Scripture

“If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on the earth. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.”

Observation

The Israelites arrive at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moses climbs the mountain to meet with the Lord.

The Lord announces that Israel is His special treasure, His royal priesthood.

Then the Lord announces that He will descend on Mount Sinai the following day, and the people need to prepare themselves. They must not touch the holy mountain.

The Lord comes down, covering the mountain with smoke and sounding loud trumpet blasts. The Lord calls Moses up to the mountain.

Application

The Lord tells the Israelites that if they obey Him, they will be His treasure, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.

God sees each of us as His treasure- precious, beautiful, lovely. Often we feel unworthy of such a value. We may be plagued by guilt or shame, or just feel that we are unlovable.

Yet God is determined to love us. He places a high value on every single one of us. We are His treasure.

We are a kingdom of priests. The church together is that kingdom. It is hard to comprehend that God wants us to be in His presence, worshipping Him and interceding for other people.

We are God’s holy nation. The word “holy” means “set apart for God’s purpose.” I am not my own. I was bought at a price. I therefore cannot do any old thing that I want to do. I cannot wilfully follow the dictates of my old sinful nature. I have been set apart by God for a holy purpose.

God is building up His kingdom, claiming us as His treasure, His royal priesthood.

Prayer

Father, you call me your treasure, your holy priest. This is too marvellous to understand. Please help me to live totally surrendered to you, to do only what you call me to do. Amen.

Scripture

“Teach them God’s decrees, and give them instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. Select from all the people capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty and ten.”

Observation

Moses father- in- law, Jethro the priest of Midian, comes to visit Moses. He had heard that the Lord rescued His people from Egypt.

Jethro confesses that the Lord is greater than all the other gods because He rescued the Israelites from Egypt. He then offers sacrifices to God.

The next day, Moses hears people’s disputes all day long. Jethro tells Moses that he needs to delegate this role to others who can lead groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, or ten. This leaves Moses to teach people and show them how to live to honour the Lord.

Application

The Jethro Principle enables church leaders to be effective without being burnt out by the demands on them. This is one of the principles under-girding cell churches. We place people into small groups whose leaders are coached and mentored by experienced leaders of leaders, who themselves are mentored by others.

The same principle can be described as the Spirit of Sonship. Every person needs to have a spiritual father (or mother), with every member of a congregation also submitted to the “father of the house” that is the Senior Pastor.

Moses was being overwhelmed by the demands of the people in little matters. Many pastors face the same issue of having to be consulted over every church member’s personal life.

When people are being pastored by “under- shepherds” who are themselves being pastored, with everyone only directly responsible for a few people, the burden of care is shared. The pastor is then freed to teach, preach and set the direction of the church.

How awesome it is when the Body of Christ functions in the wisdom and grace of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the wisdom in your word. Help me as a pastor to not take on too many burdens that are not mine to carry. Amen.

Scripture

Moses built an altar there and named it “Yahweh- nissi” (which means “the Lord is my banner”).

Observation

Following the Lord, the people of Israel come to Rephidim, but there is no water for them. They start to grumble and complain.

Moses goes to the Lord, who commands him to strike the rock with his staff. Moses does so, and water comes gushing out.

The Amalekite warriors come to fight Israel. Moses stands at the top of a hill. As long as he holds his staff up, the Israelites prevail. But when he lowers the staff, the Amalekites start to win. Aaron and Hur stand beside Moses and support his arms. As a result, Joshua’s army overwhelm the Amalekites.

Application

Just as the Amalekites warred against Israel for generations, so too christians are in a constant and unrelenting battle against satan.

In this warfare, the Lord has promised that He is our banner.

The banner, standard or flag, served many functions in ancient warfare.

1. It identified the armies and which king they belonged to. The Lord is the head of our army, and we should always look to Him.

2. They were a rallying point for the soldiers because they identified where the general was. When you feel disoriented or confused in the battle, turn to the Lord and refocus on Him.

3. They provided a point of cohesion and unity for the army. You are not fighting the battle alone- you have a church, local and global, with you.

4. They reminded the troops that there was a cause they were fighting for. We are not fighting against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers and principalities that have already been defeated by the blood of Christ.

Prayer

Yahweh- nissi, you are my banner. Please help me to remember this when the battle rages around me. Amen.