Scripture

So the Lord changed his mind about the terrible disaster he had threatened to bring on his people.

Observation
While Moses is up on the mountain receiving the Law, the people of Israel decide to make an idol. They go to Aaron and demand that he make them a god.

Aaron takes the gold from their earrings and fashions a calf. Then he builds an altar and declares the next day will be a festival to the Lord. The people burn sacrifices to the idol and engage in “pagan revelry.”

The Lord tells Moses to go down and see how quickly the people have reverted to idolatry. He threatens to kill them all and make a new nation from Moses. Moses intercedes on their behalf, and the Lord relents.

Application
Idolatry is always lurking in the human soul. We have infinite capacity for worshipping false gods. It is as if being in relationship is too big a gift for us to appreciate and receive.

Most christians do not worship golden calves or other explicit idols. We might find ourselves exalting other thins above our obedience to the Lord- family, church, denomination, sport, work.

There are many idols but just one God.

Prayer
Father, please rescue me from my tendency to put other things ahead of you. May I never give in to any form of idolatry. Amen.

Scripture

Then the people stood at a distance, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Observation

From the holy mountain, the Lord gives Moses the ten commandments. These commandments are to be the foundation of all relationships in the land.

The laws were not given capriciously. Some come with blessings for obedience or curses for disobedience. There are consequences that flow from living in covenant with the Lord.

The people see the smoke and lightning and hear the powerful sounds of God’s presence and they are afraid. They ask Moses to speak to them on God’s behalf. Moses exhorts them to seek God’s presence for themselves but they refuse.

Application

It is right to be afraid of God. He is the one who can destroy not just the body but the spirit also. We must always remember that God is holy- very different to us.

It is important also to recognise God’s immeasurable love for us. The people saw the manifestations of God’s holiness and they were afraid to draw close to Him lest He kill them. But Moses pressed in, attracted to God’s holiness and love.

Holding back from God out of fear holds no blessing. Pressing in, regardless of the cost brings awesome relationship with our Lord.

Prayer

Today Lord I choose to press in, to draw closer to you. I bring my worship, but also my body and spirit, laying myself before you as a living sacrifice. Amen.

Scripture

So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on.

Observation
The Israelites move on at the Lord’s command. They camp at Rephidim but there is no water there.

The people complain against Moses and demand that he supply them with water.

Moses goes to the Lord who tells him to take his staff and use it to strike the rock at Mount Sinai. Moses does this, and water comes gushing out of the rock.

Application
The people move through the wilderness at the clear direction of the Lord- cloud during the day and fire at night moving ahead of them. They are fed daily by God’s miracles. They escaped Egypt miraculously.

Despite all of this, they never seem to get the message that God is with them and will supply all they need.

Even when we have experienced the provision and bounty of the Lord, we often forget He is wonderfully kind and supplies all we need.

We need to keep on reminding ourselves of all that God has done in the past to remind us to trust Him in the present.

Prayer
Father, thank you for all that you do in my life each day. Please help me top trust you in all things. Amen.

Scripture

As Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked towards the wilderness and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.

Observation

The Israelites move out of Elim and into the wilderness. There, the people complain against Moses and Aaron, already longing to return to Egypt. They forget the hardship and the forced labour and look nostalgically to the “good old days” which were far from good.

The Lord promises Moses that He will provide food for the people each morning and each night. Moses and Aaron summon the people, and as they are talking, the glory of the Lord appears.

From that day, the Lord provides manna each morning and quail in the evening.

Application

Change can be difficult. At times we are tempted to resist what God is doing and go back to the past. Sometimes we will even lie to ourselves about how much better things used to be.

As hard as change is, we can look forward to God leading our ways and providing what we need. Bread and meat every day! Supernatural guidance!

The hard part is that we have to be prepared to yield control to God. We want to make our own path and secure our own provisions. It is only when we follow God’s path and really really trust Him to work it out (with no Plan B’s, just in case He doesn’t come through) that we find the miracles.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to place all of my life into your hands and to trust you for the way forward. I yield all my Plan B’s to you. Amen.

Scripture

“But the blood on your door posts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.”

Observation
The Lord gives the people of Israel the instructions for celebrating the Passover.
As a permanent part of their annual life, the Israelites are to celebrate the Passover. They are each to take a special lamb, care for it and then slaughter it at twilight. Then they are to take some of the blood and smear it on their door posts.

They must be dressed ready to travel, for the Lord will strike down every first-born son in the land, except for those houses marked with blood.

Application
What a terrible price the people of Egypt paid for the intransigence of their leader- the death of every first-born son in every family- except those whose houses were marked with the blood of the Passover lamb.
This was judgement against a nation which refused to obey God and placed its economic prosperity above righteousness.
The Passover is also a sign of salvation. We were headed towards death but we have been marked by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for saving me from sin. Thank you for the blood of Jesus Christ which makes any sin clean. Amen.

Scripture

He called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarrelled and tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Observation

The whole of Israel travel through the wilderness as the Lord leads them.

At Rephidim there is no water to drink, and the people start grumbling against Moses. Moses then calls out to the Lord.

The Lord tells Moses to go with the elders to the rock and to strike it with his staff, and water will flow from the rock.

Moses obeys the Lord.

Application

It seems that Moses had to have faith for a whole nation. He is the only one who sees that God will provide for them.

Rather than grumbling and complaining when things are not the way we would like them, we need to look to the Lord.

Moses knew that the Lord had brought them to this place and that He would provide what was needed.

The life of faith means trusting God to lead, provide and protect us in every moment.

Prayer

Father, as I look back on my life, I can see many occasions where you have provided what was needed at the exact right time. Please help me to trust you today. Amen.

Scripture
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.

Observation
Moses and Aaron and the elders of Israel approach the mountain, and they see God. The Lord tells Moses to come to the top of the mountain, so he takes Joshua and they ascend.
As Moses goes toward the summit, the glory of God covers it. The Lord calls to Moses from the glory cloud which appears to be like devouring fire.

Application
Words cannot describe the glory of God- it’s a cloud, smoke, devouring fire.
The presence of the Lord defies our minds to describe. To the believer it is a cause for wonder. To the unbeliever it is a cause for fear.
The presence of God was what drove Moses on. His heart’s desire was to know the Lord ever more intimately.
That same desire should drive us also. Prayer, Bible study, and other disciplines are dry and deadly unless we are pursiong the presence of the Lord. But when we truly meet with the Lord- what glory we find and what joy.

Prayer
Lord make me like Moses who desired above all the be in your presence. Give me that same passion. Amen.