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.

Scripture

So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only gathered a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.

Observation

In the wilderness the Lord provided the food that was needed.

In the mornings, a flaky substance called “manna” appeared with the dew. Each evening, quails flew into the camp.

Regardless of how much manna people collected, there was always enough. Those who tried to hoard the manna for the next day found that it went putrid.

On the day before the Sabbath, they were told to collect twice as much. They could keep the extra for the next day, because on the Sabbath no manna appeared.

Application

The Lord always provides for His people. Not too much, not too little, and always at the right time.

The provision of manna was a miracle that cannot be explained by natural means. It came each and every day, except for the Sabbath. It lasted only a day, except on the Sabbath.

When we put our trust in God rather than in our career, our income and our bank balance, we find that in God there is always enough.

He takes us close to the line at times, sometimes right to zero, but He provides all that we need as long as we are trusting Him.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for the knowledge that in you there is always enough. Help me to trust you for that next bill to be paid, and to thrive in your gracious provision. Amen.

Scripture

“If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God, doing what is right in his sight and obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not send any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians for I am the Lord who heals you.”

Observation

The Lord leads the people away from the Red Sea and into the desert. After three days without water, they come to an oasis. The water is bitter, and the people start complaining. The Lord shows Moses a piece of wood to be thrown into the water, and the water becomes fit to drink.

While they are camped there, the Lord tells them that if they are faithful to Him and keep His commandments, He will keep them free from disease, for He is the Lord who heals.

Application

One of the seven covenant names which the Lord reveals to Israel is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals.

The Lord is a healer because of His nature, not just because He chooses to do so. God is love and He is life, so naturally He will heal His beloved people.

Note the condition though. We need to walk in fellowship and obedience to God. While it is true that God does heal people who do not know Him, we need to remember that our health is dependent on our walk with God. Generally speaking, you cannot deliberately and wilfully sin against God and then expect Him to make you better.

I once heard a testimony of God healing a heavy smoker from lung cancer. He was told at the time that he needed to give up the cigarettes to maintain his healing. He did not heed the warning, and the cancer returned.

We need to develop a sense of thankfulness to the Lord for our good health, for answered prayers and for the amazing skill and knowledge of medical practitioners.

All of these things are a gift from Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the amazing promise of healing and health for those who obey you. I ask now for wholeness in my body, my mind and my spirit. Amen.

Scripture

Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power

Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.

Observation

The people of Israel sing a song of praise to the Lord, celebrating their deliverance from slavery and the supernatural parting of the waters.

The Lord shows unfailing love to His people, but he crushes His enemies. He has promised a land to His people, a sanctuary for His dwelling place.

Application

What a deliverance that was for the people of God! The Lord did amazing miracles – plagues, provision of gold, silver and clothing, the crossing of the Red Sea, and finally the destruction of Pharaoh’s army.

The Lord s powerful and He smashes His enemies.

We need to recall that our fight is real, but we do not fight against flesh and blood. Our warfare is in the heavenly realms.

When Jesus died on the cross, He destroyed the power of satan. Yes, the devil can still oppose us and annoy us, even keep us in bondage. But Jesus has won the victory. Any power that satan holds over believers comes because they consent to it.

As a believer in Christ, I can claim victory over all the threats and annoyances of the enemy. God’s right hand has won the victory.

Prayer

Hallelujah! Thank you Lord for the power of your right hand. In Christ you have won the victory over sin, death and satan. I claim this victory now in my own life. I command all evil spirits to flee in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

Scripture

Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Observation

The Israelites camp at the sea. The Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart, and he sends an army after them

As Pharaoh approaches, the Israelites are filled with fear. But Moses tells them to stay calm because the Lord will fight for them.

At the Lord’s command, Moses raises his staff over the sea, and the water opens up, producing a dry path in the seabed for the people to cross on. When they have all passed through, the Lord again orders Moses to raise his staff over the sea, and the waters collapse, drowning the Egyptian army.

As a result of this, the people are filled with awe, and they put their trust in the Lord and in Moses.

Application

The plight of the Israelites is more desperate than most of us can imagine. They are hemmed in by desert on either side, a sea in front and the army of the world’s super power pursuing them. It does not get more stressful than this.

Moses’ advice to the Israelites was to not fear, but to wait and see the Lord’s rescue plan unfold.

The Lord gives us His peace when we are walking in His path. It doesn’t matter how impossible the situation appears, the Lord is with us.

Whether it is family problems, financial issues, job insecurity, the advice is the same. “Just stay calm.” When we put our trust in the Lord, it is amazing what He can do.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for parting the waters for the people of Israel. Help me to trust you when I can’t see the way forward. Amen.

Scripture

And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or the pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Observation

The Lord tells Moses that they are to dedicate to the Lord the firstborn of all livestock and the firstborn son of every person. The firstborn donkey can be redeemed with a lamb in its place. Otherwise its neck is to be broken. They must buy back the firstborn sons.

They must celebrate this rescue at the hand of the Lord each year, telling their children the reason for the celebration.

When Pharaoh lets the people go, the Lord does not lead them by the straight route through Philistine territory. If they faced a battle, they would want to return to Egypt. So God leads them by a longer route through the wilderness.

The Lord goes ahead of them as a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night.

Application

The Lord’s presence did not leave the people of God. The pillar of cloud was with them every day. The pillar of fire was with them every night.

That must have been a very encouraging sign to the people. The Lord was always there with them.

We have the same promise today. God is always with us. Jesus said, “I will never leave you until the end of the age.” Not only that, but every believer has the Holy Spirit in them.

What an encouragement that should be to us. God is always with me- ahead, behind, inside. I can never escape from His presence, even if I wanted to.

When we go through times of suffering, distress and darkness, God is with us. He walks with us through the tough times and the good times alike,

How awesome is that!

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this knowledge that you are always with me. When I am tempted to believe that you have abandoned me, please remind me that you are here. Amen.

Scripture

On that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt like an army.

Observation

Following the death of the firstborn sons, Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron, and now he orders them and the entire Israelite people to leave Egypt.

The Israelites gather their possessions and herds. They ask the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold which they give to them.

The people are like a great army of 600,000 men plus women and children. The Lord instructs them about celebrating Passover.

The Lord has brought Israel out of Egypt like a great army, as He promised.

Application

The Lord set the Israelites free from Egypt after exactly 430 years there, some of it in slavery. Nobody could have foreseen how or when this would happen. Yet the Lord did it in His time.

The Israelites did not leave as slaves but as wealthy people as the Egyptians willingly handed over to them all of their wealth.

When God makes a promise, we can be certain that it will come to pass. We may become impatient because God’s time scales are always different to ours.

God fulfils His promises in ways we can not anticipate. A nation of slaves does not just get up walk out into freedom. But in God’s plans, this is exactly what happened.

The message at the heart of this passage is that we should not give up on God. If He promised it, it will happen.

Keep praying! Be patient! Be expectant!

Prayer

Thank you Father that you do keep your promises. Please help me to be patient and to keep on trusting. Amen.

Scripture

That night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed.

Observation

The Lord instructs Moses that the current month is to be the first month in their calendar. On the fourteenth of the month, they are to take a lamb, slaughter it, and smear its blood on the doorposts of their houses.

The people are to be fully dressed and ready to leave. The Lord will strike down the firstborn son of every Egyptian, but the Israelites He will spare. This is judgement on the gods of Egypt.

So in the middle of the night, the Lord strikes down the firstborn son of every Egyptian from the Pharaoh down.

Application

The last and most devastating plague resulted in the death of every firstborn son in Egypt. The Israelites were spared by the Lord, but every Egyptian family, including Pharaoh himself, was stricken.

As the Lord stated in v. 12, this was not a judgement on the people of Egypt but on their gods. None of these gods was able to protect Egypt from the wrath of the Lord. Even Pharaoh, who claimed to be divine was not immune from this judgement.

The Lord is the only Lord, the only God. All people, all ideologies, all gods, all social and economic systems; they are all subject to the Lord. He reigns over all things, and nothing can stand in His way.

Prayer

Lord God, you are greater than all we can imagine. Yet you love your people and rescue those who seek you. Glory, praise and honour to you, Most High God. Amen.

Scripture

Moses had announced to Pharaoh: “This is what the Lord says, ‘At midnight tonight, I will pass through the heart of Egypt’”

Observation

The Lord tells Moses that He will strike Egypt once more and then Pharaoh will order the Israelites to leave.

The Israelite men and women are to ask their Egyptian neighbours for gold and silver. The Lord has given them so much favour amongst the Egyptians that they will be happy to do this.

The last plague will be the death of the first born son of every Egyptian, including the first born of their livestock.

Application

The Egyptians worshipped life above all things- not too dissimilar to our own culture which denies the reality of death. The Lord alone is the giver of life and the one who can take it away. Every person needs to be ready to meet the Lord on His terms.

Moses announced that the Lord would pass through the heart of Egypt. We tend to think of the Lord passing through as a happy event. When the Lord confronts sin, however, it can be far from happy. If the Lord comes to judge, and people are not prepared to repent of their sins, then suffering will be the result.

This applies to christians as much as anyone else. The Lord wants us to be holy and set apart for Him. To the extent that we cling to our sinful attitudes and behaviours, we too might be subject to a cleansing that ultimately brings us closer to Him.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to turn away from every form of sin, and to live only and wholly for you. Amen.