Exodus

When the Cloud is Taken Up

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Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:  but if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.  For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Exodus 40:34-38

After the tabernacle was consecrated for service of the priesthood.  The glory and presence of the LORD filled the tabernacle, and even Moses could not enter.

Now this cloud is a  demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s work in guiding the children of God through the wilderness.  Just as Moses and Israel depended on the LORD’S cloud by day and fire by night; even so the Christian depends on the Holy Spirit for guidance, understanding, wisdom and knowledge.

As Christians, through faith in Jesus Christ, and His finished work on the cross we have received the baptism of the Spirit, so we can be filled with the Spirit, which is walking with God, doing His will.

The Commandments Of The LORD

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And God spake all these words, saying,
“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
“Thou shalt not kill.
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.
“Thou shalt not steal.
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
Exodus 20:1-17

It can be stated in two shorter “Laws”.  In the words of Jesus, ” And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”  And Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:’ this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’ There is none other commandment greater than these.’ “  Mark 12:28-31

In The Press

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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.  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
And the LORD said unto Moses, “Wherefore criest thou unto Me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: but lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.  And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.  And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten Me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
Exodus 14:13-18

The Israelite people had been freed from bondage in Egypt,  They had made it to the Red Sea, when they looked and saw their former captors on the chase after them, and it was not for recapture.  The Egyptians had a heart for killing them all.

The people of Israel, many of them, when they saw the Egypt’s army hot on their trail, they were frightened.  Moses tells them “Do not fear, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.

Please note what God says to Moses, it sounds something like this, “What are you doing standing here?  Tell the people to move forward, stretch out your staff over the sea, and it will divide, and the people will go over on dry ground.”

The King of Egypt, the Pharaoh was not an honest, trust worthy man. He could not be trusted. He thought he was god, and was worshiped by the Egyptian people.  The LORD God Almighty had proven that he was not god, but only a man.

The people of Israel had found themselves in a press, or it you will, a stressful situation.  When they saw the large army coming after them they saw no way out.  The LORD provided a way where there seemed to be no way.

God is the Righteous, Holy and Just Lord of creation.  He cannot tolerate sin, and He will not even look upon it.  How then, can we please Him?  We cannot, but One did.  Humanity is in a press concerning our relationship with God.  God sent His Son to  live a life without sin, an obedient Son who had a strong relationship with God His Father.

The press of sin can defeated now by one calling on the name of the One who died on the cross for our sins, having become sin for us, that we would become the Righteousness of God.

Is the press of sin weighing on you today.  Today is the day to move toward Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. He is the way, and there is no other.

Glory On The House

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Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: but if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Exodus 40:34-38

Moses had led the people of Israel at this point for about one year. Life in the wilderness was tough, rough, dry, and a learning experience for Moses and the people.

They had received the LORD’S Ten Commandments, and Moses had broken the stone tablets which the LORD had cut out and written with His own hand; and Moses had gone back to the top of Sinai, and cut the stone out at the LORD’S instruction, and then he was instructed to cut out the Ten Commandments, as the LORD gave them.

They had spent time, given offerings of gold, silver, brass, precious stones, blue, purple, and scarlet and linen, and other things for the building of a portable tabernacle in the wilderness.

The above verses tell us what happened after the tabernacle was finished, and at God’s instruction set up.

Moses cannot even enter it because the glory of GOD is on the house. He is well pleased with it.

What does all of this mean for a Christian in today’s world? It is for our learning, even our sanctification, and strengthening of our faith assuring us that God will do what He says He will do.

Everything about the tabernacle in the wilderness is a shadow, a type, a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice of His own blood for the redemption of all who will come to Him.

There is a problem though, in that, the way into the presence of the LORD is guarded by a veil. The veil was between the table, and  the lampstand (the Menorah), incense altar and the Ark of the covenant, and mercy seat which set on top.

In many years there was a temple built which was destroyed in Jerusalem, and rebuilt, and in the time of Jesus when He died on the cross we are told that the veil of the temple was torn apart from top to bottom according to Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, and Luke 23:45. Thus telling us that Jesus is the way into the presence and glory of God, and the promise of eternal life with Him.

Jesus’s death fulfilled all the law concerning atonement, redemption, and sanctification. In His burial He carried all our sins away and when He rose from the dead He defeated sin, death, and Hell.

Now what will you do with Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, God the Living Son?

The Goodness, Mercy, and Grace of the LORD

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And He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”  And He said, “Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”
Exodus 33:19-20

Moses had just asked the LORD, “Show me Your glory, ” and ends by tell us that no man can behold the face of the LORD, and live.

We read in verse 11 that Moses talked with God face to face, as with a friend, and we are told in the last verse of the chapter, “…but My face shall not be seen.” Seems like a contradiction, and I am not sure I can grasp the full meaning of that, but say,  when Moses was speaking to God face to face it was in a cloud, a veil or sorts, and when GOD shows Himself (His glory) there is no veil, but only His hand that guards Moses from death, and that Moses saw only the LORD’S back.

This revelation of Moses getting to view the glory of the LORD shows us that God is truly good, merciful, and gracious. It especially shows us that God can be seen.

God was seen by men when Jesus was on earth as a Man; God veiled by human flesh. Jesus Himself said, “If you have seen Me you have seen the Father” (John 14:9).

The LORD God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy; and He will be gracious to whom He will be gracious. I pray He will be merciful and gracious to you so that you will come to Him through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and He rose again. He also told us, “I will come again and receive you unto Myself that where I am there you may be also” (John 14:3).

Will you call on His name today?

According To The Pattern

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“…And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it…”
Exodus 25:8-9

According to what pattern? The pattern from that which is in the presence of God in glory.

God has told Moses to receive an offering from the people in the wilderness. Those offerings are to consist of gold, silver, brass, precious stones, special materials, such as blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. It was also to include certain animal skins, oil, spices, and incense. As well as a few other items and a certain wood.

What is all of this about? It is God’s plan of salvation for His people. The plan has included blood sacrifices, of goats, and lambs, and bulls; even a red heifer. It comes from God’s pattern in glory. The earthly tabernacle was for God’s desire to dwell among His people. All of these shadows, types, and pictures are only likenesses of the true, which is in heaven. They all point to a Savior who will come several centuries later, and His name is Jesus.

The blood of goats, lambs, bulls, nor a red heifer can take away sin. The reason for daily sacrifices shows that, and the annual sacrifice on the day of Atonement needed repeated again and again, because they were still guilty of sin.

When Jesus came, sent from the Father as the “Only begotten Son of God,” then God was dwelling among His people. The religious leaders rejected Him; many of them did, and that led to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. His one sacrifice is sufficient to save all who will call on His name.

Hear what the writer of Hebrews says,

“Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, “See,” saith He, “that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” Hebrews 8:5

Christ Jesus is the One and only who can take away our sins. He has paid the sin debt that was owed to God the Father. The debt has been paid, and Jesus paid it with His life, giving His blood for our redemption.

Only one sacrifice. Only One Savior. His name is Jesus who is the Son of the Living God. Call on His name today and be delivered from the bondage of sin and darkness.

“You speak with us”

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And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.  And they said unto Moses, “Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”  And Moses said unto the people, “Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that His fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.”  And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Exodus 20:18-21

In order for the people to know and believe that Moses received the word from the LORD, God had instructed Moses to have the people come to the foot of the mountain called Sinai. They would not be allowed to come near  the place where God was, but near enough to hear the voice of the LORD.

In the reading of chapter 20 of Exodus the above verses follow the giving of God’s law called the Ten Commandments. They are given in the hearing of the people, and their response is given above.

The people see and feel the quaking, rumbling, and smokey mountain at the presence of the LORD, and are quite afraid.  They tell Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear: but do not let God speak with us.” The people of God ought to want to hear the voice of the LORD.

We have people today who say they hear God’s voice, but much of what they say is contrary to the written word of God. God does not contradict Himself. Moses heard, listened, and heeded the word of the LORD. Moses went into the darkness where God was, and talked with Him.

I do not fully understand God being in the darkness, but this is not the only place where it speaks of His darkness. In Genesis 15:12 a “horrible great darkness” fell on Abraham from which God came and spoke to him.

First John 1:5 tells us that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. That may seem like a contradiction, but is more of a paradox that a contradiction. Meaning that darkness and light come along side one another to show the truth.

Because we humans are sinful beings God is unapproachable while we are in sin. God is light for those who come to Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

As Moses went into the darkness “where God was” is because he had already been with God before, and God had cleansed him, and provided his redemption.

One final thought: If you desire to hear the voice of the Lord, open the pages of God’s holy word – the Bible – and read it. Start with the Gospel of John, and there you will meet Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God, who is God the Living Son.

The Great Work of the LORD

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Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.  And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and His servant Moses.
Exodus 14:30-31

The LORD who is the Almighty God, Creator of all that is; both seen and unseen is All Powerful. There is nothing too hard for God. With Him nothing shall be impossible.

In the above verses for today we find Israel out of Egypt, and the Egyptian army decimated, drowned in the Red Sea. Some may wonder, “Why would God destroy so many people?” and the answer to that is “That they might know that I am the LORD.”

At least  twice that phrase is used in chapters 11 through 16. Do you know that the LORD He is God, and that there is no other? One day you will. Either on this side of eternity or on the other side.

God has made a way for all who will come to Him, to come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ who paid the sin debt for all the world. Only those who believe Him can come to Him. Jesus died on Calvary’s cross taking the wrath of God for sin, becoming sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21), He was buried carrying all our sin, shame, condemnation, and guilt away, then, He arose and came out of the grave alive forever more, interceding for all who have come to Him at the Father’s right hand.

One day soon Jesus will return, and all who have come to Him will go and be with Him forever, and those who have not believed Him will stand before a great white throne and be judged according to their works, will be found guilty, and cast into the Lake of Fire.

Believe Him, and be saved. He has paid the price of your redemption.

That You May Know…

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And the LORD said unto Moses, “Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.”
Exodus 10:1-2

The people who descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who had received promise from God that the land of Canaan was theirs have been in Egypt for about four hundred [400] years. Most of that time they have been slaves in the land they had gone to for aid during a very severe famine.

The people were laboring hard for their captors, building great pieces of architecture for them. According to the first chapter of Exodus they became slaves because a new king in Egypt did not know of Joseph, and greatly feared that these people could rise up against the nation, and conquer them.

There is a phrase in the verses above that is quite common through out the Scriptures. That phrase is, “…That you may know that I am the LORD.” The prophet Ezekiel uses the phrase at least sixty six [66] times. Here is Exodus it has been used three times at least referring to Egypt “that they may know that I am the LORD.” That gives me a lot of assurance that God desires the world to know that He is the LORD; and the One and only.

God speaking to and through Moses is assuring Moses and the people that what He is doing with these wonderful signs, judgment on Egypt is so that they too will know that He is the LORD.

God has shown us quite clearly in His word, in His love, mercy, and grace through the cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He is the LORD. Jesus  the One who is the God-Man; fully God and fully Man, had no sin, and was completely faithful to God His Father when He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-4, 14). He was fully qualified to be our propitiation for sin. He bore the wrath of God for us in His death, He was buried, and having paid our sin debt He arose and came out of the grave alive forever more. That we might know that He is the LORD.

Do All Those Wonders

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And the LORD said unto Moses, “When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, ‘Thus saith the LORD, ‘Israel is My son, even My firstborn: and I say unto thee, ‘Let my son go, that he may serve me:’ and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.’ ”
Exodus 4:21-23

When GOD sent Moses back to Egypt to deliver them from bondage, He gave him some signs; some wonders; that would get the attention of Pharaoh the king of Egypt, and all the Egyptian people.

Today, God equips His people with gifts of service for the saving of souls, delivering His people from the bondage of darkness, death, and sin. Since God calls His people to do His will He also gives us what we need to do the ministry He has given us.

It all comes because His Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, He was buried, and on the third day He rose again. When we through faith call on the name of the Lord He hears and will deliver all who call. When we have surrendered to His will for our lives He gives us what we need for serving Him.

When GOD Moves

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Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: but if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.  For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
Exodus 40:34-38

He also exalteth the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 148:114

Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.  Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Proverbs 30:5-6

…That is when God’s people move.

Abundant In Goodness And Truth

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And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed,
“The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”
And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.  And he said, “If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for Thine inheritance.”
Exodus 34:5-9

All the kings of the earth shall praise Thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of Thy mouth.           Psalm 138:4
Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.             Psalm 140:4

They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.             Proverbs 28:4

…I know you by name

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And Moses said unto the LORD, “See, Thou sayest unto me, ‘Bring up this people:’ and Thou hast not let me know whom Thou wilt send with me. Yet Thou hast said, ‘I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in My sight.’  Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in Thy sight, shew me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight: and consider that this nation is Thy people.”  And He said,
“My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”
And he said unto him, “If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.  For wherein shall it be known here that I and Thy people have found grace in Thy sight? Is it not in that Thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”  And the LORD said unto Moses,
“I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name.”
And he said, “I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory.”
Exodus 33:12-18

Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that fear the LORD, bless the LORD.
Psalm 135:20

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:5-6

The LORD Will Be Known

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And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.  And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.
Exodus 29:45-46

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in His ways.
Psalm 128:1

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17

Serve The LORD Your God

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Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.  Beware of Him, and obey His voice, provoke Him not; for He will not pardon your transgressions: for My name is in Him.  But if thou shalt indeed obey His voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.  For Mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.  Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.  And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
Exodus 23:20-25

Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O Thou that dwellest in the heavens.
Psalm 123:1

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Proverbs 25:5

God and Those Who Rule

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Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse the ruler of thy people.    Exodus 22:28

The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
Psalm 118:15-16

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, “Behold, we knew it not;” doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? And He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?
Proverbs 24:11-12

Greater Than All

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And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.  And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.  And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.  And Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.  Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly He was above them.” And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God.
Exodus 18:7-12

Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.
Psalm 114:7-8

When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.
Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.
Proverbs 23:1-3

Pillar of Cloud and Fire

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And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said,
“Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:”
But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.”
And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Exodus 13:17-22

So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory.
When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.
Psalm 102:15-16

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Proverbs 21:30

They That Fear The Word of the LORD

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And the LORD said unto Moses,
“Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, ‘Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, ‘Let My people go, that they may serve Me.  For I will at this time send all My plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like Me in all the earth.  For now I will stretch out My hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.  And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee My power; and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth.  As yet exaltest thou thyself against My people, that thou wilt not let them go?  Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.  Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.'”
He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: and he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.
Exodus 9:13-21

Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.
Psalm 96:3

It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
Proverbs 20:3

By God Almighty

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Then the LORD said unto Moses,
“Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.”
And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him,
“I am the LORD: and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.  And I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage:’ I am the LORD.”
Exodus 6:1-8

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to shew that the LORD is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalm 92:12-15

Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Proverbs 19:1

The Rod Of God Was In His Hand

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And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, “Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.”  And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian,
“Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.”
And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
Exodus 4:18-20

Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
Psalm 90:1

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10

As the LORD Commanded

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According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.   And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.                    Exodus 39:42-43

Reading these chapters of Exodus dealing with the commandments of the LORD of the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and all its furniture, from the ark of the covenant to the brazen altar; and then all the skins that make up all the coverings is almost mind boggling. Then, to read that the men who did the weaving following the heavenly pattern, and Moses checking it and it was all done correctly; just as the LORD commanded. WOW!

The men who were the artist of these works received the commendation of Moses too.

We all enjoy words of appreciation. A question I think of and direct to myself first is this: How often do I speak words of appreciation, and/or show appreciation for those who are ever faithful in doing the Lord’s work? I know we need to express appreciation in all aspects of our lives; let us do that. Let us also show and express our appreciation to those who are faithful in serving the Lord, no matter who it may be. The elderly who can no longer attend church, but were faithful in the work of the church before, and are now continually praying for the church, the pastor and deacons, the secretary, the maintenance, sound people, children’s teachers, and on and on.

To all of you who are faithful to serve the Lord and are doing what the Lord commands in the Church you serve. Thank you and keep up the good and godly work you are doing. God is blessing you.

I also thank all of you who come here to read this blog. You are a blessing and encouragement to me. Thank you.

The Problem with Pluralism

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And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, “To morrow is a feast to the LORD.”             Exodus 32:5

The above text is from hearing that Moses has been gone for a few days, and the people are desiring to have some semblance of spiritual leadership. They decide to set up a golden calf. It is probably so that Aaron feared for his life if he rejected their requests so he request their golden ear rings and such other that they have, and makes this object of rejection of holy GOD.

In an attempt to keep the people reminded of Jehovah/YHWH, Aaron builds an altar, it seems, to worship the true God. It falls short of what God calls for. He is a Jealous God. There can be no other that His people worship. His jealousness is named in the second commandment (Exodus 20:5), and it is mentioned once again in Exodus 34:14,”For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God…” That is exactly what Aaron had led them to do.

There is only One God and He is known by Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He can only be known through His Son Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world who died on the cross to redeem us from sin, He was buried not only to show that He died but to carry away our sin, guilt and condemnation; and He rose again and came out of the grave for our justification. Through Him alone can we know God, and worship Him as we ought.

The One Keeping Them In The Way

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Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.   Beware of Him, and obey His voice, provoke Him not; for He will not pardon your transgressions: for My name is in Him.              Exodus 23:20-21

Who is this One, this One called “Angel” in these verses. In the verses which follow He would be like hornets to those who opposed Him and His people (v. 28).

This One was named by Stephen in Acts 7:30 as an angel who spoke in the burning bush (Exodus 3) and He calls Himself “I Am”.

It has been said, by more intelligent, and Biblical scholars; that you can see Jesus on every page of the Old Testament; and I believe that is true. Jesus Christ the Son of God is also God the Son.

Jesus in His pre-incarnate Person was with the children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness.

Since He came as Man and died on the cross for the sins of the world, and was buried, and He rose again for our justification, then we can know God, with the forgiveness of our sin, being born again becoming His sons, and inherit all that is His.

He is called Immanuel [God with us], may we who name that holiest of all names, live like Him.

They Shall Know…

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Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”     Exodus 6:6-7

But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth Mine armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.   And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.     Exodus 7:4-5

I use two different text from my reading this morning for the purpose of this message…

The people of God need to know and believe that the LORD is their God before we can expect the world around us to know and believe it. So let’s start believing with our heart, our mind and our lives through our obedience to Him; not to gain His favor, but because we have His favor.

It is quite apparent to me that the LORD God wants all the world to know.

Repent people of God. Turn to Him and know Him. The world will one day know who He is, but do you know Him today. GOD has made it possible through the death of His Son Jesus on the cross, His burial, and bodily resurrection. Call on Him in repentant faith.