just as if the wealth of sinners is collected for that purpose. Seeing what God was doing for his people, Egypt was keenly aware of their sin and capitulated to their demands.

We are not unaware of what is going on in the governments of the United States and other countries; you would have to be completely blind not to see it. Justice is withheld from the innocent and given to the guilty. We must pray collectively to God for retaliation against this injustice. If we all pray, he will hear us as he heard Israel, and we will watch as he brings down the entire system and repays us for what we’ve lost. Pray that your unsaved friends and family come to know Jesus before this happens, or they, too, will be caught up in the devastation.

And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Exodus 12:30-31

And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. Exodus 12:36

August 14, 2023

After studying Exodus 12, I realized that the symbolism of the Passover is much more detailed than I thought. It makes me quite sad for the Jewish because the story of Jesus is written throughout this chapter. How can they observe the Passover without comparing it to the life and death of Jesus? I have always wondered why Christ-followers were never taught to celebrate Passover. Those that were not Israelites by birth yet lived among them were also required to follow the ordinances. Here are some examples:

1. Pick a perfect lamb on the 10th of the month, then sacrifice it on the 14th day. Jesus was the perfect sacrificial lamb.
2. Put the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel using hyssops—Jesus's blood protects us from the destroying angel.
3. Roast it with all its insides and eat it with bitter herbs, not breaking any bones. When we accept Jesus, we are eating his body. None of Jesus's bones were broken, and bitter herbs were eaten to recognize the bitterness of our sin.
4. Eat it with unleavened bread - clean all the leaven out of the house (sin.)
5. Leave none of the meat until morning. Burn the leftovers in the fire. Jesus took our sins and burned them in the fire. 
6. The men must be circumcised to take part. In the New Testament, circumcision means you are clean and sin-free.

These ordinances seem like a lot, but if you are brought up in this culture and do it ritually every year, it becomes second nature. As Christ-followers, we are adopted into the family of God; I wish Christians were taught this in the church because the symbolism points to Jesus, and I believe we should observe the Passover just as the Jewish believers do. 

And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. Exodus 12:14

August 13, 2023

Tribulation is not for us! Throughout the New and Old Testaments, the unbelievers were the people who were subjected to God's wrath. Look at how God showed himself to Pharaoh time and time again, yet he didn't relent in treating the Israelites with contempt and forcing hardships. They were living through problems brought on by man, not wrath. I can't help but notice that through the acts of our ungodly government, many people are now living through hardships brought on by them and their lack of care for the people's lives. Wait for it! Justice is coming, and those who love Jesus will benefit from faith in Him. 

Before the final plague, Moses warned Pharaoh and then left him in anger. Moses probably didn't want to see any more harm to Egypt's people because the final plague would devastate them. God gave the Israelites favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they gave them anything they asked for, and so plundered them before God released them from their captivity. Those plagues didn't even prick Pharaoh's heart, which caused him to suffer with his people when God unleashed the final plague. It makes you wonder what will happen when God has had enough of the tyranny happening throughout the world and the United States. Sit back, watch in awe and amusement, and pray for those you love to escape unharmed because things are rapidly deteriorating for the ungodly. Justice is coming! 

And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. Exodus 11:6-7